After exploring the flute (elementary school) and the tuba (junior high), Jenny finally stepped up to the guitar at the age of fourteen.
She graduated from State University of New York at Purchase with a degree in studio composition.
Her album Batten the Hatches was self-released in 2005. In 2006, a song from that album, Fuck Was I, appeared in the second season premiere of Showtime's Weeds, resulting in Batten the Hatches being re-released on April 10, 2007 with new artwork and an extra track, Drinking Song on the Canadian indie label Nettwerk. "Fuck Was I" was also released on the soundtrack album Weeds: Music from the Original Series, Vol. 2.
In addition to her solo career, she is in the band The Robot Explosion, a side project with fellow musicians and friends Bess Rogers, Andrew Futral, and Saul Simon-MacWilliams. She also takes part in an online podcast through MySpace with Bess Rogers and Andrew Futral, titled 'Once More With Feeling' (named after the musical episode of Buffy The Vampire Slayer).
Youngs released her second album, Transmitter Failure, on May 26, 2009. Youngs' third album An Unwavering Band of Light, was released on February 7, 2012.
She recently toured with Regina Spektor (whose phone message also appears on Voice on Tape) and has opened a few shows for Amanda Palmer.
Youngs covered Have You Forgotten by Mark Kozelek for American Laundromat Records' upcoming charity CD Sing Me To Sleep - Indie Lullabies due out in Spring 2010. Tanya Donelly, Dean & Britta, Say Hi, Julie Peel, Stars, The Real Tuesday Weld, and others are contributing to the project which helps children with cancer and rare blood disorders.
Pirates
Jenny Owen Youngs Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I don't wanna make a scene I just wanna leave
And head back to your place cause I got a roommate
And he don't wanna hear or see what you're doing to me
I'll keep coming back
You don't make me better but you don't make me worse
I'll keep coming back
But it sure beats the hurt
Can't say what's inside me or when you might find me
Lying with my face down in the dirt like I never learned how
To stand on my own feet or make a recovery
If there is a right time darling well it's never been now
I'll keep coming back
You don't make me better but you don't make me worse
I'll keep coming back
Numb's no good
But it sure beats the hurt
What you don't know can't do no damage
What you can't see won't be the thing
That digs its teeth in
So pull to the shoulder tell me it's over
Saying that you're oh so glad we met but you'd rather just stop now than regret
Said you can't be the one now to clean all my wounds out
Bandages and nice neat bows? Hell no - you have to just go
I'll keep coming back
You don't make me better but you don't make me worse
I'll keep coming back
Numb's no good
But it sure beats the hurt
The lyrics to Jenny Owen Youngs's song "Pirates" speak to the complex dynamics of a relationship that is simultaneously passionate and destructive. The singer is torn between the desire to continue seeing their partner, even though they know it's not good for them, and the fear of what will happen if they leave. The reference to pirates suggests a sense of adventure and danger, but also a lack of commitment and a willingness to break the rules. Similarly, the idea of going somewhere private indicates a desire for intimacy, but the fear of being seen or judged.
The second verse highlights the difficult emotions that come with a toxic relationship. The singer feels helpless and unable to stand on their own two feet, which is compounded by the fear of being rejected if they try to leave. The reference to "numb" suggests that they are using their relationship as a distraction from their emotions, but they know that this is not a healthy coping mechanism. The final verse speaks to the moment of reckoning when it becomes clear that the relationship can't continue. The singer is angry and hurt, but also relieved to be able to break free from the patterns that have been holding them back.
Line by Line Meaning
We could be pirates or go somewhere private
Let's leave this place and either be adventurous or find a place where we can be alone.
I don't wanna make a scene I just wanna leave
I don't want to cause any drama or attract attention, I just want to go.
And head back to your place cause I got a roommate
Let's go to your place instead because I have a roommate who wouldn't appreciate what's about to happen.
And he don't wanna hear or see what you're doing to me
My roommate wouldn't want to witness what we're about to do and neither would I want him to.
I'll keep coming back
Despite the fact that you don't make me feel better or worse, I'll still keep returning to you.
You don't make me better but you don't make me worse
You don't have a positive or negative impact on me, but I still can't resist seeing you again.
Numb's no good
Feeling numb is not a desirable state.
But it sure beats the hurt
However, it's better than feeling the pain that comes from being hurt.
Can't say what's inside me or when you might find me
I can't express what's going on inside of me or predict when you'll come across me feeling down.
Lying with my face down in the dirt like I never learned how
I'll be lying face down in the dirt, feeling helpless as though I haven't learned how to deal with my problems yet.
To stand on my own feet or make a recovery
I struggle with being able to handle things on my own and recover from tough situations.
If there is a right time darling well it's never been now
Despite hoping that there is a time when everything will work out perfectly, that ideal time has never presented itself.
What you don't know can't do no damage
If you don't know something, it can't harm you.
What you can't see won't be the thing
If you can't see something, it won't be the cause of any harm.
That digs its teeth in
Something that bites or harms you.
So pull to the shoulder tell me it's over
Let's pull over to the side of the road and end this.
Saying that you're oh so glad we met but you'd rather just stop now than regret
You acknowledge that we've had some good times, but you'd rather stop things now than regret what may happen in the future.
Said you can't be the one now to clean all my wounds out
You've stated that you can't be the one to help me heal.
Bandages and nice neat bows? Hell no - you have to just go
You refuse to be involved in any kind of makeshift healing or be tied down to me, you just want to move on.
Contributed by John N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@hooflan5986
11 years later and still one of my favorites
@chaumas
I don't know how, but it's like the chorus reaches into my brain and pushes a button that makes me cry. Like, reliably. Serious question: are you a witch?
@jmacs555
why this doesn't have millions of views I'll never know. Jenny, you're a freaking boss
@shaner3461
Brilliant song going on my playlist hope it’s on Spotify
@WearingABrownCoat
I've had this on repeat all day
@MackyFermion
I really enjoy your music! Keep it up and stay fun!
@ptikobj
One of my favorite tracks ever.
@roseabby100
This is so wonderfully relevant to my life right now. Perfect song.
@StrangeSherwin
You have a friend with benefits?
@roseabby100
I did. Till he said he didn't want that anymore.