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/
Little Greenie
Gary Jules Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You're standing on the earth
Turn the lights on for protection
Whatever it's worth
You know
That in spite of all the things that you show
You're fucking around with something
You cannot control
Then make it go away.
Beauty's on a bender
Thinking he's a star
You look so happy in the pictures
I wonder if you are
You know
I've been to all the places you go
Fucking around,
So busy filling in the holes
If it scares you so
Then make it go away
If it scares you so
Then make it go away
Following too far down
Following too far down
The living here was easy
When my boys were still around
Following too far down
Following too far down
Wasted days and second chances
There's nothing more to say
If it scares you so
Then make it go away
If it scares you so
Then make it go away
The song "Little Greenie" by Gary Jules is a reflective piece that touches on themes such as fear, control, and uncertainty. The opening lines describe a mysterious entity referred to as "little greenie" that stands on earth and needs protection from something he cannot control. The mention of turning on the lights suggests that little greenie is trying to ward off some invisible danger lurking in the dark. The second stanza talks about a character named Beauty who is on a bender and thinks he's a star. Gary wonders if he indeed is happy in the pictures he posts.
The chorus repeats the message of making whatever scares an individual go away. The final stanza sees Gary Jules looking back at his past and realizing that he has followed too far down the rabbit hole, and the living may have been easy when he had his friends around. The song's overall message seems to be about how we all deal with things we cannot control; we either face our fears or pretend they do not exist. The suggestion to make what scares you go away may be misconstrued to mean avoiding challenges, but it implies finding ways to overcome them.
Line by Line Meaning
Little greenie, in-betweenie
Referring to someone who is not quite a child anymore, but not yet an adult. Perhaps feeling stuck in the middle of two worlds.
You're standing on the earth
Acknowledging physical presence, existing in the world.
Turn the lights on for protection
Metaphorical reference to protection and feeling secure. Suggesting that by shining a light on something, it is easier to see what it is, and therefore easier to control.
Whatever it's worth
Not sure of the true value. Ambivalent about the outcome or importance of something.
You know
Asserting something that is already known, likely due to personal experience.
That in spite of all the things that you show
Despite outward appearances or presentation, there is more going on beneath the surface. Suggesting that things are not always what they seem.
You're fucking around with something
Playing with fire, taking unnecessary risks.
You cannot control
Lack of control over an situation or outcome. Suggesting a need to let go of control and surrender to the unknown.
If it scares you so
Afraid or uncomfortable with something. A suggestion to confront or face one's fears.
Then make it go away.
Escalating the previous statement by suggesting that if something is scary, it's best to get rid of it altogether.
Beauty's on a bender
Reference to indulgence, excess, and reckless behavior. Perhaps tied to substance abuse or addiction.
Thinking he's a star
Self-important or arrogant behavior. A possible reference to narcissism or self-absorption.
You look so happy in the pictures
Suggesting that appearances can be misleading or deceptive. Implying that what is presented to the outside world is not always an accurate representation of what's going on inside.
I wonder if you are
Questioning the validity of external appearances, or expressing curiosity about what's really going on.
I've been to all the places you go
Relatable experiences, shared connection, and familiarity with another person or group.
Fucking around,
Engaging in risky, careless, or irresponsible behaviour.
So busy filling in the holes
Trying to fix, patch or resolve issues. Busy work that may not address the root issue or cause.
Following too far down
Being led astray or following the wrong path. Disconnected from one's own internal compass or sense of self.
The living here was easy
Sometimes change feels difficult, and we long for things to return to the way they were.
When my boys were still around
Nostalgia for a time when things were easier, simpler, or more carefree.
Wasted days and second chances
Missed opportunities, squandered time. Regret for past choices or actions that cannot be undone.
There's nothing more to say
Accepting a situation for what it is, and letting go of the need for explanations, justifications or interpersonal connection.
Contributed by Lily R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.