By the time he was 16 he had played along with enough records to learn all the rock chords he needed to know, and was ready to unleash his own songs on the masses. His first band The Epileptic Fish debuted at j.s grade 10 Christmas assembly in a flurry of David Bowie, Led Zeppelin and Forgotten Rebels covers, with a punked up version of Santa Claus is Coming to Town thrown in for good measure. Rotary Club dances and bars around Grey and Bruce counties were soon haunted by j.'s next project, The Bentley Society. But their growing fame came to a sudden end when j. packed up his guitar and left for the big city of Toronto.
j.'s small town days ended when he was 18. Not one full week passed in the big city of Toronto before he was arrested for busking in the subway without a license. The experience fueled his late-teen angst and inspired him to form Free And Easy, a rock band that played all originals.
Soon the day-to-day anxiety of poorly paying jobs got to him and the music got angrier. J.F. Wylde was a metal band so heavy that the Skid Row comparisons seemed gentle. For three years they cranked their amps louder, until it all ended with a farewell show at the Gasworks.
Breaking up is hard to do, and j. handled it like any good musician; he started playing country songs on an acoustic guitar. When he couldn't find a hat that fit right, he decided to take control of his fate and go to university. He studied Humanities at Ryerson, and pursued his interest in the theatre while working at a costume shop. He'd acted before, culminating with a small speaking part in a 1988 episode of Degrassi Junior High, but had given it up to pursue music.
It didn't take long for music to regain the top spot in j.'s heart. In 1996 he started work on a one-man electronic industrial rock band under the name Tomorrow The World. I figured that by having a band name, if it didnt work out, I could blame someone else he says.
Things did work out.
It took a year to get the songs together to create the Manic Obsessive EP, but 500 numbered copies were printed, and one ended up in the hands of influential manager Bob Luhtala (I Mother Earth, Glueleg, Edwin). Under Bob's watchful eye j. stepped forward from TTW so that his talent could grow in new directions. He put together a live band and started showcasing. j.'s talent was undeniable and in March 1999 j. englishman, solo artist, was signed to Warner Music Canada.
Released in March of 2000, j.s major label debut poor lil rockstar was co-produced by j. & Dave Hodge, and has yielded four singles and three videos including the top 10 hit, more. j. received a 2001 Juno Award nomination for best new solo artist, and in March of this year the Canadian Association of Broadcasters presented j. with the Canadian Radio Music Award for best new solo artist rock/alternative.
j. is currently hard at work writing and recording his sophomore effort, expected for release in the spring of 2002. Petit Mort, an independent short film in which he stars, recently made its premier at the Toronto International Short Film Festival and will continue to be shown at festivals over the summer/fall seasons.
Information from: http://www.jenglishman.com/
More
J Englishman Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Didn't you think it'd be better than this
So where's that prize that I was promised?
Where's my great reward?
Where's my happiness?
Coz I want something more
I need something more
We're all style over substance and
We're pride reluctance to the bitter end
So give me passion over reason
Give me something to believe in
And I'll be content
Coz I want something more
I need something more
Give me passion give me feeling
Give me something to believe in
Give me passion over feeling
Give me reasons to keep breathing (x3)
Coz I want something more
I need something more
I need something
I want something
I need something
Give me something
Coz I want something more
I need something more
Give me passion give me feeling
Give me something to believe in
Give me passion over feeling
Give me reasons to keep breathing (x3)
Give me passion
The lyrics to J Englishman's song 'More' are a reflection of the quest for greater meaning and purpose in life. The singer describes the feeling of disappointment and disillusionment with the way things have turned out, despite a perceived promise of greater rewards. The question of what makes life worth living is posed, with the chorus providing the answer of "something more". The idea of substance over style is explored, along with the need for passion and believing in something to give purpose to one's existence.
The first verse sets the mood by stating that despite knowing the truth about life and its struggles, the singer still expected something better. The use of the word "prize" implies that there was an expected reward, but it has not materialized, leading to a sense of disillusionment. The chorus emphasizes the desire for "something more" or a greater purpose, which the singer is searching for.
The second verse deals with the idea that often people value style over substance, leading to a lack of depth and meaning in their lives. The singer prefers passion over reason and something to believe in as opposed to just existing without any direction or purpose. The repeated use of the phrase "give me" emphasizes the need for action and change in order to find the desired fulfillment.
Overall, the song speaks to the human desire for a meaningful and fulfilling life, and the search for "something more" to give it purpose.
Line by Line Meaning
Well she says life sucks it's the truth I mean
The singer presents someone who claims that life is tough, and they acknowledge the severity of that statement.
Didn't you think it'd be better than this
The singer expresses disappointment in how life has turned out, as they had higher expectations.
So where's that prize that I was promised?
The singer is questioning where the rewards they were led to believe would come with living have gone.
Where's my great reward?
The artist is specifically asking where the large-scale prize for their efforts and existence is.
Where's my happiness?
The artist is also questioning the whereabouts of the joy they anticipated would come with their position in life.
Coz I want something more
The singer is explaining that they desire a more fulfilling existence.
I need something more
The singer states that they require a deeper sense of satisfaction than what they are experiencing.
We're all style over substance and
The artist is suggesting that modern society prioritizes appearances over true value, integrity, or quality.
We're pride reluctance to the bitter end
The artist describes people clinging to their vanity and refusing to compromise on their self-image, even in the most difficult circumstances.
So give me passion over reason
The artist prefers to follow their emotions rather than pure logic.
Give me something to believe in
The singer desires a cause, value, or spirit to invest themselves in.
And I'll be content
The artist suggests that if they can find that sense of purpose, they will be satisfied.
Give me passion give me feeling
The singer reiterates that they prioritize emotionally-driven experiences.
Give me passion over feeling
The singer wants to be passionate and have a strong sense of purpose, rather than just emotions alone.
Give me reasons to keep breathing (x3)
The singer is emphasizing their need for a purpose or meaning, to feel alive and continue living.
I need something
The artist repeats their need for a more meaningful existence.
I want something
The artist reiterates their desire for a more fulfilling life.
Give me something
The singer implores society, or a higher power, to provide them with that sense of purpose and passion.
Coz I want something more
The singer emphasizes once again that they want a deeper level of satisfaction and success in life.
I need something more
The artist repeats their requirement for a more fulfilling existence.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
KaiserSoze679
23 years later, and I still love this song. I only wish the album was on Spotify and whatnot so I could add it to playlists.
Chantelle Tetrault
right?!?! i honestly look like once a week to see if it is available yet
MrMowww1
I started learning guitar around the same time as this song came out.Heard it while driving to work one morning and had it cranked. Phoned the radio station and asked who it was and they said J.Englishman. went home that night to find a tab for the song but had no luck. Managed to find his website told him I loved the song but couldn't find a tab to learn it myself.A few days later he sends me a complete tab for the song. I still have that tab and that was such a cool thing for any artist to do going the extra mile for a fan! The song still rocks!
bugsbunny 132
MrMowww1 if you still have it, would you be willing to share it with me? I really would like to learn it, love this song. Brings a lot of memories.
artboy789
I want to learn it too
MrMowww1
Hi sorry for not replying sooner just found this link again. I will dig through my old guitar
tabs and if I track it down I'll email it to you. I know I would never have thrown it out I was so impressed that he sent it to me.
Ryan Chapman
Jason Englishman now works as an audio engineer. "Poor Lil' Rockstar" was criminally underrated.
Tyler McBeath
Why isn’t this on Spotify? Worth it to buy the single.
Jadus Doe
Huge agree!
M A
I always got this song (2000) and Radiohead's 1995 "High and Dry" mixed up. The chord progression is similar, but I've always liked this song. Excellent energy and I used to love to crank it up on the car stereo when it would come on. He's a fine Canadian guy with loads of talent. Such a great video which takes you back to the style, sound and look of the late 90s and early 2000's. Excellent music, and nice memories.