The band's best known lineup consisted of Paul Westerberg (vocals, guitar), Bob Stinson (guitar), Tommy Stinson (bass) and Chris Mars (drums). They were infamous for their abrasive, hard drinking lifestyles and their ragged stage performances, notorious for coming to some shows too drunk to play very well at all. Sometimes, they just performed entire sets of covers, their picks showing their debt to 70s hard rock outfits.
The sound of this band showed off what their many fans saw as the very best of independent rock n' roll. More than possibly any other band since The Rolling Stones and the the Ramones, the Replacements embodied the spirit of rock, from their raucous performances, drug addictions, charismatic and romantic frontman, and wild, sometimes basic and sometimes powerfully confessional songs. At any given time, almost any list of 'The Best Rock Albums Of All Time' will include either the album 'Let It Be' or 'Tim', sometimes both.
Their sound started off as a classic rock influenced shade of punk, mutating to a melodic hardcore sound reminiscent of local buddies Hüsker Dü. They also progressed into a relatively straightforward but heartfelt rock style, with a number of highly soulful ballads from the heart of Westerberg to round out the mix.
The band broke up in 1991. Bob Stinson, who was fired from the band in 1986 (and was subsequently replaced by Slim Dunlap), died in 1995. Westerberg and Mars both have solo careers, and Tommy Stinson formed several bands, like Perfect and Bash and Pop, and now plays bass for Guns and Roses and Soul Asylum.
In 2012, Paul Westerberg and Tommy Stinson reformed the Replacements and recorded an EP, "Songs for Slim" as a benefit for former member Slim Dunlap, who had suffered a stroke. The band played their first show since 1991 on August 24, 2013 at RiotFest in Toronto, and has since played at several festivals since. The band also currently includes Josh Freese on drums and Dave Minehan on guitar. The band played its final show in June 2015.
Nevermind
The Replacements Lyrics
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It makes no sense to apologize
The words I thought I brought I left behind,
So never mind
All over but the shouting, just a waste of time
Never mind
All over but the shouting, just a waste of time
I climb the walls, I fall into the sea
I'm not ready as I'll ever be
And I suppose your guess is more or less as bad as mine
All over but the shouting, just a waste of time
Never mind
All over but the shouting, just a waste of time
And I suppose your guess is more or less as bad as mine
You oughta tell me, you oughta say if you're not sure
You oughta tell me, you got to help me remember
Never mind
All over but the shouting, just a waste of time
Never mind
All over but the shouting, just a waste of time
Never mind
Never mind
Never mind
Never mind
The words I thought I brought I left behind
So never mind
The Replacements' song "Nevermind" is a reflective and introspective track that explores the aftermath of a failed relationship and the realization that there is no absolution for what has happened. The first verse sets the tone for the song, with the lyrics "Absolution is out of the question, It makes no sense to apologize". The singer has come to terms with the fact that there is no going back and no way to make things right. They have left behind the words they thought they would say to try to fix things, and have resigned themselves to the fact that there's nothing left to be done. The repetition of the phrase "never mind" throughout the song underscores this sentiment.
The second verse reveals the singer's inner turmoil, with the lines "I'm not ready as I'll ever be, I climb the walls, I fall into the sea". They are struggling to move forward and find their footing, and the imagery of climbing walls and falling into the sea suggests a feeling of helplessness and being overwhelmed. The singer acknowledges that they don't have all the answers, and that their guesses about what went wrong are just as good (or bad) as their ex-partner's.
The chorus repeats the phrase "never mind" and the final verse makes a plea for communication and understanding. The lines "You oughta tell me, you oughta say if you're not sure, You got to help me remember" suggest a desire to understand what went wrong, even if there's no way to fix it.
Overall, "Nevermind" is a melancholy and reflective track that captures the complex emotions of a failed relationship and the difficulty of moving on.
Line by Line Meaning
Absolution is out of the question
Apologizing and seeking forgiveness is not an option for me.
It makes no sense to apologize
There is no logical reason for me to apologize.
The words I thought I brought I left behind,
I forgot to say what I wanted to say, so it doesn't matter now.
So never mind
Forget what I was going to say, it's not important.
All over but the shouting, just a waste of time
This situation is basically finished, arguing about it now is pointless and a waste of energy.
I'm not ready as I'll ever be
I am not prepared for whatever is coming my way, and I may never be.
I climb the walls, I fall into the sea
I am struggling with anxiety and feeling overwhelmed by life's challenges.
And I suppose your guess is more or less as bad as mine
I do not have any clear answers or solutions, and neither do you.
You oughta tell me, you oughta say if you're not sure
Communicate with me openly and honestly if you are uncertain or confused.
You got to help me remember
I need your assistance to keep track of things and not forget important details.
Never mind
Don't worry about it, it's not a big deal.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: PAUL WESTERBERG
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind