Shortly thereafter they were signed by Go-Kart Records and re-recorded the songs from "A Lesson" and re-released their album with the addition of some new tracks.
At the Fest VII in Gainesville, FL they were approached by Brendan Kelly of The Lawrence Arms and subsequently signed to Red Scare Industries.
They released their Red Scare debut EP "Hold On, Dodge" in 2009.
In April 2010, Chamberlain Waits was released, through Red Scare Records. In March and April they also toured in support of Against Me!.
On May 17, 2011 they announced that they had signed to Epitaph Records. Brett Gurewitz, founder of Epitaph Records and guitarist of Bad Religion said this about the signing of the band:
"These guys play the kind of pure punk rock that I grew up with. They are seriously talented songwriters and I'm happy to welcome them to the Epitaph family. I think the band is a great fit here."
They released their third full length album, On The Impossible Past, on February 21, 2012 via Epitaph Records.
The band currently lives in South Philadelphia, PA.
Band Members:
Tom May
Joe Godino
Greg Barnett
Eric Keen
I Don
The Menzingers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Last Friday night I wasn't me
I was a still life trapped in eternity
I was the focal point of a focus out of ink
And I’ve been wandering and I live through the garden of your heart ache
Always making a mess, always stumbling out the door
But I don’t wanna be an asshole anymore
Woah baby, baby I’ll be good to you
I don’t wanna be an asshole anymore
Woah baby, baby, I’ll be good to you
Baby, baby, I’ll be good to you
Another night, I devour the sun
Plunge myself into the depths of oblivion
Yeah somewhere along the way I found wine
Feels damn good just to bleed sometimes
All I ever wanted was to make things right
Usual vital, missing spite
I push my emotions off a bridge,
I’ve been taking them hostage with a shotgun
Now we’re somewhere treading water,
Somewhere lost inside the the man that I'm not
But I don’t wanna be an asshole anymore
Woah baby, baby I’ll be good to you
I don’t wanna be an asshole anymore
Woah baby, baby, I’ll be good to you
I’ll be good to you
I’ll be good, I’ll be good, I’ll be good
I won’t lie no more about where I’ve been
And I won’t pry no more over the people that you’re hanging with
You’re the only lover that I ever miss
And I’ve been hopelessly in love with
Look at this tangle of thorns
I don’t wanna be an asshole anymore
Yeah, I don’t wanna be an asshole anymore
Oh no, no, no
The Menzingers’ “I Don’t Wanna Be an Asshole Anymore” is a song that explores self-reflection and the desire to change for the better. The lyrics depict a person who has made mistakes in the past and has hurt others due to their own selfishness and recklessness. The song presents a journey of self-discovery and growth, as the singer acknowledges their past behavior and tries to make amends in order to become a better person.
The opening lines, “Last Friday night I wasn't me / I was a still life trapped in eternity / I was the focal point of a focus out of ink,” suggest a feeling of emptiness and a lack of identity. The singer has lost themselves in their own bad behavior, and they feel trapped in a cycle of self-destruction. The line “I’ve been wandering and I live through the garden of your heartache” shows the impact their behavior has had on others, and how they have caused pain for those they care about. The following lines, “Always making a mess, always stumbling out the door / But I don’t wanna be an asshole anymore,” reveal the singer’s desire for change and to stop being a burden on others.
The chorus, “Woah baby, baby, I’ll be good to you / I don’t wanna be an asshole anymore,” is both a promise and a plea. The singer is asking for forgiveness while also acknowledging their past mistakes, and promising to be a better partner in the future. The final verse, “I won’t lie no more about where I’ve been / And I won’t pry no more over the people that you’re hanging with / You’re the only lover that I ever miss,” shows their commitment to change, with a promise of honesty and trust in their relationships.
Overall, “I Don’t Wanna Be an Asshole Anymore” is a contemplative song that explores the theme of personal growth and the desire for change. The lyrics depict a person who has made mistakes, but who is willing to confront those mistakes and the harm they have caused. The song is both a plea for forgiveness and a promise to do better, which reflects the process of personal development and change that many people go through.
Line by Line Meaning
Last Friday night I wasn't me
On Friday night, I didn't behave like myself
I was a still life trapped in eternity
I felt stuck and unchanging, like a painting frozen in time
I was the focal point of a focus out of ink
I was the center of attention but couldn't express myself or convey anything meaningful
And I’ve been wandering and I live through the garden of your heart ache
I've been aimlessly wandering while dealing with the pain of experiencing the emotions of someone else's heartache
Always making a mess, always stumbling out the door
I tend to create chaos and leave situations abruptly
But I don’t wanna be an asshole anymore
I don't want to continue behaving in hurtful ways
Woah baby, baby I’ll be good to you
I promise to treat you well and not hurt you
Another night, I devour the sun
I get caught up in self-destructive behavior
Plunge myself into the depths of oblivion
I immerse myself in a state of nothingness and escape reality
Yeah somewhere along the way I found wine
Alcohol has become a crutch for me
Feels damn good just to bleed sometimes
I find temporary relief in causing myself emotional and physical pain
All I ever wanted was to make things right
I have good intentions, but often struggle to follow through
Usual vital, missing spite
Although I appear put together on the surface, I often lack motivation or conviction
I push my emotions off a bridge,
I usually try to suppress my emotions and not confront them
I’ve been taking them hostage with a shotgun
I aggressively and forcefully try to control my emotions
Now we’re somewhere treading water,
I feel like I'm stuck in a stagnant state and not making progress
Somewhere lost inside the the man that I'm not
I don't recognize who I've become and feel like I've lost my true self
I won’t lie no more about where I’ve been
I will no longer try to hide or be dishonest about my actions
And I won’t pry no more over the people that you’re hanging with
I won't try to control or interrogate the people you spend time with
You’re the only lover that I ever miss
I have strong feelings for you and miss being with you the most
And I’ve been hopelessly in love with
I have intense and unrequited feelings of love for you
Look at this tangle of thorns
Our relationship is complicated and full of unresolved issues
Oh no, no, no
An expression of regret or disagreement
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, MOTHERSHIP MUSIC PUBLISHING
Written by: ERIC KEEN, GREG BARNETT, JOE GODINO, TOM MAY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Christopher S.
Lyrics:
[Verse 1]
Yeeeeahhhhh!
Last Friday night I wasn't me
I was a still life trapped in eternity
I was the focal point out of focus, out of ink
And I've been wandering nightly
Through the garden of your heartache
Always making a mess, always stumbling out the door
But, I don't wanna be an asshole anymore
[Chorus]
Baby, baby I'll be good to you
I don't wanna be an asshole anymore
Baby, baby, I'll be good to you
Baby, baby, I'll be good to you
[Verse 2]
Another night, I devoured the sun
And plunged myself into the depths of oblivion
Yeah somewhere along the way I found why
Feels damn good just to bleed sometimes
But all I ever wanted was to make things right
The years of idleness and spite
I push my emotions off a bridge
After taking them hostage with a shotgun
Now they're somewhere treading water
Somewhere lost inside the man that I'm not
But I don't wanna be an asshole anymore
[Chorus]
Baby, baby I'll be good to you
I don't wanna be an asshole anymore
Baby, baby, I'll be good to you
I'll be good to you, I'll be good, I'll be good, I'll be good
[Verse 3]
I won't lie no more about where I've been
And I won't pry no more
Over the people that you're hanging with
You're the only lover that I ever missed
Ever been hopelessly in love with
Look at this tangle of thorns
I don't wanna be an asshole anymore
[Outro]
Yeah, I don't wanna be an asshole anymore
Oh no, no, no
Tech Matt
Just recently discovered these guys, have literally been listening nonstop. Haven't heard a band which gives me the feels more than these guys.
Kody Eyre
Matthew Lemmers check out Off With Their Heads! Very similar
RitualREDRUM
Same found them few years ago through the Lawerence Arms. They are amazing. Glad there's still good music being produced these days
A Guy Named Marcus
I found them via accidental click on 'Anna' and they are now my number one listened to band for the last 3-4 years. As you said, even after all these years there is no band that compares to the feel The Menzingers give me.
Uesugi Kenshin
Hope you've had a chance to see them perform live!
Jason
You should listen to Dead Poet Society they are awesome
E H
I've been trying to quit drinking and get back in better shape and have a more positive attitude. Everyday is a struggle. But this song and this video puts a smile on my face because I know I'm not alone and I know I can reach my goal. I really needed this today.
Rudolph Drasler
How are you doing today? I really hope your still living a sober life, and finding joys you’ll never find in a bottle or anywhere else for that matter!!!
E H
@Rudolph Drasler I'm doing great man. I ended up quitting drinking for a bit. I only will drink once in a while but not to make myself feel better or escape any loneliness. But I ended up getting back in shape and life took a more positive upside for me after I stopped drinking. During the pandemic I met someone and I made her my wife this year. Things got better and I'm definitely finding joys in life. Thank you for asking! I forgot I posted this. I was in a dark hole at the time. But I'm much better now😁
Kyle Cook
@E H Goddamn this was not the story of triumph I expected when I decided to watch this video.