Day 51, Song 71

Entrance

Not Gonna Say Your Name

Entrance's most recent album is, Face The Sun. All proceeds from this track will be donated to Planned Parenthood.

This song came to me quickly in a flash of inspiration; it almost feels like I didn't write it. I was in Paris in mid-November, grappling with the feeling of being an American watching so many marching in the streets from afar, wishing I could participate and make a contribution. The idea of not saying his name seems to be helpful and is catching on—I've heard stories of households where if you say it you are fined and have to put money in a jar. I've been healed by the steadily growing resistance and what seems like a mass awakening, just as each day I'm simultaneously depressed or enraged by the news. So far the song has raised over $1,000 for Planned Parenthood and it seems like audiences are inspired by it when we sing it onstage. I'm encouraged to know it continues to give comfort and resonate with people in our surreal moment here on Earth. Art and music is so important now, like vital medicine for us all. —Guy Blakeslee

Lyrics

There are people who say We oughta give you a chance But there’s not a chance in hell That we’ll sit back and watch you try to turn back the clock And just sigh and say “oh well” No, we’ll fight you every step of the way You’re playing a losing game And you’ll be the one with nothing to say But I’m not, I’m not, I’m not, I’m not, I’m not gonna say your name I’m sick of your name, I’ve heard it enough I’d rather not hear it anymore But you’re wrong if you think we can look the other way While you kick our friends to the floor And though it’s hard to accept you’re really here to stay Our culture is obsessed with fame I might have to see your face a hundred times every day But I’m not, I’m not, I’m not, I’m not, I’m not gonna say your name You let your name Be a symbol of hate And you never said a word Anything you say now is too little too late It’s pathetic and absurd I hear the voices of hate they’re getting louder each day We’re all looking for someone to blame But I’ll keep on singing for love anyway And I’m not, I’m not, I’m not, I’m not, I’m not gonna say your name Tell me don’t you have a mother? A daughter, a wife? Man, you really oughta be ashamed The way you brag about grabbing what gave you your life You must really think life is a game Well a big storm is coming, it might last four years Maybe nothing will ever be the same But we won’t move away, we will stay right here And we’re not, we’re not, we’re not, we’re not, we’re not gonna say your name