Maybe Man

I guess it is time I write about another band!

Recently, I started listening to the band AJR. I think it’s safe for me to now say that I’ve listened to most if not all of their songs. And most of them I like a lot, and enjoy a lot. I’ve actually developed a habit to listen to them while I write on Wednesdays (along with my traditions of writing in the same place, and eating and drinking the same thing). Looking forward to it this Wednesdy! Gets me through the week- to Wednesday and through the rest of the week!

One song in particular, when I listened to it, struck me as different. In beat, rhythm, of course its by the same band and fits right in (they have really good unique beats, all fits within the themes and “brand” of the band) but in lyrics it almost feels a little bit different- a bit more deep and philosophical I guess. A lot of their songs and lyrics I apply to my life- this one in particular, I also apply a lot to my blog. It reminds me of my blog.

So, I wanted to go through and analyze it:

“Wish I was a stone, so I couldn't feel”

-real, not feeling would be really great!

“You'd yell in my face, it'd be no big deal

But I'd miss the way we make up and smile

Don't want to be stone, I changed my mind

I wish I had eyes in the back of my head

Then I could see the places I've been

But then I would know that you're talkin' shit

I don't wanna know what my friends think”

-I thought this line was an interesting twist, personally I did not see it coming. It started with saying that having eyes in the back of the head would give a person an ability to see where they’ve been, which seems wholesome, but then quickly transforms into after seeing a pro of this newly acquired ability, a con. That friends would and do talk shit, and that you’d see them. And just acknowledging that, but not wanting to see that. It’s interesting how honest they are in their lyrics. Why is it that their friends seem like fake friends? Hopefully just some, and not all. In that case, relatable! It seems so relatable though, people can talk shit, but sometimes knowing it just hurts so much, and not knowing would have been so much better! Like for example, recently I found out about something someone thought of me. Knowing that- as if I had eyes in the back of my head- made things so awkward and weird, and I wish I would’ve just never known!

“Wish I were my dog out on the lawn

I'd be so glad when I hear you come home

But if I were my dog, I wouldn't live long

I'm sure gonna miss her when she's gone”

“I wish I could act in a show on TV

'Cause then I could practice not bein' me

I'll practice my cry, put it into my reel

But you won't believe me when I cry for real”

I thought this was interesting because to me, it implies so many things about actors.

1. That they are so fake, and that then people don’t believe them, because they’re so used to them acting

2. It’s hard to find yourself and be yourself, isn’t it?

3. I always wonder about how hard it must be for actors to be themselves after being so immersed in a role. Think about maybe something like an entire show. That takes years of daily/weekly constant filming and being immersed in your role. Do people find it hard to find themselves after pretending so successfully, built on billions of both budget and revenue, of being someone else? Again, especially if they ARE a good actor.

4. It also made me think about how easy it would be for actors to lie, since they’re so good at acting. Wouldn’t that be hard, dating an actor? Lol. Especially if they’re a good actor, couple that with maybe questionable morals, then however would you get along? Wouldn’t you have this horrible feeling like, “Oh, they’re a great actor, what if they’re just lying to me right now?” Maybe that’s why celebrities (who are often actors) are constantly breaking up? Just saying, it makes total sense when looking at it from this angle.

“I wish that my brain would triple in size

I'd nail every joke, I'd win every fight

But I'd get too deep with that kind of mind

I don't wanna know the point of life”

The reasoning here was pretty shocking to me. To not want to be smart, for the sole purpose of not thinking about the purpose of life? I actually don’t understand that at all. I don’t understand people who don’t think about the purpose of life. Not wanting to, or how? To me it seems fundamental. It seems I would crazy without thinking about things deeply (you already know how I love to challenge myself, need to challenge myself, in fact, so that’s just an additional thing).

“In some other life I would be rich

I'd travel in style, I'd cover the bill

But couldn't complain 'bout anything small

Nobody'd feel bad for me at all”

People not feeling bad, this outweighs being rich (that’s the opinion here).

If I was cocaine or a bottle of Jack

I'd get invited to every frat

But when you get old and your good days have passed

You'll only want me when you're sad

Wish I was a song, your favorite one

You'd follow the dance to me at your prom

I would be there when your baby is born

For two or three minutes, then I'm gone”

I like the two events chosen, so different: prom and a baby born, and I guess, at both, you’d want your favorite song.

I wish I was big, as big as my house

I'd sleep on the trees, I'd skip every crowd

But I wouldn't fit on my therapist's couch

God, I could really use him now

I wish I was God, I'd never trip up

And if I did, well, so fuckin' what?

I could be cruel and break all your stuff

Yeah, I'd be loved no matter what

But if I was God, it'd get kinda weird

'Cause you would only say what I wanna hear

And then you would die, you'd love me to death

I never know who the hell I am

I wish I was me, whoever that is

I could just be and not give a shit

Hey, I'll be whatever makes you a fan

'Cause I don't know who the hell I am

One, two, pandemonium

One, two, pandemonium

Here I go again

One, two, pandemonium

Here I go again

One, two, pandemonium

One, two-

Here I go again”

The lyrics about God are interesting. “I could break all your stuff, I could be cruel, you’d still love me no matter what.” It’s kind-of insane to think about these lyrics. On one hand, even being a Christian, I can’t say they’re wrong. The twist is so interesting. I can’t even tell if it’s sacreligious or not. I have no idea the religious affiliation of this band or any member of this band. You know the lyrics are good when you can’t even argue, or don’t know what to say, and are dumb-founded, but don’t even know if you should argue or what you should say.

What I really like about this song is the different “I wish I was…” (and it’s something else, like obviously not human). How many times have I said similar things on my blog? Wishing, wishing for something different, wishing to be someone/something different…