Nowadays they're still Belgium's finest when it comes to reinventing themselves as a rockband. Their intricate mix of violence and beauty, guitar riffs and great songs, the masculine and the feminine: they all mingle to produce The Van Jets’ chemistry.
The band has already released two critically acclaimed albums: Electric Soldiers and Cat Fit Fury. Both of these contained number one hit singles in Belgium., and their single 'The Future' was the most played song on Studio Brussel in 2010. Expanding their live reputation outside the steaming clubs, The Van Jets have already billed many festivals, such as Rock Werchter, Pukkelpop, Dour Festival, Marktrock, etc, and toured in the Netherlands, Germany, Scandinavia, and France.
For their upcoming third album they have asked Jeroen De Pessemier from Belgian electro sensation The Subs to be their producer. The result of this cooperation results in a whole new sound for the band. You can hear them experimenting with synths while staying loyal to their rock 'n roll song-based philosophy. The album was recorded in Philippe Zdar's (from Cassius) famous Motor Bass Studios, where other artists like Phoenix, Cat Power, and even Serge Gainsbourg have already recorded. The mixing is done by Tchad Blake, who previously worked with The Black Keys, The Dandy Warhols and Tom Waits.
They annouced to stop end 2019
What's Going On
The Van Jets Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Tomorrow on my shoulders another day to bear
Forever and all over I feel like
Johnny
Day
My face upon a poster in some window in
Calais
Time hangs heavy on my hands and my footsteps're uninspired
Crying like a dog lost in the night
What is going on?
What is going on?
Is it something in your words of have I got it wrong?
Falling on the ground falling underground
Where I cannot speak a word cannot make a sound
I woke up from a short dream with a dazed look in my eyes
Until darkness pulled me under and took me for a ride
Someone said
Time hangs heavy on your hand and your footsteps uninspired
Travelling through the depths of your mind where you just cannot hide
Crying like a dog lost in the night
What's going on?
Oh what's going on?
Oh what's going o o o o on...
The song "What's Going On" by The Van Jets talks about a person who has retired from work and is living somewhere new, but feels burdened by the weight of each passing day. The lyrics describe the singer feeling like Johnny Day, a face forgotten on a poster in Calais. The person's days are long and uninspired, filled with bad habits that lead to getting kicked out of bars. The lyrics express the person's feelings of frustration and being lost, like a crying dog in the night.
The repetition of the question "What's going on?" in the chorus could symbolize the singer's quest for answers and guidance. He might be questioning whether the problem is within himself, or if it's something in the world around him.
Overall, this song is a reflection on the existential sadness and frustration that can come with aging and feeling trapped in a life that is unfulfilling.
Line by Line Meaning
My working days are over and I might live somewhere
I am retired and considering a new place to call home.
Tomorrow on my shoulders another day to bear
I am burdened with the weight of another day ahead.
Forever and all over I feel like Johnny Day
I feel like life has taken over me, like it did Johnny Day.
My face upon a poster in some window in Calais
I feel like I am a stranger in a strange place, like a poster on a window in Calais.
Time hangs heavy on my hands and my footsteps're uninspired
I feel like time is dragging, and I am unmotivated.
Kicked out of the bars where I'm a drunkard and a liar
I have been banned from the bars where I went to drink and lie.
Crying like a dog lost in the night
I am crying uncontrollably like a lost dog in the dark.
What is going on?
I am questioning why things are the way they are.
Is it something in your words of have I got it wrong?
Are you saying something that I do not understand?
Falling on the ground falling underground
I feel like I am falling and cannot stop myself.
Where I cannot speak a word cannot make a sound
I cannot articulate my thoughts or express myself verbally.
I woke up from a short dream with a dazed look in my eyes
I just woke up from a dream, but I still feel out of it.
Until darkness pulled me under and took me for a ride
I felt overcome by darkness and taken on a journey I did not choose.
Someone said
A voice spoke to me.
Time hangs heavy on your hand and your footsteps uninspired
The voice says that time is dragging for me and my steps have lost their energy.
Travelling through the depths of your mind where you just cannot hide
I am emotionally and mentally exploring parts of myself I cannot keep hidden.
Crying like a dog lost in the night
I am crying uncontrollably, like a lost dog in the dark.
What's going on?
I am still asking why things are the way they are.
Oh what's going on?
My question persists and becomes more impassioned.
Oh what's going o o o o on...
My question trails off, but still echoes in my mind.
Contributed by Mateo H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Nick Van Elslander
Live waren ze zalig! Staat bij de top concerten.
Cedric Mestdag
Novarock was zo af ! een van de mooiste momenten uit mijn leven. Bedankt ! Je n'arrive pas à trouver un mot qui exprime mon amour pour cette chanson ;)
martijn salomez
ik eb ze gezien op grensrock ze zijn echt goe live
Jonas Vandenabeele
erg mooie video, zit goed in elkaar.
Yoran Cambier
wa kan er nu aan goede simpele rock tippen !
Elisabet Okmen
@H8000addicted Live is het idd zoooo veel innemender
ottooke007
op de lokerse feestn e moat :D
Roderik Iserbyt
Ah dees is nie aan te horen... (eigenlijk wel > lees verder) Maar live is dit 100000000000000000000000000x beter die mastering trekt op nie te veel... jammer van zo'n talent
Lennert De Clercq
de ruwheid is zo zalig...