JFA was formed around March of 1981. Pendleton, then in the band The Deez and Cornelius, then in the band Jr. Chemists, knew each other from shows around Phoenix, Arizona and from skateboarding. They began playing together after a D.O.A. concert during the band's Hardcore 81 tour. Bam-Bam later joined after meeting Pendleton at an "Industrial Dance" in Phoenix, and bestowed the moniker on the band, which is a reference to his second-cousin's, John Hinckley, Jr., attempted assassination of Ronald Reagan.
The band's first show was opening for Black Flag at an Industrial Dance which was one of a series of early Phoenix punk shows. Their first song of the night was Pipetruck.
Placebo Records released their debut EP "Out Of School" in late 1981. The band toured the west extensively and played many local shows. Their first national tour was in the summer of 1983 following the release of their first album "Valley ot the Yakes".
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Middle America
JFA Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
but you look the other way
you keep on taking care of the biz
that's where the money is
generals and senators gone insane
but you look the other way
you don't give a shit
reagan will take care of it
is freedom to make more money
f**k the arabs, f**k the jews
unless they have something I can use
The lyrics of JFA's song "Middle America" are a scathing commentary on the societal and political climate of the United States in the 1980s. The song highlights the apathetic attitude of the American people towards the challenges facing the world, while they continue to focus on their own financial gain. The first verse talks about the "fourth crisis in the world today," which may refer to any number of global crises at the time, such as nuclear proliferation, environmental destruction, or economic inequality. However, the singer suggests that the American people are willfully ignoring these problems and instead "taking care of the biz" where "the money is." This could be interpreted as a critique of the capitalist system, which prioritizes profit and personal gain over ethical considerations.
The second verse specifically targets the government and military, which the singer accuses of being "gone insane." However, again, the American people are portrayed as looking the other way and not caring about these issues. The line "Reagan will take care of it" is a direct reference to the then-president, Ronald Reagan, and his conservative policies. The chorus of the song is a biting critique of American values and what the singer sees as the true meaning of freedom: the freedom to accumulate wealth, rather than the freedom to live a fulfilling life or to work towards a better world. The final lines of the song, "f**k the arabs, f**k the jews/ unless they have something I can use," further illustrate the selfish and bigoted attitudes that the singer sees as pervasive in American society.
Line by Line Meaning
Fourth crisis in the world today
There are multiple issues happening in the world today, but you seem to be ignoring them.
but you look the other way
You choose not to acknowledge the problems in the world and instead focus on your own life.
you keep on taking care of the biz
You continue to focus on your own personal business and interests.
that's where the money is
Your attention goes towards where the money is rather than towards current issues.
generals and senators gone insane
People in power seem to have lost touch with reality and their actions are becoming irrational.
but you look the other way
Despite signs of instability in those in power, you continue to prioritize your own personal interests.
you don't give a shit
You do not care about the problems in the world and their potential impact on society.
reagan will take care of it
You trust the government to handle any issues, despite their own failings and incompetence.
all that freedom means to me
The definition of freedom has become focused on greed and the pursuit of money for personal gain.
is freedom to make more money
The ultimate goal of freedom is seen as the ability to accumulate more wealth for oneself.
f**k the arabs, f**k the jews
There is a disregard and hatred for entire groups of people based on their ethnicity or religion.
unless they have something I can use
Unless those groups of people have something to offer or benefit you, they are considered worthless.
Contributed by Elizabeth F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.