7 Year Bitch was formed in 1990 by vocalist Selene Vigil, guitarist Stefanie Sargent, bassist Elizabeth Davis and drummer Valerie Agnew. Vigil, Sargent, and Agnew had been playing together in the Seattle band Barbie's Dream Car when their bassist left for Europe. They subsequently recruited Davis and renamed their band after the movie Seven Year Itch.
At their first concert, the band opened for The Gits, who would prove to have a significant influence on their music. In 1991 the band released the single "Lorna" and signed with C/Z Records. Their first album, Sick 'Em, was released in 1992, but it was overshadowed by Sargent's death on June 27. Sargent passed out on her back after returning home from a party where she had drunk alcohol and taken a small amount of heroin. She died of asphyxiation when she failed to wake up after throwing up the contents of her stomach. After a prolonged period of uncertainty, the band decided to continue, recruiting guitarist Roisin Dunne as Sargent's replacement later that year.
In July 1993, longtime friend and Gits frontwoman Mia Zapata was brutally raped and murdered while walking home late at night. This event, coupled with Sargent's death the previous year, had a profound effect on the group. As a reaction, the band recorded and released their second album ¡Viva Zapata! (1994) in tribute to both of their fallen friends. Valerie Agnew also became the primary instigator and co-founder of the anti-violence and self-defence organisation Home Alive. On April 8, 1994, the band played a benefit show for Rock Against Domestic Violence at the Cameo Theatre on Miami Beach, alongside Babes in Toyland and Jack Off Jill.
In 1995 the band signed with Atlantic Records, and in 1996 released their third album, Gato Negro. Following the tour supporting Gato Negro, guitarist Roisin Dunne left, and was replaced by Lisa Faye Beatty, the band's live sound engineer and long-time friend.
In early 1997, the band began recording material for what was to be their fourth album. The band moved from Seattle to California, Elizabeth Davis and Valerie Agnew to San Francisco and Selene Vigil to Los Angeles. With the recent departure of their guitarist, Roisin Dunne and the geographical separation between bandmates, Seven Year Bitch's career came to a close after a final tour with San Francisco's Lost Goat.
Following the break-up of 7 Year Bitch, bassist Elizabeth Davis joined the San Francisco-based band Clone, with whom she performed until 2003. In 2005 she helped to form the band Von Iva. Vocalist Selene Vigil formed a gothic/psychedelic-influenced band by the name of Cistine, in 2000. Roisin Dunne joined the band The Last Goodbye in 2006, and now resides in New York.
Their songs, "The Scratch" and "Icy Blue" were featured in the movie Mad Love with Drew Barrymore and Chris O'Donnell.
Jack
7 Year Bitch Lyrics
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Jack is in your head
Who is Jack?
Jack is in your bed
And Jack's been reading, Jack knows everything
And Jack's been havin' little daydreams
And Jack wants to keep your fingernails clean
Jack is all around
But you, you can't see
And Jack knows what you like
And Jack knows what you hate
And Jack gets jealous when you slip out on a date
And Jack is sittin' at your breakfast table
And Jack will see that you're all alone
And Jack is sittin' at your breakfast table
And Jack will see that you're all alone
Who is Jack?
He's all around
But you can't see
'cause Jack protects you
And Jack is the enemy
Who is Jack?
You're caught in his web
Who is Jack?
And Jack's been havin' little daydreams
And Jack wants to keep your fingernails clean
And Jack is sittin' at your breakfast table
Who is Jack?
Who is Jack?
Who is Jack?
The lyrics to 7 Year Bitch's song "Jack" feature an ambiguous character, who goes by the name of Jack. This song is a cautionary tale of sorts, warning the listener against the dangers of having a figure like Jack in their life. The opening lines of the song ask the question, "Who is Jack?" which is quickly followed up by the answer, "Jack is in your head." This line implies that the character of Jack is not a literal person, but rather a manifestation of the listener's fears, doubts, and self-loathing. Jack is a projection of their worst inner demons.
The lyrics then go on to describe the ways in which Jack has insidiously infiltrated the listener's life. Jack seems to know everything about the listener, including their likes, dislikes, and personal habits. He is jealous when they go out on dates and wants to keep their fingernails clean. The repeated line, "Jack is sitting at your breakfast table," drives home the idea that this ominous figure is always present, even in mundane moments of the listener's life.
The song closes with a revelation that Jack is both the protector and enemy of the listener. He is a double-edged sword, simultaneously shielding the listener from the harsh realities of the world while trapping them in his web of deceit and manipulation. The final line of the song, "Who is Jack?", is left unanswered, leaving the listener to grapple with the possibility that Jack might be an enduring presence in their life.
Line by Line Meaning
Who is Jack?
The singer is asking who Jack is, implying that the listener may have been unaware of Jack's presence in their life.
Jack is in your head
Jack is a presence in the listener's thoughts and decisions.
Who is Jack?
The singer repeats the question to emphasize the importance of identifying Jack in the listener's life.
Jack is in your bed
Jack is a presence in the listener's bedroom, suggesting possible sexual implications.
And Jack's been reading, Jack knows everything
Jack has access to the listener's personal information and secrets.
And Jack's been havin' little daydreams
Jack may have inappropriate or obsessive thoughts about the listener.
And Jack wants to keep your fingernails clean
Jack wants the listener to take care of their appearance so they can be more attractive to him.
And Jack is sitting at your breakfast table
Jack is a presence in the listener's daily life, even at mundane moments like breakfast.
Jack is all around
Jack's influence is pervasive and hard to escape from.
But you, you can't see
The listener may be blind to Jack's presence or influence due to their own naivete or unwillingness to acknowledge it.
And Jack knows what you like
Jack is familiar with the listener's tastes and preferences in order to manipulate them more easily.
And Jack knows what you hate
Jack is also familiar with the listener's dislikes and weaknesses to exploit them more easily.
And Jack gets jealous when you slip out on a date
Jack is possessive of the listener and doesn't want them to have any romantic interests that could compete with him.
And Jack is sittin' at your breakfast table
Jack's presence is emphasized again to showcase how involved he is in the listener's life.
And Jack will see that you're all alone
Jack is watching the listener and their every move, possibly stalking them.
And Jack is the enemy
Jack is not a benevolent presence in the listener's life, but rather a harmful one.
Who is Jack?
The singer repeats the question to ask the listener to reconsider just who Jack is in their life.
You're caught in his web
Jack's control over the listener may be strong and/or difficult to escape from.
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@TheSleepingonit
One of three of my favorite bands of the 90s
@greymajickjedi
FIRST ! - i am Jack
@greymajickjedi
Last name: Hoff