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.
Yes I Am Talking To You
Cap'n Jazz Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
let's 'fess up to
firecrackerjack snacks
and a piggy bank built
and filled to be spilled and broken
hammy fat fingers
pinch clammy cold coins
all the leaves left
I'm dying to tell you I'm dying
I don't need a reason
You've got yourself such a comfortable trap
yes I am talking to you
yes I know this is shameless
yes I am talking to you
You've got yourself such a comfortable trap
[Spoken]
A matinee of sunshine ribbons
on a sheetless mattress
moonlighting as swooning
moonlight isn't really from the moon at all
I am shining smiles and flowery glows
I am drunk in the breeze
in the park chasing kites and splashing puddles
forget meknots in my gut
that's what you get
we nibbled butter cookie rings to the knuckle
artichoke trophies choked down
through nevada sandy enzymes
past ribs choking scorching hearts
down to an autotrophic stomach
I called her june, until that late spring
quite possibly march leap year
automatic trophies aren't shit
The song, "Yes I Am Talking To You" by Cap'n Jazz, consists of dramatic and fragmented lyrics that, on their own, might not make much sense but when put together, create a surprisingly cohesive story. The opening lines suggest a nostalgic reflection on childhood memories of savings in a piggy bank and eating snacks like firecracker jacks. The next lines describe the image of someone with fat fingers trying to get the coins out of the bank, which leads to the leaves withering away, a metaphor possibly for the end of childhood.
The chorus of the song asserts itself as a declaration of a message that the singer is trying to convey to someone who is trapped figuratively. The lyrics are a call to action to be heard by someone who has, in the singer's opinion, created their own "comfortable trap" throughout their life. The singer seems to know the person they are addressing personally, and they convey an urgency in their tone when they sing, "I'm dying to tell you I'm dying I don't need a reason."
The song ends with a spoken section that is a mishmash of images, including sunshine ribbons, a sheetless mattress, butter cookies, choking on trophies, and an autotrophic stomach. It's an abstract and fragmented description of emotions and sensory experiences, adding to the overall effect of the song.
Line by Line Meaning
Ah!
Expressing excitement or surprise in anticipation of what is to come.
let's 'fess up to
Let's be honest about.
firecrackerjack snacks
Snacks that are exciting and explosive in flavor or texture.
and a piggy bank built
A piggy bank that was carefully constructed.
and filled to be spilled and broken
And intentionally filled with coins that were meant to be spilled and broken.
hammy fat fingers
Fingers that are plump and clumsy.
pinch clammy cold coins
To hold and grab cold coins with sweaty hands.
all the leaves left
All the leaves have fallen off the trees.
wither a sickly brittle brown
The leaves turned a weak and dry brown color.
I'm dying to tell you I'm dying
I am eager to confess that I am in agony or despair.
I don't need a reason
I don't require an explanation or justification for my feelings.
You've got yourself such a comfortable trap
You have put yourself in a situation that seems safe and secure but is actually limiting and confining.
yes I am talking to you
I am addressing you directly and specifically.
yes I know this is shameless
I am aware that this is awkward or embarrassing.
A matinee of sunshine ribbons
A picturesque scene of sunlight casting ribbons of colors and light.
on a sheetless mattress
On a bare or uncovered bed.
moonlighting as swooning
The moon seems to be working as a romantic influence or causing swooning.
moonlight isn't really from the moon at all
Moonlight is actually sunlight that is reflected off the moon's surface.
I am shining smiles and flowery glows
I am radiating happiness and emitting a pleasant, floral fragrance.
I am drunk in the breeze
I am heavily influenced or affected by the wind.
in the park chasing kites and splashing puddles
Playing and having fun in the park by chasing kites and jumping in puddles.
forget meknots in my gut
Feeling nervous or anxious to the point that it feels like one's insides are tied in knots.
that's what you get
That's what you deserve or have brought upon yourself.
we nibbled butter cookie rings to the knuckle
We ate butter cookies until there was no more cookie left and our fingers were all that was left to lick.
artichoke trophies choked down
Eating artichokes to completion or 'winning' by eating all of the tough, fibrous leaves.
through nevada sandy enzymes
Digesting food using rough and harsh processes.
past ribs choking scorching hearts
Food moving through one's body, causing discomfort and painful sensations.
down to an autotrophic stomach
Traveling down to the internal organs that function on their own, without assistance from the rest of the body.
I called her june, until that late spring
A romantic relationship that ended tragically in May or early June.
quite possibly march leap year
Perhaps the events happened in the month of March during a leap year.
automatic trophies aren't shit
Winning something without truly earning or working for it is worthless or insignificant.
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