WHAT
A "house jack" is what you use when you want to move a house. Anyone who's seen them perform live will tell you that the name is appropriate. "Raise the roof" takes on a whole new meaning with the House Jacks.
WHERE
The House Jacks have performed thousands of shows at Stadiums (from Fenway to Candlestick), Theaters/Clubs (from Carnegie Hall to the House of Blues), Colleges (from Dartmouth to Stanford), Festivals (from The World Expo to the Black and White Ball)...
...in locations around the US and internationally, including France, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Japan and Singapore...
...where they have appeared with Ray Charles, James Brown, Train, LL Cool J, the Neville Brothers, Bill Clinton, Crosby Stills and Nash, the Pointer Sisters, Live, Nia Peeples, Johnny Clegg, 5 Blind Boys of Alabama, Colin Powell, the Temptations, George Carlin, Pam Tillis, The Four Tops, The Gap Band, Tower of Power, Starship, Jon Secada, Run-DMC, and many others.
WHEN
1991: Formed in September, and by December win Grand Prize in the SF International Caroling Competition
Sign Your Name
The House Jacks Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Someone who relies on you
We started out as friends
But the thought of you just caves me in
the symptoms are so deep
It is much too late to turn away
We started out as friends
Across my heart
I want you to be my baby
Sign your name
Across my heart
I want you to be my lady
Time I'm sure will bring
Disappointments in so many things
It seems to be the way
When your gambling cards on love you play
I'd rather be in hell with you baby
Than in cool heaven
It seems to be the way
Sign your name
Across my heart
I want you to be my baby
Sign your name
Across my heart
I want you to be my lady
Birds never look into the sun
Before the day is done
But oh the light shines brighter
On a peaceful day
Stranger blue leave us alone
We don't want to deal with you
We'll shed our stains showering
In the room that makes the rain
All alone with you
Makes the butterflies in me arise
Slowly we make love
And the earth rotates
To our dictates
Slowly we make love
Sign your name
Across my heart
I want you to be my baby
Sign your name
The House Jacks’s “Sign Your Name” is a cover of Terence Trent D’Arby’s 1987 hit. The lyrics of the song express strong desire and love for another person. The song begins with reassuring lyrics that the other person can rely on the singer. The relationship began as a friendship, but the singer realized that they had feelings for the other person that are too strong to ignore. The imagery in the lyrics suggests that the singer is deeply affected by this person, as they describe the symptoms of their feelings and admit that it is too late to turn away. The repetition of “We started out as friends” reinforces the notion that the relationship has developed beyond friendship, and now the singer is committed to being in a romantic relationship with the other person.
The chorus of the song expresses the singer’s desire for the other person to commit to a relationship. The repetition of “Sign your name” suggests that the singer wants the other person to take ownership of their relationship and be openly committed to one another. The following lines “Across my heart, I want you to be my baby/Lady” reinforce the commitment that the singer desires, and the romantic imagery of signing one’s name across the other’s heart underscores the emotional depth of the relationship. The second verse suggests that the singer knows that all relationships have their ups and downs, but they are willing to weather any storms together. They would rather be “in hell” with the other person than in paradise without them.
Line by Line Meaning
Fortunately you have got
It is fortunate that you have someone in your life who depends on you
Someone who relies on you
This person trusts and depends on you to be there for them
We started out as friends
Our relationship began as a platonic friendship
But the thought of you just caves me in
Thinking about you overwhelms me with emotion
The symptoms are so deep
These feelings are intense and all-consuming
It is much too late to turn away
It is too late to back out or change my mind about my feelings for you
Sign you name
I want you to commit to me
Across my heart
Take this commitment seriously and with sincerity
I want you to be my baby
I want you to be my partner and lover
Sign your name
Reiterate my desire for your commitment
Across my heart
Stress the importance of your commitment to me
I want you to be my lady
I want you to be my partner and lover
Time I'm sure will bring
Over time, there will be disappointments and challenges
Disappointments in so many things
Many aspects of our relationship may not go as planned or hoped
It seems to be the way
This is a common experience that many couples go through
When your gambling cards on love you play
Love is a gamble and we are taking a risk with each other
I'd rather be in hell with you baby
I would rather face any hardship or struggle with you by my side
Than in cool heaven
Even if it means giving up comfort or ease without you
Birds never look into the sun
Birds know to avoid staring at the sun and damaging their vision
Before the day is done
They wait until the sun has set to look in its direction
But oh the light shines brighter
Once the sun has set, the light is especially beautiful
On a peaceful day
When everything is calm and still
Stranger blue leave us alone
We don't want any negative energy or external factors interfering with our love
We don't want to deal with you
We don't want to engage with anything that could put our love at risk
We'll shed our stains showering
We will cleanse ourselves and wash away any negativity together
In the room that makes the rain
We will find shelter and comfort in a place that is metaphorically 'cleansing'
All alone with you
Being alone with you is a special and intimate experience
Makes the butterflies in me arise
Being with you makes me feel excited and nervous in a good way
Slowly we make love
Our intimacy is gentle and intentional
And the earth rotates
As we make love, the world keeps turning and life goes on
To our dictates
We are in control of our relationship and our intimacy
Sign your name
One more plea for commitment and devotion
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT
Written by: Terence Trent D'Arby
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind