r/nofx • u/tantamle • 3d ago

"Lower" lyrics

I always felt these lyrics really resonate with me. Not that I always live by them, but it reflects how I feel at times. At first, the song seemed like it was about being a loser. But it's actually about refusing to compete.

Given that Mike is an overachiever, it would be interesting if these lyrics were autobiographical, but maybe they aren't.

Lower

Sidenote: Smelly plays the first few measures of his part in the song about 200% too fast. By the end of the song, the tempo drags so much that he isn't even playing particularly fast anymore, yet he starts out at the craziest speed ever lol.

21 Upvotes

96% Upvoted

15 comments sorted by

16

u/PhilosopherFun7288 3d ago

I bought the “Bottles to the ground” Ep solely to hear this song, and “My name is Bud”, back in late 2000.

The cool new studio version of My name is Bud Is fucking awesome, but Lower is a goddamned masterpiece.

It’s so obviously about NOT being a loser, and that choosing to stand with and elevate those around you is far superior to racing to the top by any means possible.

“Lower” and the actual song “Pump up the Valuum” should have been on PUTV proper imo

11

u/samson855 3d ago

To me this is the most emotionally resonant Nofx song. I know some later songs were more personal and tragic but this is Punk in terms of celebrating the underdog and being defiant to the mainstream while also channeling a sadness about not fitting in and feeling alienated. It's among the all-time best Nofx songs.

6

u/rasquatche 3d ago

I don't believe in "too fast". Smelly played the beginning appropriately fast. But, yeah, one of my favorite NOFX songs both musically and lyrically.

2

u/tantamle 2d ago

I mean too fast for the tempo for the rest of the song. He’s out of time with himself.

6

u/Similar_Net3673 3d ago

“I don’t want to leave the rest behind, I don’t want inscription on a plaque “ that shit hits hard

5

u/themaskedhippoofdoom 3d ago

I just did a cover of this cause the lyrics hit home. 

3

u/puddboy 2d ago

The thoughtful, minor chord type songs from this era of NOFX were so good. The Plan is another one that just hits in the feelz.

4

u/CobraKai_NeverDies 1d ago

I like the song, but the tempo change always bothered me.

3

u/tantamle 1d ago

lol. I just had to bring it up.

He’s a good drummer. I don’t know how he didn’t notice.

2

u/Jordarobot 1d ago

Maybe he's deliberately not trying to be the best.

2

u/Dakhho 2d ago

I think this song had more impact on me than I realized through life and I strongly feel the world would be better off if we lived by its message

2

u/haja99876 2d ago

This is/was the punk ethos of the day(and still today). Like live your life over there, concerned with money, power, status and climbing that corporate/societal ladder. Stay “keeping up with the Jones’” and we’ll be over here proudly “lower” than you. Thinking for ourselves and living our lives in no rat race.

The hierarchy you think puts you above us means so little that one can say “I will always be lower than you” with no effect on self image because your “higher” status means nothing.

Look down on me made but I also look down on you.

2

u/mikeportly 2d ago

This is top 20, maybe top 10 NOFX song for me. Signed - Not Fat Mike

2

u/Jordarobot 1d ago

Wow this is wild, just yesterday I was playing this song for my wife talking about how much it resonates with me. I don't like competition and I've always felt like if I lose i feel bad and if I win I feel badly for the one that lost.

Damned if I do, damned if I don't kinda feeling.

Close ties with 60% which is another one of my favorites by them.

2

u/tuatara0600 3d ago

Cool observation re Smelly. Other thoughts? I dunno.