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.
Oxygen
JJ72 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The lyrics to JJ72's song Oxygen seem to describe a feeling of being lost in a city or in life, but also a feeling of freedom and invincibility that comes with that. The short sleeves and warm skin suggest a summery or carefree day, but the line "losing coins calling next of kin" could suggest a reckless or unstable lifestyle. The mention of "ponds compressed by heavy air" suggests a stagnant, heavy atmosphere, and "us without care just sprawling there" implies a lack of direction or purpose.
The chorus, "gods in our world, you and I were going so high, the air is getting thin but our land does not breathe in and we don't need oxygen" suggests a feeling of superiority or invincibility, as if the singer and their partner are above the rest of the world and immune to its pressures. The idea that "true love has no simplicity" implies that this feeling of liberation may be a result of being with the person they love, but it is not a simple or easy state to maintain.
The final line, "it's dreams that blind us and lock us in, the rest are impaled by sense" suggests that this sense of freedom and invincibility may be illusory, and that the rest of the world is more grounded in reality. Overall, the lyrics to Oxygen seem to describe a moment of intense emotion and a feeling of being outside or separate from the world, but with the implication that this is not the whole truth.
Line by Line Meaning
short sleeves and warm skin
We are dressed in revealing clothing and our skin is heated, indicating our carefree attitude.
losing coins calling next of kin
We are carelessly throwing away our money and not considering the consequences of our actions on our loved ones.
dropping words about the city were in
We are casually discussing the city we are in, without a true understanding or appreciation of its significance.
ponds compressed by heavy air
The environment around us feels suffocating, as if the air is pressing down on us like a heavy weight.
us with out care just sprawling there
We are lounging around without a sense of responsibility or concern for our surroundings or actions.
gods in our world
We feel powerful and untouchable in our own little world.
airports and undergrounds waiting to find the unfound
We are seeking new experiences and adventures, often in unconventional or unknown places.
rising to pure insanity
Our search for excitement and novelty is taking us to dangerous and irrational places.
here when you want me true love has no simplicity
We believe that love should be available on demand and without any complications or challenges.
gods in our world
We continue to feel invincible and above the consequences of our actions.
you and i were going so high the air is getting thin but our land does not breathe in and we don't nedd oxygen
We are reaching new heights in our reckless behavior, but we do not care about the consequences of our actions or the harm we are causing to the environment and those around us.
its dreams that blind us and locks us in the rest are impaled by sense
Our obsession with chasing our dreams is blinding us to the reality of our situation and causing us to ignore our responsibilities and obligations. Others who are more grounded in reality are seen as trapped and unable to truly live.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: PATRICK RICHARD MASCALL, PAUL MEEHAN, ADAM PHILLIPS, EMIN ARASOVICH AGALAROV
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Christiaan Jellesma
This song gives you extra power
Black Velvet Cabo
Beautiful! Simply beautiful!
nigwoods
fab song
ok
They coulda been contenders
Spotless Leopard
Contenders?
This song got in with every former champion and took them to school.
Undefeated.