Andrew Jackson Jihad was formed after its original drummer, Justin James White, approached Sean Bonnette and Ben Gallaty, who had just left Rodan (not the Rodan of Kentucky fame) and The Sub-Standards. Since then, many significant Arizona musicians have sat in with the remaining duo of Sean and Ben, including John De La Cruz of Fatigo and Asleep In The Sea's Owen Evans. Dylan Cook also plays mandolin regularly with the band.
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!
Big Bird
Andrew Jackson Jihad Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm afraid of the way I don't
I'm afraid of the things that I wanna do but I won't
I'm afraid of God, I'm afraid to believe
I'm afraid of all the loved ones that I've made leave
I'm afraid that my dog doesn't love me anymore
And I'm afraid of the mob mentality that makes otherwise normal people go blind
I'm afraid of the way that the world works
And I'm afraid of the words in my notebooks
I'm afraid that you all know that I am a pervert
But the big red bird that lives under the city
Doesn't give a damn about me, and it dies every night
By burning alive
I'm afraid of my grandfather's cancer
And I'm afraid of my mom's dying arm
I'm afraid that I've somehow caused my family harm
I'm afraid that the ones I love won't have enough
I'm afraid that the ones I love won't have enough
It's harder to be yourself than it is to be anybody else
I wish I were a little less of a coward
But the big red bird that lives under the city
Doesn't give a damn about me, and it dies every night
So I bought a knife
I am a knife
The song Big Bird by Andrew Jackson Jihad is a powerful representation of the complex emotions of a person who is struggling with their own fears and anxieties. The lyrics provide a glimpse into the mind of someone who is constantly battling with feelings of inadequacy and worry, and is unable to come to terms with the way they are living their life. The song begins by expressing a deep sense of fear towards different aspects of life, including the person's inability to do things that they want to do, their fear of God, and the loss of loved ones. They are afraid of the world and the way it works, and even the words in their notebooks.
The song then takes a turn towards discussing Kitty Genovese's death and the mob mentality that can sometimes overtake even the most rational people. The singer is fearful of social laziness and the way that it can lead to the downfall of even the most helpless individuals. The lyrics then veer back towards personal fears, including the grandfather's cancer and the mother's dying arm. The singer is afraid that they have caused harm to their family, and that those they love will not have enough.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm afraid of the way that I live my life
I worry about the choices I make every day and how they'll impact my future.
I'm afraid of the way I don't
I'm also worried about the things I don't do or try, and how that may limit my experiences.
I'm afraid of the things that I wanna do but I won't
There are things I long to do, but fear, anxiety or uncertainty hold me back.
I'm afraid of God, I'm afraid to believe
My faith is tested and I struggle to believe in a higher power.
I'm afraid of all the loved ones that I've made leave
I'm worried about the people I have lost due to death, misunderstandings or failed relationships.
I'm afraid that my dog doesn't love me anymore
I fear losing the love and bond I share with my pet, and that I may have done something to damage it.
I'm afraid of the social laziness that let Kitty Genovese die
I worry about a society that turns a blind eye to the suffering of others, and fails to help those in need.
And I'm afraid of the mob mentality that makes otherwise normal people go blind
I'm also frightened by how easily people can become part of a group that acts against their own values and ethics, simply because it's the popular thing to do.
I'm afraid of the way that the world works
The complexity and unpredictability of the world and its systems makes me uneasy and apprehensive.
And I'm afraid of the words in my notebooks
Although I express myself through writing, I fear being judged or misunderstood based on my personal thoughts and musings.
I'm afraid that you all know that I am a pervert
I have a fear of people discovering my hidden or taboo interests and desires, and judging me harshly for them.
But the big red bird that lives under the city
The bird is a symbol of something larger and more powerful than myself - it represents the world and its natural cycles, and how insignificant my worries and fears are in comparison.
Doesn't give a damn about me, and it dies every night
The bird is indifferent to my existence and plight, and it dies each night symbolizing the inevitable end of everything.
I'm afraid of my grandfather's cancer
I worry about losing a loved one to an illness that is beyond their control.
And I'm afraid of my mom's dying arm
I'm scared of seeing a family member deteriorate and suffer physically, and not being able to do anything to ease their pain.
I'm afraid that I've somehow caused my family harm
I worry about being responsible for any emotional or financial burden placed on my family, and how my actions may impact them negatively.
I'm afraid that the ones I love won't have enough
I fear not being able to provide for or protect the people I care about, and worry about them going without.
It's harder to be yourself than it is to be anybody else
Being authentic and true to oneself in a world that often pressures conformity and assimilation is a difficult and daunting task.
I wish I were a little less of a coward
I aspire to be braver and more confident in myself and my choices.
So I bought a knife
The purchase of a knife is a metaphor for taking control and being prepared to face whatever challenges come one's way.
I am a knife
The repetition of this phrase emphasizes the newfound empowerment and agency the artist feels after confronting their fears and anxieties.
Contributed by Lauren N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@fuzzyreplex2033
“Big Bird"
I'm afraid of the way I live my life.
I'm afraid of the way I don't.
I'm afraid of the things that I want to do but I won't.
I'm afraid of God.
I'm afraid to believe and I'm afraid of all the loved ones that I've made leave.
I'm afraid that my dog doesn't love me anymore.
I'm afraid of the social laziness that let Kitty Genovese die.
And I'm afraid of the mob mentality that makes otherwise normal people go blind.
I'm afraid of the way that the world works and I'm afraid of the words in my notebooks.
I'm afraid that you all know that I am a pervert.
But the big red bird that lives under the city
doesn't give a damn about me and it dies every night.
By burning alive.
I'm afraid of my grandfather's cancer.
And I'm afraid of my mom's dying arm.
I'm afraid that I've somehow caused my family harm.
I'm afraid that the ones I love won't have enough.
I'm afraid that the ones I love won't have enough.
It's harder to be yourself than it is to be anybody else.
I wish I were a little less of a coward but the big red bird that lives under the city
doesn't give a damn about me and it dies every night.
So I bought a knife.
I am a knife.
I am a knife man.
@oddgreengoose632
I remember seeing AJJ for the first time. This was the last song they played for the show. I don't think I can describe how utterly therapeutic it was, to sing and cry along with them during their performance.
@redwilliams2182
I saw them recently, and same, they played this as their closer, and I bawled like a small child. Their entire performance was so powerful, I spent half of it laughing and dancing, and the other half crying into my beer.
@rtertth
Every intrusive thought in my mind clumped together in one song
@myknic
exactly... it feels good to hear someone understand.
@BadgerBabe89
Same 🎉
@terrawilliams9781
I'm reading the section of my psych textbook on the bystander effect and keep wondering "Why do I recognize that name? Why am I almost singing it?" and then I google "Kitty Genovese lyrics" and am reminded of this brilliant, heartbreaking song. Thank you AJJ for helping me make connections that will stick in my brain
@GLASSB182
The Knife Man album is AJJ's masterpiece, seriously.
@julianadeanesavage6724
Second only to People Who Eat People
@GLASSB182
@@julianadeanesavage6724 Yes! That album too
@charliedeese6272
@@GLASSB182 let's not forget about "can't maintain"