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.
It's a Sin
JJ72 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's always with a sense of shame
I 've always been the one to blame
For everything i long to do
No matter when or where or who
Has one thing in common too
It's a, it's a, it's a
Everything i've ever done
Everything i ever do
Everyplace i've ever been
Everywhere i'm going to
It's a sin
At school they taught me how to be
So pure of thought
And word and deed
They didn't quite succeed
For everything i long to do
No matter when or where or who
Has one thing in common too
It's a, it's a, it's a
It's a sin, it's a sin
Everything i've ever done
Everything i ever do
Everyplace i've ever been
Everywhere i'm going to
It's a sin
Father forgive me
I tried not to do it
Turned over a new leaf
Then tore right through it
Whatever you taught me
I didn't believe it
Father you fought me
Cos i didn't care
And i still don't understand
So i look back upon my life
Forever with a sense of shame
I've always been the one to blame
For everything i long to do
No matter when or where or who
Has one thing in common too
It's a, it's a, it's a
It's a sin, it's a sin
Everything i've ever done
Everything i ever do
Everyplace i've ever been
Everywhere i'm going to
It's a sin
It's a sin
It's a sin
Everything i've ever done
Everything i ever do
Everyplace i've ever been
Everywhere i'm going to
It's a sin
The song "It's a Sin" by JJ72 is a thoughtful and introspective piece that delves into themes of guilt, shame, and regret. The opening lines set the tone by revealing that the singer looks back on his life with a sense of shame and has always been the one to blame for everything he longs to do. He recognizes that everything he has done, every place he has been, and every person he has interacted with has one thing in common - it's a sin. The repetition of this phrase emphasizes the idea that the singer is acutely aware of his misdeeds and the impact they have had on his life.
The second verse explores the idea that the singer was taught how to be pure of thought, word, and deed in school but admits that he didn't quite succeed. This implies that he has struggled with morality and living up to the expectations of others. The chorus repeats, highlighting the central message of the song - everything the singer has ever done, and everywhere he's going, is a sin.
The bridge sees the singer calling out to his father, asking for forgiveness for his actions. He says that he tried to turn over a new leaf but couldn't resist the temptation to go back to his old ways. He didn't believe in what his father taught him, which led to a battle between them. The song ends with the singer acknowledging that he still doesn't understand why he couldn't change his ways, leaving open-ended questions about the singer's future actions.
Overall, "It's a Sin" is a powerful and reflective song that tackles heavy themes of guilt, shame, and morality. The lyrics and delivery of the song make it clear that the singer is struggling with the impact of his actions and the sense that he can't escape his past.
Line by Line Meaning
When i look back upon my life
Reflecting on my life's past experiences
It's always with a sense of shame
I feel embarrassed or regretful when thinking back
I 've always been the one to blame
I hold myself accountable for my actions and their consequences
For everything i long to do
My aspirations and desires
No matter when or where or who
Regardless of the circumstances
Has one thing in common too
All have a shared characteristic
It's a, it's a, it's a
Reiteration of previous lines
It's a sin, it's a sin
What I am doing is morally wrong
Everything i've ever done
All of my past actions
Everyplace i've ever been
All of the locations I have visited
Everywhere i'm going to
All of the places I plan to go
At school they taught me how to be
Lessons learned in academic settings
So pure of thought
Having morally sound intentions
And word and deed
In actions and words
They didn't quite succeed
I wasn't able to maintain their teachings perfectly
Father forgive me
Asking for divine redemption
I tried not to do it
I attempted to avoid wrongdoing
Turned over a new leaf
Made a conscious decision to change my ways
Then tore right through it
But wasn't able to sustain it due to my actions
Whatever you taught me
Lessons learned from authority figures
I didn't believe it
I didn't fully take the teachings to heart
Father you fought me
Challenging religious figures to prove their teachings
Cos i didn't care
Not having emotional investment in religious teachings
And i still don't understand
I still lack comprehension of the situation
Forever with a sense of shame
Permanent feelings of embarrassment or regret
Everything i ever do
All of my current and future actions
It's a sin
Continuing to act in morally wrong ways
Contributed by Natalie M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@PolyCorpInteractive
Such an underrated band, this is a fantastic cover
@peh2006
Why have I only just heard this? Its brilliant! JJ72 will always missed by me.
@kevmac4782
I've just heard this for the first time.
I feel a big void in my life has just been filled
@jailbreakteevee
Thanks for uploading. Why isn't there more JJ72 on Spotify????
@andymcquade
You, sir, are a star for making the effort to put this up. I KNEW this was a great song -it just needed a band like this to reveal it properly ;) Amazing.
@RaciePSB
As Pet Shop Boy's number one fan I came here quite prepared to loathe this, and I wouldn't have minded telling all how much! However.. it's adorable! Really is. Sure, it lacks the monotone-ous passion of PSB,but it's really very special and unique in a drab kind of charming way I'm sure the boys would approve of. Given that imitation = flattery I'm sure they would smile in their hearts upon listening. Thank You dear JJ72, for sharing! What I can't understand is the lack of banter about this precious wee tune!
@mattachine
Love this! Great cover!
@taksimpremium2451
one of the best indie-rock band of the last decade..
@Xedos13
i miss JJ72, GREAT COVER!!!
@simone6845
I will miss JJ72 FOREVER.