Like “Here We are Nowhere,” this Stiff Little Fingers track is short, but the succinct nature only supports and strengthens a clear argument purported through the lyrics. In just over two minutes Stiff Little Fingers delivers a powerful message on how violence defines masculine identity, forces it to become based primarily in this violence.
The message of this song comes in its final verse:
The man who pulls the trigger’s not to blame
He’s only playing their deadly game
And he knows he just can’t win
Or someone else will pull the trigger on him.
While this message echoes strongly in the tale of the first character of Lamar’s “Sing About Me,” it also operates fine all on its own. Here Stiff Little Fingers is almost excusing the man himself for the killing and violence he perpetuates. They blame the misguided actions of individuals on the situations they have been forced into. If someone is put into a violent culture, it is not their fault when forced into violent action. The man is alone; he has no choice, no free will as the situation has forced his hand. The man has no control over his own identity – it has been decided by the situation. It does not matter what his thoughts on violence are; the situation has forced the violence onto him, as it did for Cal in Bernard MacLaverty’s novel and the characters of “Law and Order.” The man has been isolated by the situation, and his masculine identity has been chosen for him. His fate has been sealed, and much like the other Stiff Little Fingers tracks there does not seem to be an offered reprieve form this eventuality. The band rarely seems to have the answers to the problems they bring to light, but with “No More of That” they come to that conclusion quicker than usual.
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