The band includes leadsinger Paul Gonzenbach, drummer Ryan Craven, bassist Frankie Koeller, and on guitar both Noah Blumberg and Ian Connelly.
Burning Flag
The Jim Yoshii Pile-Up Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And you've never felt as insincere as you do now.
So you put on a record, and turn it off because nothing fits
And the respite you get won't come easy now, won't come easy now.
Where are the answers you had?
Where are the faces you know?
Where are the books that you quote?
Where are the places you go?
Where are the people who said that they'd always be by your side?
Where have they all gone now, now that you need them?
Your good will won't keep you clean.
Your talent won't keep you clean.
Your love won't keep you clean.
Your love doesn't mean a thing
When all that you're left with is your rage
And your powerlessness and your love.
You're left with your love.
The Jim Yoshii Pile-Up's song Burning Flag is a soulful reflection on the loneliness and powerlessness one can feel when confronting personal struggles. The opening verses speak to the passing of time and the feeling of insincerity that can come with it. The singer puts on a record seeking respite from their circumstances but finds no solace in the music. The chorus of the song poses a series of questions addressing the singer's search for answers to their struggles. Where are the people they once relied on and the places they once found comfort? The repetition of the phrase "won't come easy now" reinforces the weight of these unanswered questions.
The closing verses of the song strip away any illusions of resolution or catharsis, offering only the bleak truth that nothing can keep the singer "clean" from their rage and powerlessness. Love and talent are acknowledged as insufficient against the harshness of reality. The song ultimately asserts that the singer is left only with their love, a force that may offer some comfort but remains ultimately powerless. Burning Flag is a poignant and honest reflection on the ways in which personal struggles can leave us feeling isolated and defeated.
Line by Line Meaning
So the hours inside your house slow and you go from time to less time.
You feel time slipping away while you're stuck indoors, making the hours drag on and leaving you with less and less of it.
And you've never felt as insincere as you do now.
You feel like a fake or like you're not being true to yourself in this moment.
So you put on a record, and turn it off because nothing fits
You try to distract yourself by listening to music but can't seem to find anything that matches your mood or brings you comfort.
And the respite you get won't come easy now, won't come easy now.
Any relief or break you try to give yourself will be difficult to achieve and fleeting.
Where are the answers you had?
You're questioning where the solutions to your problems have gone or why they're not working.
Where are the faces you know?
You're wondering where the familiar faces in your life have disappeared to, leaving you feeling lonely or abandoned.
Where are the books that you quote?
You're missing the comforting or inspiring words you've read in books that used to motivate or guide you.
Where are the places you go?
You can't visit your usual haunts or happy places because of circumstances or restrictions, and you miss them terribly.
Where is the time that you saved?
You can't seem to find or make time for the things you used to enjoy or prioritize, and you're frustrated by how fast time is slipping away.
Where are the people who said that they'd always be by your side?
You're feeling let down or abandoned by the people who promised to support you no matter what.
Where have they all gone now, now that you need them?
You're left wondering why the people who should be there for you have disappeared when you need them most.
Your good will won't keep you clean.
Being a good person won't protect you from harm or negative consequences in this situation.
Your talent won't keep you clean.
Your skills or abilities won't save you or make things better in this moment.
Your love won't keep you clean.
Even if you have love in your life, it won't shield you from pain or suffering.
Your love doesn't mean a thing
Love may not be enough to solve your problems or alleviate your pain.
When all that you're left with is your rage
All you have left to cling to is your anger and frustration.
And your powerlessness and your love.
Your inability to change your situation and your love for others may leave you feeling helpless or trapped.
You're left with your love.
Despite everything, the love you have for others still remains and sustains you in some way.
Contributed by Keira I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@guysmeets487
Painfully beautiful. Thank you so much for sharing! Jypu will always hold a special place in my heart. ❤
@ffrostyyy
yup! can only hope the absolutely kosher guy decides to get off his ass and repress their records or the hiatus ends. who knows with all these emo bands getting back together again