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!
I Am so Mad At You
Andrew Jackson Jihad Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
For making me such a bastard
For giving me such high standards
I'm mad at you
But I'll find you inside of someone else
Even if finding you in of someone else is hard to do
Is getting harder and harder to accomplish
The lies I tell myself just so I can get by
Are getting less and less convincing all the time
And I just can't shake the feeling that I'll be alone forever
Please tell me that's not the case
So I will go look for
Things I find important
And qualities that are unique
And traits I find attractive in other people
The Andrew Jackson Jihad's song "I Am So Mad at You" explores a complex mix of emotions including dissatisfaction, anger, and self-doubt. The singer directly addresses the person they are upset with, blaming them for creating unrealistic expectations in their life. The singer seems to have high standards, and is frustrated that they cannot live up to them.
However, there is a glimmer of hope in the lyrics. The singer acknowledges that they will never find this person again, but they will find parts of them in others. They are still searching for happiness and love, but are aware that it's a difficult journey. The relentless pursuit of happiness is wearing them down and they're starting to lose faith in themselves. They are trying to find the beauty in others and focus on their unique characteristics that they find attractive.
This song speaks to a very human feeling of disappointment in yourself and the world around you. It can be hard to reconcile what you want out of life with what is realistically possible. The song acknowledges this struggle while also offering a glimmer of hope to keep going.
Line by Line Meaning
I am so mad at you
I feel intense anger towards you
For making me such a bastard
I blame you for my bad behavior or rough qualities
For giving me such high standards
I resent you for setting my expectations for things very high
I'm mad at you
I continue to feel angry at you
But I'll find you inside of someone else
I hope to discover similarities with you in someone else
Even if finding you in of someone else is hard to do
Although this may be challenging
This never ending pursuit of happiness
I am persistently chasing after contentment
Is getting harder and harder to accomplish
The task is becoming more difficult to achieve
The lies I tell myself just so I can get by
My self-deceptions that assist me in coping
Are getting less and less convincing all the time
Are becoming increasingly ineffective
And I just can't shake the feeling that I'll be alone forever
I am burdened by the notion that I will be indefinitely isolated
Please tell me that's not the case
I implore for you to reassure me otherwise
So I will go look for
In response, I will search for
Things I find important
Things that hold personal significance
And qualities that are unique
Distinctive or uncommon attributes
And traits I find attractive in other people
Appealing features in other individuals
Contributed by Jack F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Lorena M. Curiel
I am so mad at you
for making me such a bastard
giving me such high standards
I'm mad at you
But I'll find you inside of someone else
even if finding you in of someone else is hard to do
This never ending pursuit
of happiness
is getting harder and harder to accomplish
the lies I tell myself
just so I can get by
are getting less and less convincing
all the time
and I just can't shake the feeling that I'll be alone forever
please tell me that's not the case
So I will go look for things I find important
qualities that are unique
and traits I find attractive in other people
RejectedTheOnes
I'm seeing a lot of people who are dedicating this to people they hate. These people seem to be confused about the meaning of the song.
Bubble Tea
I mean.. just imagine if you direct this song towards your parents.
Rudy Rodriguez
How awesome it would be to see AJJ live.
Sodium Fine
I have and i can honestly say i can die peacefully now
valentino castro
I know is late
But taking in count how depressive
Are their songs
Is amazing he hadnt shoot himself in the head (intern joke)
Mango_ Man
NewGoldStandard
last venue was at the marqus in denver. Saw them 2 years in a row now and will never miss one.
Isaac Underwood
its very awesome
NewGoldStandard
just curious, what venue in Denver?
I'm from Denver, that's why I ask...
Lorena M. Curiel
I am so mad at you
for making me such a bastard
giving me such high standards
I'm mad at you
But I'll find you inside of someone else
even if finding you in of someone else is hard to do
This never ending pursuit
of happiness
is getting harder and harder to accomplish
the lies I tell myself
just so I can get by
are getting less and less convincing
all the time
and I just can't shake the feeling that I'll be alone forever
please tell me that's not the case
So I will go look for things I find important
qualities that are unique
and traits I find attractive in other people
Deshon Slaton
you got the wrong lyrics its
"But ill find you!
inside of someone else even if finding you in someone else is hard to do!" *