Born in California and raised in Cocoa Beach, Florida, Mark Aaron James seemed an unlikely candidate for the Nashville songwriting scene. With a strong pop-rock-alternative background in tow, however, he enrolled in Music City's reputable Vanderbilt University. He soon became a popular fixture among the campus "porch party" circuit that years earlier had supported the Indigo Girls, Ben Folds and Hootie and the Blowfish. Mark soon brought that following into the local songwriter venues where the famous "in the rounds" gave him a new challenge. His reputation had lead to bigger venues and sharing the stage with some of Nashville's hit writers. He came to realize, "If you don't have a song as good as the writer before and after you, then you're just filler. It really provoked me to focus on craft, along with inspiration, to write better, more innovative songs." The inventive results lead to co-writes with some of Nashville's top songsmiths and his compositions being performed by everyone from Jimmy Buffet to the World Peace Choir.
The year following his critically acclaimed indi release, Mr. Wirehead, Mark was awarded Best Local Songwriter and Best Up and Coming Band in the The Nashville Scene's 2000 reader's poll. In the weekly mag, owned by NYC's Village Voice, Mark beat out John Hyatt, Lucinda Williams, Steve Earle and several other Nashville luminaries for the award. With the release of his second indi-label CD, Adventures With A Plastic Bag, he repeated the feat in 2001. The title song from that CD went on to make the top 100 songs of the year on Nashville's WRLT Lightening 100, gained airplay on Atlanta's 99X and was added to 126 other CMJ reporting stations, charting in 12 markets.
Despite his success in Nashville, Mark was regularly being reminded that he was a rock singer in a town known for country music. After playing some well received shows in New York's Living Room and being featured on PBS's CD Highway and I-Dig's Rawdio programs, Mark decided it was time to make New York City his home base.
Since his move in 2002 he has headlined in venues as varied as the new Living Room, The Bitter End, The Parkside Lounge and the Westbeth Theater. New York's Underground Music Organization (UMO) just voted him one of the "Top 14 Singer/songwriters in Greenwich Village," and feature him as the opening track on their annual top 14 CD. With the completion of his upcoming CD, Just a Satellite, Mark found out that his song "June 17th" will be featured in the upcoming Dean Cain film, Lost, coming to New York and L.A. this holiday season.
Aquaman's Lament
Mark Aaron James Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
*dolphin chirp*
Whoa! Whoa-oh!
Sitting in the Hall of Justice
But is there justice after all
'Cause after all, when you discuss us
So he might sell a few more comics
As soberly he saves the world
But I've had seven gin and tonics
And I want you to be my girl
I can take you to Atlantis
It makes that cave look like a hole
We'll tie one on on the Titanic
Vicki Vale, my heart you stole
Whoa! Whoa-oh!
Whoa! Whoa-oh!
Have you ever got the notion
That he's just a rat with wings
Well, I'm the king of seven oceans
And Vicki, you're my everything
Barring maritime disasters
I have got some time to spare
While he's all tied up with Robin
In a cape and underwear
I can take you to Atlantis
It makes that cave look like a hole
We'll tie one on on the Titanic
Vicki Vale, my heat you stole
If you see it with perspective
He is just Bruce Wayne in tights
But you could be a bit selective
And have free seafood every night
Whoa! Whoa!
Whoa! Whoa!
Well, I could understand it if he were Superman
'Cause after all, that cat can fly
But take away that Batmobile, that boat, that belt, that butler
He's just another boring guy
But I could take you to Atlantis
It makes that cave look like a hole
We'll tie one on on the Titanic
Vicki Vale, my heart you stole
If you look at it from my side
Of the heroes that you've met
He's a bit more on the dry side
Everything's better when wet
Mark Aaron James's song "Aquaman's Lament" is a witty and humorous take on the character of Aquaman, a member of the Justice League who has often been relegated to the background in popular culture. The song starts with a humorous exchange between Aquaman and Batman, as Aquaman boasts about being able to talk to dolphins and other aquatic creatures. The song then moves on to Aquaman's frustration with his lack of recognition and appreciation as a superhero. Despite his many abilities, Aquaman is often overlooked in comparison to more popular superheroes like Batman and Superman. The lyrics playfully suggest that Aquaman could have more success with the ladies if he could take them to Atlantis, a place that makes Batman's Batcave look like a hole.
The song is full of clever wordplay and pop culture references, from the line "While he's all tied up with Robin in a cape and underwear" to the reference to Vicki Vale, a journalist who has appeared in Batman comics and film adaptations.
Overall, "Aquaman's Lament" is a tongue-in-cheek ode to a superhero who has often been dismissed and ridiculed in popular culture, but who has his own unique strengths and abilities.
Line by Line Meaning
You stay here, Batman. I'll go ask my aquatic friends if they've seen anything suspicious.
Aquaman is leaving Batman to inquire about anything suspicious in the waters from his aquatic friends.
Sitting in the Hall of Justice
Aquaman is in the Hall of Justice.
But is there justice after all
Aquaman questions if justice exists.
'Cause after all, when you discuss us
Despite Aquaman's contributions to the team, he is usually the last mentioned and discussed.
I am the last name you recall
Similar to the above line, Aquaman is usually the last name recalled.
So he might sell a few more comics
Aquaman recognizes that Batman may be more popular in comics than he is.
As soberly he saves the world
Batman saves the world while maintaining a serious demeanor.
But I've had seven gin and tonics
Aquaman has had several gin and tonics.
And I want you to be my girl
Aquaman wants Vicki Vale to be his girl.
I can take you to Atlantis
Aquaman can take Vicki Vale to Atlantis.
It makes that cave look like a hole
Atlantis is much more exciting than the Batcave.
We'll tie one on on the Titanic
Aquaman and Vicki Vale will have fun on the Titanic while drinking.
Vicki Vale, my heart you stole
Vicki Vale has stolen Aquaman's heart.
Have you ever got the notion
Aquaman questions if Vicki Vale has ever considered that Batman is just a rat with wings.
That he's just a rat with wings
Aquaman believes that Batman is not as impressive as he seems.
Well, I'm the king of seven oceans
Aquaman is the king of seven oceans.
And Vicki, you're my everything
Vicki Vale is everything to Aquaman.
Barring maritime disasters
Assuming there are no maritime disasters, Aquaman has some time to spare.
While he's all tied up with Robin
While Batman is busy with Robin.
In a cape and underwear
Batman is in costume.
If you see it with perspective
Aquaman encourages Vicki Vale to see things from his perspective.
He is just Bruce Wayne in tights
Batman is just Bruce Wayne in a costume.
But you could be a bit selective
Vicki Vale could be selective with her choice of hero.
And have free seafood every night
If Vicki Vale were with Aquaman, she would have access to free seafood.
Well, I could understand it if he were Superman
Aquaman can reason why people are impressed by Superman.
'Cause after all, that cat can fly
Superman can fly, making him more impressive than Batman.
But take away that Batmobile, that boat, that belt, that butler
Without Batman's tools and resources, he is just an ordinary man.
He's just another boring guy
Batman is boring without his tools and resources.
If you look at it from my side
Aquaman believes that if Vicki Vale saw things from his perspective, she would choose him over Batman.
Of the heroes that you've met
Aquaman is comparing himself to the other heroes Vicki Vale has met.
He's a bit more on the dry side
Aquaman's abilities revolve around water, making him more interesting than Batman.
Everything's better when wet
Aquaman implies that everything is better when it involves water.
Contributed by Brody G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Mark Aaron James
Thanks, so glad you liked it. There is actually a part 2 to it called "Batman's Reply" on my current CD. Hope you enjoy that as well, among the other songs.
QuantumSatsang
I don't know if you're famous yet or not, but this song is really cool it's stuck in my head and I think as a singer that's your goal :)
Matrix452
I heard this song and about died laughing....such a good song i went and bought the MP3 of it! Cant wait to go through and find more songs
Nazley Looka
I find myself constantly playing this song in my head, kudos to you, Mark, for making such an incredible track.
Erica Cochrane
i stumbled across this song many years ago, and even though i'm not a huge comic fan, this song quickly became and remainded one of my all time favourite songs. I just adore it! funny, romantic and just plain AWESOME! Thank mark (amd michael!) for this amazing song :D
TheTaylorJohnson1
This song really shows how a great a Super Hero Aquaman really is
Faith Howard
Hey Mark! I discovered you (along with Jonathan Coulton) via Pandora on my "They Might Be Giants" station - I love songs with playful, silly lyrics like this. Thanks for sharing it - keep up the awesome work!
George Boria
Me too
Mark Aaron James
Thanks Dave. Hope you dig the rest of the CD as well. More power to ya . MAJ
Mark Aaron James
Thanks. It is included on my CD "Just a Satellite" and a live CD that I have coming out this month. I hope you dig the rest of them.