The band was… Read Full Bio ↴JJ72 were a rock band from Dublin, Republic of Ireland.
The band was formed in 1999 by lead singer Mark Greaney and drummer Fergal Matthews. The two recruited the third and final member Hilary Woods as bassist and formed the trio, playing gigs in Ireland while still studying for their Leaving Cert exams. In June 2006 JJ72 announced they will split after seven years and two acclaimed albums.
The band released their first album, JJ72 in Autumn, 2000, following the completion of their Leaving Cert. Released to great acclaim by music journalists and the music buying public alike, the album has sold in excess of 500,000 copies in their native Ireland and the United Kingdom. The album spawned the singles; Snow, October swimmer, Long way south, Oxygen and Algeria, and saw the band tour Europe, the US and Japan.
The band followed the release of the first album with the release of their second album, I To Sky in October 2002. This release was panned by critics; however, it did reach the top 5 of the Irish album charts and the top 20 of the British charts, which led to the singles; Formulae (22) and Always and Forever (42) being released from that album.
In March 2003 bassist Hilary Woods left the band citing 'to pursue other interests' as the cause. Greaney and Matthews recruited another bassist, Canadian-born Sarah Fox, and the band continued as a three piece. After a two year silence, the band embarked on their first tour with Sarah Fox in May 2005 and released the download and 7" only single She's Gone. A second new single, Coming Home followed quietly in August 2005, peaking at number 52 in the UK charts. A second, small venue tour followed in September 2005, with Mark Greany sounding his frustrations regarding the release of the third album. The band completed work on a new album (rumored to be titled 'On' or 'Heaven City Falls'), however this album was never released due to a dispute with Lakota and Columbia Records/Sony. Songs that were tipped to be on the album include: 'Take From Me', 'Rainfalls', 'Underground', 'Maria', 'Everything', 'Radio' and 'Some Day'.
In June 2006 JJ72 announced they will split after seven years and two acclaimed albums. The lead singer Mark Greaney is reportedly working on a new project, for which details are yet to be revealed.
A statement on the band's website (now defunct) stated: "We remember everything, from mechanical birds in Japan to angels in arid Arizona, from broken bones and Berlin birthdays to predatory Portsmouth spiders. For those who disliked and perhaps despised (gasp) JJ72, thank you - how did beautiful photographs exist without a negative?! We crafted two monuments of magnificence for the future aural pleasure and pain of all would be JJ believers and doubters....and for those who care not for the passing of the petulant yet powerful pup....shame on you! Thank you to Hilary Woods for being a dazzling damsel and thank you to all who played music in/with the band. You know who you are. "
The band had started an online diary at www.jj72.blogspot.com which is no longer updated.
Broken Down
JJ72 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
By the weed in the field
I get so nice when I see angels face
I will sip the wine of all the tears you cry
Feel for me sympathy
The kind that we all need
Crimson handed fiend
Saints cannot flee
The strength of the call
We just carry on
As if we know all that is wrong
Feel for me sympathy
The kind that we all need
Placid perspective straight
Losing hope postponing fate
Synchronize incarcerate
Let them eat I can hate
I can say nothing new
Despite the doves that flew
Feel for me sympathy
The kind we all need
Crimson handed fiend
Of hate strokes the soul of all
Saints cannot flee
The strength of the call
We just carry on
As if we know all that is wrong
Feel for me sympathy
The kind that we all need
The lyrics to JJ72's song "Broken Down" are enigmatic and open for interpretation. The first verse seems to describe a mundane event; a pasta machine has broken down by a weed in a field. This image may represent a small, inconsequential piece of life that has become broken, something unexpected interrupting a peaceful existence. The next line, "I get so nice when I see angels face" may suggest that the singer finds solace in the beauty around them. They also express a desire to "sip the wine of all the tears you cry," indicating a willingness to empathize and feel deeply the pain of others.
The second verse takes a darker turn, with a "crimson handed fiend" of hate that "strokes the soul of all." This suggests that the world is not always a beautiful place, and the forces of hate and destruction often wield a powerful influence on humanity. The line "saints cannot flee the strength of the call" may signify that even the most devout and virtuous individuals cannot escape the destructive forces that exist in the world. Despite this, the singer declares their intention to "just carry on/ as if we know all that is wrong," indicating a sense of resilience and determination in the face of adversity.
The final verse expresses a sense of disillusionment, suggesting that the singer has lost hope and is numbed to the world around them. The lines "losing hope postponing fate/ synchronize incarcerate" may suggest a surrender to the apathy and despair that can come from feeling overwhelmed by the challenges of life. The singer also declares their ability to hate, despite the doves that flew, indicating a rejection of peace and goodness. The song ends with a repetition of the chorus, emphasizing the need for sympathy and understanding in a world that can often feel cruel and chaotic.
Line by Line Meaning
Pasta machine broke down
I am faced with a sudden problem - my pasta machine is not working
By the weed in the field
I am in a rural setting, surrounded by tall grass and wild plants
I get so nice when I see angels face
When I see the face of someone pure and good, it fills me with warmth and positivity
I will sip the wine of all the tears you cry
I will bear witness to your pain and suffering, and it will affect me deeply
Feel for me sympathy
I am asking for empathy and understanding from others
The kind that we all need
In times of difficulty, it's important for everyone to receive compassion and support
Crimson handed fiend
An evil, violent force that leaves bloodstains behind
Of hate strokes the soul of all
This force of hate has the ability to deeply affect and wound everyone it encounters
Saints cannot flee
Even those who are pure and good are not immune to this darkness
The strength of the call
The power of this darkness is overwhelming and insistent
We just carry on
Despite the hardships we face, we keep moving forward
As if we know all that is wrong
We continue to push forward, even though we may not have all the answers or solutions
Placid perspective straight
I try to maintain a calm and level-headed perspective
Losing hope postponing fate
Despite my best efforts, I am struggling to stay optimistic and feel like I'm just waiting for something negative to happen
Synchronize incarcerate
I feel trapped and confined, unable to break free of my current situation
Let them eat I can hate
I am angry at the injustice and inequality around me and feel powerless to change it
I can say nothing new
Despite my desire to make a difference, I feel like I am unable to contribute anything meaningful or impactful
Despite the doves that flew
Even though there have been moments of peace and hope, they are often short-lived and overshadowed by larger problems
Feel for me sympathy
Once again, I am asking for compassion and understanding from others
The kind we all need
We all have moments in life when we need support and kindness from others
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: MARK WILLIAM GREANEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
coltsuperocean10
...simply stunning! great song, great band, they should have been huge!! I got to see them 3 times on their 1st tour of the uk back in 2000 ish and was blown away.
Remys Alberto Carvajal
I love their music. This was one of mi first CDs I buy when I was a teenager. I was so proud of discovering this band, and still I am. Not very known in Mexico, almost unknown. But I think they are amazing. I still have their CDs and probably will have them forever.
AstroNuub
An absolute classic, hauntingly beautiful.
Claire
I have never played an album as much as I play this one. Not one bad song; but this particular track is an absolute piece of art. To be appreciated fully, you must turn up to full blast, close your eyes and just allow the music, and his voice take you to another dimension. My kind of high.
Dara Lily
Favorite track on the album.
Gabby
this and Improv
Debbie Allen
AMAZING SONG
John SMK
great fucking song, voice is perfect
Eduardo Marquez
Con voz hipnotizante que te obliga a escucharla de principio a fin. Para poder entenderla
M Hallo
Radiohead feel to this song. Love it.