"No Action" is a song by Elvis Costello & The Attractions featuring Nina Diaz. The song revolves around the theme of unrequited love and the frustration that comes with it. The protagonist of the song is trying to distance themselves from a past lover, expressing a strong desire to not engage in physical contact or rekindle their relationship. The lyrics convey the sentiment of not wanting to kiss or touch the person anymore, emphasizing that they do not miss them as much as before and have no intention of seeing them again. The protagonist denies being dependent on their mobile phone and insists that they are just friends, but finds it difficult to bear when they have conversations. The chorus repeats the phrase "there's no action," which implies that there is no progress or development in their relationship. It also highlights the lack of any significant action or initiative from the protagonist's side. Despite the desired detachment, the protagonist admits to still being affected when they call and cannot bear the situation anymore. The song explores the idea that the person the protagonist desires has everything they want and holds power over them, metaphorically represented by having the "keys to the kingdom." The lyrics suggest that the protagonist has accepted that they are not addicted to their mobile phone, but simply find peace by contacting the person they desire. However, this thinking starts to hurt them. The song reflects on the memories before the relationship ended and signifies how the protagonist becomes unhinged when they feel that the person is now with someone else. The protagonist admits to making phone calls but hangs up before the person even has a chance to answer, indicating their conflicted emotions and the struggle to break free from their unrequited love. Overall, "No Action" is a song about the frustration and conflicting emotions that come with unrequited love and the struggle to move on.
