For anyone who is under 35 and might not be familiar, LIFETIME are considered a “seminal melodic hardcore/pop punk/emo band” from the 90s. As you might guess I always kind of hated them, but I could never really put my finger on why. Sure, there were the obvious things like how they were from New Jersey (grose) and that all their fans were douchebags scene snobs who thought they were too good for Merauder or Downset shows, but I couldn’t really tell you exactly why I never liked Lifetime until now: they invented FRIENDZONECORE!
I was listening to the band Boys No Good and it reminded me of the Lifetime song they are named of and how it was kind of proto-srscore/whiteknightcore (see also Descendents “Hope”). SMH @ these gay lyrics: “I said the boy’s no good / He’s a hood / He won’t treat you like I would.” I wish Twitter was around so they could add “SENT FROM THE FRIENDZONE”
Recipe for playing shows to a sea of skinnyfat betas: Write lyrics like “I don’t wanna fight with you / if i can’t be the one to have you / you sat that chair like a queen in the kitchen / I memorized the lines your eyes made at every squint you shot my way.” I can see it now, 250 chubby bald guys with beards and glasses screaming every meaningful word, pounding their hands on their chests in that way that they always do, thinking about how that girl doesn’t like them back, even after he made her the most heartfelt mixtape ever!!
LIFETIME, television for women.
BOOM
I forced myself to sit through “Boy’s no Good”.
Dear Jesus, it was awful. What the fuck, 1990s?
Being 25 and from new jersey these guys were jocked hard by all the guys I was tricked into thinking we’re cool growing up. Will always have a soft spot but if you haven’t been laughing at the lyrics from the get-go youre lost because MY GOD.
Hahaha, one of my favorite bands and I ain’t even mad. Truth be told, I barely know any of their lyrics (other than “Boy’s No Good” cuz shit is catchy) and I was always attracted to them because they played fast tunes that were still pretty fun to hum along/mushmouth to (via me having a terrible ear for English), but I’m not surprised at the totally beta lyrics nor am I particularly turned off (favorite band is the Descendents!)
Also, I’ve totally made girls mixes and then whined about them not liking me, but then I went and fucked other girls, so again, ain’t even mad. Friendzonecore is definitely the perfect name for this genre. Thanks Sarge!
“Also, I’ve totally made girls mixes and then whined about them not liking me, but then I went and fucked other girls, so again, ain’t even mad.”
also nice to fuck the other other girls too
i blame them for all the shitty pop punk with breakdown bands
Hello Bastards is fucking awesome!
The Rise Against cover of Boy’s No Good is actually pretty sick. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1lVwr6wsiM
MTV True Life:
I love Lifetime for the reason Sarge hates Lifetime.
Ari had the worst voice live ever. I saw them with so many bands between 94-96. I never got them cuz their eps and first full length blew. But then Hello Bastards came out. That’s about the only record I can stand of theirs. The lyrics are sooooo gay though. Dat Husker Du cover!
Never got into Lifetime back in the day, but Kid Dynamite and Paint it Black are the shit. Definitely ikeacore and no fucks given on my part.
I’d always be good.
Please to be my waifu?
Always had a soft spot for this kind of music. Lifetime-BACKED NO FUCKS GIVEN. Lyrics=added entertainment value
AND I CAN’T THINK OF ANYTHING I’D RATHER DO
THAN HAVE MY HEART BROKEN BY YOU
No offense Sarge, I <3 dis blog and read it leik every day, but I just can't see why you back lthe first 2 Saves the Day albums which have lyrics that are even moar melodramatic and whiny than Lifetime's and…well they kinda used to sound a lot liek 'em. Is it because of all the flannelcore kids that jock this band???
oops, replied to this guy by accident. FUK MAI LIEF.
Fair point, i have two answers: first, STDs songwriting is much better imo. Second, they were like 16 so i expect gay, sappy lyrics. But point taken!
also, as much as i love lifetime, agree/disagree that although saves the day ripped them off on “can’t slow down,” they did it a lot better?
This is fun.
Boys No Good band >>>> Boys No Good song…
I remember reading that Ari from Lifetime wrote the lyrics to “Boy’s No Good” because he was butthurt at a dude from Floorpunch. I heard he the song was originally going to be called “Fruit punch”
the song about floorpunch is actually bringin’ it backwards.
I’m pretty sure Boys No Good it about Chris Zusi from floorpunch..at least that’s what i’ve always heard. In any case, Lifetime are awesome but valid points have been made about their lyrics
“bringing it backwards” was definitely about Floorpunch aka FruitPunch.
actually, i heard “boy’s no good” was about one of the dudes in STRIFE.
thanks for reminding me these fags existed. Appreciate it.
A best man’s anthem. Sung during his female friend’s wedding afterparty.
Lololololol
I remember being so confused by people liking this band. My teenage brain could not comprehend how people who listened to Bloodlet and Ringworm and Hatebreed could simultaneously take this shit seriously.
/now that I’m an oldfag I like Lifetime.
//no fucks given
Exhibit one for this article could have been their pre-jade tree t-shirt design with that ziggy-looking guy hugging himself…I think there was a sunflower on the back. Hilarity abounds.
Shaking my head in so much disappointment at how the 90s encouraged this kind of beta faggotry in young men
It’s Ray Cappo’s fault. He’s like Patient Zero for no fun.
All time great band.
In 1995, Lifetime did play with Sarge’s heroes Downset (& Snapcase) at some shed/barn in Kansas City. Fun show.
sarge just wouldn’t be sarge if he liked Lifetime.
I love Lifetime.
i WANT to like them, but i just can’t– too much faggotry :(
For some reason sarge, whenever I read the word “faggotry” in your posts, I imagine it being said in the voice of good ol boy. But I digress, I dont understand the mass appeal of the band.
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I know I’m commenting on this a year and a half late, but Dan Yemin has to be one of the most annoying people in Hardcore history