Formed by former members of the now defunct band PF Station, JSB draw their name from the name of the subject of one of PF Station's songs, "A Night in the Life of Fly Jimmy Swift". Before eventually choosing their current name, the band was known for a time as Fly Jimmy Swift.
Combining intricate guitar and a distinctly electronica keyboard sound with a hard hitting and rock solid rock rhythm section, the band is known for its lengthy progressive instrumental jams that get the crowd up and moving.
The band has won three East Coast Music Awards, including Best Alternative Artist in 2002. The same year, JSB won three Music Industry Association of Nova Scotia (MIANS) awards, including Artist of the Year.
In 2004 the band produced their first video for the single "Two Hands on the Wheel" with New Brunswick filmmaker Greg Hemmings. On November 28, 2006, JSB released an animated video produced by Copernicus Studios for the single "Turnaround", from the album Weight of the World.
The band maintains a busy touring schedule across Canada and the US, and they have performed at numerous festivals including Nova Scotia's Evolve Festival, Prince Edward Island's Shoreline Festival, Moedown (NY), Haymaker (VA), the World Electronic Music Festival (Toronto) and many more. The group are at the head of a growing Atlantic Canada jam scene, and frequently play with fellow scene mates Grand Theft Bus, and Slowcoaster.
Yard Sale
The Jimmy Swift Band Lyrics
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I've got stuff in my closets that's so old that it dreams
Of the days it had purpose
And if I just had the resolve to be true to myself
Well the problems that would solve
Then this feeling in my stomach just might go away
For a day for maybe even two
And cause there's nothing left to do I ride, I ride
Trying to keep sight of an objective that seems right
But it all seems to get lost in this glory of God
Has become just as cluttered as my closet, as my closet
And it seems I can't let go of anything
And all the while I'm left with nothing
Nothing to use
I think it's time I did some housecleaning
I've got enough shit here to have a yard sale, and everything must go
I can't let go of anything it seems
I've got stuff in my closets that's so old that it dreams
Of the days it had purpose
And if I just had the resolve to be true to myself
Well the problems that would solve
Then this feeling in my stomach just might go away
For a day for maybe even two
I think it's time I did some housecleaning
I've got enough shit here to have a yard sale, and everything must go
Yeah everything must go
Yeah everything must go
Yeah everything must go
Yeah everything must go
The Jimmy Swift Band's song "Yard Sale" deals with the theme of clutter, both physical and emotional. The song's protagonist is struggling to let go of the items in their closet, which are so old they "dream of the days they had purpose." However, the lyrics suggest that if the singer could just let go of these possessions, they would feel better and perhaps solve some of their problems. The song's chorus repeats the notion that "everything must go," underscoring the importance of getting rid of the clutter and letting go of what no longer serves a purpose.
The lyrics also touch on a deeper emotional truth. The singer's cluttered closet mirrors their cluttered mind, and they are encouraged to do some emotional housecleaning as well. The phrase "the glory of God" is used metaphorically to represent the cluttered state of the singer's mind, indicating that even their spiritual life has become cluttered with unnecessary baggage. Ultimately, the song suggests that letting go of the physical items cluttering our lives might enable us to deal with the emotional clutter.
Line by Line Meaning
I can't let go of anything it seems
I have difficulty parting with my possessions
I've got stuff in my closets that's so old that it dreams of the days it had purpose
My possessions are so outdated that they nostalgically recall their past use
And if I just had the resolve to be true to myself, well the problems that would solve
If I were honest with myself, it would resolve my difficulties
Then this feeling in my stomach just might go away, for a day for maybe even two
Being honest with myself might temporarily relieve my discomfort
And cause there's nothing left to do I ride, I ride, trying to keep sight of an objective that seems right
I feel aimless and ride without direction, searching for a worthwhile purpose
But it all seems to get lost in this glory of God, has become just as cluttered as my closet, as my closet
My quest for purpose has become convoluted and disorganized like my cluttered closet
And all the while I'm left with nothing, nothing to use
Despite my possessions, I feel lacking and unfulfilled
I think it's time I did some housecleaning, I've got enough shit here to have a yard sale, and everything must go
I recognize the need to declutter and sell everything I no longer need
Yeah everything must go, yeah everything must go, yeah everything must go, yeah everything must go
I am committed to eliminating all unnecessary possessions
Contributed by Hudson O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.