It started in 1997 with their debut single Sunrise, the first step towards producing their own tracks. Nowadays, one cannot imagine the electronic elite without BLANK & JONES. 13 of their singles made it into the German Top 50, and three into the Top 20. Each and every album hit the Top 50, including two which climbed into the Top 10. They also scored a spectacular triple whammy by occupying the Top Ten album, singles and compilation charts simultaneously with Substance, Desire and The Mix respectively.
BLANK & JONES have teamed up with a number of top international stars in their career to date. The Cure mastermind Robert Smith, Bernard Sumner (New Order), Anne Clark, Sarah McLachlan and Claudia Brücken (Propaganda) have been immortalized on BLANK & JONES tracks, giving them a certain credibility way beyond the boundaries of dance music. Further evidence of their versatility can be seen in their contributions to the Café del Mar compilation series and their own chill-out albums, Relax and Relax (Edition 2). Next up, the people behind the Buddha Bar series have also made enquiries..
The release of the A Forest single and the accompanying album Monument in the USA last year also laid the foundations for BLANK & JONES to create a solid fanbase across the Atlantic.
Seven albums, 3 mix albums (The Mix 1-3) and 15 singles later, BLANK & JONES and their longstanding production colleague Andy Kaufhold have chosen this moment to collate their finest material on one release - The Singles. Comprising the best tracks and greatest successes of BLANK & JONES plus two brand new tracks, recorded exclusively for this album. “We felt the time had come to put all our singles together on one CD, “ Piet and Jaspa explain. “We prefer to see it as one step along the way, rather than a mere retrospective. A little breather before we move on to pastures new.“
Over 20 tracks were in the reckoning for The Singles collection, most of them penned by BLANK & JONES themselves. From the first single Sunrise via chart smashes such as Desire, DJ Culture and Beyond Time all the way to entrancing collaborations with the like of Elles DeGraaf on Mind Of The Wonderful, Claudia Brücken on Unknown Treasure and Steve Kilbey (The Church) on Revealed, the album is packed with original material. One of the few covers is, of course, A Forest with Robert Smith of The Cure on vocals.
An absolute must for fans is the all new WMC Retouch version of Nightfly, direct from the Miami Winter Music Conference (WMC), where BLANK & JONES headlined in March of this year. So new, the track was hot to the touch as it made its way onto the album, having been premiered to rave reactions at the dance convention. BLANK & JONES’ Nightfly WMC Retouch was the talk of the town the following morning on various online sites and blogs.
The album also features two completely new tracks. One is Somebody and the other is Catch, the newest single, based on Kosheen’s 1998 tune. Vocals supplied once again by the fantastic Elles DeGraaf.
BLANK & JONES have taken the utmost care in getting the sound right. Tracks have been remastered but not remixed. “Our aim was to retain the flair of each original track“ Piet and Jaspa elucidate. “We wanted them to sound just as they did when we made them, but clearer, in the same way as one restores a painting. You don’t paint it from scratch, you just bring out the colours again.“ Such loving attention to detail is typical of BLANK & JONES, making them the artists they are today, ready and able to see the bigger picture.
The album is also being released in Limited Edition format, in which The Singles are complemented by an additional DVD, bringing together all BLANK & JONES videos on one disc for the first time. The BLANK & JONES clips are something worth seeing, with a artistic quality rarely seen in such a genre. BLANK & JONES’ dramatic credentials are matched by their sense of humour. Numerous famous names have featured in their videos, including Estella Warren and Til Schweiger in Beyond Time, the latter having also directed the clip.
The DVD was produced and designed by Thomas Jahn, renowned as scriptwriter and director of “Knocking On Heaven’s Door“ and also the man responsible for The Hardest Heart, Mind Of The Wonderful, Perfect Silence and Desire.
The video for the latest single, Catch, was directed by Conchita Soares and Toni Froschhammer and features the thespian talents of TV actress Nadine. The piece will not only be presented on the music channels, but will also be shown at short film festivals over the summer.
BLANK & JONES’ roots are firmly placed in DJ culture. Year after year, millions of ravers around the globe feel the heat of their sensational sets at major events like Mayday, Nature One and Love Parade as well as in clubs all over the world. BLANK & JONES mix DJ and live, making the most of today’s technology. “We do everything digitally, on the basis of Final Scratch, which allows us to use our own edits and mixes, nothing comes straight from tape. Every set we play is unique, not only sound-wise but also in terms of what we play and how we play it. Roughly 60% of our set consists of our own repertoire, as where better to present our own material than via the DJ decks.“
BLANK & JONES are global players in the best sense of the word, with a worldwide reputation to match. They are more than welcome guests at the major festivals and raves in Germany, the Netherlands, Poland and Russia. At the beginning of the year, they played to 15,000 fans in St. Petersburg! They also travel further afield on a regular basis, to Canada, Mexico, South America and Australia.
2005 saw BLANK & JONES spend a lot of time in the USA, where A Forest proved to be a big success. Electronic music is growing and growing Stateside, so BLANK & JONES will return to LA, San Diego, San Francisco and many more cities in North America this year. Overwhelmingly positive reactions to Catch on the initial installment of the BLANK & JONES tour mean that the American fans can hardly wait for The Singles to be released. This will be the third BLANK & JONES US album.
Not content to rest on their laurels, Piet and Jaspa are already preparing an exciting, new and unusual project. On May 26th, BLANK & JONES will perform together with the Robert Schumann Kammerorchester conducted by Alexander Shelly in the Tonhalle Düsseldorf. The definitive electro-classical crossover extravaganza!
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Feel Good
Blank & Jones Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm not inna box
I'm not inna
Inna box I'm not inna box
I'm not inna
Not inna box
I'm not inna box
I'm not inna
I'm not inna box
I'm not inna
I woke up starving like Marvin
I broke bread before I yawned
I started the storm before the calm
The goal is to beat the alarm
Look at these prophecies on my arm
Led me straight through the enemies camp without harm
Good luck requires charm
Clean up requires the brawn
They don't even know the lies
consistency is the con
This is my mind my house and my lawn
These are my rules my tools and my law
Either get correct right here or hit pause
You don't see the king or queen with no pawns
I manifest this with the authority of God
So we ready set go whether you ready or not
overwhelm the situation by giving it all I got
Masterpiece on the beat you out that on repeat and bust a block
I'm not
I'm not inna box
I'm not inna box
I'm not inna
Inna box I'm not inna box
I'm not inna
Not inna box
I'm not inna box
I'm not inna
I'm not inna box
I'm not inna box
I'm not inna
I want it
They're reaching for lifelines
I'm on it
But it's been a lifetime
I'm wanted
For taking back what's mine
Be honest
We probably makin em nervous right
They wanna know if they heard us right
If Cole cook it up I'll serve it right right
Big dawg don't move with the herd advice
Step in the paint and get serviced I
Never had a problem with sacrifice why
There's always a consequence when you cook up
Paintings gon fall when the house gets shook up
I might fall face forward but still look up
Cause baby this ain't where we from
This where they took us
My momma said I got good genes not good luck
My daddy said keep ya nose clean and ya head up
My momma said what goes around comes back around
My daddy said that mean when you swing that you better duck
Ding ding step in the ring and get rocked
You can't change the time that's on my watch
Look how they cheer for our pain maybe we're not
Seeing the big picture from inside the box
I'm not inna box
I'm not inna box
I'm not inna
Inna box I'm not inna box
I'm not inna
Not inna box
I'm not inna box
I'm not inna
I'm not inna box
I'm not inna box
I'm not inna
Now shake that thang like it's free boo
Shake that thang for peace
I got a whole ring on and a wifey at home so don't shake nothin for me
Yeah, yeah
Shake that thang like it's free boo
Shake that thang for peace
I got a whole ring on and a wifey at home so don't shake nothin for me
Don't it feel good
Don't it feel good
Don't it feel good Don't it feel good
When you know you on one and they respect it
When you cross a playa hatta off ya checklist
Feel like a little weight on ya necklace
Don't it feel good
Don't it feel good
When they hear the nonsense and they reject it
When you know you got a whole squad to step wit
When they figure out exactly who to mess wit
Don't it feel good
Don't it feel good
How ya really feel
Don't it feel good
Don't it feel good
The lyrics to Blank & Jones's song "Feel Good" convey a sense of individuality, empowerment, and self-confidence. The repeated line "I'm not inna box" can be seen as a rejection of societal expectations and norms. The song's protagonist asserts their independence and refusal to conform to any predefined notion of who they should be or what they should do.
The opening lines "I woke up starving like Marvin, I broke bread before I yawned, I started the storm before the calm, The goal is to beat the alarm" suggest a strong determination and drive to achieve success. The lyrics also touch upon themes of resilience and overcoming obstacles, as seen in the lines "Clean up requires the brawn, They don't even know the lies, consistency is the con."
The second part of the song switches gears and discusses the importance of staying true to oneself and not succumbing to societal pressures. The lines "Ding ding step in the ring and get rocked, You can't change the time that's on my watch" indicate a defiance towards outside opinions and a refusal to let others dictate one's path.
Overall, "Feel Good" encourages listeners to embrace their individuality, pursue their goals with determination, and reject societal expectations that may hinder their personal growth. It serves as a reminder that true happiness and fulfillment come from staying true to oneself.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm not inna box
I refuse to conform to societal norms and expectations
I woke up starving like Marvin
I am highly motivated and hungry for success
I broke bread before I yawned
I started working and taking action before even fully waking up
I started the storm before the calm
I embrace challenges and difficulties in order to achieve growth and success
The goal is to beat the alarm
I strive to accomplish my goals before time runs out or setbacks occur
Look at these prophecies on my arm
I have a strong belief in my own abilities and future success
Led me straight through the enemies camp without harm
I have the power to navigate and overcome obstacles without being affected by negativity
Good luck requires charm
Success is not purely luck, but also depends on charisma and positive energy
Clean up requires the brawn
In order to bring about positive change, effort and strength are necessary
They don't even know the lies
Others are oblivious to the deceptive nature of their actions
Consistency is the con
Sustained effort and dedication can be deceiving to those who underestimate its power
This is my mind my house and my lawn
I have complete control over my thoughts, personal space, and boundaries
These are my rules my tools and my law
I create and enforce my own guidelines and methods for success
Either get correct right here or hit pause
Either align yourself with my vision or step back and reassess your approach
You don't see the king or queen with no pawns
In order to achieve greatness, one must surround themselves with a reliable support system
I manifest this with the authority of God
I believe in my ability to make things happen with a sense of divine guidance
So we ready set go whether you ready or not
I am determined to move forward and take action, regardless of others' readiness
Overwhelm the situation by giving it all I got
I tackle challenges by putting forth maximum effort and dedication
Masterpiece on the beat you out that on repeat and bust a block
My music is highly skilled and captivating, capable of creating a significant impact
I want it
I have a strong desire for success and fulfillment
They're reaching for lifelines
Others desperately seek assistance or guidance
I'm on it
I am fully committed and focused on achieving my goals
But it's been a lifetime
The journey towards success has been filled with long-lasting dedication and persistence
I'm wanted
I am highly sought after and valued for my skills and talents
For taking back what's mine
I am reclaiming ownership and control over my own success
Be honest
Let's acknowledge the truth and face reality
We probably makin em nervous right
Our success and actions likely intimidate and unsettle others
They wanna know if they heard us right
Others are curious to confirm if they correctly understood our message or intentions
If Cole cook it up I'll serve it right right
If Cole (referring to J. Cole) creates an opportunity, I will excel and deliver with excellence
Big dawg don't move with the herd advice
As a prominent figure, I don't follow the crowd; I give guidance instead
Step in the paint and get serviced I
Engage with me and experience exceptional support and assistance
Never had a problem with sacrifice why
I have always been willing to make sacrifices for my goals without hesitation
There's always a consequence when you cook up
Actions and decisions have repercussions, especially when they are bold and impactful
Paintings gon fall when the house gets shook up
In times of change and disruption, certain elements may crumble or be replaced
I might fall face forward but still look up
Even in the face of failure, I maintain a positive outlook and keep striving
Cause baby this ain't where we from
Our true origin and potential lie beyond the limitations of our current circumstances
This where they took us
We find ourselves in this situation due to external influences and circumstances
My momma said I got good genes not good luck
My mother believes in my inherent abilities, not relying on mere luck
My daddy said keep ya nose clean and ya head up
My father advised me to stay out of trouble and maintain a positive attitude
My momma said what goes around comes back around
My mother emphasized the concept of karma and the consequences of our actions
My daddy said that mean when you swing that you better duck
My father taught me the importance of being prepared for the consequences of my actions
Ding ding step in the ring and get rocked
Challenge me, and I will overpower and defeat you in a competitive scenario
You can't change the time that's on my watch
You have no control over my schedule or decisions
Look how they cheer for our pain maybe we're not
The support and admiration we receive may be based on our struggles and perseverance
Seeing the big picture from inside the box
Gaining a broader perspective and understanding while being confined by limited circumstances
Now shake that thang like it's free boo
Express yourself and let loose without any limitations or inhibitions
Shake that thang for peace
Dance and enjoy yourself as a way to find inner peace and harmony
I got a whole ring on and a wifey at home so don't shake nothin for me
I am committed in a relationship, so there's no need for others to seek my attention
Don't it feel good
Doesn't it bring joy and satisfaction
When you know you on one and they respect it
When you have confidence in yourself and receive acknowledgment and admiration from others
When you cross a playa hatta off ya checklist
When you successfully overcome obstacles or defeat those who doubt you
Feel like a little weight on ya necklace
You experience a sense of accomplishment and pride
When they hear the nonsense and they reject it
When others recognize and reject false information or negativity
When you know you got a whole squad to step wit
When you have a supportive group of people to accompany you on your journey
When they figure out exactly who to mess wit
When others realize that it's not wise to provoke or challenge you
How ya really feel
What are your genuine emotions and thoughts
Lyrics © O/B/O DistroKid
Written by: Daniel Jones
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind