The initial impulse behind McMahon’s new project Jack’s Mannequin was "Locked Doors", a song he recorded in December 2003, which he felt was too different from previous Something Corporate material to be one of their songs. He realized that, if he would ever decide to release it, it would be on a solo album rather than a Something Corporate record. The idea seemed to be off the table, until in late summer 2004 both McMahon and his band mates were exhausted from months of touring. They decided to take a temporary break. During his time off, McMahon started writing songs, knowing they would not see the light of day as Something Corporate songs. These songs were a more therapeutic approach McMahon took, and therefore a more personal and intimate testament of his songwriting.
Over the next couple of months, McMahon began recording the newly written songs with producer Jim Wirt, who would play guitar and bass over sampled drum tracks, while McMahon contributed vocals and piano. They later brought in additional musicians such as Bobby Anderson (formerly of River City High) and Tommy Lee to add to the mix. In March 2005, Jack’s Mannequin (now consisting of McMahon, Jon Sullivan on bass, Anderson and Jacques Brautbar on guitar and Jay McMillan on drums) played their first live show at Molly Malone’s Irish pub in Los Angeles, California.
Their debut album, Everything in Transit, was released on August 23, 2005 debuting at #37 of the Billboard 200 with over 22,000 copies scanned within its first week.
Everything in Transit received a positive response from fans and critics alike. A summer tour was scheduled to support the record release, but was canceled after McMahon was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and had a bone marrow transplant. The band began recording their second album in the summer of 2007. In August 2007, McMahon posted the lyrics to the song “Cellular Phone” on his blog,which the band played live at several shows in 2007 and 2008. Also, in February 2008, videos of live performances of two songs off the new record (“Caves” and “Suicide Blonde”) were uploaded onto YouTube for public viewing. McMahon appears on the cover of Alternative Press’s January 2008 issue, which contains an interview with him.
Their second album, The Glass Passenger, was released on September 30th, 2008, and is their first album with Sire Records. Despite numerous delays (the album was originally slated for release in April 2008) it has been well-received, and debuted #8 on the Billboard 200.
Previously, in August of 2008, The Ghost Overground EP was released exclusively on iTunes to promote the album, containing the songs "The Resolution", "Bloodshot", and two live performances of tracks from Everything in Transit. After the release of the EP, "The Resolution" topped the Billboard "Hot Singles Sales" charts.
Songfacts reports that "My Racing Thoughts," the first single from their third album People and Things, was released on August 2, 2011. People and Things was released October 4, 2011.
On the evening of the 24th August 2012, the official Jack's Mannequin website & official Twitter account were changed to www.andrewmcmahon.com & "amslingshots" respectively. A blog post on the official Andrew McMahon website confirmed that Jack's Mannequin were no longer & that Andrew would be working on solo material.
Hostage
Jack's Mannequin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Come back to earth, come back to earth
We don't mean to drag you down
Thin air, slingshot
You always find somewhere to wander off
When I need you around
So you went to the last song and
But I won't hold you hostage
And I won't set you free
I'll always leave the lights on
And you'll return to me
Please don't lose the keys
I won't hold you hostage
I won't hold you
Pain will cease
All things will pass
And this is gonna pass, pass
I'm just trying to keep you calm
Oh in the face of all your dreams
They might soon slip away
And miss you when they're gone
And we waited for the cab outside
I offer you a place to hide
But I won't hold you hostage
And I won't set you free
I'll always leave the lights on
And you'll return to me
Please don't lose the keys
I won't hold you hostage
Please don't lose the keys
I won't hold you hostage
This might hurt
Come back to earth,
Come back to earth yeah
I won't hold you hostage
And I won't set you free
I'll always leave the lights on
And you'll return to me
No I don't want your ransom
Just say you'll never leave
Just say you'll never leave
I'll always leave the lights on
And you'll return to me
Please don't lose the keys
I won't hold you hostage
Please don't lose the keys
I won't hold you hostage
Please don't lose the keys
I won't hold you hostage
I won't hold you
The song "Hostage" by Jack's Mannequin is a plea to someone who is struggling with mental health issues to not feel trapped in their own mind. The first verse describes how the person always seems to wander off when the singer needs them around. The second verse offers a place to hide and a promise to keep the lights on while they are gone. However, the singer also recognizes that they cannot force this person to stay and that they cannot hold them hostage. The chorus repeats this sentiment, with the singer pleading for the person to not lose the keys and to not feel like a prisoner to their own thoughts.
The lyrics are likely inspired by lead singer Andrew McMahon's personal experiences with mental health struggles. McMahon has been open about his diagnosis with leukemia in 2005 and how it impacted his mental health. He has also spoken about his struggles with anxiety and depression. The song's message of not feeling trapped or held hostage by mental illness is a powerful and relatable one.
In terms of musical style, "Hostage" features Jack's Mannequin's signature piano-driven sound. The melody is mellow and calming, juxtaposing the weighty subject matter of the lyrics. The song is a reminder that even when things feel overwhelming or out of control, there are always people who care and who are willing to help.
Line by Line Meaning
This might hurt
Acknowledgement that what is about to be said might bring up painful emotions
Come back to earth, come back to earth
A call to the person to return to reality or to stop living in their head
We don't mean to drag you down
An apology for being a burden or causing pain
Thin air, slingshot
A metaphor for feeling disconnected and propelled in a direction without control
You always find somewhere to wander off
An observation that the person has a tendency to escape or avoid situations
When I need you around
A statement of longing for this person's presence and support
So you went to the last song and
Referencing a previous conversation or interaction
You say it was your only friend
Implying that this person may have a difficult time forming meaningful connections
But I won't hold you hostage
Assurance that the artist will not restrict or control this person's actions or thoughts
And I won't set you free
Clarification that the artist will not completely let go of this person either
I'll always leave the lights on
Symbolic gesture of welcoming and waiting for this person's return
And you'll return to me
A hope or expectation that this person will eventually come back
Please don't lose the keys
Literal and symbolic reminder to keep the means of access open
Pain will cease
Assurance that the current state of discomfort will eventually subside
All things will pass
A broader statement that everything is temporary and impermanent
And this is gonna pass, pass
Reiteration of the earlier point, emphasizing that time will heal
I'm just trying to keep you calm
A statement of concern for this person's emotional state
Oh in the face of all your dreams
Acknowledgement that the person may feel like they are losing their aspirations
They might soon slip away
Recalling the impermanence of things and the fact that some opportunities are fleeting
And miss you when they're gone
An acknowledgement that one may regret not cherishing something until it's too late
And we waited for the cab outside
Setting the scene of a moment shared between the artist and this person
I offer you a place to hide
Suggesting that the artist can provide a safe haven for this person from whatever they are running from
No I don't want your ransom
Dismissing the notion that this person is a burden or liability
Just say you'll never leave
An appeal to this person to promise to not abandon the relationship
I won't hold you
Final confirmation that the singer will not hold this person hostage or captive
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: ANDREW ROSS MCMAHON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@MacSculptor
This song totally needs more hype. I am in love with this song. It's higher up than Dark Blue for me.
@jamespwest523
the beauty of music is it takes you places.. and these amazing short films only help you spark the imagination that is needed to take you far away.
@WizyWizy
This song is such a powerful example of piano-rock music. It's beautiful, sincere and makes me bite my knuckles.
@mytubebam
I feel like if they played more songs like this on the radio more often popular music would have higher quality across the board. I heard this on college-owned alternative station this morning. Seems like that's where the best songs start.
@yakyakgaming1027
I played the piano on my Ikea table while watching this. My piano is 400miles south from me.
@mdemoree
I really enjoyed this one, too! So simple yet such a powerful message.
@seth61901
love JM and SoCo. They have been my favorite shit for over 10 years.
@thatdapperfellow
This is, like, twice as long as the version I got on the album. And it doesn't cut out halfway through a sentence.
@dopenessization
I LOVE YOU ANDY <3333
@natenemetz2716
beautifully abstract