The Protomen is an American rock band best known for composing original ro… Read Full Bio ↴The Protomen is an American rock band best known for composing original rock operas based on the popular video game series Mega Man. Because of the group's insistence on wearing costumes and using code-names, even when being interviewed, The Protomen remain a mysterious entity within the video game music scene. Their costumes and general stage presence has been compared to that of Daft Punk. Despite often being classified as a niche, the Protomen have achieved a cult following thanks, in part, to frequent mentions in popular video game web sites as well as a dedicated fan base.

Little is known about the Protomen, other than the band is based in Nashville, Tennessee. Because the band often responds to interviews and questions in-character, their own descriptions of their history are delivered with the dramatic flair of their storyline concept and their comments can not always be taken at face value. Their code-names are largely references to pop culture films, song titles, and fictional characters.

The band is composed mostly of MTSU recording program graduates, and first came to be so they could meet class deadlines and the need to record for [their] grades. They produced their first album over two years in various Murfreesboro studios, using analog rather than digital production. Most of the band had graduated and moved to Nashville by 2005.

Group member Commander has stated that their first album was deliberately designed to sound like "distorted pencil sharpeners about 90% of the time" and "was made specifically to go against everything our recording teachers and fellow students were trying to feed us about making everything sound pristine and 'perfect.'. The tracks were mixed on analog tape.

In a 2009 interview, lead vocalist Panther stated, "We basically gathered up all of our good friends from the local rock bands of Murfreesboro, tied ourselves together, and tried to walk. And somehow it worked. At the time, we noticed a void in rock and roll. A hole that could only really be filled with grown men and women painting up like robots and playing some fierce and furious rock music based on a 1980's video game. We were fairly certain no one else was going to fill that hole. But, by god, it's filled now. You can thank us later."

The band has strong ties to the Murfreesboro and Nashville independent music scene, and some members are integrated into several bands simultaneously.

No Easy Way Out
The Protomen Lyrics

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We're not indestructible
Baby better get that straight
I think it's unbelievable
How you give into the hands of fate

Some things are worth fighting for
Some feelings never die
I'm not askin' for another chance

I just wanna know why

There's no easy way out
There's no shortcut home
There's no easy way out
Givin' in can't be wrong

I don't wanna pacify you
I don't wanna drag you down
But I'm feelin’ like a prisoner
Like a stranger in a no named town
I see all the angry faces
Afraid that could be you and me

Talkin‘ about what might have been
I'm thinkin’ about what I used to be

There's no easy way out
There's no shortcut home
There's no easy way out
Givin' in can't be wrong

Baby, baby we can shed this skin
We can know how we feel inside
Instead of goin' down an endless road
Not knowin’ if we're dead or alive

Some things are worth fightin’ for
Some feelings never die
I'm not askin’ for another chance
I just wanna know why

There's no easy way out,
There's no shortcut home
There's no easy way out
Givin' in can't be wrong
(Givin' in can't be wrong, no)

There's no easy way out
(There's no easy way out)
There's no shortcut home
(There's no shortcut home)

There's no easy way out
(There's no easy, no easy, no easy way out)

Overall Meaning

The Protomen's "No Easy Way Out" is a song about questioning the decisions made in life and fighting against the hands of fate. These lyrics suggest that the singer is feeling frustrated and lost in the world, experiencing feelings of imprisonment and isolation. The lines "we're not indestructible, baby better get that straight" reveal a sense of vulnerability and a need to confront reality. It seems the singer is facing challenges and obstacles, but they believe that some things are worth fighting for and that feelings can never truly die.

The chorus of "There's no easy way out" represents the difficult choices we face in life as we navigate our way through it. The phrase "giving in can't be wrong" suggests that it is important to stand up for yourself, no matter what the outcome may be. The song's bridge offers a glimmer of hope as the singer encourages their partner to shed their skin and explore their true feelings instead of wandering down an endless road without purpose.

Overall, "No Easy Way Out" is a powerful anthem that speaks to the struggles of life and the importance of standing up for what you believe in.

Line by Line Meaning

We're not indestructible
We are not invulnerable

Baby better get that straight
Baby, you should understand this

I think it's unbelievable
I find it hard to believe

How you give into the hands of fate
You surrender yourself to fate

Some things are worth fighting for
Some things are worth the struggle

Some feelings never die
Some emotions never disappear

I'm not asking for another chance
I don't want another opportunity

I just wanna know why
I just want an explanation

There's no easy way out
There is no effortless solution

There's no shortcut home
There is no quick route back