Album: That's the Spirit (2015)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This song finds Oli Sykes ruminating on the drug-addled people still going to '90s, Ibiza-style clubs in their late 20s and 30s. The vocalist explained to Kerrang: "'Oh No' is meant to be this anti-dance song. It's about people my age are still trying to live like they did when they were 18. It's meant to sound like walking into a club – I wanted the irony of it sounding like something you'd hear on a night out; when lyrically it's saying that this way of life doesn't make sense to me anymore."
  • The song features an '80s-sounding saxophone solo. Sykes told Kerrang: "The sax-trumpet part was my idea. I wanted it to feel like when the lights come on at a club at the end of a night - that slightly s--tty last song feeling. That's why it felt like a good album ender too, because it's about the fact that all good things come to an end."
  • The music video was directed by Isaac Eastgate, who has previously worked with Spring King and LA Priest. The clip switches between a hostage situation, footage of the band performing a recording studio and a group of producers and engineers behind a mixing board.

    Sykes told Rolling Stone that the visual is the first time he's let the director take full creative control. "At first, I was apprehensive, but when it all came together I was psyched on it," he said. "It's got a good balance of humor and meaning, and it's a video that leaves you with a lot of questions."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Muhammad Ali: His Musical Legacy and the Songs he Inspired

Muhammad Ali: His Musical Legacy and the Songs he InspiredSong Writing

Before he was the champ, Ali released an album called I Am The Greatest!, but his musical influence is best heard in the songs he inspired.

Supertramp founder Roger Hodgson

Supertramp founder Roger HodgsonSongwriter Interviews

Roger tells the stories behind some of his biggest hits, including "Give a Little Bit," "Take the Long Way Home" and "The Logical Song."

Todd Rundgren

Todd RundgrenSongwriter Interviews

Todd Rundgren explains why he avoids "Hello It's Me," and what it was like producing Meat Loaf's Bat Out of Hell album.

Mick Jones of Foreigner

Mick Jones of ForeignerSongwriter Interviews

Foreigner's songwriter/guitarist tells the stories behind the songs "Juke Box Hero," "I Want To Know What Love Is," and many more.

Harry Shearer

Harry ShearerSongwriter Interviews

Harry is Derek Smalls in Spinal Tap, Mark Shubb in The Folksmen, and Mr. Burns on The Simpsons.

Al Jourgensen of Ministry

Al Jourgensen of MinistrySongwriter Interviews

In the name of song explanation, Al talks about scoring heroin for William Burroughs, and that's not even the most shocking story in this one.