Aside from Zumbye World Domination, Pete and J began strumming guitars and singing "Kumbaya" together. How cute! Craving a band but not finding the necessary counterparts led Pete and J to begin writing and performing acoustically at the Marsh Coffeehouse Open Mic. The two continued jamming and performing together, when finally the end of the year arrived and Pete proposed that J come and live in Chicago to play with his former band mates in a new summer flavor, The Cartwheel Kids. Despite the Sesame Street-like band name, and a super-awkward first show in Winnetka, IL, the band decided to focus on recording, and subsequently turned out A Few of Our Favorites, to a smattering of sales and light applause.
Over the next few years, Pete and J wrote and performed as much as they could given their busy college schedule of parties, gigs, girlfriends, and procrastination. During the summers thy recorded stripped-down acoustic versions of the tunes they were working on, all of which would eventually be released on Without a Band in 2005.
By J's senior year, Pete and J graduated from the tepid and quite awkward engagements of Marsh Coffeehouse to a handfu of private functions for Amherst College and a weekly gig at the famous McMurphy's Uptown Tavern. And boy was it worth the long walk uptown! Sunday nights began to rock like Mondays, or even Tuesdays that felt like Wednesdays or Thursdays. Needless to say, everyone felt good. Simultaneously, the pair founded their college frat-rock band, The Naughty Muffins! Throwing a party every three weeks or so in the infamous Seelye ballroom, the Muffins were naughty, very naughty. They rocked Amherst College (and select members of the other four colleges in the area) with such landmark shows as Muffstock, Muffaroo, and, of course, Muffapalooza: Back to the Bakery.
Having recently moved to New York City with J's former band mates, Chris O'Connell and Sarab Singh of Pea Soup, Pete and J performed a maddening number of shows and open mics every week. The duo, now based in New York City, still also plays regularly in the Philadelphia area and has released an album of acoustic tracks, Without a Band, recorded over the years in Philadelphia, (and Brazil). Pick up your copy today! And keep an eye out for Pete and J acoustic and electric shows in the near future. They're wily ones, us two. I mean, those two. Hehe! Like we, I MEAN, Pete and J, would write their own bio! Preposterous!
www.peteandj.com
Long Way Down
Pete and J Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
So why should I compete with other guys?
All I know is
My father told me look out
"Look out!"
I don't want you
So why should I compete with other guys?
I don't love you, no
I think I'll take a long way down
I don't miss you
Still I will take a car to be with you
I don't know you
Of course you think you know me
I don't want you
So why should I compete with other guys?
I don't love you, no
I think I'll take a long way down from here
I think I'll take a long way down
I don't love you
The lyrics of "Long Way Down" by Pete and J explore the internal conflict of an individual who is in a romantic relationship but does not reciprocate the same level of love as their partner. The opening lines "I don't love you, so why should I compete with other guys?" indicate that the singer is trying to distance themselves emotionally from the relationship, and they feel no need to compete with other men in the life of their partner. This reluctance to compete could also imply that the singer realizes the futility of trying to hold on to a relationship they do not feel passionate about.
The second verse "I don't want you, so why should I compete with other guys?" echoes the opening, further emphasizing the singer's detachment from the relationship. The line "My father told me look out, 'Look out!'" suggests that the singer, at some point in their life, was warned about the dangers of getting too involved in a relationship without feeling truly committed to it.
The chorus "I think I'll take a long way down from here" represents the singer's desire to escape the relationship and journey alone to find themselves as an individual. The repetition of the phrase emphasizes their uncertainty in the path they wish to take, leaving the audience questioning whether the singer will be able to break free from their emotional turmoil and move on.
Overall, the song portrays the feelings of detachment and uncertainty that can be experienced in a relationship that lacks emotional connection. The lyrics assert that forcing oneself to compete in a relationship that they do not fully believe in is not worth the effort.
Line by Line Meaning
I don't love you
I have no feelings of affection towards you
So why should I compete with other guys?
I see no reason to try and win your attention or affection like other men do
All I know is
The only thing I am certain of is
My father told me look out
My dad advised me to be cautious and aware of my surroundings
"Look out!"
An exclamation telling me to watch out and be careful
I don't want you
I have no desire to be with you
I don't miss you
I do not feel any sense of loss or longing for you
Still I will take a car to be with you
Despite my lack of interest, I am willing to go out of my way to see you
I don't know you
I have no familiarity or knowledge of who you are
Of course you think you know me
You probably believe that you understand who I am
I don't love you, no
Once again, I want to emphasize that I hold no romantic feelings towards you
I think I'll take a long way down from here
I believe that it would be better for me to distance myself from this situation and travel a longer route to my destination
I think I'll take a long way down
I have decided that it is in my best interest to take a roundabout path or a more difficult journey
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Peter J. Yorn
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@devygoodtimes
I met these guys in cape breton, actually got to get up on stage with J to play guitar on 'elderly woman'....a pearl jam cover my friend asked him to sing. Awesome group and awesome guys.
@Maverick777x
Saw these guys on the main line. They're great!
@hsm3fanatic09
I love this song and t hey are really talented.
@adamclay1030
Saw them at hampton beach with Rusted Root! They sorta stole the show! Good times though.
@deanmoriarty
This video is from the future...