Together they began working on four-track recordings aided by drum machines until they asked Chris Daly, previously the drummer for Texas Is the Reason, to join them. Daly created the name "Jets to Brazil" (perhaps taken from a poster seen in the film Breakfast at Tiffany's), and the band joined Jade Tree Records in 1997.
It was under Jade Tree that they recorded their first (and, following the successes of their previous bands, highly anticipated) album, Orange Rhyming Dictionary. Following its eventual success they went on to release Four Cornered Night, which introduced the fourth member of the band: former Van Pelt guitarist, Brian Maryansky. In 2002, Jets to Brazil launched their third — and what was to be final — album, Perfecting Loneliness. By 2003 the band had broken up, for unspecified reasons.
Chinatown
Jets to Brazil Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
they tell me it's blue and I'm a believer that's why I'm blind
live on the freeway listen to signs and we drive by feel
be a believer believe everything you'll be right
half the time
candle is waxing takes my apartment I bask in its magic
all of the firefighters put out my fires took all my matches
staying up later waking up old and I'm leaving her never
I'm tired of fighting
I'm tired of fighting, so I'm demolished - that's the way
some make exhaustion a mode of expression and that's their way
I'm just a question knowing my answer I hope I'm wrong
but I know the answer it's four in the morning I'm right again and I'm chinatown
now in a hurry, rubbing up urgent to get home to dot
was my missed mistress messed up my mattress I missed the catch
last of the pitchers catfish done hunting harry lundt
most of the killers never get famous and it's hard on everyone
I'm tired of fighting
The song "Chinatown" by Jets to Brazil, explores the idea of belief and perception. The first verse begins with the singer talking about a blue candle that they cannot see because they are colorblind. They mention that others have told them that the candle is blue, so they believe it, but they are still blind to its true color. This sets up the theme of belief and how it can shape one's perception of reality.
In the second verse, the singer talks about a magical candle in their apartment that they enjoy basking in. They mention firefighters putting out their fires, which could be seen as a metaphor for people trying to squash their passions or desires. The following lines talk about staying up late and leaving someone behind, possibly symbolizing a personal transformation.
The chorus of the song emphasizes the exhaustion and weariness the singer feels. They are tired of fighting and are ready to accept defeat. They talk about demolition as a way of surrender and express their wish to know the answer to their question, even if it's not what they want to hear. The final lines of the verse mention the time, which could imply that the singer has been up all night struggling with their beliefs and perception of reality.
The final verse of the song mentions a missed opportunity with a lover, possibly due to the singer's preoccupation with belief and perception. They also mention a baseball reference, "catfish done hunting harry lundt," which could signify the passing of time and the inevitability of change. The last line of the verse talks about the difficulty of notoriety and how it affects everyone.
Overall, "Chinatown" by Jets to Brazil is a reflective song that explores the complexity of belief and perception. The singer's exhaustion and weariness can be felt in the lyrics and provide a sense of relatability for listeners.
Line by Line Meaning
candle is blue could see me through but I'm color blind
I can see the candle's light but I can't see its color. People tell me it's blue, and I believe them, but I still can't see it.
live on the freeway listen to signs and we drive by feel
We live our lives following the signs and driving by intuition, sometimes without knowing where we're going.
candle is waxing takes my apartment I bask in its magic
The growing flame of the candle illuminates my apartment, and I enjoy its magical glow.
staying up later waking up old and I'm leaving her never
I'm staying up late and getting older, but I'm never leaving the person I'm with.
ordering in all friends and lovers and we're making our weather with a lone light bulb
I'm inviting over all my friends and lovers, and with just a single lightbulb we're creating our own atmosphere.
I'm tired of fighting
I'm exhausted from all the battles I've been through.
some make exhaustion a mode of expression and that's their way
Some people use their exhaustion and weariness as a way to express themselves and cope with their struggles.
I'm just a question knowing my answer I hope I'm wrong
I only have one question, but I already know the answer. I hope I'm mistaken.
but I know the answer it's four in the morning I'm right again and I'm chinatown
I do know the answer, it's always the same, it's four in the morning, and I'm stuck in my own struggles and problems.
now in a hurry, rubbing up urgent to get home to dot
I'm in a rush, rubbing against the urgency to get back to the comforts of home.
was my missed mistress messed up my mattress I missed the catch
I missed the opportunity to make a connection with someone I've been seeing, and it's messing with my emotions.
last of the pitchers catfish done hunting harry lundt
The final pitcher, Catfish, is done playing, and it's hard on everyone, especially the fans.
most of the killers never get famous and it's hard on everyone
Most of the murderers never become famous, and it's tough for everyone involved.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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