I Am
The Jack Union Lyrics


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Missin' at school
bustin' the rules
hates everything in sight
needs some new shoes
dad's on the booze
she's never there
far away kid
all on his own
can't tell the wrong from right
thin as a rake
tough as a nail tonight
tonight
here are your hopes for the future you'll see
if you hang 'round the neck of a loser like me
there's no one else in your life
you don't need anyone
come with me in the night
i will give you the matches
i will make you complete
won't you please come with me
i won't ask you again
i can give you the hopes of a younger man
in the night we can hear
i'm your friend and what's more
i will give you what you've been looking for
yes i can give you what you've been looking for
should i run
should i take it
should i go or should i stay?
who side am i on in this game that we play
i wanna be somebody someday
living my life away
and i can't find a job
i can't pay the rent
police are always breathing down my neck
and there's no way out
there's no way out no more
under this flag
we're all union jacks
and there's no home for the brave
and there's no way back
we are the obeyer
we are the law
in stained boots
and navy blue
hello hello hello
with fire in my heart and you along beside me




we'll burn down all the schools
that taught us there

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "I Am" by The Jack Union tell the story of a young teenager who is struggling with life. He is missing school, breaking the rules, and hates everything in sight. The situation at home is not much better. His father is an alcoholic and absent, while his mother is never there. The boy is all on his own, and he can't tell the wrong from right. He is thin and tough, searching for hope.


The chorus speaks to the boy's hopes for the future, which he will only see if he hangs around the neck of a loser. He doesn't need anyone, and he is willing to come with the singer, who promises to give him the matches and make him complete. But the question arises: should he run, stay, or take it? He wants to be somebody someday, living his life away, but he can't find a job, can't pay the rent, and can't escape the police. Under the union jacks, there's no home for the brave, and there's no way back. They are the obeyer and the law, and they're burning down the schools that taught them there.


Overall, "I Am" is a song about rebellion, desperation, and the search for belonging. It reflects the teenage experience of feeling misunderstood, restless, and powerless, and the temptation to follow those who promise to give them what they've been looking for. The song uses vivid images, metaphors, and contrasts to convey a sense of alienation, but also the possibility of finding solidarity and purpose.


Line by Line Meaning

Missin' at school
Skipping classes


bustin' the rules
Disregarding authority


hates everything in sight
Feeling hatred towards everything around


needs some new shoes
Lacking basic necessities


dad's on the booze
Father is an alcoholic


she's never there
Absence of parental figure


far away kid
Isolated from society


all on his own
Lacking support


can't tell the wrong from right
Lacking clear moral guidance


thin as a rake
Extremely skinny


tough as a nail tonight
Resilient mindset


here are your hopes for the future you'll see
Promise of a better future


if you hang 'round the neck of a loser like me
Negative self-image


there's no one else in your life
Loneliness and isolation


you don't need anyone
Self-reliance and independence


come with me in the night
Offering companionship


i will give you the matches
Offering destructive influence


i will make you complete
Promise of fulfillment


won't you please come with me
Insistent invitation


i won't ask you again
Demanding behavior


i can give you the hopes of a younger man
False promises of a better life


in the night we can hear
Alluring atmosphere


i'm your friend and what's more
Manipulative and deceitful behavior


i will give you what you've been looking for
Offering false solutions to problems


yes i can give you what you've been looking for
Reiterating previous offer


should i run
Insecurity and indecisiveness


should i take it
Deliberation of a decision


should i go or should i stay?
Indecision between choices


who side am i on in this game that we play
Questioning personal beliefs


i wanna be somebody someday
Desire for a better life


living my life away
Succumbing to existential dread


and i can't find a job
Lack of opportunities


i can't pay the rent
Financial instability


police are always breathing down my neck
Targeted by law enforcement


and there's no way out
Feeling trapped


there's no way out no more
Hopelessness


under this flag
National identity


we're all union jacks
Pride in national identity


and there's no home for the brave
Lack of opportunities for those who are valiant


and there's no way back
Inability to return to a former lifestyle


we are the obeyer
Submissive to authority


we are the law
Acceptance of societal norms


in stained boots
Dirty and worn-down appearance


and navy blue
Police symbolism


hello hello hello
Addressing an audience


with fire in my heart and you along beside me
Passion and desire for companionship


we'll burn down all the schools
Destructive behavior towards education


that taught us there
Rejecting societal norms and values




Contributed by Audrey T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

MisterMielke

I seen these guys live twice, and I never could fiugre out why they didn't make it to the big time. Awesome rockers!!

sweetygrl80

Omg haven't heard this song for a long time still sounds good

scott white

i will never get tired of these guys

evolution200x

Met these guys in Calgary in 2001. Really thought they would get somewhere. Talented, IMO. hope to hear from you guys some time in the future....

Alisha Elizabeth

Haven't heard this one in a long time. Very cool.

hayvandad

we need more from these guy's they should be rocking world wide ,ever bit as good as the Hip or matt good

Crystal Beck

I went to school with these guys, they are so good...to bad they didn't make it big time.

Curtis Haynes

Still love it.

evolution200x

I saw these guys on Stephen Ave in Calgary back in 01, i think. At a Player's racing event... kicked ass.

MisterMielke

Fingers Grecko is another kick ass tune by The Jack Union!

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