After splitting in 2004 the band has since reunited and in 2007 the Allstonians announced that quintessential ska hipster and former front man "King K" had returned to the fold (and has subsequently left due to troubles with his digestion). The band, which has resumed playing a brisk schedule of shows, now features original members Nigel T. Knucklehead, Darrell 'D-Train' Morrow, Ken 'King K' Knucklehead, Steve!, as well as longstanding members Tom 'Buns' Quartulli, Kurt "Luke" Wahlstrom, Eric "Merv" Bridson, Matt Maloney, "Father" David Roy, Jim "Liquid" Zavadoski, and Tyler "T-Bone" Oulton and Joe "Pondaco" D'Italia. New guys Matt "Funtimes" Giorgio and Dave "PBR" Tierney have joined us for the next leg of our journey, mutton. The group is notorious for its extremely high number of ex-members, as well as the band's love of alcohol and tea bisquits. Their level of glib intoxication approaches that of Dean Martin on good nights; on bad nights alcohol-fueled stage antics have featured a band member vomiting over his instrument on stage before passing out, and a member drunkenly quitting the group and storming offstage mid-set at the Middle East nightclub in Cambridge, MA.
The Allstonians supported and served as backing band for Lord Tanamo and the late ska legend Laurel Aitken on his last tour of the U.S. in 1999, playing five weeks' worth of shows across America. They are one of the few ska/rock steady bands besides the Skatalites who continue to play in an old-school Jamaican style.
The Allstonians offer some sample songs for download on their official website: "Mikey Dee" and "Sean Connery" from their 2003 release "Bottom's Up," and two unreleased songs, "Ordinary Day," and their cover of "Secret Love", inspired by Lord Tanamo's version which was inspired by Doris Day's version.
CAN'T SAY
The Allstonians Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's not right and we both know why.
You haven't got the right, neither do I,
Can't say I blame you, cant deny I'm sorry.
But its just no good, you said fuck you,
I wish that I could.
You hate me now but I'll never hate you.
I cant claim you now.
Can't change the past,
Its over and done.
Cant trust the future,
It might never come.
You cant trust me,
I wish that you could.
I cant say I blame you,
Cant deny I'm sorry.
But its just no good,
You said fuck you, I wish that I could.
You hate me now but I'll never hate you.
I cant say I blame you, I cant claim you.
Forget and forgive?
Somehow I don't think you will.
I'll be ashamed as long as I live,
But I cant go back and I cant stand still.
Cant change the past, 'cause its over and done.
Cant trust the future, it might never come.
You cant trust me, I wish that I could.
Can't say I blame you anyway.
Everything's broken, don't you cry.
Its not right and we both know why.
Have a nice life, goodnight and goodbye.
Can't say I blame you, cant deny I'm sorry.
The Allstonians’ song “Can’t Say” speaks to the pain and regret that comes with a fractured relationship. The lyrics speak to the brokenness present in the relationship and an acknowledgement of wrongs committed by both parties. The opening line “Everything’s broken, don’t you cry” sets the tone for the rest of the song's introspective lyrics. It is a somber reflection on a relationship that has ended, and the inability to change the past or predict the future leaves the singer in a state of limbo.
The chorus provides a window into the depth of the pain caused by the separation. “But it’s just no good, you said fuck you, I wish that I could. You hate me now but I’ll never hate you. I can’t say I blame you.” The singer acknowledges that there is no repairing the damage caused by the relationship, and that they may not fully understand the reasons why it ended. However, they refuse to harbor hate for the other person.
The final lines of the song, “Have a nice life, goodnight and goodbye. Can’t say I blame you, can’t deny I’m sorry,” are an almost cathartic release of the emotions that have been building throughout the song. It’s a realization that the relationship has ended, and an acceptance of the fate that has been dealt. The song ultimately leaves one with a sense of melancholy and regret.
Line by Line Meaning
Everything's broken, don't you cry.
Acknowledging that everything is not okay and expressing empathy for the pain it causes.
It's not right and we both know why.
Recognizing that there are underlying issues causing the brokenness and that they need to be addressed.
You haven't got the right, neither do I,
Admitting that neither party is blameless and that they are both equally responsible for their actions.
Can't say I blame you, cant deny I'm sorry.
Expressing regret for past mistakes and acknowledging that the other person's feelings are valid.
But its just no good, you said fuck you,
Recognizing that an attempt to reconcile has failed and acknowledging the other person's anger.
I wish that I could.
Expressing regret for not being able to fix the situation.
You hate me now but I'll never hate you.
Acknowledging that although the other person is angry, the singer still cares for them and holds no ill will.
I cant claim you now.
Acknowledging that the relationship between the two is irreparably damaged.
Can't change the past,
Recognizing that there is nothing that can be done to undo the damage that has already been caused.
Its over and done.
Affirming that it is time to move on from the past and let go of what cannot be changed.
Cant trust the future,
Expressing uncertainty and fear about what lies ahead.
It might never come.
Recognizing that there are no guarantees in life and that the future is always uncertain.
You cant trust me,
Acknowledging that the other person has lost faith in the singer's ability to be trustworthy.
I wish that you could.
Expressing regret for betraying the other person's trust and desire for reconciliation.
Forget and forgive?
Questioning whether it is possible for the other person to move past the situation and forgive the singer.
Somehow I don't think you will.
Expressing doubt about the other person's ability to forgive and move on.
I'll be ashamed as long as I live,
Acknowledging that the artist feels guilty for their actions and that the shame will linger for a long time.
But I cant go back and I cant stand still.
Accepting that the past cannot be changed and that the only option is to move forward.
Can't say I blame you anyway.
Acknowledging that the other person's anger is justified and that they have a right to their feelings.
Have a nice life, goodnight and goodbye.
Accepting that the relationship is over and wishing the other person well in their future endeavors.
Cant deny I'm sorry.
Reiterating the earlier statement expressing regret for past mistakes and acknowledging that the other person's feelings are valid.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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