Clawjob's last release, an EP called Manifest Destiny, is focused on 19th-century American history and totally doing whatever awful thing you want without any regard for the well-being of others. Manifest Destiny was Clawjob's first release since their 2006 debut full-length album, Space Crackers, a science fiction rock opera that adroitly addresses the complex subjects of love, mortality, science, and ravenous alien assault.
Clawjob formed in 2000 in Boston, Massachusetts. The two members of Clawjob are Mike Gintz, formerly of Clickers, and Nick Burgess. The two formerly played Mega Man soundtrack covers as the unimaginatively-named Project X. The live version of Clawjob usually included various other musicians from the Boston independent music scene, including members of Tristan Da Cunha and Night Rally, but was occasionally stripped down to the two core members as a guitar/drums duo.
Clawjob effectively ceased operations in 2008; both members went on to start a new band called Hex Map.
Free music from Clawjob is available for download at the official Clawjob website.
Julian
Clawjob Lyrics
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You're not helping with my hernia.
I can't carry the weight you leave.
I can't carry the weight you give to me.
Julian, would you leave?
I can't take this all without my sleep,
And I can't sleep at all with you riding on my back.
Julian, you're not melting.
You're not melting away like a bad dream.
I can't compete with a memory.
I can't compete with a ghost.
Julian, would you leave?
I hear the name she calls out in her sleep,
And I can't sleep at all with her crying every night.
I'm up against a wall, Julian.
Julian, would you leave?
You're thousands of miles below me,
But the space in between us, it doesn't help a thing.
I've given it my all, Julian.
The song "Julian" by Clawjob is a poignant, emotional expression of feeling burdened and overwhelmed by the weight of another person's problems. The first verse starts with the singer, Greg, addressing Julian, whom he feels is not helping with his hernia, and the weight he leaves on Greg's shoulders. The singer vividly conveys the feeling of being unable to bear the weight Julian gives him, which is worsened by his inability to sleep, as Julian is constantly riding on his back. The singer is at his wits' end, as he cannot take this load anymore, and he's merely staring at a wall.
The second verse is even more heart-wrenching, as the singer talks about his inability to compete with "a memory" or a "ghost," alluding to Julian's absence, which haunts him like a ghost. The singer is overwhelmed, as he hears his partner calling out someone else's name in her sleep, which renders him sleepless as well. The emotional toll of this situation seems unbearable to the singer, as he's backed against a wall.
The repeated plea for Julian to leave, as the singer reaches out to him from a distance, emphasizing how the space between them doesn't help, is both moving and relatable. The song is powerful in its simplicity, with a straightforward melody and touching lyrics that resonate with anyone who has ever felt overloaded by someone's troubles.
Line by Line Meaning
Julian, you're not helping.
Greg feels like Julian is not helping him with his hernia.
You're not helping with my hernia.
Julian is not providing any support to Greg's hernia.
I can't carry the weight you leave.
Greg is unable to handle the burden that Julian leaves behind.
I can't carry the weight you give to me.
The weight that Julian puts on Greg is too much for him to bear.
Julian, would you leave?
Greg is asking Julian to leave him alone.
I can't take this all without my sleep,
Greg needs sleep to be able to handle the situation.
And I can't sleep at all with you riding on my back.
Julian's presence is constantly weighing Greg down.
I'm staring at a wall, Julian.
Greg is stuck with no way out.
Julian, you're not melting.
Julian is not fading away like a bad dream.
You're not melting away like a bad dream.
Greg cannot forget Julian and move on.
I can't compete with a memory.
Greg is unable to compete with Julian's memory.
I can't compete with a ghost.
Julian's memory is haunting Greg.
I hear the name she calls out in her sleep,
Greg hears his partner's regret about the past.
And I can't sleep at all with her crying every night.
Greg's partner is in distress, which is keeping him up at night.
I'm up against a wall, Julian.
Greg is stuck with nowhere to go.
Julian, would you leave?
Greg is asking Julian to leave him alone.
You're thousands of miles below me,
Julian is far away from Greg's current location.
But the space in between us, it doesn't help a thing.
The geographical distance between them has not resolved the situation.
I've given it my all, Julian.
Greg has tried his best to deal with the situation.
Contributed by Violet N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.