It consis… Read Full Bio ↴Don Johnson Big Band is a Finnish hip-hop/electronic band.
It consists of four people: Tommy Lindgren (vocals), Kari Saarilahti (drums, guitar, bass), Johannes Laiho (piano, synthesizer) and Pekka Mikkonen (sax, flute). Despite their name, they are not a big band and although they are quite often classified as hip-hop their unique sound combines hip-hop, electronic, jazz, soul, rock and pop. Among other things.
DJBB is described by many as a superb, energetic live act, but especially their recent albums tend to focus on slower songs that are quite thoughtful. They're usually balanced with some infectous party jams and other types of songs, but despite this their albums are quite cohesive.
The name "Don Johnson Big Band" comes from the actor Don Johnson in the series Miami Vice. It was invented as a joke when they were booking a rehearsal time and were asked for the band's name.
Releases include singles One MC, One Delay (2003), Jah Jah Blow Job (2003), Road (2006), Busy Relaxin' (2006) and Private Intentions (2006), and albums Support de Microphones (2000), Breaking Daylight (2003) and Don Johnson Big Band (2006). The Japanese release of the self titled album contains tracks from both Breaking Daylight and Don Johnson Big Band, but uses the latter's cover art.
Time Machine
Don Johnson Big Band Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A horizontal haze shrinking in the storm
And all displays of affection frowned upon as vain
No other people on this planet quite as proud of all its pain
It's raining sideways, water's flooding the highways
Another winter of discontent discontinued
More dark inspired days to leave behind these walls
No re-design will solve what's predestined in you
As chance would have it, we can inhabit
And reform it all just slightly
A slow progression, no one pushed back
As the invisible hand has now become just that
Inhuman kind, the vilest being
Drowns into a blinding blue
And silent green
Let me step into a time machine
Let me step into a time machine
(2x)
Now see the lights of Shibuya
Flickering quicker in the dark of night
And the delight's a destroyer
Every city has its own ten commandments
Its modes of transit and souls in abandon
I deploy a defense to resist it all
Whether pinned to the ground or up against a wall
The concrete, chrome, and I become one
I find it a comfort, provided I'm done
With the hide and the hunt
And the ride and the lump in my throat
Dying for a bump in the road
More tires that smoke, my desire has sunken my boat
Crying for wires and rope
From suppliers of hope, I can't get an answer
Maybe I should raise a hand to try demand some
Replace retreat with forward advancement
It pays to be distorted, the rewards are handsome
Could have pictured being richer than Richard Branson
Better mention, if we switch, I'm in the kitchen dancing
The picture getting clearer, no need for enhancement
People look like ants, and I am high enough transcend
The walls, the traffic, the minutes, and the laughing
The noise, the caffeine, the cynics, and the massive
Void between ourselves and how we want to be seen
Shibuya give me comfort, let me constantly dream
Inhuman kind, the vilest being
Drowns into a blinding blue
And silent green
Let me step into a time machine
Let me step into a time machine
(2x)
The song "Time Machine" by Don Johnson Big Band explores the idea of escapism and the desire to leave behind the struggles of the present day. The lyrics describe familiar yet dormant city lights in Helsinki and the frustration of displays of affection being frowned upon. The rain floods the highways, and the winter of discontent has been discontinued, but more dark and uninspired days still loom ahead.
The song then shifts to the lights of Shibuya, a district in Tokyo. The flickering lights represent the chaos and destruction that urban life can bring. The singer feels a sense of comfort in the concrete and chrome surroundings, but they struggle with their desire for something more. The song ends with a desire to leave it all behind and step into a time machine.
Overall, "Time Machine" is a commentary on the challenges of modern life and the universal desire to escape from it all. It highlights the struggle between the comfort found in urban environments and the desire to break free from these constraints.
Line by Line Meaning
The lights of Helsinki, familiar and dormant
The well-known and inactive streetlights of the city of Helsinki.
A horizontal haze shrinking in the storm
A blur of fog caused by the storm, blending everything into a single plane.
And all displays of affection frowned upon as vain
Expressions of love are not appreciated and viewed as useless.
No other people on this planet quite as proud of all its pain
No other people take as much pride in their suffering as the residents of this place.
It's raining sideways, water's flooding the highways
The horizontal rain is causing the roads to flood.
Another winter of discontent discontinued
The unhappiness of the previous winter has ended.
More dark inspired days to leave behind these walls
There will be more melancholic days to come, and the singer wishes to escape them.
No re-design will solve what's predestined in you
No new plan or structure can change what is meant to happen to someone.
But this is where we are and this is where we could belong
Despite everything, this could be the place where the singer and the listener are meant to be.
As chance would have it, we can inhabit
Fortunately, we have the opportunity to live in this place.
And reform it all just slightly
And make small improvements to it.
A slow progression, no one pushed back
Slowly but surely, progress is being made without anyone opposing it.
As the invisible hand has now become just that
The plan is now visible and being executed.
Inhuman kind, the vilest being
Humans can be the worst creatures.
Drowns into a blinding blue
Succumbs to a bright and painful light.
And silent green
And a peaceful shade of green.
Let me step into a time machine
The singer wants to escape to a different time.
Now see the lights of Shibuya
Now imagine the neon lights of Shibuya, Tokyo.
Flickering quicker in the dark of night
The lights are pulsing more rapidly at night.
And the delight's a destroyer
And the pleasure it brings can be harmful.
Every city has its own ten commandments
Each city has its own unwritten rules and customs.
Its modes of transit and souls in abandon
Its ways of transportation and people who are lost or who have given up.
I deploy a defense to resist it all
I put up a shield to remain unaffected by everything.
Whether pinned to the ground or up against a wall
Even if I am physically constrained, I will not let it affect me.
The concrete, chrome, and I become one
I feel connected and at peace with my urban environment.
I find it a comfort, provided I'm done
I find it reassuring as long as I am free to leave eventually.
With the hide and the hunt
With the fear and the search for something.
And the ride and the lump in my throat
And the experience and the feeling of a knot in my stomach.
Dying for a bump in the road
Craving for something unexpected to happen.
More tires that smoke, my desire has sunken my boat
The more I desire, the more I am sinking myself.
Crying for wires and rope
Yearning for something to hold onto.
From suppliers of hope, I can't get an answer
From those who claim to provide hope, I am not getting a solution to my problems.
Maybe I should raise a hand to try demand some
Perhaps I should speak up and insist on getting what I need.
Replace retreat with forward advancement
Stop withdrawing and start making progress.
It pays to be distorted, the rewards are handsome
Being unique and different can be beneficial and rewarding.
Could have pictured being richer than Richard Branson
Could have imagined being more successful than a famous billionaire business tycoon.
Better mention, if we switch, I'm in the kitchen dancing
Just so you know, if the roles were reversed, I would still be happy and dancing in the kitchen.
The picture getting clearer, no need for enhancement
The image is becoming more vivid, and no further improvement is necessary.
People look like ants, and I am high enough transcend
People appear very small from my elevated viewpoint, and I feel transcendent.
The walls, the traffic, the minutes, and the laughing
The physical barriers, the busy roads, the passing time, and the joyful noises.
The noise, the caffeine, the cynics, and the massive
The loud sounds, the stimulating drinks, the skeptical people, and the enormous size.
Void between ourselves and how we want to be seen
The gap between how we see ourselves and how we want others to see us.
Shibuya give me comfort, let me constantly dream
Thinking of Shibuya gives me solace and allows me to keep dreaming.
Contributed by Sydney A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.