Jayme Dee's music is as sassy as it is sunny. Whether it's a witty remark or an irresistible hook, the Southern California singer and songwriter has more than a few surprises up her sleeve on her debut for Universal Republic Records. You'll enjoy them though. We promise…
Music has always surrounded Jayme. Growing up in Redondo Beach, her mom worked as a professional vocal coach and violin teacher, while her father was a pastor at a local church. Not only did she have the chance to perform every Sunday in front of a crowd, she also gained classical training on piano—all by middle school mind you. Simultaneously, she fell under the spell of Frank Sinatra, Patsy Cline, Amy Winehouse, John Mayer, and Lilly Allen. However, this story really starts during her freshmen year of high school when she made a crucial discovery while rummaging around the family's garage.
"I found a guitar, and I started dabbling," she recalls. "I never looked back. That's when I started writing songs and making music. The guitar became my best friend."
With her best friend in hand and webcam turned on, she recorded acoustic covers of popular songs by Katy Perry, Taylor Swift, and Lady Gaga. After uploading them to YouTube, she began to amass some serious numbers. Jayme separated herself from the digital pack by posting original tracks too. To date, her channel has almost 13 million views and 100k subscribers. While she was buzzing online, she enrolled in school at USC for vocal performance.
"I decided it wasn't for me because I wanted to be immersed in the music industry and not reading books about it," she goes on. "I kept writing music though."
Within two months of leaving USC, her original track "Love Whiplash" caught the attention of Universal Republic Records. She showcased for the label and was signed shortly after in early 2011. About the song, she laughs, "I was driving to church, and I wrote the chorus. I actually recorded it with the janky voice memo recorder on my iPhone. I was pissed at a guy. I thought, 'You suck! I'm going to write a song about you.' All of my ideas come to me when I'm driving in the car. I'm going to crash one day trying to press record."
Luckily, she's recording in big studios now. Nevertheless, "Love Whiplash" is emblematic of her spunky and smart approach to pop. She's got a soulful croon that echoes over piano and acoustic guitar, echoing with energetic theatricality. However, she can also belt out vulnerable folk, as evinced by the elegantly ethereal "Rules", her contribution to the chart-dominating soundtrack, The Hunger Games: Songs from District 12 and Beyond.
With a national tour alongside Owl City and her debut for the label on the horizon, Jayme Dee is ready for anything. "This is me," she concludes. "My music is definitely autobiographical. I write about things a 20-year-old girl will go through. I hope it's empowering, and I hope it's upbeat. At the same time, I hope people have fun when they listen to it. Is that too corny or too much to ask?"
Rules
Jayme Dee Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
No iron in your veins to give you any sense of pain or fear
It's just another lie, it's just another calculation
And when the power's out, we're just another old sensation
This blood keeps me alive, but what is it that runs through you
Electricity and wires, dictating everything you do
You tell me that you hear me and all your memories are real
We run around the rules
We run around the rules
We run around the rules
Round and round, two by two
We run around the rules
There's water in your eyes and I know I'm the reason that it's there
But still I don't feel bad because I know that you have more to spare
And just behind your eyes are switches that can turn back on
To clear away today 'til all your memories are gone
We run around the rules
We run around the rules
We run around the rules
Round and round, two by two
We run around the rules
We run around the rules
We run around the rules
We run around the rules
We run around the rules
Round and round, two by two
We run around the rules
The lyrics of Jayme Dee's song Rules highlight the contrast between a genuine and authentic love and a love that is merely reflexive and calculated. The first verse suggests that the singer's understanding of love comes from a deep connection to their own emotions, while their partner's understanding is simply a reflection of societal norms and expectations. The line "No iron in your veins to give you any sense of pain or fear" implies that the singer's partner is emotionally distant and lacks the ability to feel deeply. The second verse continues this theme, with the singer questioning whether their partner's feelings are genuine or simply a product of their programming.
The chorus, "We run around the rules" suggests that the couple is breaking societal norms and expectations in their pursuit of love. They are refusing to conform to conventional attitudes towards relationships, choosing to follow their hearts instead of the rules that society dictates. The repetition of this phrase reinforces the idea that the relationship is unconventional and unique.
The bridge of the song shifts focus to the singer's guilt for causing their partner pain, but also suggests that their pain is not permanent. The line "And just behind your eyes are switches that can turn back on" implies that their partner has the power to overcome their pain and forget about the hurt caused by the singer. Overall, the lyrics of Jayme Dee's song Rules explore the complexities of love and relationships, challenging the listener to question whether their own understanding of love is genuine or reflexive.
Line by Line Meaning
You say you know love, but you are just reflecting words you hear
You claim to understand love, but you're only repeating what you've heard from others.
No iron in your veins to give you any sense of pain or fear
You lack the inner strength to experience emotions like pain or fear.
It's just another lie, it's just another calculation
Your so-called 'love' is just a facade, a result of calculated actions and deception.
And when the power's out, we're just another old sensation
When everything is stripped away, we're nothing but a fleeting memory.
This blood keeps me alive, but what is it that runs through you
My physical body is sustained by blood, but what animates you?
Electricity and wires, dictating everything you do
You're controlled by external forces, like technology, rather than your own willpower.
You tell me that you hear me and all your memories are real
You say you understand me and your memories are authentic.
But how do I know you don't just feel what you've been told to feel
But I cannot be sure that your emotions are genuine and not just programmed responses.
There's water in your eyes and I know I'm the reason that it's there
I see tears in your eyes and understand it's because of my actions.
But still I don't feel bad because I know that you have more to spare
But I don't feel guilty as I believe you are capable of withstanding more emotional pain.
And just behind your eyes are switches that can turn back on
I recognize that there may be emotional barriers you can remove if you choose to.
To clear away today 'til all your memories are gone
Perhaps you can forget this moment and erase the memories and emotions associated with it.
We run around the rules
We ignore societal norms and regulations.
Round and round, two by two
We continue to engage in this behavior, together.
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing
Written by: BRANDON KEELY, MEGAN KEELY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind