The group was named for the San Francisco Muni Metro line that Hahn took down Church Street to work, as well as to band practice in the the early days. Through the years, Lance was joined by a vast array of musicians in an ever-evolving J Church lineup.
Lance Hahn was also a punk rock history writer, writing many pieces for Maximum Rock 'n' Roll, the San Francisco music zine. Additionally, he also found time to run Honey Bear Records and work on a book compiling various writings on anarcho-punk bands. Lance Hahn passed away on October 21, 2007, aged 40, after falling into a coma nine days earlier due to complications from kidney dialysis.
Band Members included:
Guitar / Vocals
Lance Hahn (1991-2007)
Second Guitarist
David DiDonato (2002-2005)
Bass Players
Ben White (2002-2007)
Jeff Bursley (1999-2002)
Scott Bradley (1998-1999)
Gardner Maxam (1991-1998)
Drummers
Chris Pfeffer (2002-2007)
Adam Pfahler (1998-2002)
Andee Connors (1997-2000)
Reed Burgoyne (1995-1997)
Wade Arnold Driver Jr (1994-1995)
Brendan Murdoch (1992-1994)
Adam Pfahler (1992-1993)
Aaron Olson (1991-1992)
http://www.j-church.com
Birthday
J Church Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But I knew I was wrong when I hung up the phone,
You've got Mom?s eyes and so do I,
Evident in every tone
So I write another letter,
But it all adds up to nothing,
Today is your birthday,
Have a happy birthday,
I thought I would have a good explanation,
I want to go back for your high school graduation,
When you cut your lines through the midnight brine,
It'll be to your best advantage
So I write another letter,
But it all adds up to nothing,
Today is your birthday,
Have a happy birthday,
There's nothing that you wanted
So I write another letter,
But it all adds up to nothing,
Today is your birthday,
Have a happy birthday,
There's nothing that you wanted
The lyrics of J Church's "Birthday" exude a sense of bitterness towards the person being addressed on their birthday. The song begins with the singer assuming that it's finally time for the recipient to understand what it feels like to be alone, but that assumption quickly dissolves as he realizes that he was wrong. The line "You've got Mom's eyes and so do I, evident in every tone" suggests a familial bond between the singer and the recipient, but one that is currently fractured.
The singer then expresses his desire to attend the recipient's high school graduation, a desire that seems to be fueled by regret for not being there in the past. However, even this desire is tinged with bitterness as he states that when the recipient cuts their lines through the midnight brine (referring to their future successes), it'll be to their best advantage. The repeated line "So I write another letter, but it all adds up to nothing" further underscores the singer's feelings of helplessness and futility.
The song's overall theme seems to be one of missed opportunities and the regret that comes along with them. The singer is bitter that despite his efforts, he is unable to make the recipient happy on their birthday or make up for his past mistakes. The repeated line "There's nothing that you wanted" suggests that the recipient may be unimpressed with the singer's attempts to make amends.
Line by Line Meaning
I thought it was your turn to feel alone,
I believed it was your time to experience loneliness.
But I knew I was wrong when I hung up the phone,
After talking to you on the phone, I realized that I was mistaken.
You've got Mom?s eyes and so do I,
You and I have eyes similar to our mother.
Evident in every tone
This similarity is noticeable in everything we do and say.
So I write another letter,
I am attempting to communicate with you by writing a letter.
But it all adds up to nothing,
My attempts to communicate with you seem to be fruitless.
Today is your birthday,
It is currently your birthday.
Have a happy birthday,
I hope you have a joyous birthday.
There's nothing that you wanted
You did not express any particular desire or wish for your birthday.
I thought I would have a good explanation,
I believed that I could provide a satisfactory explanation for something.
I want to go back for your high school graduation,
I would like to attend your high school graduation again.
When you cut your lines through the midnight brine,
When you navigate through difficult and challenging times.
It'll be to your best advantage
It will benefit you in the long run.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: CHARLES MAURINIER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind