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.
Is It Done
J Mascis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I got nothing I could leave
I got things that you should see
I went riding all around
Hit the pass, I built this sound
Tried to picture it going down
Come on wait for me, is it done?
Come on wait for me, is it done?
Come on wait for me, is it done?
Felt a pull I pulled away
We got nothing that I'll say
Still I feel it's not this way
Waiting nothing's going down
Can't seem to get it off the ground
Seeing if I'll come around
Come on wait for me, is it done?
Come on wait for me, is it done?
Come on wait for me, is it done?
Come on wait for me, is it done?
Or is it you ooh ooh ooh ooh
Is it you ooh ooh ooh ooh
Is it you ooh ooh ooh ooh
Is it you ooh ooh ooh ooh
I know my soul is battered
And I know my mind is gone
I been waiting for an answer
But the question takes too long
I need guidance on the river
I need everything I've done
So familiar's coming at me
Don't wanna blow it all at once
Come on wait for me, is it done?
Come on wait for me, is it done?
Come on wait for me, is it done?
Come on wait for me, is it done?
Or is it you ooh ooh ooh ooh
Is it you ooh ooh ooh ooh
Is it you ooh ooh ooh ooh
Is it you ooh ooh ooh ooh
Is it you ooh ooh ooh ooh
Is it you ooh ooh ooh ooh
Is it you ooh ooh ooh ooh
Is it you ooh ooh ooh ooh
The lyrics of "Is It Done" by J Mascis are open to interpretation but primarily seem to be about the hesitation, uncertainty, and emotional turmoil that come with a major decision in life. The singer ponders whether what they're currently doing, or who they're currently with, is the right choice for them. It feels like they're in the middle of a situation where they're unsure, and they're asking for someone to wait for them while they figure it out. The mention of "I got more I got no need, I got nothing I could leave" and "we got nothing that I'll say" shows that the singer is practically struggling with an internal struggle about whether to continue with someone or something they have adored or risk making bad choices.
The chorus comprises of someone asking another person to wait for them while they decide on a course of action. They request that the individual hold off before making any moves until they figure out what they want to do. The repetition of "is it done" throughout the song emphasizes how the singer is uncertain and needs more time to determine whether they should move on or not.
The reference to a river in the final verse could symbolize that the singer feels like they're drifting along without control, and they're seeking guidance from someone. They assert that they need everything they've done and have experience with to help them make the best decision. The song ultimately ends with them questioning whether they should move on and asking if it's the person they're with or something else that's holding them back. It leaves the listener with a sense of uncertainty and tension as to what the singer's decision will be.
Line by Line Meaning
I got more I got no need
I possess more than enough and so my want is absent.
I got nothing I could leave
The things I have are indispensable, and I have no idea what I would remove.
I got things that you should see
I have personal possessions that I feel others would be interested in observing.
I went riding all around
I recently traveled extensively throughout the area.
Hit the pass, I built this sound
I created new songs that are unique to this region.
Tried to picture it going down
I imagine locals appreciating the music I've created.
Come on wait for me, is it done?
I'm questioning if the music I've put together has met the standards and if it's ready to be presented.
Felt a pull I pulled away
I felt a strong urge within me that caused me to become distant.
We got nothing that I'll say
There's no need to discuss the sentiment we share.
Still I feel it's not this way
I'm convinced that this connection isn't suitable for me.
Waiting nothing's going down
The current situation appears static and is unlikely to evolve.
Can't seem to get it off the ground
I'm facing substantial obstacles that make it difficult to advance.
Seeing if I'll come around
Others are anticipating and hoping for me to change my attitude or opinion.
Or is it you ooh ooh ooh ooh
Maybe the issue is with someone else?
I know my soul is battered
I acknowledge that I'm emotionally damaged.
And I know my mind is gone
My cognitive abilities have deteriorated; I'm struggling to think clearly.
I been waiting for an answer
I've been expecting a resolution.
But the question takes too long
However, the dilemma is severely drawn out.
I need guidance on the river
I'm looking for help in navigating these trials and tribulations.
I need everything I've done
I require an account of all that I've accomplished so far.
So familiar's coming at me
I'm experiencing an unwelcome familiarity with a prior encounter.
Don't wanna blow it all at once
I'm wary of squandering all progress achieved thus far.
Come on wait for me, is it done?
Again, I need reassurance that everything is in order and the prior issues have been resolved.
Or is it you ooh ooh ooh ooh
Once more, is it possible that the root of the issues is someone else?
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: JOSEPH DONALD MASCIS JR.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@DaanniellNoveselic
I got more I got no need
I got nothing I could leave
I got things that you should see
I went riding all around
Hit the pass, I built this sound
Tried to picture it going down
Come on wait for me, is it done?
Come on wait for me, is it done?
Come on wait for me, is it done?
Come on wait for me, is it done?
Felt a pull I pulled away
We got nothing that I'll say
Still I feel it's not this way
Waiting nothing's going down
Can't seem to get it off the ground
Seeing if I'll come around
Come on wait for me, is it done?
Come on wait for me, is it done?
Come on wait for me, is it done?
Come on wait for me, is it done?
Or is it you ooh ooh ooh ooh
Is it you ooh ooh ooh ooh
Is it you ooh ooh ooh ooh
Is it you ooh ooh ooh ooh
I know my soul is battered
And I know my mind is gone
I been waiting for an answer
But the question takes too long
I need guidance on the river
I need everything I've done
So familiar's coming at me
Don't wanna blow it all at once
Come on wait for me, is it done?
Come on wait for me, is it done?
Come on wait for me, is it done?
Come on wait for me, is it done?
Or is it you ooh ooh ooh ooh
Is it you ooh ooh ooh ooh
Is it you ooh ooh ooh ooh
Is it you ooh ooh ooh ooh
Is it you ooh ooh ooh ooh
Is it you ooh ooh ooh ooh
Is it you ooh ooh ooh ooh
Is it you ooh ooh ooh ooh
@jotalagarta
Fender strap, Gibson guitar, purple cable. JMascis. one of my all time favourite guitarists, artists. Trust me, he is a true legend
@hensly77
Well he plays most fenders but his solo stuff is Gibson acoustics
@jameshoward3454
J's style never gets old only gets better in time like good wine....cheers
@soyborne.bornmadeandundone1342
True. And I know he's gone through some pretty rough patches in life. Heard he suffers from depression and stuff. LAME!
So it's good to see him smile more these days : )
@gtjacobs3994
This song is so beautiful, I can't stop listening to it. Thank you, Mr. J Mascis.
@elmoblatch9787
Now listen to Ammaring.
@NealeSmithy
Or not enough
@kinksbeatlesstones
From melodic noise to gentle melancholy; this genius can do it all!
@herachris2360
This guitar solo is what my soul sounds like
@originalsongsbyjonathanlew1512
That's physically impossible