Jukebox the Ghost is a Washington, D.C.-born, Brooklyn-based three-piece rock band. The band consists of Ben Thornewill (vocals & piano), Tommy Siegel (vocals & guitar) and Jesse Kristin (drums). Since 2006, Jukebox the Ghost has toured extensively.
In 2003, Ben, Tommy, and Jesse met while attending George Washington University. Shortly after, they formed a band called The Sunday Mail. They took a semester's break to study abroad, and re-formed upon returning as Jukebox the Ghost. They came up with the name after combining lyrics from a Captain Beefheart song and a line from the book Pnin by Vladimir Nabokov.
In 2008, they released their first album "Let Live & Let Ghosts", and began playing new songs in concerts.
Jukebox the Ghost recorded a cover of Ace of Base's "Beautiful Life" for Engine Room Recordings' compilation album Guilt by Association Vol. 2, which was released in November 2008.
Following their tour with Ben Folds in early April 2009, they began their headlining tour in the UK with Nightmare of You. They began their headlining tour with Jenny Owen Youngs back in the United States on April 30 in Chicago, IL. This tour lasted into June, at which point they temporarily stopped touring to concentrate on their next album, "Everything Under the Sun." The band began recording for the new album on September 29th, 2009 at Tarquin Studios in Bridgeport, Connecticut.
In February 2010, Jukebox the Ghost toured across Europe with Adam Green of The Moldy Peaches. This was followed by a separate tour in the United States with bands Tally Hall and Skybox. They will begin touring once again in late May 2010 with the band Free Energy, and will be playing at Lollapalooza in Chicago this August.
"The Popular Thing," a song from their upcoming album, is featured in the movie Diary of a Wimpy Kid.
Lighting Myself on Fire
Jukebox the Ghost Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I think I'll go down in flames
Wouldn't ask you to join me
'Cause that would be insane, it you could warm your hands
Yeah and stake out your place right here next to me
They will come from miles away
And they need a place to rub on their hands and feet
What better time and place than here?
'Cause you've become a fire in me
Ever since you turned eighteen girl
And then you said that love was
Just some sort of passing thing
You've become a fire in me
Ever since you turned eighteen,
And the cold ain't so cold
When you hold yourself to me
They will come from miles away
In your honor
In their Sunday best of sleeveless shirts and winter coats
Oh they've been waiting for this for years
You can see it in their eyes
There's a fire there
But it's not that I'm on fire but it's deep inside
They jump into the peppered sky
'Cause you've become a fire in me
Ever since you turned eighteen girl
And then you said that love was
Just some sort of passing thing
You've become a fire in me
Ever since you turned eighteen
And the cold ain't so cold
When you hold yourself to me
You, you can see it in their eyes
They're afraid that they'll catch fire
They're filled, they're filled with gasoline
Because it's what my heart desires
All these little birds, are chirping in their homes
Twenty feet above us they're where all footprints are heard
You're wearing it down, you know when you walk like that
We're not supposed to carry ourselves in the smalls of our backs
And you're wearing it down, you know when you walk like that
We're not supposed to carry ourselves in the smalls of our backs
Yeah you're wearing it down, you know when you walk like that
We're not supposed to carry ourselves in the smalls of our backs
The song "Lighting Myself on Fire" by Jukebox the Ghost, is an emotional and metaphorical track about intense love and the effect it has on the singer. He describes the passionate burning sensation he feels towards his lover, saying that holding himself to her might cause him to go down in flames, but he wouldn't ask her to join him in his destruction because it would be insane. However, he still invites her to stay by his side, saying that she could warm her hands and stake out her place there next to him.
The chorus of the song talks about how people will come from miles away to be near them, as they have become a fire, an attraction that draws people close to them. The singer then goes on to talk about how his lover has become a fire in him, ever since she turned eighteen, and love was just a passing thing. The cold is not so cold when she holds herself to him, and he feels like he is on fire. He describes people being afraid that they'll catch fire when they see his lover, and how they're filled with gasoline, which is what his heart desires.
The final verse talks about little birds chirping in their homes, twenty feet above them, where all footprints can be heard. He talks about how his lover is wearing herself down by walking in a certain way, and how they're not supposed to carry themselves in the smalls of their backs. This may be a metaphor for the strain their intense love is having on them physically, and the pressure they're both under. Overall, the song is a powerful and poetic exploration of an all-consuming love that feels like it's burning them up from the inside out.
Line by Line Meaning
When you hold yourself to me
I feel like I'm engulfed in flames
I think I'll go down in flames
I'm overwhelmed by my love for you
Wouldn't ask you to join me
I don't want you to get hurt by my intense love
'Cause that would be insane, it you could warm your hands
It's better if you stay away, but if you choose to be near me, you'll feel the warmth of my love
Yeah and stake out your place right here next to me
If you still want to be near me, stay right beside me
They will come from miles away
Other people will be attracted to the warmth we emit
'Cause it's cold outside
The world is a cold and lonely place
And they need a place to rub on their hands and feet
People are looking for comfort and a sense of connection
What better time and place than here?
Our love can provide that warmth and connection
'Cause you've become a fire in me
You have ignited a passionate love within me
Ever since you turned eighteen girl
It all started when you became an adult
And then you said that love was
But then you expressed doubts about love
Just some sort of passing thing
You made it seem like love was temporary and fleeting
And the cold ain't so cold
But being with you makes everything feel warmer
When you hold yourself to me
When we're together, our love keeps us both warm
In your honor
People are gathering to witness our love
In their Sunday best of sleeveless shirts and winter coats
They're all dressed up for this special occasion
Oh they've been waiting for this for years
They've been anticipating the warmth and love we provide
You can see it in their eyes
You can see the admiration and joy in their eyes
There's a fire there
They're feeling the heat of our love
But it's not that I'm on fire but it's deep inside
My love for you is not just on the surface, it's part of my very being
They jump into the peppered sky
They're so elated by our love that they can't contain themselves
They're afraid that they'll catch fire
They're drawn to our love but scared of getting burned
They're filled, they're filled with gasoline
Their passion for us is like fuel that could ignite at any moment
Because it's what my heart desires
I want to love you with all my heart, despite the potential risks
All these little birds, are chirping in their homes
Everyone is talking about our love, even those who aren't here
Twenty feet above us they're where all footprints are heard
Our love has left a lasting impression on everyone around us
You're wearing it down, you know when you walk like that
Your confident walk is breaking down the barriers that people put up
We're not supposed to carry ourselves in the smalls of our backs
Society wants us to be humble and reserved, but we're breaking free from that
Yeah you're wearing it down, you know when you walk like that
Your boldness is making a difference and inspiring others to be themselves
We're not supposed to carry ourselves in the smalls of our backs
We should be proud of who we are and embrace our true selves
Yeah you're wearing it down, you know when you walk like that
Your unwavering confidence is making a mark on the world
We're not supposed to carry ourselves in the smalls of our backs
We should stand tall and proud, and not let anyone dim our light
Contributed by Brooklyn J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Ray
i think i'll go down in flames
wouldn't ask you to join me
cause that would be insane
but you could warm your hands
yeah i'd stake out your place right here next to me
they will come from miles away
cause it's cold outside
and they need a place to rub on their hands and feet
what better time and place than here?
cause you've become a fire for me
ever since you turned eighteen, love
and then you said that love was
just some sort of passing thing
cause you've become a fire in me
ever since you turned eighteen
but the cold ain't so cold
when you hold yourself to me!
(hey!)
they will come from miles away
in your honor
in their sunday best of sleeveless shirts and winter coats
oh, they've been waiting for this for years
you can see it in their eyes
there's a fire there
but it's not that i'm on fire, but it's deep inside
they're jumping to the peppered sky
cause you've become a fire for me
ever since you turned eighteen, love
and then you said that love was
just some sort of passing thing
cause you've become a fire in me
ever since you turned eighteen
but the cold ain't so cold
when you hold yourself to me!
look, you can see it in their eyes
they're afraid that they'll catch fire
i told them, they're filled with gasoline
cause it's what my heart desires
all these little birds are chirping in their worlds
twenty feet above the street where all footprints are heard
you're wearing it down, you know, when you walk like that
we're not supposed to carry ourselves in the smalls of our backs
and you're wearing it down, you know, when you walk like that
we're not supposed to carry ourselves in the smalls of our backs
and you're wearing it down, you know, when you walk like that
we're not supposed to carry ourselves in the smalls of our backs
and you're wearing it down, you know, when you walk like that
we're not supposed to carry ourselves in the smalls
of our backs!
Heather Norton
found this album a while ago and its literally all i care about now between this song, victoria and under my skin I literally cant stop listening to these songs... like incredible.
Jac
Static hits different too imo
Michael Turner
Cool
ANTLERGRAVE
This song is so underrated. How could such an awesome song be unpopular?
Jestem Łukasz
Cus it's a niche genre
Hannah Schaeffer
how is this band not everywhere right now
Bluny
This Band is so amazing and underrated.
Crab Apples
I just... Absolutely love this band....
resident simon
every one of their song titles are just, a mood
Y
Joelly Hawl