The Cruel Sea is a multi-ARIA Award winning 90s Australian rock/blues outfi… Read Full Bio ↴The Cruel Sea is a multi-ARIA Award winning 90s Australian rock/blues outfit. Originally an instrumental band focused on surf sounds, the addition of vocalist Tex Perkins (also a member of The Beasts of Bourbon and a solo artist) proved an inspired decision. Combining the charismatic Perkins with the highly talented musicians created an unstoppable force through much of the 90s. Members of the band continue to perform, though with the exception of Perkins, most activity is fairly low key.

James Cruikshank has recently been playing in Sydney with newly formed band, The Millionaires, which also includes Dave McCormack from Custard.

No Choice
The Cruel Sea Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

There are so many ways I could be good to you
But I can't think of one of them right now
There are too many things I have to say to you
And you're gonna have hear a whole earful
Of that shit anyhow

There are too many days left in this week
And I can't decide which one I want to end first

There are too many people that I do not wish to meet
I ain't got enough room in my head for all that kinda shit
Anyhow right about now

You got no choice in it

Overall Meaning

The Cruel Sea's song No Choice is a soulful introspection on the burden of choices and decision-making. The opening verse states the conflicting nature of wanting to do good for someone but being unable to think of any way to do so at present. This is followed by the admission of having a lot to say to the recipient of the song, but knowing that it would be burdensome for them to hear it all. It's a classic case of wanting to express oneself but also worrying about how it'll be received.

The second verse delves deeper into the complexities of decision-making. The singer seems to be overwhelmed with the number of days left in the week and unable to decide which one they'd like to end first. This speaks to a sense of helplessness and exhaustion that occurs when too much responsibility and too many options are available. They also mention not wanting to meet certain people, which could indicate social anxiety or the desire for solitude. The refrain "Anyhow right about now / You got no choice in it" adds a note of fatalism to the song. It seems to suggest that despite the singer's struggles, there's an awareness that these things must be done and that there's no avoiding them.

Line by Line Meaning

There are so many ways I could be good to you
I have plenty of ways to make you happy, but right now I can’t think of any.

But I can't think of one of them right now
At this moment I am having trouble coming up with anything positive.

There are too many things I have to say to you
There are a lot of things that I need to express to you.

And you're gonna have hear a whole earful
You will have to listen to everything I have to say, whether you like it or not.

Of that shit anyhow
Regardless of how unpleasant it may seem.

There are too many days left in this week
The week is dragging on and there are too many days left.

And I can't decide which one I want to end first
I can’t choose which day to end first because they are all equally unbearable.

There are too many people that I do not wish to meet
There are many individuals I’d rather avoid.

I ain't got enough room in my head for all that kinda shit
I don’t have the headspace to deal with all of that unpleasantness.

Anyhow right about now
At this moment in time.

You got no choice in it
You have no say in this matter.