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.
Rocket Boy
Jets to Brazil Lyrics
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Mess of pills, Hollywood hills, the red lights.
Read me my rights.
Going in a circle, getting tighter every turn.
Think you're getting better but you're never quite sure.
Say it's all ahead of you.
How far can you see?
When you're living on your knees.
The light's green but you spaced the keys.
You're going fast but it won't last.
You're all speed and no gas.
Going in a circle, never getting to the point.
Burning up the atmosphere, my rocket shop boy.
You say there's a finish line, but you're already beat
'cause you're living on your knees.
Rocket boy, my only son, you look so sad, but you're so young.
You get so high. You're all alone, rocket boy, come home.
Notebook, some notes you took.
A bit hit, with a cooked hook.
Your best friend is you again.
You can't win but you won't give in.
Going in a circle, getting lower every time.
Say it isn't hurting but I never see you smile.
Asking for the doctor and I'm calling you a priest
'cause you're living on your knees.
Rocket boy, you burn so bright,
and I believe you lie so beautifully when you get high.
You're all alone, rocket boy, come home.
Dad, it's me, again. I hate to call.
Could you come down?
There's been an accident.
"Were you involved?"
"Yes, sir, no. Sir, they say I was."
Got home, cried alone.
The video will surely show.
No one knows.
I came this close to being me, but I lost us both.
Going in a circle and it's keeping you around.
You've been here forever but you've never been found.
You didn't want a witness
and I didn't want to see you living on your knees.
Rocket boy.
The song "Rocket Boy" by Jets to Brazil is a poignant and introspective reflection on the consequences of living a life filled with drugs, fame, and excess. The lyrics describe a young man who appears to be on the fast track to success, with all the trappings of Hollywood glamour and stardom. However, as the song progresses, it becomes clear that this lifestyle has taken a deep toll on the singer, who is described as "living on his knees" and perpetually going in circles without ever truly achieving anything.
The opening lines of the song set the scene, with references to headlights, red eyes, and warm beer. The singer is surrounded by pills and flashing red lights, and there is a sense of detachment and disorientation as he contemplates his life. Despite his apparent success, he is never quite sure of himself and is constantly looking for the next high or rush.
The central metaphor of the song is the rocket ship, which represents the singer's ill-fated attempts to launch himself into the stratosphere of fame and fortune. However, the rocket is flawed, with no fuel to sustain its journey, and the singer is doomed to crash and burn. In the end, the song is a plea for the "rocket boy" to return home, to seek help and find a way to live a more fulfilling and meaningful life.
Line by Line Meaning
Headlights and red eyes, a warm beer between your thighs.
Driving at night with a drink in hand, stressed and tired.
Mess of pills, Hollywood hills, the red lights.
Jumbled up with drugs and the glitz of fame, and the flashy nightlife.
Read me my rights.
Arrested, caught in the act.
Going in a circle, getting tighter every turn.
Trapped in a cycle of addiction, worsening over time.
Think you're getting better but you're never quite sure.
Attempting to recover from addiction, but unsure of success.
Say it's all ahead of you.
Believing there is a bright future ahead despite overwhelming challenges.
How far can you see?
Wondering how long they can sustain their current lifestyle.
When you're living on your knees.
Suffering and struggling while in a state of subservience to addiction.
Driver, please, find your feet.
Begging for someone to help them snap out of their addiction and take control of their life.
The light's green but you spaced the keys.
Given an opportunity to change, but unable to do so due to addiction.
You're going fast but it won't last.
Moving forward with life, but not able to maintain progress.
You're all speed and no gas.
Driven by addiction without having the strength to sustain it.
Going in a circle, never getting to the point.
Stuck in a cycle of addiction without ever finding a way out.
Burning up the atmosphere, my rocket shop boy.
Going to extreme lengths with addiction, risking it all.
You say there's a finish line, but you're already beat.
Believing in a path to recovery, but too exhausted to achieve it.
'cause you're living on your knees.
Repeating the same mistakes, succumbing to addiction.
Rocket boy, my only son, you look so sad, but you're so young.
Addressing a child affected by addiction, feeling sorrowful for the suffering.
You get so high. You're all alone, rocket boy, come home.
Becoming consumed by addiction, feeling isolated, and searching for a way out.
Notebook, some notes you took.
Documenting their struggles with addiction.
A bit hit, with a cooked hook.
Being drawn in by temptation and unable to resist.
Your best friend is you again.
Being confronted with their own thoughts and desires, consumed by addiction.
You can't win but you won't give in.
Feeling the inevitability of failure, but still unwilling to give up on recovery.
Going in a circle, getting lower every time.
Failing repeatedly to break free from addiction, losing hope.
Say it isn't hurting but I never see you smile.
Putting on a brave face while in reality suffering and unable to find joy.
Asking for the doctor and I'm calling you a priest.
Seeking help from medical professionals while still fearing the possibility of death.
'cause you're living on your knees.
Addiction taking over, rendering the person powerless.
Rocket boy, you burn so bright, and I believe you lie so beautifully when you get high.
Becoming consumed by addiction, feeling compelled to lie and hide the truth.
You're all alone, rocket boy, come home.
Feeling lost and in need of help, seeking a way out of addiction.
Dad, it's me, again. I hate to call. Could you come down? There's been an accident.
Asking for help, admitting there's a problem and in need of support.
"Were you involved?" "Yes, sir, no. Sir, they say I was."
Being uncertain of what happened, or being in denial about the issue.
Got home, cried alone. The video will surely show. No one knows.
Reflecting on the mistakes made and anticipating the consequences, feeling alone and helpless.
I came this close to being me, but I lost us both.
Almost breaking free from addiction, but ultimately falling back into old habits and losing everything.
Going in a circle and it's keeping you around. You've been here forever but you've never been found.
Being stuck in a cycle of addiction, feeling trapped and alone.
You didn't want a witness and I didn't want to see you living on your knees.
Trying to hide their addiction from loved ones, while others feel hurt and powerless to help.
Rocket boy.
Addressing the child, emphasizing the impact of addiction and the need for help.
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Kyle Becker
"Your best friend is you again". -the definition of loneliness. Living amongst a planet full of billions of people and still the only person that understands you, the person that is always there to hear you, is yourself.
Matthew Ryan
Fuck, if anyone understands addiction, it made me bawl uncontrollably for 5 hrs solid!!!
William James Lehy
This song is such a masterpiece. The way it makes me feel today is just as powerful as the way it made me feel when I first heard it when I was 19.
quentin lee
Jawbreaker and Jets to 'Brazil are my favorite bands and Blake is a genius writer/poet/musician and jack of all trades. I've been following his music since 1995 when I heard a song from KLSX during a surf trip in Baja, Mexico. No other band or set of musicians are as gifted to my knowledge with the exception of Johnny Thunders.
just a human being.
he also is in Forgetters. his post Jets band.
Serosona
This is a great song, that's all I can say.
selectAxyz
No one knows. I came this close to being me, but I lost us both. Going in a circle and it's keeping you around. You've been here forever but you've never been found. You didn't want a witness and I didn't want to see you living on your knees. Rocket boy. </3
S.F. Morris
soooo heavy and beautiful!
raizinboyz
Thanks...absolutely beautiful!!!!!!!!!!
TheJeffleppard
This song describes me too well but I can't stop listening to it :)