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/
Dtla
Gary Jules Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ride downtown Los Angeles
Trapped a dragon west of Chinatown
For fire-eaters up in Hollywood
My little sister took a picture of God
And floated away
Ride downtown Los Angeles
When your hands are broken
When your words are slipping
Put your arms around him
And go down
Hide your money in the other hand
(Observations of a regular)
Towers floating on a sea of ghosts
It's always the same,I told you
Ride downtown Los Angeles
Ride downtown Los Angeles
The song "Dtla" by Gary Jules is a melancholic track that begins with a repetitive phrase that sets the tone for the whole song, "Ride downtown Los Angeles." This phrase represents the feeling of being lost and disconnected in a city that never stops moving. It is almost as if the only way to escape the feeling of being trapped is to distance oneself from the situation by moving away. The second phrase, "Trapped a dragon west of Chinatown, for fire-eaters up in Hollywood" is metaphorical and speaks to the idea of taming the wildness of the human spirit for the sake of fame and success in Hollywood. It is the sacrifice that one makes in order to thrive in the world that we live in.
The third line that reads, "My little sister took a picture of God and floated away" is a reflection of the fleeting nature of life and those that surround us. People move on, and life continues, and there is a spiritual quality to the line that speaks to the idea of a higher power. The next few lines that concern themselves with broken hands and slipping words is an acknowledgment of the struggle that one faces in life. However, it is also a call to action that suggests that the only way to overcome these challenges is through the support of those around us. The song ends with a repetition of the first phrase, "Ride downtown Los Angeles, ride downtown Los Angeles," as if to suggest that no matter how hard things get, we have to keep going.
Line by Line Meaning
Ride downtown Los Angeles
The artist is encouraging the listener to go to downtown Los Angeles.
Ride downtown Los Angeles
The artist is repeating his encouragement to go to downtown Los Angeles.
Trapped a dragon west of Chinatown
There is an obstacle in the artist's way, represented by the imagery of a dragon trapped west of Chinatown.
For fire-eaters up in Hollywood
The obstacle is related to those seeking fame and fortune in Hollywood, who may have a tendency to use and feed off of others, symbolized by the idea of fire-eaters.
My little sister took a picture of God
The artist is referencing a meaningful moment in his life when his sister took a photo that felt profound and spiritual to him.
And floated away
The moment felt fleeting and possibly surreal, leaving the artist feeling like it had passed too quickly.
When your hands are broken
The artist is acknowledging that sometimes we feel powerless and unable to make progress.
When your words are slipping
Words may not always be enough to convey our feelings or needs.
Put your arms around him
The artist suggests seeking comfort in someone else during times of struggle.
And go down
The artist is emphasizing the importance of moving forward and not giving up, despite difficulties.
Hide your money in the other hand
The artist advises being cautious with one's wealth and not flaunting it.
(Observations of a regular)
This parenthetical comment suggests that the advice given is from the perspective of someone who is not famous or wealthy, but rather an average person.
Towers floating on a sea of ghosts
The artist is describing a surreal, dream-like image of towers floating on a seemingly endless sea of ghosts.
It's always the same,I told you
The artist may be expressing frustration with the cyclical nature of life, and how things seem to repeat themselves.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@flyerfan1977
I was just trolling around looking for some artists like Jack Johnson, and David Gray. Came across Gary Jules and recognized Mad World. Now I can't get enough of his other works! His songs are so simple and yet deep. Can't help but listen!! EXCELLENT!!
@ForITTV
gary jules is one of the best musicians i*ve ever meet !!! :D
@MeltyPixel248
BEST ROADTRIP MUSIC EVAR!
@garydunn3037
Yeah, it was back in 1981 that we were cruising downtown Los Angles. Happy Daze.
@NeverenCH
@WhatWeAllLove yea, even in youtube :) its like a wonder.
@ForITTV
@Pinocchio991 and why is that ?:P