Originally from Hamilton, Ontario, the group consisted of Frankie Venom (real name Frank Kerr), Gord Lewis, Steve Mahon (though he later changed his last name to Marshall) and Nick Stipanitz, and took their name from an album and song by The Flamin' Groovies.
Teenage Head came together in the early 70's when four young guys from Westdale High School in Hamilton, Ontario decided to form a band. Gord Lewis, founder and leader, Frank Kerr, Steve Mahon, and Nick Stipanitz weren't buddies, but each had a strong interest in the same type of music. By May 1978, they released their first single "Picture My Face" on Epic Records, and quickly became part of the scene exploding in Toronto. The legendary self-titled debut album followed a year later, turning the heads of many because it perfectly captured the spirit of the era. What's more, it showcased the band's talent as writers, with the ability to craft songs that would continue to stand the test of time, even by today's standards.
Ain't Got No Sense
Teenage Head Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I hoard my dollars 'cuz I won't share
It's a time to communicate, a time to be shrewd
A time to liberate, a time to be rude
OH OH, OH OH, OH ain't got no sense, OH OH, OH
My mother kicked the bucket and my dad's on his way Well I can hardly wait to cash his pay
My little sister's shy 'cuz she's got no sense
She learns her lesson when I get intense
OH OH, OH OH, OH ain't got no sense, OH OH, OH
Does she love me for the money, that I keep for my own
Does she love me, really love me tonight
Well I spend my money 'cuz I don't care
I hoard my dollars 'cuz I won't share
It's a time to communicate, a time to be shrewd
A time to liberate, a time to be rude
OH OH, OH OH, OH ain't got no sense, OH OH, OH
Does she love me for the money, that I keep for my own
Really love me, really love me tonight
If I could change your mind, then things, they would be fine
If I could change your mind, then things, they would be fine
If I could change your mind, then things, they would be fine
Then I know
Well I spend my money 'cuz I don't care
I hoard my dollars 'cuz I won't share
It's a time to communicate, a time to be shrewd A time to liberate, a time to be rude
OH OH, OH OH, OH ain't got no sense, OH OH, OH
The Teenage Head's song "Ain't Got No Sense" portrays a reckless and selfish character who is indifferent towards money and relationships. The opening lines reveal the singer's carefree attitude towards money, where he spends his money and does not care to share. The following lines depict his intention to inherit his father's money, who is on his deathbed, indicating that he is insensitive towards his family's feelings. The song's chorus "OH OH, OH OH, OH ain't got no sense, OH OH, OH" emphasizes his lack of control and morality.
The singer's character becomes more apparent as he describes his sister as shy and lacking sense, and he teaches her lessons when he becomes intense. He questions his love interest's intentions, whether she loves him or his money, and the repetition of the lines emphasizes his insecurities. The singer's confusion and fear of being used and taken advantage of is evident in the lyrics.
The song presents a situation where the singer acknowledges that the primary reason for his distress is not having control of his life. The singer desires to change his love interest's mind, which he believes would resolve all of his problems.
Overall, the song portrays a character who is unaware of his reckless behavior, and his emotions are driven by insecurity and a longing for power and control.
Line by Line Meaning
Well I spend my money 'cuz I don't care
I don't value my money so I waste it freely on things I don't even need
I hoard my dollars 'cuz I won't share
I am greedy and selfish with my money and I will not give it to others, even if they are in need
It's a time to communicate, a time to be shrewd
In certain situations, it's important to be clever and strategic with how you express yourself
A time to liberate, a time to be rude
Sometimes it's necessary to act rebelliously in order to free oneself from oppressive situations, even if it means being rude to others
OH OH, OH OH, OH ain't got no sense, OH OH, OH
Repeating the phrase 'ain't got no sense' emphasizes the idea that the artist lacks wisdom and insight
My mother kicked the bucket and my dad's on his way
My mother has died and my father is close to death, which means I am soon to inherit their money
Well I can hardly wait to cash his pay
I am eagerly anticipating my father's death so I can receive his money and spend it however I want
My little sister's shy 'cuz she's got no sense
My sister is timid and lacks confidence because she is not as clever or savvy as I am
She learns her lesson when I get intense
I bully and intimidate my sister in order to teach her to be more like me and to value the same things I do
Does she love me for the money, that I keep for my own
I am unsure if my romantic partner is with me because of my wealth and possessions, which I am protective of and unwilling to share
If I could change your mind, then things, they would be fine
The singer believes that if they can convince their partner to love them for who they are and not their money, then their relationship would be perfect
Then I know
If their partner truly loves them for who they are, the artist will have the confirmation they need for the relationship to work
Contributed by Natalie K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
tanktop
on Let's Shake
SOMEBODY
tanktop
on Take It
Frank Kerr