No Hero

The Offspring

Once you said you'd stick to it until the end
I guess you lied, they call it suicide
Now you're gone
What was so wrong that you couldn't find a way to carry on?
Second guess
Did I do my best
There was a friend I had

[Chorus]
Johnny was a weirdo
So what did you expect?
I ain't no fucking hero
I'm just trying to survive myself

I should have known you went through it alone
I wonder why did you even try?
You could have come to me
I would have helped you see
You could have found a way to carry on
Second guess
Did I do my best
There was a friend I had...

[Chorus]

'Johnny's strange behavior was a tip-off,' they say
But I ain't no fucking savior
I'm just living day by day

Little things, little lives hanging 'til the end
I say it doesn't really mean nothing
Telling truth, telling lies
I used to have a friend
I say it don't really mean nothing
And I can't let this feeling go
Let this feeling go
Let this feeling go


Lyrics submitted by Jack

No Hero Lyrics as written by Matt Bishop

Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC

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No Hero song meanings
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10 Comments

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  • +2
    General Comment
    I very much agree with anarchy. Ignition as a whole doesn't get the attention it deserves. Since it was before Offspring was a big hit, it's themes are much harder and darker. This song like Amazed or End of the line show who deep a punk band can be
    Aciduson June 10, 2003   Link
  • +1
    General Comment
    thats weird anarchysomething44, on several message boards, internet games, my tag is nohero. My Aol SN is NoHero28. This has been the first time I have found someone using a similar screen name online and I kinda felt good. This song owns in all ways, one of my favorite Offspring songs. I agree with all of you about the meaning, its pretty clear. And Acidus, Ignition stands as one of my top all time albums.
    noheroon July 05, 2003   Link
  • +1
    General Comment
    To my friend Tim. Why didn't you come to me? Why didn't you let me now? I was there, I know how it feels man, I know, I know, I know damn it! And to all those people who think I'm full of crap, YOU CAN KISS MY ASS!!!! You wasn't shit to me and you never will be!
    sobermindisawasted1on December 12, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    pretty clear. a very good friend of his commmited suicide, and now he regrets that he couldn't help him or something like that. LOVE THE OFFSPRING
    shadowcmlon May 23, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    This is one of my 2 favorite Offspring songs. (the other is 'Gone Away'). My screen name on aim is Nohero44. This song is so powerful, talking about suicide. The serious songs of The Offspring are the best. What is up with "Pretty Fly (For A White Guy)" and "Original Prankster"? They are okay i guess but not as good as songs like this.
    anarchysomething44on June 21, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    this song is no doubt one of the best by offspring. but it's so hard to choose all there songs are awesome
    punkrawkk!don July 05, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    thats weird anarchysomething44, on several message boards, internet games, my tag is nohero. My Aol SN is NoHero28. This has been the first time I have found someone using a similar screen name online and I kinda felt good. This song owns in all ways, one of my favorite Offspring songs. I agree with all of you about the meaning, its pretty clear. And Acidus, Ignition stands as one of my top all time albums.
    noheroon July 05, 2003   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    i love the guitar in the beginning and the lyrics. i think ignition is one of their best albums, so i don't understand why other people always say americana is so good. but yeah i love their deeper lyrics.
    anonymous09on March 25, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    I mean, The Offspring really need to do more songs like this. Not many bands touch on the subjects of loss and suicide, but The Offspring can and should more often. Their fun songs like Pretty Fly and Don't Pick It Up are cool, but they can really speak to people (like me) with deeper, emotional, meaningful songs like this, Gone Away, Amazed, Change The World, The End of the Line, etc. These guys can put poetry in motion. Great song from an underrated and ignored album. I know what this feels like all too much, trying to reach out to someone when it's already too late...
    NoPrideon January 02, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    'Johnny's strange behavior was a tip-off,' they say Sounds like people are blaming the narrator for Johnny's suicide. As if the narrator murdered him. But it was Johnny's decision - the blame is being misplaced. Also, perhaps the narrator is blaming himself, and it doesn't help when other people reinforce this misguided belief. It's not the narrator's fault.
    retro1986on November 24, 2017   Link

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