Short history:
mid-80s to 1993: Leader of band Little Women
Several short-lived bands
1995-on: Leader of The Jackmormons
2001-on: Leader of Stockholm Syndrome
In addition to releases with these bands, he's released several solo albums and joint efforts with some of his band mates.
He's been playing live since he was a kid, and still tours constantly.
www.jerryjoseph.com
note: they used the opening to Back in the Hole during the playoffs and the World Series
Panama
Jerry Joseph Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A couple days after the boxing day tsunami, i had written some really heavy songs [i had lost friends]...i wanted to write something to lighten up... i was newly in love and traveling with my then girlfriend... now wife... mostly on the azuero peninsula where my father founded a marine science reserve.
In a nearby cowboy town, after a particularly brutal rodeo, a band played... samy and sandra sandoval... one of the more awesome musical experiences i have ever witnessed... a cayman had just tried eating a friend's labrador... the panamanian president at the time was walking thru the midnight dirt streets of pedasi with her girlfriends drinking... as were we... the local seco [moonshine].
We were staying at this eccentric french guy's insanely beautiful bed and breakfast... it was a beautiful time and place... not sure how spike got into this one... glad he's here...
Everybody else down here's just buying
Whatever is at the going rate today
It's always got to be about the chase
My friend Spike
Said sorry, but it's just a pony ride
But it's on the table here today
So it's going to have to be okay
In Panama
In Panama
It's going to have to be okay
And then we give it all away
We'll at least you're thinking
Everybody else I know is just drinking
Drinking up a wave of regret
And I don't think they've finished drinking yet
In the dancing hall
Samy and Sandra Sandoval
Finger on the heartbeat of it all
From Pedasi to Cambutal
In Panama
In Panama
It's going to have to be okay
But everybody loves you anyway
And then the question comes up
Are we wasting our time
Is this the presence of God
Or just a presence of mind
In Panama
In Panama
It's going to have to be okay
Think you're going to make it anyway
Hanging over
Over to a hanger for a party
The flying season's getting started
You'll take it on a wing and fly away
We'll at least you're flying
Because everybody else I know here's dying
It's what you've got to love about the crocodile
At least he's going to kill you with a smile
In Panama
In Panama
It's going to have to be okay
Everybody loves you anyway
In Panama
In Panama
It's going to have to be okay
Everybody loves you, baby
"Panama" is a song by Jerry Joseph that reflects the energy and culture of Panama as he experienced it during a trip there with his then-girlfriend and now wife, just days after the devastating tsunami of 2004. The song seems to be a celebration of the country's unique blend of beauty and danger, as well as a reflection on the nature of life itself. The verses describe encounters with locals, including a band named Samy and Sandra Sandoval, as well as the Panamanian president herself. The chorus repeats the phrase "It's going to have to be okay," as if acknowledging the unpredictable and sometimes treacherous nature of life, but also suggesting a sense of positivity and acceptance in the face of it all.
The lyrics suggest that there is a certain freedom and liberation in embracing the unpredictability of life, rather than trying to control or predict it. There is a sense of joy and celebration in the descriptions of the music and culture of Panama, as well as a reverence for the natural beauty of the area, including the marine science reserve founded by Joseph's father. The line "But everybody loves you anyway" seems to sum up this vibe of acceptance and unconditional support, suggesting that there is always room for love and connection, even in the midst of chaos and uncertainty.
Line by Line Meaning
At least you're trying
It's commendable that you're making an effort
Everybody else down here's just buying
People are blindly purchasing things without thinking about it
Whatever is at the going rate today
They're buying whatever is expensive currently
It's always got to be about the chase
People can't seem to be content with what they have and always look for more
Said sorry, but it's just a pony ride
My friend Spike regretfully explained that things were not as great as they seemed
But it's on the table here today
Despite the warning, the option is still available
So it's going to have to be okay
We must accept the current situation as it is
And then we give it all away
We try to offer whatever we have to others
At least you're thinking
It's admirable that you're reflecting on things
Everybody else I know is just drinking
Others are indulging themselves in alcohol instead of thinking
Drinking up a wave of regret
Their drinking is enabling their remorseful feelings
And I don't think they've finished drinking yet
They may continue drinking for a while
Finger on the heartbeat of it all
Samy and Sandra Sandoval are in tune with the music scene
From Pedasi to Cambutal
They have a following spanning the Azuero peninsula
But everybody loves you anyway
Despite any doubts, people still love you
And then the question comes up
A new question arises
Are we wasting our time
We ask ourselves whether our efforts are meaningless
Is this the presence of God
We wonder whether this is divinely inspired
Or just a presence of mind
Or whether it's just in our heads
Think you're going to make it anyway
Despite questioning ourselves, we believe we'll succeed
Hanging over
We're flying overhead
Over to a hanger for a party
Heading to an airplane hangar for a celebration
The flying season's getting started
It's the start of the season for plane enthusiasts
You'll take it on a wing and fly away
You'll take your chances and fly away
Because everybody else I know here's dying
Everyone else is metaphorically 'dying' by not living fully
It's what you've got to love about the crocodile
The crocodile may be dangerous, but it's impressive nonetheless
Everybody loves you anyway
Even with faults, people love you for who you are
In Panama
This entire song takes place in Panama
Contributed by Makayla K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.