In 2013 Jagwar Ma signed with record labels Mom+Pop (US) Marathon Artists (EU) and Future Classic (Australia) and released their debut album "Howlin". Howlin’ received high acclaim from music press like The NME, Pitchfork and the London Times as well as praise from several iconic figures and more contemporary artists Foals and The XX, who they went on to join on tour. Now based in the UK, Jagwar Ma are currently touring "Howlin" and have begun preparation for their Sophomore album.
Jagwar Ma are the producers of some quality electronic vibes that swim through the rough terrain of yesteryear, but warps them for modern senses. ”Come Save Me” is 60s bubblegum pop crystalized into tribal neon (much like TV Girl does) and features the vocals of Gabriel Winterfield (Ghostwood), additional production from Ewan Pearson and additional percussion from Stella Mozgawa (Warpaint). ”What Love” is a slow building trance that picks up substance along the way, but still continuing the hypnotic thump. Keep an eye/ear out for these dudes.
Did You Have To
Jagwar Ma Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What do you know about me?
I breathe the air from nowhere
I breathe the air from nowhere
Why would you go without me?
Why would you go without me?
I feel the air between us
Oh you don't know what it feels like to know you yeah
Oh you don't know what it feels like to know you yeah
Let's just settle down
and hold each other near
Let's just settle down
and hold each other near
Oh you don't know what it feels like to know you yeah
Oh you don't know what it feels like to know you
The lyrics in Jagwar Ma's song Did You Have To reflect the yearning for connection and understanding between two individuals. The song seems to be about a past relationship in which one person is trying to understand why the other left. The first two lines, "What do you know about me? I breathe the air from nowhere" suggest a lack of understanding between the two individuals. The persona feels as though the other person doesn't know them at all, and that the air they breathe in is not connected to any particular place or person. This could be interpreted as the persona feeling a lack of connection to their surroundings due to the absence of a significant other.
The chorus, "Oh you don't know what it feels like to know you yeah", repeats the idea that the person they are singing about will never understand what it's like to know and understand them. The second half of the chorus, "Let's just settle down and hold each other near", suggests that the persona wants to reconcile and be close with the person they are singing to. This line could also be interpreted as them imagining how it would feel to be close to the other person again, highlighting their longing for the relationship.
The repetition of the chorus and the simple melody of the song add to the introspection and yearning for connection that the lyrics present. Overall, the lyrics of Did You Have To express the melancholy of a person who is trying to come to terms with the ending of a relationship and its impact on their life.
Line by Line Meaning
What do you know about me?
I question your understanding of who I am
I breathe the air from nowhere
I feel lost and disconnected from reality
Why would you go without me?
I fear being left alone
I feel the air between us
Our emotional distance is palpable
Oh you don't know what it feels like to know you yeah
You cannot grasp the depth of my longing for you
Let's just settle down and hold each other near
Let's forget our worries and find comfort in each other
Oh you don't know what it feels like to know you yeah
My love for you is indescribable
Writer(s): Gabriel Navidzadeh, Jonathan Ma Copyright: Sony/ATV Music Publishing (Australia) Pty Lim
Contributed by Annabelle N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Kala Iriarte
just saw them live two day ago, they where incredible live!
SeattleBeast
I love this song, I heard it when I boarded on an AirFrance plane
Glorious Emperor of ROME
This is such a beautiful song.....
Beautiful is the word to describe it.
Such a peaceful song 🤗
Marc Ohannesian
Best album in a while IMO.
mussoorie111
Insanely beautiful
waz 312
Brings back memories of the last unrequited crush I ever had. Downing sleeping pills with a bottle of wine and hoping I never wake up. Weirdly, fond memories.
みんとゆず
I feel in the ocean or sky…
Led Pencil
love it
mussoorie111
No rules...limitless...sublime
MontseEscAM
My fave on the album