No Good with faces and I'm bad with names
Gave me directions but it's all the same, oh no
I'm lost
I'm too tired to try

Streetlamps are broken black the way I came
Who broke the moonlight watch it wax and wane, oh no
I'm lost
I'm too tired to try

Let's not get ahead of ourselves
There's no need for rain, it's our own parade
Let's not be afraid of our reflections
It's not only you you're looking at now

Road signs are stolen left here hole in this flame
Who stole my patience, who stole my way, oh no
I'm lost
I'm too tired to try

Let's not get ahead of ourselves now
There's no need for raid it's our own parade
Let's not be afraid of our reflections
It's not only you you're looking at now

Let's not get ahead of ourselves now
There's no need for raid it's our own parade
Let's not be afraid of our reflections
It's not only you you're looking at now

Ooh you're looking at now
Ooh you're looking at now

No good with faces and I'm bad with names
Gave me directions but it's all the same, oh no
I'm lost
I'm too tired to try


Lyrics submitted by meinside70

No Good With Faces Lyrics as written by Jack Hody Johnson

Lyrics © Bubble Toes Publishing, REACH MUSIC PUBLISHING

Lyrics powered by LyricFind

No Good With Faces song meanings
Add Your Thoughts

8 Comments

sort form View by:
  • +1
    General Comment

    This is my favorite song from To The Sea! I like to think that it is saying that no matter how hard we search for the answers that we will probably never find them and we will only tire ourselves through the search. We should keep our minds focused on the now and not let things get to us. idk... just a guess!

    CadillacKincaidon June 12, 2010   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    As we all know his dad recently passed. When I listen to this song I imagine a funeral or just a mourning process really he has all these expectations on how to react to the death & how to interact with people but he is so confused and hurt that he is "to tired to try" but then his voice of reason (chorus) comes in giving him hope. He shows the depressed side of himself that there was a life that was lived.. He isn't the only one who loved him so they need to all be there for each other "It's not only you your looking at now" That's just my thought.

    herxteaxleaveson November 12, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I agree in a way. The first time I read the lyrics it reminded me of my own struggle deciding which path to follow in life as far as a major/career. "Road signs were stolen Left here holding this flame Who stole my patience Who stole my way I'm lost I'm too tired to try" I feel like there are no clear paths anymore I'm lost and loosing my patience because I'm tired of searching. It is amazing how he puts such meaning into a few simple lines and that each song can be taking several different ways. He is an amazing songwriter <3

    cspirion June 18, 2010   Link
  • 0
    Song Meaning

    I think of this song as two sides of the same person talking. There's the really discouraged, frustrated, lonely, upset person (the verses) who wants to just give up because life is too hard. Then there's the voice of reason (the chorus) reminding themselves to calm down and take things one step at a time.

    kateblahblahblahon November 04, 2010   Link
  • 0
    My Interpretation

    I love this song, His music is perfect as background music to lull you to sleep. Honestly, this is a perfect song. His voce, the music, and the message. I've always struggled with my self image and my life walk, putting myself down- seeing the negative and not trying...There comes a time where you need to accept your imperfections and stop looking at others and comparing ("..Who you looking at now") and being down on yourself.."No good with faces.. And I'm bad with names Gave me directions But it's all the same I'm lost I'm too tired to try " Especially when you aren't alone anymore, and your singficiant other has similiar feelings about their self and you have a child so you have to muster it up and change this distructive habit of hating yourself. "Let's not be afraid of our reflections Its not only you You're looking at now" Try to stop the negative thoughts and ("Let's not get ahead of ourselves now. There's no need for rain. Its our own parade Let's not be afraid of our reflections") love yourself, believe and go places!

    caybon1on October 20, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    • didn't love myself-God did. Don't have that anymore.
    caybon1on October 20, 2011   Link
  • 0
    My Interpretation

    This is about being out of synch with modern life. If you are not on the same neurosis level most urban dwellers live in it gets hard to remember so many new different faces and names everyday. Even a handful of directions, turns and street names all at once can be said too fast for the relaxed mind to grasp.

    Jack Johnson is a surfer: near the sea often there are lesser people, simpler street grids and more time. And at night you can see very well naturally due to moonlight.

    Back in the city if a street lamp is broken, you are almost blind because all nearby artificial luminescence is blocking out the moonshine. So who broke the moonlight? We did Jack, we did it ourselves.

    "I’m lost [ in the rush of urban pace ] I’m too tired to try [ to keep up with this nonsense ]"

    For a musically-opposite take on the theme try Supersonic by Bad Religion :)

    kekon September 15, 2013   Link
  • -1
    My Interpretation

    Plus being so set in something, and then being abruptly woken up and having that hope dashed and not knowing the direction/purpose of life spiritually or if there is any direction at all. I already struggled with self image, but not knowing if there is a God or that I'm loved unconditionally for me- my deepest ugliness- no matter what, is heart wrenching and makes me feel even more worthless. At least I could cling to that, that even if I don't love myself- God does.

    caybon1on October 20, 2011   Link

Add your thoughts

Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.

Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!

More Featured Meanings

Album art
Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
Album art
Just A Little Lovin'
Dusty Springfield
I don't think it's necessarily about sex. It's about wanting to start the day with some love and affection. Maybe a warm cuddle. I'm not alone in interpreting it that way! For example: "'Just a Little Lovin’ is a timeless country song originally recorded by Eddy Arnold in 1954. The song, written by Eddie Miller and Jimmy Campbell, explores the delicate nuances of love and showcases Arnold’s emotive vocals. It delves into the universal theme of love and how even the smallest gesture of affection can have a profound impact on our lives." https://oldtimemusic.com/the-meaning-behind-the-song-just-a-little-lovin-by-eddy-arnold/
Album art
Punchline
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran sings about missing his former partner and learning important life lessons in the process on “Punchline.” This track tells a story of battling to get rid of emotions for a former lover, whom he now realized might not have loved him the same way. He’s now caught between accepting that fact and learning life lessons from it and going back to beg her for another chance.
Album art
Amazing
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran tells a story of unsuccessfully trying to feel “Amazing.” This track is about the being weighed down by emotional stress despite valiant attempts to find some positivity in the situation. This track was written by Ed Sheeran from the perspective of his friend. From the track, we see this person fall deeper into the negative thoughts and slide further down the path of mental torment with every lyric.
Album art
American Town
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.