Jon released his debut solo album, "Psycho Jukebox" in June 2011, having already released a free EP "The Magic Hour" on his website in February 2011. The album has spawned two singles, "Santo Domingo" and "Baby, We're Refugees!"
His second album, "Bright Night Flowers" is being recorded and due to be released in 2012.
The Band Played Just For Me
Jon Fratelli Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
"Hello don't you ever leave me."
She crossed the room the room and she tried to hide and said,
"I told you once why don't you believe me?"
And the pink light shined knocked me blind I said
"Would you mind if I tried to make this easy?"
She clenched her eyes and rolled her fists and
Wondered out loud what it takes to please me.
But I was halfway to the door and in the street
The band was playing just for me.
I once knew her like I knew me nobody could
See how she could own me.
In her room I was petrified and tried my best
To hide how she could use me.
In neon signs a hundred feet high no doubt
Left forever she would want me.
And I was left in no such doubt that in that
One sweet moment she would haunt me.
And in my dreams and in my nightmares
The band was there playing just for me.
"I would die for you she cried,"
I tried not to decide how I would leave her.
There was nothing left to tell myself and
Wonder if I could believe her.
No time to hide, no time to hide,
No time to watch the world pass me by,
No time to grin, no time to choose,
No time to chase the ghost from my shoes,
No time to win, no time to bawl, no time to creep,
And no time to crawl,
No time to sleep, no time to sin,
No time to lose and nothing to win.
No time for heroics, no time to feed,
Nothing to confess or to conceed,
No time to save, no time for love,
Sex was a curse sent from above,
No time to cry, no time to explain,
Nothing to scream and no one to blame,
No time for silence, no time at all,
No time to fail and no where to fall.
No time to hide, no time to lie,
No time to watch the world pass me by,
No time to grin, no time to choose,
No time to chase the ghost from my shoes,
No time to sleep, no time to sin,
No time to lose and no time to win.
The Band Played Just for Me by Jon Fratelli tells the story of a failed relationship that the singer is trying to leave, but is haunted by the memories of it. The lyrics are suggestive of a love that is intense and passionate but ultimately destructive. The opening lines suggest that the singer is saying goodbye to someone, probably a lover, and asking them to stay with him. However, the partner tries to hide from him, frustrated by his lack of trust in her. Despite this, the singer is determined to make the separation easy.
In the second verse, the singer reflects on how the relationship began, describing how he was once deeply in love with his partner. He feels that he was powerless to resist the attraction, even though he was frightened of her. He describes her as owning him and being haunted by her. This is supported by the imagery of neon signs towering above him, turning him into a willing victim of her charms.
The chorus, where the band is playing just for the singer, signifies that he is alone in his misery and that his love is unrequited. It is an emotive portrayal of a lost love that will never be returned. The lyrics suggest that the singer is overwhelmed by his emotions and the intensity of his passion, and that he is struggling to move on from the relationship. Despite the sadness conveyed in the lyrics, the song is a powerful ballad that captures the spirit of love and passion.
Line by Line Meaning
Waved goodbye on the other side then said, "Hello don't you ever leave me."
As she left, she begged me to never leave her.
She crossed the room the room and she tried to hide and said, "I told you once why don't you believe me?"
She tried to avoid me and asked why I didn't trust her when she already explained something to me.
And the pink light shined knocked me blind I said "Would you mind if I tried to make this easy?"
The bright light temporarily blinded me and I asked for her permission to make things easier between us.
She clenched her eyes and rolled her fists and Wondered out loud what it takes to please me.
She closed her eyes and balled up her fists while questioning what she needed to do to make me happy.
But I was halfway to the door and in the street The band was playing just for me.
As I was leaving, I could hear a band playing music specifically for me out on the street.
I once knew her like I knew me nobody could See how she could own me.
I used to know her like I knew myself, and no one could see how much control she had over me.
In her room I was petrified and tried my best To hide how she could use me.
I was terrified of her in her room and attempted to conceal how vulnerable she could make me.
And I was left in no such doubt that in that One sweet moment she would haunt me.
I was positive that in that one moment, she would continue to haunt me.
And in my dreams and in my nightmares The band was there playing just for me.
The band playing for me became a recurring theme even in my dreams and nightmares.
"I would die for you she cried," I tried not to decide how I would leave her.
She professed her undying love for me, which made me struggle with the decision of how to leave her.
No time to hide, no time to lie No time to watch the world pass me by, No time to grin, no time to choose, No time to chase the ghost from my shoes, No time to sleep, no time to sin, No time to lose and nothing to win.
I didn't have the luxury of hiding, lying, taking my time, enjoying life, pursuing my own goals, sleeping or making mistakes because there was nothing to gain from it.
Writer(s): John Paul Lawler
Contributed by Cole R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.