 Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Moderators, Registered Joined: 18/02/2011(UTC) Posts: 28,011   Location: In between the couch cushions Thanks: 11394 times
Was thanked: 19688 time(s) in 7827 post(s)
|
 Artist: Mercedes, Riley Title: No Guts, No Glory Genre(s): New Wave, Pop-Punk, Pop-Rock Length: 3:03 Writer(s): M.Payne, R.Hamilton Producer(s): Mercedes, Riley Hamilton Label: Five Pesky Kids From The Album: TBC INFORMATIONNo Guts, No Glory is a song recorded by British singers Mercedes Payne and Riley Hamilton. The track serves as Mercedes' first foray back into music following over a decade's absence as well as being Riley's first musical release outside of Weekend. The song was released on February 14th, 2025 through Five Pesky Kids Records after being sporadically teased by the artists over the weeks prior. The track was written by both Payne and Hamilton, initially intended as a solo track for Mercedes with Riley serving as a co-writer. Being impressed by Hamilton's input, Mercedes offered the opportunity to turn the song into an official collaboration. Continuing to forge ahead as a creative duo, both Mercedes and Riley handled the production of "No Guts, No Glory". It marks Payne's first official production credit and Hamilton's second following his foray into record producing last year. Lyrically, "No Guts, No Glory" is a motivational track filled with several boxing metaphors and references, evoking that of a "fighting spirit". Payne and Hamilton encourage the listeners to forge ahead and fight on against oppression and adversary. The song's lyrics are kept vague enough with no opposing force explicitly named, allowing the listeners to interpret it in their own way, applying anyone to the situation. However, Payne and Hamilton revealed that the recent US election and the rapid rise of the right wing influence inspired the conception of the track. "No Guts, No Glory" follows the theme of an underdog rising to the occasion and prevailing with the encouragement of Mercedes and Riley. The verses have each singer share their own words of wisdom before the chorus is a call to arms to fight back, using boxing match metaphors. "No Guts, No Glory" is an upbeat new wave, pop and pop-punk track with elements of indie rock, pop rock and electropop. Featuring a bold fusion of genres and running for just over three minutes, the song continuously and steadily builds from the first verse, resulting in a bombastic crescendo at thee track's pinnacle. Mercedes and Riley's verses feature attitude-filled, talk-singing. Almost rap like in a manner. The pre-choruses are much more melodic in comparisons, with smoother, silkier vocal deliveries. The pair come together on the punchy, chant-like chorus before vocally soaring and riffing off of one another throughout the song's middle 8 section. The track ends with a candid recording clip of Hamilton jokingly mimicking a boxing match commentator, exclaiming; "Whoa! Flush on the chin of the challenger!" before Payne laughs and expresses her intention of using the soundbite for the song.
SONG COMMENTARYMercedesQuote:"I've been slowly inching back towards music for the past few years, writing and recording little pieces whenever I could without any real commitment. I've had a million and one things going on and I never wanted to outwardly claim an album or EP is coming. I've been slowly building up a collection of songs over time, saving them for a rainy day but this one was just so special. I had no idea what it would become when I first sat down to pen it. Riley was on board The Duke visiting Dustyn. We all go way back. I had some time to myself and decided to try have a little writing moment. On a whim, I asked Ri if he wanted to join. Let me tell you, it was one of the breeziest, most fun experiences I've had making music. It all flowed so naturally. We were laughing away, putting the world to rights, just being silly and coming up with all these metaphors. I know absolutely nothing about boxing. The idea for the song came out of a conversation we were having about wanting to punch certain people in the face! We took that idea and ran with it."
"I could tell Ri was hesitant at first when I asked him to be a guest vocalist but I was so impressed by his penmanship. The song truly was a 50/50 split. He more than pulled his weight plus he's such a talent and great friend. It just made sense to ask him to jump on it officially. I couldn't think of a scenario more fun than singing your heart out with one of your dear friends, broadcasting to the world how much you want to punch all these smug, pea-brained right wing loons. The world is so torn and dark at the moment. This song is such a release. It's punchy (literally!), cathartic, fun but with heart, just everything I wanted to express and unleash during such frustrating times. Sonically and lyrically, this was NOT the song I expected to come out with but evidently it is what my soul NEEDED. I think a lot of us need it too. Punch a Conservative today." RileyQuote:"I just want to thank Mercedes for allowing me to join her on such a cool track. Did I ever think I'd lend my voice to a bratty sounding song that sounds like Blondie meets Juneau? No, no I did not! When Mercedes asks something of you though, you can't say no! We weren't looking for a hit. We weren't even sure if the song would see the light of day. Mercedes wasn't planning on releasing anything so soon. She was just so inspired and excited when we finished "No Guts, No Glory" and, despite some nerves about stepping outside of the band, I felt those eager pangs too. I feel like we definitely created something very unique and also rather fitting considering the state of the world right now."
"Now, I think I've seen about two boxing matches in my life. I've also watched most of the Rocky films. That's about as far as my knowledge goes. We were just using that idea of striking out as a launch pad. There's been such a rise in the far right in politics over the years that it's frightening. Things I only ever heard about in school and in documentaries as a child seem to be the norm these days. After living through what seemed like such progressive years for humanity as a kid and teenager, to turn 30 and suddenly see it regress, see us go back in time...it's alarming. It's very confusing and frustrating, especially when it's the blind leading the blind. All these rich mouth pieces spouting things they don't know anything about or don't truly believe in and are just doing it to appease a certain demographic...it's blood-boiling. Sometimes, yeah, you do want to knock some of them out. I'm not condoning violence but I am saying "no guts, no glory". You cannot let these people silence us. I know a pop song won't change the world but I like to think it at least brings a slither of hope and enjoyment to some."
CRITICAL RECEPTIONUpon release, "No Guts, No Glory" received widespread acclaim from music critics and fans alike, with many complimenting the "unlikely" pairing of Mercedes and Riley. Eileen Murphy of The Daily Telegraph called the song "irresistibly charming and fun" and that it was the "collaboration you didn't know you needed in your life." Maya Callard of Consequence of Sound echoed Murphy's sentiments in regards to the unexpected collaboration pairing, opining; "You didn't think Mercedes would return to music. You didn't think Riley would go solo. You didn't think they'd ever pair up and you certainly didn't think they would deliver a bratty, hook-laden pop-punk track about wanting to beat up bigots.". She then went on to dub the song as "brilliantly bonkers" and a "wildcard for Song of the Year". NME's Alan Hart awarded "No Guts, No Glory" five out of five stars, heavily praising the song's catchy melody and unique production choices, stating; "The genius of "No Guts, No Glory" is that it follows no set blueprint or precedent. The wacky fusion of new wave, pop-punk, indie-rock means that the song appeals to lovers of music from 1982, 2007, to 2046 as the song is that ahead of the curve while borrowing heavily from familiar, nostalgic moments we already know. It ticks all the boxes and appeases most music lovers without playing it safe at all." Hart continued to praise the pairing of Payne and Hamilton, stating; "Mercedes has a very small output of music and Riley has a clean slate in terms of doing anything outside of Weekend. They realised the have no goalposts and absolutely ran riot on that playing field."Elena Nurding of The New York Times claimed that "Riley and Mercedes' joy absolutely oozes throughout the song and, despite having a bit of a violent streak, "No Guts, No Glory" has such a childlike sweetness and charm that you can't help but grin from ear to ear while it plays." Writing for Pitchfork, Greig Zoladz states that Mercedes and Riley "exceeded all expectations" upon listening to "No Guts, No Glory" for the first time, writing; "Nobody would have a glorified socialite and one of the quieter members of Weekend linking up to create one of the most brilliant pieces of pop in recent history and yet, here we are! "No Guts, No Glory" is a tour-de-force and just does not let up from the second you press "play". A shot of pure adrenaline." He then jokingly rounded off his review by saying; "Watch out Billy!"
"NO GUTS, NO GLORY"Both
Mercedes
RileyIt might not kickstart a revolution
But there's no harm in being a nuisance
When the cost of existing has skyrocketed
And your bundle of sunshine pickpocketed
They've lit the fuse to your dynamite
So go kiss them off, glossed with cyanide
Ding ding, I just love that sound
It's time to strap in, go another round
Black and blue 'cause I dare to believe
But I'll never throw a match just to appeaseThey wanna go below the belt, skip conversation
Hold your stance, hit 'em with that combination
And if they want to spend some time on the canvas
Remember they're the muse and you're the artist
Swing high, breathe slow
No guts, no glory
Swing high, breathe slow
No guts, no gloryYou can be a showstopper, whole world's a stage
There's a reason they keep the singing bird caged
It won't be long before you defy all gravity
Keep your head to the sky as they alter reality
Knock down doors 'til your hands are bleeding
Break the confines, shatter that ceiling
Ding ding, it's still going down
I'm sure you've seen some things by now
Cut and bruised 'cause you aspire to achieve
Still lifting that trophy even weak at the kneesThey wanna go below the belt, skip conversation
Hold your stance, hit 'em with that combination
And if they want to spend some time on the canvas
Remember they're the muse and you're the artist
Swing high, breathe slow
No guts, no glory
Swing high, breathe slow
No guts, no gloryIf your balls of steel get stuck down their throatsLet 'em sweat it out up against the ropes!Swing high, breathe slow
Don't pull, K.O
Swing high, breathe slow
Don't pull, K.OSwing high, breathe slow
Don't pull, K.O
Swing high, breathe slow
Don't pull, K.ODing ding, I just love that sound
It's time to strap in, go another roundDing ding, it's still going down
Stone cold composure in the seconds outAnd if they want to spend some time on the canvas
Remember they're the muse and you're the artist
Swing high, breathe slow
No guts, no glory
Swing high, breathe slow
No guts, no glory
Swing high, breathe slow
No guts, no glory
Swing high, breathe slow
No guts, no glory"Whoa! Flush on the chin of the challenger!"
"Haha, you know I'm keeping that in, right?"Can Be Compared To:
|
