One Jump Ahead
Adam Jacobs Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
One jump ahead of the breadline
One swing ahead of the sword
I steal only what I can't afford
And that's everything
One jump ahead of the lawmen
That's all and that's no joke
Riffraff
Street rat
Scoundrel
Take that!
Just a little snack, guys
Rip him open, take it back, guys
I can take a hint, gotta face the facts
I could use a friend or two
True.
Oh, it's sad, Aladdin's hit the bottom
He's become a one man rise in crime
I'd blame parents, except he hasn't got 'em
Gotta eat to live, gotta steal to eat
Tell you all about it when I got the time
One jump ahead of the slowpokes
One skip ahead of my doom
Next time gonna use a nom de plume
One jump ahead of the hitmen
One hit ahead of the flock
I think I'll take a stroll around the block
Stop, thief
Vandal
Outrage
Scandal
Let's not be too hasty
Still I think he's rather tasty
Gotta eat to live, gotta steal to eat
Otherwise we'd get along
Wrong
One jump ahead of the hoofbeats
(Vandal)
One hop ahead of the hump
(Street rat)
One trick ahead of disaster
(Scoundrel)
They're quick, but I'm much faster
(Take that)
Here goes, better throw my hand in
Wish me happy landin' all I gotta do is jump
The lyrics to "One Jump Ahead" from the Disney film Aladdin (1992) serve as the introduction to the title character, who is living on the streets and resorting to theft to survive. Aladdin sings about the constant need to stay one step ahead of everyone else in order to avoid getting caught, beaten, or killed. He is a street rat, riffraff, and scoundrel, but these labels do not define him, and deep down, he longs for companionship and a better life.
The first verse emphasizes Aladdin's desperation to stay ahead of poverty and hunger. He has no choice but to steal, even if it means risking his life. In the second verse, he reveals that he is being pursued by the law and that he has no family or support system to turn to. The third verse features Aladdin trying to evade the people chasing him, including those who want to harm him physically and those who want to arrest him. The chorus underscores that Aladdin is always jumping and dodging and that he is aware of the futility of his present situation.
Overall, the song is characterized by fast-paced, upbeat instrumentation and clever wordplay. It establishes Aladdin as an underdog with a heart of gold who has been forced into a life of crime due to circumstances beyond his control. The song also sets the stage for his eventual encounter with Princess Jasmine and the genie, who will play pivotal roles in his transformation.
Line by Line Meaning
Gotta keep
I must continue
One jump ahead of the breadline
I need to stay ahead of poverty and starvation
One swing ahead of the sword
I have to evade danger and violence
I steal only what I can't afford
I only take what I cannot buy with the small amount of money that I have
And that's everything
Unfortunately, everything that I need is beyond my financial means
One jump ahead of the lawmen
I must elude the police officers who are trying to capture me
That's all and that's no joke
This is not an exaggeration, this is what I'm really experiencing
These guys don't appreciate I'm broke
The law enforcement officers don't sympathize with or understand my poverty
Riffraff
A person or group of people regarded as disreputable or worthless
Street rat
A person who lives on the street like a stray animal
Scoundrel
A person who behaves in a dishonest or unscrupulous way
Take that!
This is a way for me to assert myself and demonstrate my defiance
Just a little snack, guys
I'm trying to minimize the severity of my theft by using a lighthearted tone
Rip him open, take it back, guys
The people who I steal from demonstrate their anger and desire to punish me severely
I can take a hint, gotta face the facts
I understand the not-so-subtle message that my actions are unacceptable and that I must confront the harsh reality of my situation
I could use a friend or two
At this point, I'm feeling lonely and isolated and could benefit from some companionship
True.
I'm acknowledging that the situation is bleak and my prospects are grim
Oh, it's sad, Aladdin's hit the bottom
It is unfortunate that I find myself at this low point in my life
He's become a one man rise in crime
I'm trying to survive on my own, even if it means breaking the law
I'd blame parents, except he hasn't got 'em
I don't have parents that I can blame for my situation
Gotta eat to live, gotta steal to eat
I need food to survive, and since I don't have any money, stealing is my only option
Tell you all about it when I got the time
I'm too busy trying to stay alive and avoid the authorities, but I'll explain the details when I can
One jump ahead of the slowpokes
I'm moving fast to stay ahead of those who are slower than me
One skip ahead of my doom
I'm hopping quickly to avoid the disastrous consequences of my actions
Next time gonna use a nom de plume
I need to start using a fake name to avoid getting caught by the law enforcement officers who are looking for me
One jump ahead of the hitmen
I have to dodge the assassins who are after me
One hit ahead of the flock
I'm trying to stay ahead of the people who want to harm me
I think I'll take a stroll around the block
I'm going to take a walk and try to remain inconspicuous
Stop, thief
This is the accusation that I hear when I'm caught stealing
Vandal
A person who deliberately damages or destroys property
Outrage
An act of extreme violence or cruelty
Scandal
An action or event that is regarded as morally or legally wrong and causes public outrage
Let's not be too hasty
This is a plea for restraint or leniency when dealing with me
Still I think he's rather tasty
Despite everything, there are still people who find me appealing or interesting
Otherwise we'd get along
If it weren't for the fact that I have to steal to survive, I could be on good terms with the people from whom I steal
Wrong
This is my acknowledgment that my situation is not ideal and I wish that I were in a better position in life
One jump ahead of the hoofbeats
I have to stay ahead of the police who ride horses to catch me
(Vandal)
This is another example of what the police call me when I'm caught committing vandalism
(Street rat)
This is another slur that people use to insult me and my poverty-level living conditions
(Scoundrel)
This is another title or name that people give me to label me as bad or dishonest
They're quick, but I'm much faster
Although the police officers are swift, I am even faster and more agile
(Take that)
This is another retort that I make when I need to defend myself or assert my dominance
Here goes, better throw my hand in
I'm going to try and take greater risks to achieve a better outcome
Wish me happy landin' all I gotta do is jump
This is my way of soliciting support or approval for my actions, which are high-risk but necessary for my survival
Contributed by Peyton G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Ryan Rafuse
Adam Jacobs was so amazing as Aladdin! He was born to play the part!
Muffy Ram
This version is so awesome!
Catty Tamms
yh
Andrew Boyd
I love you Adam Jacobs
Donovan Shaw
As a musical theatre major and coming from a technique and execution perspective, this is amazing and beyond creative!
Hannah Oh
Hilarious. So much talent in a single video!
Sam
I love his impression of the Man with the Cigarette.
Submitted for your approval a broadway actor adopting several musical styles in a cover of a number from a 1992 Disney animated feature.
Megan Camille
I saw Aladdin on Broadway recently and Adam was probably one of the nicest people I've ever met!
Justin M
I think that's the case with most if not all theatre performers as opposed to regular 'celebrities'.
Jemma Welch
Megan Baker I