Although born in California, frontman Mark Eitzel spent his formative years in Great Britain and Ohio before returning to the Bay Area in 1980. After a brief stint with the punk band The Naked Skinnies he founded American Music Club in 1983 with guitarist Vudi, bassist Dan Pearson, keyboardist Brad Johnson, and drummer Matt Norelli. This lineup would change over the next several years but Eitzel always remained the core of the band in terms of its vocals, lyrics and thematic focus.
Their 1985 debut, The Restless Stranger, offers a rough outline of their increasingly eclectic sound and firmly established Eitzel's worldview, a harrowing vision of life as seen through the bottom of a shot glass. 1987's Engine honed the formula: the addition of producer Tom Mallon as a full-time member expanded the group's sonic palette.
American Music Club earned a solid cult following on the strength of 1988's California. Their next LP, 1989's United Kingdom, appeared only in the nation which lent the record its name and consisted of leftover material and live tracks.
In 1991 American Music Club emerged with the record that is widely considered their masterpiece, Everclear. Critical acclaim attracted the attention of several major labels. Eventually AMC -- now consisting of Eitzel, Vudi, Pearson, multi-instrumentalist Bruce Kaphan, and drummer Tim Mooney -- signed with Reprise in the U.S. and Virgin throughout the rest of the world.
1993's Mercury followed and, despite positive reviews, Mercury fared poorly on the charts and earned virtually no recognition from radio or MTV. In 1994, AMC issued San Francisco, an erratic collection which balanced confessional tunes like Fearless and The Thorn in My Side Is Gone alongside slick pop constructs. Like Mercury, the record found critical acclaim yet foundered commercially and American Music Club disbanded as result.
Eitzel eventually explored a solo career, and purchased a Pro-Tools set up to record solo material, some released through Reprise and other albums through Matador. Vudi joined Swans for their last album and farewell tour, documented on Swans are Dead (Black Disc)/Swans are Dead (White Disc).
In 2003, American Music Club reunited to record a new album, Love Songs For Patriots, which was described by reviewer Mark Deming as "a stronger and more coherent effort than the group's last set, 1994's San Francisco, and while it's too early to tell if this is a new start or a last hurrah for AMC, it at least shows that their formula still yields potent results. Here's hoping Eitzel and Vudi have more where this came from."
Jenny
American Music Club Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Another stupid party again
A celebration for nothing
Your eyes are following
The kings and the queens of the zoo
Immune in their black clothing
They let the world down
And they let you go
Please don't go home now
Home is a place to rob
Home is alone in the mob
Home is an unheard sob
Jenny don't go home now
Please don't you go home now
Here you are again
Another stupid party again
Everyone here thinks that when they die
You will be there to let them in
Jenny don't go
Please don't go home now
The American Music Club song "Jenny" is a bleak yet introspective portrayal of a partygoer's thoughts and feelings. From the opening lines, it is apparent that the singer is unhappy and feels out of place at the party. The line "a celebration for nothing" suggests a sense of emptiness and a lack of purpose or meaning to the gathering. Additionally, the singer observes others at the party with a sense of detachment, describing them as "the kings and the queens of the zoo immune in their black clothing."
However, the song's title - the repeated refrain of "Jenny don't go home now / Please don't you go home now" - implies a deeper emotional connection to someone named Jenny. By urging her not to leave, the singer seems to be seeking some kind of salvation, perhaps hoping that she can provide a sense of belonging or purpose that he cannot find at the party. The repeated references to home as a place of isolation and sorrow further underscore the sense of alienation and dislocation that pervades the song.
Line by Line Meaning
Here you are again
You're back at this party once again
Another stupid party again
It's another meaningless party, devoid of any real significance
A celebration for nothing
The party is just an excuse to celebrate nothing of substance
Your eyes are following
You're observing your surroundings
The kings and the queens of the zoo
The most popular and powerful people in attendance
Immune in their black clothing
They're wearing black clothing like they're invincible or untouchable
They let the world down
Despite their status, they haven't accomplished anything significant and have let down those looking up to them
And they let you go
They've failed to include you or make you feel welcome
Please don't go home now
You shouldn't leave just yet
Home is a place to rob
Being at home is like being robbed or taken advantage of in some way
Home is alone in the mob
Even though you're surrounded by people, you still feel alone or isolated
Home is an unheard sob
Any tears or cries for help at home go unnoticed or ignored
Jenny don't go home now
You shouldn't leave to go home yet, Jenny
Please don't you go home now
Please stay a little longer and don't leave for home just yet
Everyone here thinks that when they die
The people at the party believe that you'll be there to welcome them when they pass away
You will be there to let them in
You're seen as the gatekeeper to the afterlife by those in attendance
Jenny don't go
The artist urges Jenny to stay a little while longer
Please don't go home now
Jenny shouldn't leave to go home just yet
Contributed by Allison E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
mel dogg
amazing song, beautiful voice
palteonato
thanks!
Lee Korrigan
Only 623 views...?¿?¿? A SHAME!... and oh! thanks for upload this jewel..!!!
Christian Adams
It belongs to us Lee!
Lee Korrigan
@zergprnces yeah! suposse all the girls call jenny have a stroke of luck in the world..jeje ;-)