The band began in the bedroom of Justin Kennedy who, in his early days, played with Ben Gibbard (Death Cab for Cutie) in the Seattle band Pinwheel. Having relocated to Los Angeles after Pinwheel broke up, Kennedy began focusing on his new project and started assembling members for Army Navy. Multi-instrumentalist Louie Schultz joined swiftly after hearing Kennedy’s home demos. Without a permanent sticks man at the time of recording the first album, Army Navy’s album boasted drumming by the legendary Pete Thomas of Elvis Costello and The Attractions, who had been a longtime fan of the band. Army Navy soon found their permanent drummer Douglas Randall.
Army Navy released their first (Lasus produced) album on their own Fever Zone Label in 2008. CMJ called it “..some of the brightest pop released this year”. The quartet’s first single “My Thin Sides” was paired with a video featuring Paul Scheer of Human Giant. The second single “Saints” which Blender Magazine called “a lovely indie-rock swoon” was the Single Of the Week on iTunes Australia and was released on the UK’s Fierce Panda’s Club Fandango Label. Stateside, it gained radio rotation on tastemaker stations like KEXP and KNRK and satellite radio’s indie-leaning XMU station.
The band featured on Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist. They also featured in the Shrek Forever After theatrical trailer, Beastly Film and Soundtrack, The Bachelor ABC TV commercial, and shows like: Weeds, The OC, Numbers, Greek, and many more.
On tour the band has supported such groups as: The Lemonheads, Arctic Monkeys, The Dodos, The Soft Pack, The Like, and Cut Copy; as well as explosive shows at SXSW and CMJ and the UK’s Truck festivals. The band was asked to be musical guests on the short-lived Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien.
In 2010 the band self-financed the recording of their second album. They once again called upon producer and engineer Adam Lasus (Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Yo La Tengo, Helium). The album is The Last Place.
Their third full-length album, The Wilderness Inside, was released on July 15, 2014.
Ode to Janice Melt
Army Navy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Started out so innocently
I think you thought of everything
It's like you were on ecstasy.
I don't know, it's very nice and so are you
Oh, I don't know what to do!
We were right, so very right
Janice Melt maybe it's your celebrity
That made you wanna slum it with me.
And then it starts all up again
In this town love's pretend
Sorry about your lobotomy
Removed the part that had all of me
Said it was only me and you
Except your husband, that was true!
I don't know, it's very nice and so are you
Oh, I don't know what to do!
We were right, so very right
Then again my heart's a shell, can't you tell
Janice Melt, I've been waiting you too long and I'm lost
I've been waiting you too long, waiting you too long
Ah, ah, ah!
La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la!
In "Ode to Janice Melt," Army Navy reveals a story that is not easy to understand. The song reflects on a relationship that began innocently but turned sour quickly. In the opening lines, the singer recalls the best days of the century that started innocently, and everything seemed perfect. It seems like his partner, Janice Melt, thought of everything and was always high on ecstasy. This suggests that their relationship was based on a temporary high that couldn't last long.
As the song moves on, the singer begins to question the intentions of Janice. She was a celebrity, and she just wanted to slum it with him. He understood that love in their town was just pretend, and he couldn't help but think that Janice was using him for her amusement. The relationship went downhill from there, and the singer admits that he was sorry about his lobotomy. He had given his heart and soul to Janice, but in the end, it was only him and her husband.
In conclusion, Army Navy's "Ode to Janice Melt" is a song that reflects on a relationship that was doomed from the start. The singer acknowledges that it was nice to be with Janice initially, but their love was temporary, and in the end, it led to his heart turning into a shell.
Line by Line Meaning
The best days of this century
Refers to the joyous moments and memories they shared together, and how special those times were.
Started out so innocently
The relationship began with pure, innocent intentions.
I think you thought of everything
Janice Melt was always thinking about ways to make their relationship and experiences together even better and more exciting.
It's like you were on ecstasy.
Janice Melt's enthusiasm for their relationship and the experiences shared was overwhelming and almost felt like an intense high.
I don't know, it's very nice and so are you
The relationship was enjoyable and comforting, and both parties appreciated each other's company and presence.
Oh, I don't know what to do!
Despite enjoying the relationship, the singer is uncertain about the future and how to proceed.
We were right, so very right
Both the singer and Janice Melt were correct in pursuing a relationship, it felt natural and right.
Then again my heart's a shell, can't you tell
Despite the positive aspects of the relationship, the singer's heart feels empty and guarded.
Janice Melt maybe it's your celebrity
Janice Melt's status as a public figure may have influenced her decision to enter a relationship outside of her typical social circles.
That made you wanna slum it with me.
The singer feels unworthy of Janice Melt's attention and wonders why she would want to be with someone like him.
And then it starts all up again
Despite the doubts and uncertainties, the relationship continues and the cycle of mixed emotions repeats.
In this town love's pretend
The singer acknowledges that the world they live in is superficial, and true love can be difficult to find and maintain.
Sorry about your lobotomy
The singer apologizes to Janice Melt for the surgery she underwent, which he believes changed her true self and perhaps affected their relationship.
Removed the part that had all of me
The lobotomy changed Janice Melt and her personality, removing the part of her that the singer identified with and loved.
Said it was only me and you
Janice Melt reassured the singer that their love was true and exclusiv,e despite her marriage.
Except your husband, that was true!
The singer realizes that Janice Melt's marriage was a reality she could not escape, and their love affair could only be a temporary escape from it.
Janice Melt, I've been waiting you too long and I'm lost
The singer waited too long for Janice Melt and realizes that he has lost himself and become too invested in the relationship.
I've been waiting you too long, waiting you too long
The singer repeats his frustration with waiting for Janice Melt and how it has affected him.
Ah, ah, ah!
The singer expresses his pain or agony about the situation.
La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la!
The singer sings a nonsense refrain, perhaps to convey the idea that their relationship or love was equally nonsensical and unable to make sense of the situation.
Contributed by Mateo H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
StuffedInATuba
Bought their latest album when it came out, I definitely recommend it, these guys are the best!!!
Jordan Triggs
1:43 Oh my god, I laughed so hard. You guys rock.
Emma Wyton
I love you Army Navy! This video sure made me chuckle. Great idea! I wish you all the best for the future, and I hope that you come visit the UK soon!
Anita Horgan
This is genius. Love this video and the song rocks.
littlerosa
I LOVE Jason Ritter!!!! He was awesome in this video!!!! :-)) Nice song, too!
tuna cake
Awesome song and video. Never gets old :)
skoolyardpuck
you guys always make the best videos. so awesome.
marie hall
LMAO!! How creative and ain't it the truth about relationships. I'd love to ask my hand out for a date but I never let my right hand know what my left hand is doing. I'll listen to your "ode" a few more times and work my socials skills. U guys are the best and Jason Ritter rocks.
breachedaccessory
Mr. Konner, well done!
Joseph Melahrinos
I legit love this band so god damn much!!! 😍😍😍😍