The band's profile enjoyed a healthy boost following some favorable media coverage (the band's 2009 split 7" with Woven Bones was featured on Pitchfork) and an endorsement from none other than Iggy Pop, who dropped the band's name in an interview with Urban Outfitters, and it wasn't long before they found themselves on the roster of Sub Pop offshoot Hardly Art. Jacuzzi Boys' sophomore album, Glazin', was released in August of 2011. After spending a bunch of time touring and getting a song in the Seth Rogan movie 50/50, the Boys headed to the Key Club Recording Co. to lay down their third album. The results were mastered by legendary sound wizard Kramer and released to the public as Jacuzzi Boys via Hardly Art in the early autumn of 2013.
After taking a bit of a break, the trio hit the studio in Miami with Torche's Jonathan Nunez in the producer's chair. The resulting batch of back-to-basics garage rockers arrived on the six-song EP Happy Damage, which the band decided to release on its newly formed Mag Mag label in September of 2015. Their next album, the '90s indie rock and grunge-leaning Ping Pong, was recorded in Los Angeles and similarly self-released in late 2016.
Island Ave.
Jacuzzi Boys Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Wood grain on a lady's brain, she says "I not doing so fine"
Black cat, crazy allet rat, well i'm not joing their fight
I been waiting so long you for you, just to go for a ride
Island avenue
Island avenue
Island avenue
Island... wo-hooo.
Sitting back on tweeting on my palms, your mace is much too strong
Wouldn't thing it would be so long, this time I was wrong
Try to find where the sound came from; I think it came from a tounge
Island avenue
Island avenue
Island avenue
Island... wo-hooo.
The lyrics of Jacuzzi Boys's song "Island Ave" are introspective and somewhat mysterious. The song opens with the singer talking about "missing tracks" and another 45, suggesting that they are searching for something elusive, something that has been lost. The next line, "she says 'I like staying alive,'" could be interpreted in different ways - perhaps the singer is consoling themselves with the fact that they are still alive, or maybe they are quoting someone else who is reassuring them about their own existence. The mention of "wood grain on a lady's brain" adds to the song's sense of bewilderment - why is this image significant? The following line, "she says 'I'm not doing so fine,'" suggests that the woman is struggling with something, but the connecting thread between these different images is not immediately clear.
The second verse describes a scene of isolation and confusion. The lights are on, but everyone is gone, leaving the singer alone with their thoughts. They reference "tweeting on my palms," which could either mean that they are typing on their phone or computer, or that they are anxiously tapping their hands together. The line "your mace is much too strong" adds to the sense of disorientation - mace is a weapon that would typically be used in a defensive situation, so it's unclear who or what the singer is trying to defend themselves against. The final lines, "Try to find where the sound came from; I think it came from a tongue," are similarly cryptic. What is the sound they are referring to? Whose tongue are they talking about?
Overall, the lyrics of "Island Ave" create a sense of unease and confusion, as if the singer is grappling with difficult emotions and experiences that are difficult to articulate. The repeated refrain of "Island avenue" could suggest a desire for escape or a sense that the singer is trapped in a certain place or state of mind.
Line by Line Meaning
Missing tracks, another 45, she says "I like staying alive"
She acknowledges the importance of taking care of oneself and staying alive, even in times of adversity.
Wood grain on a lady's brain, she says "I not doing so fine"
Despite having a tough exterior, the woman admits to not being alright on the inside.
Black cat, crazy allet rat, well i'm not joing their fight
The singer chooses not to engage in the conflicts and drama in his surroundings.
I been waiting so long you for you, just to go for a ride
The singer has been eagerly awaiting the opportunity to spend time with someone special and enjoy their company.
Island avenue
This is the title of the song and may refer to the street where the singer and others may have grown up or spent time hanging out.
Lights on everybody's gone, they try to make it to the morning sun
People are trying to stay up late and enjoy themselves, but eventually everyone must leave and return to their daily lives.
Sitting back on tweeting on my palms, your mace is much too strong
The singer is relaxing and taking it easy but realizes that others around him may be more on edge and aggressive.
Wouldn't thing it would be so long, this time I was wrong
Time seems to be moving slowly, and the singer did not expect it to take so long to accomplish something.
Try to find where the sound came from; I think it came from a tounge
The singer is trying to locate the source of a noise, which he believes may have come from someone's mouth.
Island avenue
The refrain serves as a reminder of the song's title and the place that may hold many memories for the singer and his friends.
Island avenue
The refrain serves as a reminder of the song's title and the place that may hold many memories for the singer and his friends.
Island avenue
The refrain serves as a reminder of the song's title and the place that may hold many memories for the singer and his friends.
Island... wo-hooo.
An enthusiastic and celebratory expression of the singer's connection to Island Avenue and the happy times he has had there.
Writer(s): DANIEL GONZALEZ, DIEGO ALEJANDRO MONASTERIOS, JOSE GABRIEL ALCALA
Contributed by Jack F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@DeadbrainLives
Missing tracks, another 45, she says 'I like staying alive.'
Wood grain on a lady's brain, she says' I'm not doing so fine'
Black cat, crazy alley rat, well I'm not joing their fight.
Oh man, I've been waiting so long you for you, just to go for a ride.
Island Avenue (x3)
Island.... Woo-oooh
Lights on everybody's gone, they try to make it to the morning sun.
Sitting back on tweeting on my palms, your mace is much too strong.
Wouldn't think it would be so long, this time I was wrong.
Trying to think where the sound came from; I think it came from a tounge.
@tassellhoff2624
Ms. Jackson
n'other 45
she said
I like stayin alive
wood grain
on a ladies brain
she said
im not doin so fine
black cat
crazy, alley rag
well,
I'm not joining that fight
awh man
i've been waiting so long
for you
just to go for a ride
Island Avenue 3x
I-ah'oo-oo!
Lights on
everybodies gone
they try to make it
to the morning sun
Singin'n rags
between'n off my palm
young man
this is much to strong
would it be
it would be so long
this time
i was wrong
tryna find
where we still can't row
I think it came
from the toe
island ave 3x
I-ah-woo
2x
@Tdunksmane
Bout to go see these boys at wills pub in Orlando this Sunday. So fucking excited. Been listening to them for at least ten years if not more.
@rpbcpa1
i'm with you. i feel like they should be huge. great songs and...that sound!!! brilliant.
@JustinTorrento
I love this song.
@codycowell6211
U sir, have great taste in music!
@miamiwax
ALREADY CLASSIC..
@johnb5057
this is the best rewrite of the song Pink Flag by Wire ever
@DeadbrainLives
Missing tracks, another 45, she says 'I like staying alive.'
Wood grain on a lady's brain, she says' I'm not doing so fine'
Black cat, crazy alley rat, well I'm not joing their fight.
Oh man, I've been waiting so long you for you, just to go for a ride.
Island Avenue (x3)
Island.... Woo-oooh
Lights on everybody's gone, they try to make it to the morning sun.
Sitting back on tweeting on my palms, your mace is much too strong.
Wouldn't think it would be so long, this time I was wrong.
Trying to think where the sound came from; I think it came from a tounge.
@IStehSHIT
there is no softness in the filming of those flowers. Flowers are delicat!
@nigheist003
I swore there was a pause in the version I heard first.. island, avenuuuue
@ilovewaterslides
That's the EP version. The one with the pause is on the LP.