Gary Jules attended The Bishop's School in La Jolla, California. Some of his early projects/bands were The Ivory Knights, Our Town Pansies, Woodenfish and The Origin.
Jules started off his solo recording career with the debut Greetings from the Side. Originally released by A & M, this album slipped through the cracks due to neglect on the label's part, and Jules was dropped. In 2001, together with friend Michael Andrews, Gary Jules recorded Trading Snakeoil For Wolftickets. It was from this album that the remake of Tears for Fears' Mad World was subsequently used by Michael Andrews for Donnie Darko.
In December 2003, two years after Donnie Darko was released, Mad World finally reached the charts and became the Christmas Number One in the UK. In early 2004, the song surfaced in the US and Canada.
His most recent album, simply titled Gary Jules was released in 2006. The song Falling Awake from this album was recently used in the season 3 episode Six Days: Part Two of Grey's Anatomy.
Jules' Andrews' arrangement of "Mad World", was recently used in a trailer for the Gears of War for the XBOX 360, it was also used in a few episodes of CSI, Without a Trace, in some episodes of Dead Like Me, in an episode of Jericho, and an episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
Official Site: http://www.garyjules.com/
08 umbilical town
Gary Jules Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
that you keep in the garage
together with the feathers and the fireworks
a surftown hero who's got one foot in the garden
and they built you a model airplane
like the one that brought you back to lindbergh field
now you're counting your change by the streetlights on india
"hey, it's me again, I'm faded . . . could I please come over?"
you can do what you want
in umbilical town
in a waterfront bar
old gap-toothed annie was a friend of mine
the third time around she was born again
she must have burned at least a half-a-million dollars
in the little rooms next door to wash-and-fold
and there ain't no consolation prize
there is no backdoor to innocence
just the wild-eyed faces and names that you've forgotten
"hey, the money's gone, I'm broken, could I please come over?"
you can do what you want
in umbilical town
in that waterfront bar
I've been dreaming we were born together
I've been thinking about it
'been lurking backstreets - kicking down alleyways
I've been thinking about it
how it's always worse than it appears
raskolnikov's out on the stairs
howling at the man in the moon
they say he lost control
between the suburbs and the barrio
tired from too much too soon
now the air is thick with compromise
we're always on the way
so I take comfort in the only life I know
where you can do what you want
in umbilical town
at the waterfront bar
in umbilical town
you can do what you want
you can do what you want
you can do what you want
The opening verse of Gary Jules’ “Umbilical Town” describes a person with a pocket full of words, feathers and fireworks, leaving it up to interpretation whether this person is a writer, artist, or just someone with a creative flair. The reference to being a “surftown hero” with “one foot in the garden” sets a tone of being half in, half out – or more accurately - torn between two worlds. The second verse introduces the character of Old Gap-Toothed Annie, who’s lived a life with many struggles in the “little rooms next door to wash-and-fold”. The bridge brings in a sudden change of focus, with the singer confessing to having daydreams and reveries of being born with someone, prowling alleys, and being lulled by the comforting thought of Umbilical Town‘s waterfront bar.
The lyrics to “Umbilical Town” address themes of indecision and disillusionment, with the singer reflecting on the complexities and difficulties of adult life. The line “there is no backdoor to innocence” highlights the stark fact that the choices we make often have lasting consequences, and that the people we leave behind are just that – left behind, a memory and a ghost of the past. Despite all of this, the chorus offers up a kind of salve, echoing the phrase “you can do what you want” repeatedly, perhaps as a way of finding freedom and solace in the present moment.
Line by Line Meaning
I hear you've got a pocket full of words
You are known to be a talkative person with a lot to say.
that you keep in the garage
Your words are kept hidden and aren't used to their full potential.
together with the feathers and the fireworks
Your words are surrounded by and mixed in with other flashy, showy things.
a surftown hero who's got one foot in the garden
You're someone who's loved by people in your community, but you also have a side that's more introspective and reserved.
where the neon-lighted cocktail glasses bloom
You enjoy the nightlife and being surrounded by a vibrant and exciting atmosphere.
and they built you a model airplane
People have created something, like a symbol of your past, for you to hold onto forever.
like the one that brought you back to lindbergh field
The model airplane serves as a reminder of something significant, like a homecoming or a major life event.
now you're counting your change by the streetlights on india
You're struggling to get by in life and are willing to take whatever you can get.
"hey, it's me again, I'm faded . . . could I please come over?"
You're reaching out for help and need someone to lean on.
you can do what you want
In Umbilical Town, you have the freedom to live your life as you see fit.
in umbilical town
in a waterfront bar
This specific location, a bar on the waterfront, offers a place of solace and comfort.
old gap-toothed annie was a friend of mine
You have fond memories of someone from your past who was unique and unconventional.
the third time around she was born again
This person has lived a life of rebirth and transformation, always changing and growing.
she must have burned at least a half-a-million dollars
She spent a lot of her money on things that may not have been necessary or wise.
in the little rooms next door to wash-and-fold
The rooms were likely used for activities like gambling or other risky behaviors.
and there ain't no consolation prize
In situations like this, there's no winner or loser – everyone is simply trying to survive.
there is no backdoor to innocence
There's no easy way to undo the mistakes or bad decisions you've made in life.
just the wild-eyed faces and names that you've forgotten
The memories of the people from your past can be hazy and unclear, obscured by time and distance.
"hey, the money's gone, I'm broken, could I please come over?"
You're once again reaching out for help and support during tough times.
I've been dreaming we were born together
You've been imagining a different life for yourself, one where you had a closer connection to someone else.
I've been thinking about it
This thought has been on your mind a lot lately.
'been lurking backstreets - kicking down alleyways
You've been sneaking around and exploring places that may not be safe or considered 'normal.'
how it's always worse than it appears
Things in life are often not what they seem, and can be more difficult or challenging than expected.
raskolnikov's out on the stairs
This name refers to a character from a book and may represent someone who is isolated or struggling.
howling at the man in the moon
This person is likely feeling overwhelmed or frustrated, and taking it out on something that can't respond or push back.
they say he lost control
Others may view this person's behavior as reckless or dangerous.
between the suburbs and the barrio
This person seems to be stuck between two worlds, and doesn't quite fit into either one.
tired from too much too soon
This person is likely feeling burned out or overwhelmed by life's challenges.
now the air is thick with compromise
There's a sense of unease or discomfort in the air, possibly due to the need to constantly make compromises and sacrifices.
we're always on the way
Life is full of constant change, and we're always moving forward, whether we're ready or not.
so I take comfort in the only life I know
Despite the challenges and difficulties, you find comfort in your current life and the people you know.
in umbilical town
at the waterfront bar
in umbilical town
you can do what you want
you can do what you want
you can do what you want
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
JerkingTheGerk
This is one of the most beautiful songs I have ever heard and he puts so much emotion into it. He is a true artist
TheManaLord
This is just amazing live as it is studio. He really is talented. One of my favorite artists of all time.
fabunni1982
WOW....again...he gives me goosebumps. What a beautiful voice.
Eric Martin
Gary Jules is a trully a gift from God. His voice, is like an angel, its a perfect blend of everything put together into one perfect voice, simply amazing. His voice gets to me everytime, gets me to think about my life just a little more everytime. Kudos to Gary Jules, and kudos to everyone like him.
morgyface
Brilliant song, from an incredible album "Trading Snakeoil for Wolftickets". Forget "Mad World" his song writing is far better. Met him briefly in Manchester (UK) when he toured some years back and he was an incredibly nice man. Looking forward to more material in the future!
Alexander Bolvig Lund
Agreed, I listen to all kinds of metal, but Gary Jules just does it every time :)
balestrabeat
this is beautiful music. i really love almost all of his songs!
0nacious
beatiful piece of music right here, just makes you want to smile wistfully
Thomas Hamilton
I mostly listen to rock and such and the ocasional few other genres but as other people have said gary have such a perfect voice and his songs are marvelous
iamyex
This is so awesome! I can't believe out of 919 views so far no one's commented on this. Do you have any more of his music by any chance?