The band recorded several singles for independent labels in the early 90's as well as contributing to several compilations. In 1995, they released their only full-length album, "Burritos, Inspiration Point, Fork Balloon Sports, Cards in the Spokes, Automatic Biographies, Kites, Kung Fu, Trophies, Banana Peels We've Slipped on and Egg Shells We've Tippy Toed Over" (better known as "Shmap'n Shmazz") on the tiny Man with Gun label.
The band broke up in July 1995, shortly after "Shmap'n Shmazz"'s release, on the night of a show at Little Rock's Das Yutes a Go-Go. In 1998, the Jade Tree label assembled a double-disc Cap'n Jazz retrospective titled "Analphabetapolothology" which compiles the band's complete recorded works: Shmap'n Shmazz, early singles, material from split releases, compilation tracks, unreleased demos and outtakes and several tracks from their farewell performance in Chicago.
After the band's split, the band members formed several new bands including The Promise Ring, American Football, Make Believe, Ghosts and Vodka, Owen, Joan of Arc and Owls
Cap'n Jazz reunited for a four-song set on January 22nd, 2010 at Chicago's Empty Bottle, which eventually led to a full tour in the second half of the year.
Puddle Splashers
Cap'n Jazz Lyrics
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In Cap'n Jazz's song "Puddle Splashers," the lyrics speak to a sense of youthfulness, wonder, and confusion. The line, "we're busy touching till we're dizzy stupid" conveys a sense of being lost in the moment and caught up in physical sensation. The singer then describes themselves as a "puppy," emphasizing their youthful energy and lack of experience. The image of a "balloon and a happy accident" reinforces this childlike quality and suggests that the singer is carefree and undirected.
The next line changes tone, as the singer reflects on a missed opportunity for education and the potential for mistold myths to influence their understanding of the world. This anxiety is quickly dispelled, however, as the singer implores their partner to "hold me here dearest and turn me golden," suggesting a desire to stay in the moment and experience pure, unadulterated joy.
The final lines of the song introduce a sense of cosmic wonder, as the singer watches their partner "holding up the sun." The singer recalls a previous conversation with someone who found the world to be a waste of their time, but the singer is left speechless, unable to articulate their own thoughts. This sense of wonder and confusion is reinforced by the final line, "you can't look at the sky without looking right through it," suggesting that there is always more to the world than what is immediately apparent.
Line by Line Meaning
we're busy touching till we're dizzy stupid.
We are so involved in each other that we lose touch with reality and become disoriented.
i am a puppy. a balloon and a happy accident.
I am innocent, carefree, and a product of chance - but this is what makes me happy.
missed she teaching me myths mistold.
She taught me about traditional stories that were misunderstood and misrepresented - I missed these lessons and feel the loss.
hold me here dearest and turn me golden.
Please hold me tight and make me feel special and valued.
and i watched you holding up the sun.
I admire how you are radiant, strong, and capable of great things.
i remember her saying, "this whole world is a waste of my time."
I recall her expressing her disappointment and disillusionment with the world.
and all i could say is, "i wish i had something to say."
I am at a loss for words and wish I could express something meaningful.
but we'll stand still long enough the sun will move around us.
If we are patient and wait long enough, we can create our own sense of time and control our own world.
you can't look at the sky without looking right through it.
When we gaze at the sky, we are also looking beyond it, at something bigger and more profound.
Contributed by Juliana M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.