Jackie Wants a Black Eye
Dr. Dog Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Some proof that she's been hit
And John wants the answers
But the questions just don't quit
And we're sitting in the rain
And we're feeling like the weather.
You could say that we're alone
But we're lonely together
We're all in it together now
As we all fall apart
And we're swapping little pieces
Of our broken little hearts.
Jackie is jumping in the quicksand
But it isn't what you think.
She's safe because she knows
The more you fight, the more you sink
And John is following the black cloud
To keep him from the sun.
So he bends over now
Something has finally begun.
And we're all in it together now
As we all fall apart
And we're swapping little pieces
Of our broken little hearts.
And we've been hurting so long
That our pleasure is our pain.
Are we madly in love
Or are we madly insane?
When yesterday's love defines you
And today that love is gone
Tomorrow keeps you guessing
The roller coaster is rolling on.
And we're all in it together now
As we all fall apart
And we're swapping little pieces
Of our broken little hearts.
And we're all in it together now
As we all fall apart
And we're swapping little pieces
Of our broken little hearts.
The song begins with the line, "Jackie wants a black eye, some proof that she's been hit," which sets a haunting and dark tone for the rest of the lyrics. This line could be interpreted in several ways. It could be taken as a metaphor for someone who wants proof of their pain, or it could mean that Jackie wants to feel the physical pain of being hit in order to validate her internal pain. The next line, "And John wants the answers, but the questions just don't quit," shows that both characters are struggling in different ways, but neither can find the answers they seek.
The chorus emphasizes the theme of unity in these struggles. The line, "We're all in it together now, as we all fall apart," highlights the irony of the situation. Even though they are all experiencing their own versions of pain, they are still in it together. The line, "And we're swapping little pieces of our broken little hearts," describes the way that people often try to heal themselves by sharing their brokenness with others who are going through similar struggles.
The second verse continues to explore the characters' struggles. Jackie is "jumping in the quicksand, but it isn't what you think" - this could mean that she is taking risks or doing things that are destructive, but it's actually helping her feel more in control. John is "following the black cloud to keep him from the sun" which could mean that he's seeking the darkness in order to avoid dealing with the light. The final lines of the song - "And we've been hurting so long that our pleasure is our pain, are we madly in love or are we madly insane?" - suggest that these characters might be stuck in patterns of self-destructive behavior, and that they are questioning whether their experiences are love or madness.
Line by Line Meaning
Jackie wants a black eye
Jackie desires a physical manifestation of the emotional pain she's experiencing
Some proof that she's been hit
Evidence that Jackie's situation is real and not imagined
And John wants the answers
John seeks clarity and understanding in a confusing situation
But the questions just don't quit
Despite his search for answers, John is left with more questions than answers
And we're sitting in the rain
The weather reflects the bleak and dismal emotional state of the characters
And we're feeling like the weather.
The characters' moods are gloomy and overcast like the weather
You could say that we're alone
The characters are isolated in their experiences
But we're lonely together
Despite being isolated, the characters share similar experiences and emotions
We're all in it together now
Everyone is experiencing pain and heartbreak together
As we all fall apart
The characters are struggling with the dissolution of relationships and life as they know it
And we're swapping little pieces
The characters are sharing their pain with each other
Of our broken little hearts.
The characters are damaged and hurting emotionally
Jackie is jumping in the quicksand
Jackie is trying to navigate a difficult and dangerous situation
But it isn't what you think.
The situation is not as straightforward as it appears
She's safe because she knows
Jackie is protecting herself by not struggling against her circumstances
The more you fight, the more you sink
Resistance exacerbates the situation and causes more pain
And John is following the black cloud
John is focusing on the negative aspects of his life
To keep him from the sun.
John is avoiding anything positive or uplifting
So he bends over now
John is resigned to his situation and has given up on trying to change it
Something has finally begun.
Despite the negative circumstances, there is a glimmer of hope for John
And we've been hurting so long
The characters have been struggling with emotional pain for an extended period
That our pleasure is our pain.
The characters have become accustomed to pain and struggle and find it difficult to experience pleasure
Are we madly in love
The characters are questioning the authenticity of their emotions
Or are we madly insane?
The characters are questioning the sanity of their situation and emotions
When yesterday's love defines you
The characters are trapped by their past experiences and emotions
And today that love is gone
The characters are struggling to move forward from past relationships and emotions
Tomorrow keeps you guessing
The characters are uncertain about what the future holds
The roller coaster is rolling on.
The characters are trapped in a cycle of emotional highs and lows, unable to break free
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: SCOTT MCMICKEN, TOBY LEAMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@sadiecole1151
Jackie wants a black eye
Some proof that she's been hit
And John wants the answers
But the questions just don't quit
And we're sitting in the rain
And we're feeling like the weather.
You could say that we're alone
But we're lonely together
We're all in it together now
As we all fall apart
And we're swapping little pieces
Of our broken little hearts.
Jackie is jumping in the quicksand
But it isn't what you think.
She's safe because she knows
The more you fight, the more you sink
And John is following the black cloud
To keep him from the sun.
So he bends over now
Something has finally begun.
And we're all in it together now
As we all fall apart
And we're swapping little pieces
Of our broken little hearts.
And we've been hurting so long
That our pleasure is our pain.
Are we madly in love
Or are we madly insane?
When yesterday's love defines you
And today that love is gone
Tomorrow keeps you guessing
The roller coaster is rolling on.
And we're all in it together now
As we all fall apart
And we're swapping little pieces
Of our broken little hearts.
And we're all in it together now
As we all fall apart
And we're swapping little pieces
Of our broken little hearts.
@TheUneventfulSundae
I have just recently became aware of this band and I am so very annoyed that I went at least 3 years without knowing that this, them, all of it existed. They are amazing and I love everyone of their songs
@mickhugh7703
@@kaffymo Ditto. About 2 years ago, and now I keep coming back.
@juliajeanavery2907
imagine how i feel!! last year i found this band.... 10 years late!! i love all of their songs
@ooooo3999
I FOUND THEM IN 2021
@frankbrown212
Love this song. Reminds of simpler times when I used to take care of this little stray cat. I named her Jackie because of this song. Cherish your 20s kids...
@fearboner69
Fucking great song. Dr. Dog is so unique, yet you can literally hear the multitude of influences in every one of their songs. This one reminds of Bob Dylan -"The Man in Me". Also, this was used perfectly in an episode of Eastbound and Down for any Danny McBride fans out there. Cheers!
@Kevin-fw5qy
2020 and im in still love with this beauty♥️♥️♥️♥️
@daessence
I close my eyes and remember sitting in the back of my dad's truck with our dogs listen to this on our way to the beach. Those were such good times and this is such a lovely song. :^) thanks for the upload
@sadiecole1151
Jackie wants a black eye
Some proof that she's been hit
And John wants the answers
But the questions just don't quit
And we're sitting in the rain
And we're feeling like the weather.
You could say that we're alone
But we're lonely together
We're all in it together now
As we all fall apart
And we're swapping little pieces
Of our broken little hearts.
Jackie is jumping in the quicksand
But it isn't what you think.
She's safe because she knows
The more you fight, the more you sink
And John is following the black cloud
To keep him from the sun.
So he bends over now
Something has finally begun.
And we're all in it together now
As we all fall apart
And we're swapping little pieces
Of our broken little hearts.
And we've been hurting so long
That our pleasure is our pain.
Are we madly in love
Or are we madly insane?
When yesterday's love defines you
And today that love is gone
Tomorrow keeps you guessing
The roller coaster is rolling on.
And we're all in it together now
As we all fall apart
And we're swapping little pieces
Of our broken little hearts.
And we're all in it together now
As we all fall apart
And we're swapping little pieces
Of our broken little hearts.
@m1nd0r
Damn,this music really pumps me up for skateboarding :) Props for Cory