Following their recognition as a Suggested Artist in the Song of the Year contest (www.songoftheyear.com) and receiving honorable mention in the 16th Annual Billboard World Song Contest, Useless Beauty recorded their debut EP Sugar Crush in 2009 at Mother West in Manhattan with Charles Newman (Erykah Badu, The Magnetic Fields) and at Plan 9 Studio with producer/engineer Paolo De Gregorio (We Are Scientists, editor-in-chief of The Deli magazine). In 2010, Useless Beauty started to work on their first full-length album Sisters (released May 2011), expanding their sound with new instruments (including didgeridoo and Native American flute) and experimenting with more genres including electronic, orchestral, jazz, klezmer, toy instrument and cathedral pipe organ sounds, creating a more dramatic and musically complex follow-up to represent their wide-ranging artistry. Sisters was mixed with the help of PJ Hanson (Elton John) and mastered by Fred Kevorkian (The White Stripes, Regina Spektor, Iggy Pop) at Avatar Studios, NYC.
The summer of 2013 found Useless Beauty recording their second full-length CD entitled We Know Someone, inspired by the generosity of the many kind and talented people they’ve met along the way. The majority of the album was recorded live at The Fort Brooklyn by the late Jim Bentley (a beloved fixture of the city’s indie rock scene), co-mixed by Carlos Fonseca and mastered by Alex Saltz at APS Mastering in NYC (Vampire Weekend, The Stooges, R.E.M., Moby, Andrew W.K.). With the addition of two core musicians -- drummer/percussionist Rob Knopper and bassist Katie Lopez -- this album delves into Useless Beauty’s louder rock side and lets them loose to be more fun, energetic and danceable than ever before. From the Motown-on-speed intro on opening track “Race Into Your World”, to the funky drum-and-bass exchange in “Praying Kind”, to the playful bounce of “Hey Bob” (inspired by a dream of a visit from an angel who looked like Bob Dylan), to the epic, heart-wrenching ballad “Not Love”, there is no doubt that Useless Beauty continues to evolve and grow in new and exciting ways.
Not Love
Useless Beauty Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But I give myself to you
Give myself to you
I’ll learn the language of angel and human
If only you can understand me
I’ll move the mountain
When my faith is smaller than seed
Give myself to you
(Chorus)
This is not love it’s just nothing at all
But I don’t care what you name it
I am here anyway
I cannot boast what I have done
When I’m too selfish to care
And the truth is too cruel
I cannot be glad for it
I rather have my way If I can help it
(Chorus)
The lyrics of Useless Beauty's song "Not Love" describe the singer's willingness to give themselves completely to another person, even though they acknowledge that they are not particularly patient or kind. The singer promises to "learn the language of angel and human" in order to communicate with their partner, and to move mountains even when their faith is wavering. Despite all this, the singer claims that their relationship is "not love," and that they don't care what anyone calls it.
The chorus of the song reinforces this idea that the singer's relationship is not based on traditional notions of love. They state that they are "here anyway," suggesting that their commitment to their partner is not contingent on any particular emotional bond or feeling. The second verse of the song touches on the singer's selfishness and reluctance to take pride in their accomplishments, perhaps suggesting that this inability to fully engage emotionally is what keeps their relationship from being labeled as love.
Overall, the song explores the complicated nature of relationships and the different ways that people can connect with one another. It suggests that love is not always a clear-cut emotion or feeling, and that there may be other factors (such as commitment or loyalty) that play a larger role in sustaining a relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
I am not patient and I’m not kind
I lack the qualities of patience and kindness in my nature.
But I give myself to you
Despite my flaws, I am choosing to commit to you in my own way.
I’ll learn the language of angel and human
I am willing to put in the effort to communicate with you on a deeper level.
If only you can understand me
I am hopeful that you will be able to comprehend my emotions and thoughts.
I’ll move the mountain
I am willing to attempt the impossible to prove my commitment to you.
When my faith is smaller than seed
Even in times of doubt and uncertainty, I will still try to have faith in us.
I’ll give myself to you
I am dedicated to our relationship and will do what it takes to make it work.
(Chorus)
This repeating section represents the artist's acknowledgement that their feelings may not be true love, but they still value their relationship with the other person and will stick around no matter what it may be called.
I cannot boast what I have done
I am not proud of my actions or accomplishments.
When I’m too selfish to care
My self-absorption can lead me to neglect others or not care as much as I should.
And the truth is too cruel
I am not always ready to face the harsh reality of my situation.
I cannot be glad for it
I am not able to find happiness in a difficult or unpleasant circumstance.
I rather have my way If I can help it
I prefer to act in a manner that is easiest for me, even if it means disregarding others' feelings or wishes.
(Chorus)
The chorus repeats here once again to emphasize the singer's acceptance of their situation and their commitment to staying in the relationship regardless of what it may be called.
Contributed by Callie W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.