According to Songfacts, Bonnette, who is also the lyricist of the band (with upright bass player Ben Gallant handling most of the production and some vocals as well) volunteered at a suicide prevention hotline for teenagers for eight years, and worked with homeless men and women in the Phoenix, Arizona area. These experiences gave him a sometimes bleak, but at moments, hopeful outlook on life, often reflected in the band's lyrics.
On Halloween 2005, Andrew Jackson Jihad covered Neutral Milk Hotel's In the Aeroplane Over the Sea album in its entirety at CounterCulture Cafe.
Their biggest performance to date has been in their hometown with Flogging Molly and Authority Zero on St. Patrick's Day 2006.
On April 15, 2006, the band played as part of the 2006 New Times Music Showcase, nominated for Best Americana Band, and won a 2006 Best of Phoenix later that year.
Besides their local shows, where they have become arguably the most prominent representative in Arizona of the DIY ethic, they have also toured in clubs and basements across the Western United States, appearing at such venues as the Knitting Factory in Los Angeles, CA. One show in Kimberly, Idaho saw the band in a cowboy bar and leaving the premises as soon as possible after the show.
Andrew Jackson Jihad also performed at St. Augustine, Florida's second annual Harvest of Hope Festival in 2010. They played a dual set with Bomb the Music Industry!
In 2016, the band officially changed their name from "Andrew Jackson Jihad" to AJJ (a moniker that many of their fanbase had been using to refer to them for several years). In a statement on the band's website, Bonnette wrote "1.) We are not Muslims, and as such, it is disrespectful and irresponsible for us to use the word jihad in our band’s name. 2.) We no longer wish to be a living reminder of president Andrew Jackson. Interesting historical figure as he was, he was an odious person and our fascination with him has grown stale."
People
AJJ Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
People are hateful, and people are rude
But god I love some people sometimes
Because people are very, very special
And people are impatient, they don't know how to wait
People are selfish, people are prone to hate
But god I love some people sometimes
People are people regardless of skin
People are people regardless of creed
People are people regardless of gender
People are people regardless of anything
People are my religion because I believe in them
People are my enemies and people are my friends
I have faith in my fellow man
And I only hope that he has faith in me
The lyrics of the song "People" by AJJ are commenting on the nature and behavior of humans. The song is essentially about how people can be wasteful, hateful, rude, impatient, and selfish; however, despite all these negative attributes, people are still very special and the greatest thing to happen. The song highlights the idea that people are unique and precious creatures, regardless of any differences they may have. The idea that people are inherently valuable and worthy of respect is reinforced in the repeated line, "People are people regardless of anything."
The song's chorus provides insight into the artist's perspective on people. The lyrics say that the artist loves people sometimes, despite their flaws. The song also speaks to the artist's religious beliefs, as they view people as their religion. Furthermore, the song acknowledges the artist's relationships with people, as they view them as both friends and enemies. Overall, the song is a powerful commentary on the nature of humanity and the role that people play in the artist's life.
Line by Line Meaning
People are wasteful, they waste all the food
People tend to waste a lot of food
People are hateful, and people are rude
People can be mean and disrespectful at times
But god I love some people sometimes
Despite their flaws, the singer still loves some people
Because people are very, very special
People are unique and valuable
And people are impatient, they don't know how to wait
People can be impulsive and lack patience
People are selfish, people are prone to hate
People can be self-centered and inclined to hate
But god I love some people sometimes
Despite their flaws, the singer still loves some people
Because people are the greatest thing to happen
People are the most wonderful thing in the world
People are people regardless of skin
Skin color does not change the fact that people are people
People are people regardless of creed
People are people no matter what their beliefs are
People are people regardless of gender
Gender does not change the fact that people are people
People are people regardless of anything
People are people no matter what their differences
People are my religion because I believe in them
The singer believes in people more than anything else
People are my enemies and people are my friends
People can be both friends and foes
I have faith in my fellow man
The singer trusts other people
And I only hope that he has faith in me
The singer hopes that others trust and believe in them as well
Writer(s): ben gallaty, sean bonnette
Contributed by Parker S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@pedroriverajr9543
People are wasteful, they waste all the food
People are hateful, and people are rude
But god I love some people sometimes
Because people are very, very special
And people are impatient, they don’t know how to wait
People are selfish, people are prone to hate
But god I love some people sometimes
Because people are the greatest thing to happen
People are people regardless of skin
People are people regardless of creed
People are people regardless of gender
People are people regardless of anything
People are my religion because I believe in them
People are my enemies and people are my friends
I have faith in my fellow man
And I only hope that he has faith in me
@josepharte
Working in a grocery store the past few months, and this song perfectly describes dealing with people. "People are awful, rude, selfish, and they are also the best."
@tsa_Yama
Every time I get upset or overly cynical. I think back to videos like this. I love the human race no matter how stupid we can be. For all our ignorance, all of our hatred, I can say confidently that just seeing a stranger's genuine laugh restores my faith in humanity
@Fardonya
A bit off topic but I just bought a nice mug
@johnberry2042
Congrats on your new mug, hope it lasts : )
@criminalchicken499
Nice nice
@user-lt8vl4tr8p
Oo what’s it look like
@stephenkoawl3453
FUCK, REALLY?!? ME 2
@aaronjeremynolasco9692
You were born with a nice mug ;)))))
@thegoblinking279
this is one of the kindest songs recorded, maybe ever. immaculate vibe, ajj. love you. love everybody. love people!
@TooManyEditsProductions
the intro gets longer every time you listen to it