The song title is taken from the name of a side project of Jimmy Eat World singer Jim Adkins, titled Go Big Casino. The song premiered on Jimmy Eat World's official website, and the album Chase This Light's official new website. Some time after, it was added to a revamped Jimmy Eat World MySpace. On October 16, 2007 the song was physically released as a single.
The Big Casino video was shot at the Las Vegas Neon Museum Boneyard in a single day (with a return for pickups at night), featuring the band playing among the yard's old billboards and casino neon signs. While the band plays during parts of the verses Jim Adkins is seen walking around parts of the yard dragging his guitar with him. As the video progresses it switches between night and day, with many of the billboards and signs being lit up, with the moon also in view.
The video premiered on Yahoo October 22, 2007 followed by being added to Jimmy Eat Worlds official website on 23 October 2007, and moments later was added to Jimmy Eat World's YouTube and Universal Music's YouTube.
Big Casino
Jimmy Eat World Lyrics
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It's me and night
We wait for the sun
The kids and drunks head back inside
Well there's lots of smart ideas
In books I never read
When the girls come talk to me
Get up, Get up
Turn the ignition
Get up, Get up
Fire up the system
I play my little part in something big
I'll accept with poise, with grace
When they draw my name from the lottery
And they'll say "All the salt in the world couldn't melt that ice"
I'm the one who gets away
I'm a New Jersey success story
And they'll say "Lord give me the chance to shake that hand"
They'll say
Back when I was younger
I was someone you'd have liked
Got an old guitar I've had for years I'd let you buy
And I'll tell you something else
That you ain't died enough to know
There's still some living left when your prime comes and goes
Get up, Get up
Dance on the ceiling
Get up, Get up
Boy you must be dreaming
Rock on young savior
Don't give up your hopes
I'll accept with poise, with grace
When they draw my name from the lottery
And they'll say "All the salt in the world couldn't melt that ice"
I'm the one who gets away
I'm a New Jersey success story
And they'll say "Lord give me the chance to shake that hand"
I have one last wish
And it's from the heart
Just let me down
Just let me down easy
I'll accept with poise, with grace
When they draw my name from the lottery
And They'll say "All the salt in the world couldn't melt that ice"
I'm the one who gets away
I'm a New Jersey success story
And they'll say "Lord give me a chance to shake his hand"
They'll say
The lyrics of "Big Casino" by Jimmy Eat World are about living life to the fullest and making the most of every moment. The opening lines set the tone for the song and create an atmosphere of anticipation as the singer waits for the new day to begin. He's ready to take on the world and make a name for himself, but he's also aware of his own limitations. He has a sense of regret over the missed opportunities in his life and wishes he could turn back time. The singer is surrounded by people who are content to stay inside and watch the world go by, but he's determined to make his mark.
The chorus is a call to action, urging the listener to get up and take charge of their life. The singer sees himself as part of something bigger than himself, contributing in his own small way to the grand scheme of things. He's not looking for fame or fortune, but he wants to be remembered for his accomplishments.
The second verse is a reflection on the singer's past, when he was young and had his whole life ahead of him. He realizes that he's not as young as he used to be, but there's still plenty of life left in him. He's learned from his mistakes and wants to pass on his knowledge to others.
Overall, the lyrics of "Big Casino" are about living life to the fullest, taking risks, and making the most of the opportunities that come your way.
Line by Line Meaning
Before this world starts up again
Me and night wait for the sun to rise and the day to begin
It's me and night
The singer is alone with the night
We wait for the sun
The singer anticipates the start of a new day
The kids and drunks head back inside
The party is over and everyone else has gone home
Well there's lots of smart ideas
There are many great ideas out there
In books I never read
But the singer hasn't read them
When the girls come talk to me
The singer gets nervous around girls
I wish to hell I had
He wishes he had read the books
Get up, Get up
The singer urges to get moving
Turn the ignition
Start the engine and get going
Fire up the system
Get excited and motivated
I play my little part in something big
The singer contributes to a greater cause
I'll accept with poise, with grace
The singer will accept whatever fate has in store for him
When they draw my name from the lottery
Refers to the unpredictability and randomness of life
And they'll say "All the salt in the world couldn't melt that ice"
The singer is unbreakable and unstoppable
I'm the one who gets away
The singer refuses to be a victim or a failure
I'm a New Jersey success story
The singer represents the American Dream
And they'll say "Lord give me the chance to shake that hand"
Everyone wants to be associated with success
Back when I was younger
Reminiscing about the past
I was someone you'd have liked
The singer used to be more charming and likeable
Got an old guitar I've had for years I'd let you buy
The singer has an old guitar that he is willing to sell
And I'll tell you something else
Here's another thing you didn't know about me
That you ain't died enough to know
The singer has experienced more than you have
There's still some living left when your prime comes and goes
Age doesn't define who you are or what you can achieve
Get up, Get up
The singer repeats his earlier urging to get moving
Dance on the ceiling
Be free and uninhibited
Boy you must be dreaming
The possibilities are endless
Rock on young savior
Encouragement to persevere and overcome
Just let me down easy
The singer asks for a gentle rejection
I have one last wish
The singer has something important to say
And it's from the heart
This is a sincere expression of feelings
They'll say
Others will talk about the singer's accomplishments and successes
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: James Christopher Adkins, Richard E Burch, Thomas Darrell Linton, Zachary Michel Lind
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Brycen
(Steady)
Before this world starts up again
It's me and night
We wait for the sun
The kids and drunks head back inside
Well there's lots of smart ideas in books I've never read
When the girls come talk to me I wish to hell I had
(Get Up, Get Up) Turn on ignition
(Get Up, Get Up) Fire up the system
Play my little part in something big
I'll accept with poise, with grace
When they draw my name from the lottery
And they'll say 'All the salt in the world couldn't melt that ice'
I'm the one who gets away
I'm a New Jersey success-story
And they'll say 'Lord, give me a chance to shake that hand'
(They'll say)
Back when I was younger I was someone you'd've liked
Got an old guitar I'd had for years I'd let you buy
And I'll tell you something else that you ain't dying enough to know
There's still some living left when your prime comes and goes
(Get Up, Get Up) Dance on the ceiling
(Get Up, Get Up) Boy, you must be dreamin'
Rock on young saviour, don't give up your hopes
I'll accept with poise, with grace
When they draw my name from the lottery
And they'll say 'All the salt in the world couldn't melt that ice'
I'm the one who gets away
I'm a New Jersey success-story
And they'll say 'Lord, give me a chance to shake that hand'
I have one last wish
And it's from my heart
Just let me down
Just let me down
(easy)
I'll accept with poise, with grace
When they draw my name from the lottery
And they'll say 'All the salt in the world couldn't melt that ice'
I'm the one who gets away
I'm a New Jersey success-story
And they'll say 'Lord, give me a chance to shake his hand'
(They'll say)
courtney theriault
"There's still some living when your prime comes and goes." - lyrics that hit harder 15 years later in 2022.
Katie Greene
36, haven't hit my prime yet! Haha. Rock on, young savior.
0newingedcrow
Amen to the both of you!
YaBonks
"Let me tell you something, I haven't even begun to peak. And when I do peak, you'll know. Because I'm gonna peak so hard that everybody in Philadelphia's gonna feel it."
- Dennis Reynolds
Leigh Horan
Aint that the truth..40 now, remember hearing this in my mid 20s. Can't say I've done bad for myself, could have done better, but I certainly am not where I thought I would be at this age
CHAD
That line gets me every time after ALL this time
Connor O'Halloran
This band is ridiculously underrated. Such a special talent.
James Davison
Amen
Simon Templar
Still true!
MrJ0mmy
this band is really good