Formed in 1985, The Mighty Mighty Bosstones started playing in Boston clubs in the mid-1980s. After a brief period of inactivity due to the schooling commitments of its members, they reformed and released their album Devil's Night Out on Taang! Records. The Bosstones toured relentlessly throughout the 1990s, playing hundreds of shows a year, releasing albums and spinning off the popular rock radio hit "Someday I Suppose". They were eventually signed to Mercury Records. The band appeared in the movie Clueless. In 1997, the success of their single "The Impression That I Get" and its follow up, "The Rascal King" earned them mainstream recognition. In 2000 they put out their critically acclaimed disk Pay Attention. The Mighty Mighty Bosstones released their last album on Side One Dummy Records. They officially went on hiatus in 2003, citing too much time on the road and desire to branch out and do different things. In 2007, the Bosstones announced that they were reforming. They played their 10th Hometown Throwdown in Boston and released a new album, Medium Rare, which consists of rare B-sides, and 3 new songs, including the single, "Don't Worry Desmond Dekker".
The band announced their split in early 2022.
Nah Nah Nah Nah Nah
The Mighty Mighty Bosstones Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Nah Nah Nah - Nah Nah Nah Nah
Nah Nah Nah Nah Nah Nah Nah Nah Nah Nah
Nah Nah Nah - Nah Nah Nah Nah
Nah Nah Nah Nah Nah Nah Nah
I'd rather you didn't then did, I'd rather you didn't get rid
That is not what you do to a kid
[Chorus]
If this is the case, let us cut to the chase
I'm so sorry I never let go
I went to the doctor, the kind that you talk to
And he said the process is slow
[Chorus]
I'd rather you hadn't then had, if you hadn't I wouldn't be mad
At what I've been handed, despite it I've landed
On both feet so don't worry dad
[Chorus]
Now that I've said it, lets try to forget it
I don't want to trash your good name
Trash mine if you'd like to, I'm sure you'd be psyched to
Remember - Our name is the same!
[Chorus x2]
The Mighty Mighty Bosstones’ song “Nah Nah Nah Nah Nah” is a reflection on the emotional pain of being rejected as a child. In the chorus, the repetitive “nah nah nahs” serve as a coping mechanism and a way to drown out the hurtful words. The lyrics of the chorus indicate a lack of desire to engage in any substantive conversation or communication with the subject of the song, as if to imply that any discussion with them would just lead to more pain.
The verses focus on the singer's pain and confusion following a rejection. The lines "I'd rather you didn't then did, I'd rather you didn't get rid / Of me at that age, such a young awkward stage / That is not what you do to a kid” highlight how being rejected at a young age can have long-lasting negative effects. The lines "If this is the case, let us cut to the chase / I'm so sorry I never let go / I went to the doctor, the kind that you talk to / And he said the process is slow" show that the singer is trying to work through their pain, but it's not easy.
Line by Line Meaning
Nah Nah Nah - Nah Nah Nah Nah
I don't want to hear any excuses or reasons, just leave me alone
Nah Nah Nah Nah Nah Nah Nah Nah Nah Nah
And don't try to come back either
Nah Nah Nah - Nah Nah Nah Nah
Seriously, don't even think about it
Nah Nah Nah Nah Nah Nah Nah
I know what you did to me when I was young, and it wasn't right
I'd rather you didn't then did, I'd rather you didn't get rid
It's better that you didn't abandon me, even though things weren't perfect
Of me at that age, such a young awkward stage
Leaving a kid at such a vulnerable age is a terrible thing to do
That is not what you do to a kid
You shouldn't have done it, and I won't forget
If this is the case, let us cut to the chase
Let's get to the point and stop beating around the bush
I'm so sorry I never let go
I've been holding on to this pain and anger for too long
I went to the doctor, the kind that you talk to
I sought out therapy to help me deal with my emotions
And he said the process is slow
I know that healing takes time, but I'm committed to it
I'd rather you hadn't then had, if you hadn't I wouldn't be mad
Honestly, I wish you had never left me, but I'm trying to forgive
At what I've been handed, despite it I've landed
Life hasn't been easy, but I've managed to make the best of it
On both feet so don't worry dad
I'm doing okay, and I don't want you to feel guilty or responsible for my happiness
Now that I've said it, lets try to forget it
I've expressed my feelings, now let's move on
I don't want to trash your good name
I'm not trying to make you look bad or ruin your reputation
Trash mine if you'd like to, I'm sure you'd be psyched to
If you feel like you need to say negative things about me, go ahead - I won't let it bother me
Remember - Our name is the same!
Despite everything, we are still family and share a name
Contributed by Owen K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
G B
1:27
AHHH
Maybe we can paint over it!?
I DONT KNOW HOW TO MAKE PAINT
Nuh I got it!
See its a good thing why locked you down
Were not gonna make it were gonna make it
drops screw AAHHH!
See there told you it works!?
Archie S
"You do the living room, I'll start the kitchen GO!" *Song starts*
X54rd
This Song was playing at a party last week (Germany). I directly thaught of Gregs Diary 😅
Patricia Castaneda
XDDD
Trinity Livingston
Every time I hear this song, all I can picture is Greg flying over the yard and getting hit by the sprinklers.😂😂
SpFlash1523
"Trusting parents = Responsible kids"
Trinity Livingston
@Professor Hulk yea lol
Professor Hulk
To save his family's chair.
James De St Aubin
Greg:maybe we could paint over it
Rodrick:I DON'T KNOW HOW TO MAKE PAINT!!
EpicBryan737 YT
@Louis 157 Rodrick: See told you we can make it!
John Doe
Reaper25 Greg: because realistically why the hell would we keep the photos on the family roll