Originally called Abraham, their lineup fell into place when the previous singer left, and Schmoekel, who was already friends with the band and a member of another local band, suddenly found himself in the group, which resulted in the name change. The quartet issued a demo in 1999, and one of the tracks, "Never, Never, Never," was played on local radio station WEJE.
A year later, Jettingham issued its full-length debut, Neato, which also proved popular on local radio, resulting in the band signing shortly thereafter to the Republic/Universal label. Just before the release of their label self-titled debut in September of 2001, the quartet received another career boost when their song "Cheating" was featured on the soundtrack to the hit movie American Pie 2.
Fred's Bus
Jettingham Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It only complicates his mess, his mess
He traveled by bus today, just to face the passengers
And stand and say, I only try to be my best, my best
Please follow me, with your mirror in hand
Be who you are, and think out loud
I am very proud be who you are
The center of his mask now lies in a bucket made for trash
It only complicates his mess, his mess
He walked the aisle again
Looked at the driver and smiled again
I only try be my best, my best
Please follow me, with your mirror in hand
Be who you are, and think out loud
I am very proud
Be who you are
Be who you are
The bus driver winked and said
They call me blind, but my name is fred
It only complicates his mess, his mess
He said Fred dont you cry
For I will drive this bus with my eyes
Until this mask is off your chest, your chest
Please follow me, with your mirror in hand
Be who you are, and think out loud
I am very proud
Be who you are
Be who you are
Be who you are
Be who you are
The song "Fred's Bus" by Jettingham tells the story of a man with a mask over his face who finally reveals his true identity to the passengers on the bus. The unveiling of the mask only makes his situation more complicated, but he remains determined to do his best. The lyrics highlight the importance of being true to oneself and embracing individuality. The singer encourages listeners to be proud of who they are and to express themselves openly.
The line "Please follow me, with your mirror in hand" can be interpreted as a call for self-reflection and introspection. By holding up a mirror, one can examine oneself and truly see who they are. This ties into the theme of the song, which encourages listeners to be authentic and true to themselves.
The interaction between the man with the mask and the bus driver named Fred is also significant. Despite being called "blind," Fred is able to see beyond the mask and offers his support to the man. This reinforces the message of the song, emphasizing the importance of accepting and supporting others for who they are.
Overall, "Fred's Bus" is a thought-provoking song that challenges listeners to embrace their true selves and to appreciate the unique qualities that make them who they are.
Line by Line Meaning
The center of his mask popped out and revealed who he is
The person's true identity was discovered when their mask fell off
It only complicates his mess, his mess
This revelation made their situation more difficult
He traveled by bus today, just to face the passengers
They intentionally took the bus today to confront the people around them
And stand and say, I only try to be my best, my best
They spoke up and shared that they are doing their best in life
The center of his mask now lies in a bucket made for trash
The mask is now discarded and considered garbage
He walked the aisle again, looked at the driver and smiled again
They walked down the aisle and smiled at the driver once more
Please follow me, with your mirror in hand
They urge the listener to carry a mirror as a reminder to be true to themselves
Be who you are, and think out loud
They encourage people to express their true selves openly
I am very proud be who you are
They express admiration for those who stay true to themselves
The bus driver winked and said, They call me blind, but my name is Fred
The driver reveals his name and acknowledges his own limitations
He said Fred dont you cry, For I will drive this bus with my eyes
The driver comforts Fred and assures him that he can still safely operate the bus
Until this mask is off your chest, your chest
The driver will continue to drive carefully until Fred no longer feels the need to hide behind a mask
Contributed by Brody A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.