I. Casey Jones was a straight edge hardcore band from Jacksonville, Florida. The band consisted of members from Evergreen Terrace and Anchors Away and was signed to Eulogy Records.
Casey Jones formed in early 2003 as a side project of Evergreen Terrace. The band's name is taken from the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles character Casey Jones. The band was originally started by Josh James of Evergreen Terrace, his brother Caleb, and Josh Smith (former member of Evergreen Terrace). Shortly after forming, the band wrote several songs and recorded a five song demo entitled Are Some Crucial Dudes. Not long after this, the band recorded their first full length The Few, The Proud, The Crucial which was released on Indianola Records. After several member changes, the band recorded their second full length, The Messenger, which was released on Eulogy Records in June 2006.
Casey Jones released their final album, I Hope We're Not the Last, on January 11, 2011. The album is available through iTunes, all major online music sites, select mom-and-pop stores and every live show. 2011 also marks the band’s final year of touring. Frontman Josh James said: “When we started this band, we didn’t expect to release records, much less to gain fans across the world. We certainly didn’t expect so many people to be moved by our message. Because this band has never been first priority to its members, it has always equated to pure expression and pure fun. All things must come to an end, and we believe 2011 will be a great year to spend on tour and saying goodbye. This is going to be fun”.
Casey Jones disbanded in 2012. After disbanding Casey Jones released a documentary about the life and death of the band entitled Start to Finish.
Josh James - vocals
Evan Judd - guitar
John Howard - guitar
James Siboni - bass
Caleb James - drums
MySpace: Casey Jones
II. Casey Jones (July 26, 1939 - May 3, 2017) was a blues drummer, singer and record producer who has recorded with blues artists such as Albert Collins, appearing on his Frostbite and Ice Pickin' albums, and Johnny Winter, appearing on Winters Serious Business, Guitar Slinger, True to the Blues: The Johnny Winter Story albums.
Born in Nitta Yuma, Mississippi in 1939, Casey Jones was raised in Greenville, Mississippi. In 1956 he moved to Chicago to live with his sister. It was here that his sister and her husband bought him his first drum set. He had his first gig in 1956 from which he made $5. In the early 1960s he recorded with Earl Hooker, A.C. Reed, McKinley Mitchell, and Muddy Waters. As a session drummer he has worked with artists such as Lou Rawls, Otis Rush, Muddy Waters and Johnny Winter. For six years he was a member of Albert Collin's band.
Casey passed away May 3, 2017 in Chicago.
Discography
Solo
Casey Jones - Still Kickin'
Casey Jones - Solid Blue
Casey Jones - The Crowd Pleaser
Casey Jones - 94 On My Way to Chicago
Appearances (selective)
Albert Collins - Frostbite
Lonnie Brooks - Deluxe Edition
Johnny Winter - Guitar Slinger
Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea
Casey Jones Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
No one ever told you what life would ever really be like
At twenty-five, confused, afraid of how the future could be so bright
Facts of life are hard to see when all you do is to think who you'll be
And living life is hard when nothing seems to work for you
So you have to choose
The path you'll go, the things you'll lose
What are you gonna do
Close your eyes, hold your breath
You gotta think fast
Cause no one can help you they don't give a shit
They choke on display of solitude
Just think of it
How could you guess when no one has a clue
It is all up to you
To make this what you want
To do the things you do
It is up to you, it is all up to you
The song "Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea" by Casey Jones is a powerful and insightful reflection on life, the challenges that come with it, and the difficult decisions one must make in order to navigate its choppy waters. The opening lines set the tone, with the singer lamenting the fact that nobody ever told them what life would really be like. At 25 years old, they find themselves confused and afraid of the future, which seems impossibly bright yet also full of unknown dangers.
The chorus is a rallying cry to take control of one's life, even when it feels like everything is out of your hands. The facts of life may be hard to see when all you can think about is who you want to be, but living life is even harder when nothing seems to work in your favor. It's up to you to choose the path you will take and the things you will lose along the way. When times get tough, as they always do, you have to think fast and make tough decisions, because nobody else can help you. It's up to you to make your life what you want it to be.
The song is a poignant reminder that life is a journey full of unexpected twists and turns, and that the only person you can rely on to get you through it is yourself. When faced with difficult choices, it can be easy to feel lost and alone, but the singer urges us to embrace the power we have within us to shape our own futures. "Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea" is a stirring anthem that encourages us to be strong, to be brave, and to face the challenges of life head-on.
Line by Line Meaning
One, Two, Three, Four...
The song begins with a countdown, indicating that a serious conversation is about to begin.
No one ever told you what life would ever really be like
Adult responsibilities and challenges are typically not fully explained or comprehended when younger.
At twenty-five, confused, afraid of how the future could be so bright
At the age of twenty-five, one can feel uncertain and scared even when opportunities seem plentiful.
Facts of life are hard to see when all you do is to think who you'll be
The realities of life are often not apparent when too much focus is on projecting a desired persona.
And living life is hard when nothing seems to work for you
Finding happiness and fulfillment in life is a significant challenge when nothing seems to go right.
So you have to choose
Making important life decisions is ultimately an individual's responsibility.
The path you'll go, the things you'll lose
Choosing one's life path means accepting that some things will not be possible or must be given up.
What are you gonna do
This line emphasizes the need to take action and not just ponder possibilities endlessly.
When times are hard just like the past
Life can be challenging and difficult, and it may feel like nothing has changed.
Close your eyes, hold your breath
This line suggests a moment of pause to gather oneself before taking action.
You gotta think fast
Time is often of the essence and one must be quick to react to situations.
Cause no one can help you they don't give a shit
Others may not be invested or interested in an individual's personal struggles, and it is not their responsibility to fix things.
They choke on display of solitude
Others may feel uncomfortable or unsure how to handle displays of loneliness or isolation.
Just think of it
This line encourages the listener to reflect on the situation.
How could you guess when no one has a clue
Sometimes life can be unpredictable and no one, including oneself, can fully anticipate how things will play out.
It is all up to you
Ultimately, the individual must take responsibility for their own life.
To make this what you want
Having control of one's own life means having the power to make it what one desires.
To do the things you do
Individuals must take action to achieve their goals and follow through with their plans.
It is up to you, it is all up to you
The song emphasizes the importance of personal responsibility in creating the life that one desires.
Contributed by Abigail Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.