Born Joseph Mascis on 10th December 1965 in Amherst, Massachusetts, United States, in the early 1980s he founded the short-lived hardcore group Deep Wound with his high school friends Lou Barlow and Scott Helland. He started out on drums, but moved to guitar when he went on to found Dinosaur Jr. (with bassist Barlow and drummer Patrick "Murph" Murphy in 1984), which achieved national and international success. After Mascis dismissed Barlow from Dinosaur Jr. in 1989, he recorded several more Dinosaur Jr. albums until 1997, including the 1996 acoustic solo album Martin & Me. He then went on to produce albums with his new band, J Mascis and the Fog, starting in 2000.
In April 2005, Mascis joined up again with Barlow and Murph, as the original trio of Dinosaur Jr., to begin a tour celebrating the re-release of the group's first three albums.
In August 2005, Mascis released a new solo album as J Mascis and Friends, J and Friends Sing and Chant for Amma, an album of devotional songs dedicated to Hindu religious leader Mata Amritanandamayi, or Ammachi, about whom he had previously written "Ammaring" on the first J Mascis and the Fog album More Light. The proceeds from the album are being donated to Tsunami relief efforts by Ammachi's organisation.
In late summer 2005, Mascis helped Danish band Mew by adding vocals to the song "Why Are You Looking Grave?" and backing vocals on "An Envoy to the Open Fields". Both songs can be found on Mew's newest album And the Glass Handed Kites.
In 2006, Mascis released an album with his newly-formed heavy metal band Witch, returning to drumming for their debut album, Witch.
In 2010, J Mascis teamed up with two members of Cobra Verde and one of his Witch bandmates for a new project: Sweet Apple. Like Mascis’ Witch side project, Sweet Apple finds J behind the drum kit, although he does plays guitar and sings this time around.
Can I
J Mascis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Can I feel the way but there's no peace to find
Can the way it looks, be all it really means?
Can you take a step towards something we can build?
Can I go back?
Can I go instead in some place we can hide?
Can I go to sleep?
Lots of time spent in places we can't go
'Cause you walked with me still I don't really know
If it's time to waste then time something to do
But it's all been wasted not thinking of you
Or can I be the time?
Can I free the one who always knows a sign?
Can I work it through?
Can I tippy-toe the way I wanna do?
I've been lost and lonely, still I made it through
If I lose again then there's nothing to do
If to pardon me. you mean. you wait and see
'Cause the waiting is what brings me to my knees
Can I be a part?
Tell me where to start and where to go away
If I had the home
Is it everything you need to make you stay?
The J Mascis song "Can I" is a contemplative piece about feeling lonely, searching for peace, and building something with someone. The opening line of "Again I'm lonely lonely lonely all the time" immediately sets the tone for the rest of the song. The lyrics suggest that the singer has been feeling this way for some time and is unable to find any lasting peace.
The line "Can the way it looks, be all it really means?" could be interpreted in different ways. It could be referring to outward appearances versus true substance, or it could be a reflection on how things may seem one way on the surface but have deeper meaning. The next line "Can you take a step towards something we can build?" is a call to action. The singer is seeking connection with someone but is unsure if they are willing to take that step forward.
The chorus provides a few different possibilities for change. "Can I go back?" and "Can I go instead in some place we can hide?" suggest a desire to retreat, while "Can I go to sleep?" asks for rest and introspection. The line "Is there a dream where I could find out what's inside?" could imply that the singer is unsure of their own thoughts and feelings.
The next verse touches on feeling lost and unsure of how to move forward. The line "Lots of time spent in places we can't go" could indicate a longing for something that is unattainable. The singer seems to acknowledge that time is precious and shouldn't be wasted on things that don't matter. However, the final line "not thinking of you" suggests that perhaps the singer was missing someone important during these moments.
The final chorus asks for guidance and direction. "Can I be a part? Tell me where to start and where to go away" expresses a desire to be included and guided. The final line "Is it everything you need to make you stay?" implies that the singer is willing to do what it takes to keep someone around.
Overall, "Can I" is a thoughtful and introspective exploration of loneliness and the desire for connection. The singer seems to be searching for direction and guidance, but is also willing to take action and build something with someone else.
Line by Line Meaning
Again I'm lonely lonely lonely all the time
I am always alone, with no one to share my time with.
Can I feel the way but there's no peace to find
I understand my emotions, but I can't find any comfort in them.
Can the way it looks, be all it really means?
Is there more to a situation than what meets the eye?
Can you take a step towards something we can build?
Can we work together to create something meaningful?
Can I go back?
Can I revisit the past?
Can I go instead in some place we can hide?
Can we find a place of refuge away from the world?
Can I go to sleep?
Can I finally allow myself to rest?
Is there a dream where I could find out what's inside?
Could a dream help me better understand myself?
Lots of time spent in places we can't go
We've spent a lot of time in spaces that are unattainable.
'Cause you walked with me still I don't really know
You've been with me, but I'm still uncertain about our relationship.
If it's time to waste then time something to do
If we have idle time, we should find something productive to do with it.
But it's all been wasted not thinking of you
I've done nothing productive because I've been preoccupied with thoughts of you.
Or can I be the time?
Can I take control of my life and how I spend my time?
Can I free the one who always knows a sign?
Can I free myself from the burden of always knowing what to do?
Can I work it through?
Can I find a solution to my problems?
Can I tippy-toe the way I wanna do?
Can I move forward at my own pace and in my own way?
I've been lost and lonely, still I made it through
Despite feeling lost and alone, I've managed to persevere.
If I lose again then there's nothing to do
If I fail once more, then there's no hope for me.
If to pardon me. you mean. you wait and see
If you want to forgive me, you'll have to be patient.
'Cause the waiting is what brings me to my knees
The uncertainty is unbearable and makes me feel desperate.
Can I be a part?
Can I become involved and contribute to something?
Tell me where to start and where to go away
Please provide guidance on how I can be helpful and on what I should avoid doing.
If I had the home
If I just had a place to call my own,
Is it everything you need to make you stay?
Would it be enough to convince you to stay with me?
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: JOSEPH DONALD MASCIS JR.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Brenno Raphael
Again I'm lonely lonely lonely all the time
Can I feel the way but there's no peace to find
Can the way it looks be all it really means?
Can you take a step towards something we can build?
Can I go back?
Can I go instead in some place we can hide?
Can I go to sleep?
Is there a dream where I could find out what's inside?
Lots of time we spent in places we can't go
'Cause you walked with me still I don't really know
If it's time to waste then time something to do
But it's all been wasted not thinking of you
Or can I be the time?
Can I free the one who always know it's a sign?
Can I work it through?
Can I tip-toe the way I wanna do
I've been lost and lonely, still I made it through
If I lose again then there's nothing to do
If to pardon me you mean you wait and see
'Cause the waiting is what brings me to my knees
Can I be a part?
Tell me where to start and where to go away
If I had a home
Is it everything you need to make you stay
John R
I love every person here. That can appreciate this music. Wish you were all my friends. Cause my friends can’t understand how good this music is
Brenno Raphael
Again I'm lonely lonely lonely all the time
Can I feel the way but there's no peace to find
Can the way it looks be all it really means?
Can you take a step towards something we can build?
Can I go back?
Can I go instead in some place we can hide?
Can I go to sleep?
Is there a dream where I could find out what's inside?
Lots of time we spent in places we can't go
'Cause you walked with me still I don't really know
If it's time to waste then time something to do
But it's all been wasted not thinking of you
Or can I be the time?
Can I free the one who always know it's a sign?
Can I work it through?
Can I tip-toe the way I wanna do
I've been lost and lonely, still I made it through
If I lose again then there's nothing to do
If to pardon me you mean you wait and see
'Cause the waiting is what brings me to my knees
Can I be a part?
Tell me where to start and where to go away
If I had a home
Is it everything you need to make you stay
74cknight
I love the haunting and pain of that guitar,pretty much sums up my whole life.
NiandraT1
The emotion in this song reminds me of J's work for the soundtrack of Gas Food Lodging. If you like this song, you'll love the soundtrack as well.
Dino nuggets
I love the way this whole album makes me feel!
Dave-O
J's voice is aging like fine wine
Vinyltee Alpha
J mascis is one of those musicians that can play very simple melodies that just draw you in. oh how i love it
Stuart Mckay
A very beautiful song :-)
Max Rios
The beauty are in the simple things c:
ashwhole666
one of j's multiple gems