Vains of Jenna formed in Falkenberg, Sweden in 2005. A mere 6 months later … Read Full Bio ↴Vains of Jenna formed in Falkenberg, Sweden in 2005. A mere 6 months later the band was in a Hollywood studio with Gilby Clarke (X-Guns N'Roses) cutting demos. Spring of 2006 they toured Europe but were back in Hollywood by summer where they attracted the attention of Bam Margera (MTV’s Viva La Bam/Jackass). He signed them on the spot & “Lit Up / Let Down” hit stores that fall (Filthy Note Records).

Several US tours ensued; including a 55 date tour with Poison. Add in the “Viva La Bands” tour (GWAR/Cradle of Filth) & a club run with Wednesday 13 (Murderdolls). The band played with The Donnas, Michael Monroe (Hanoi Rocks), Bullets N’ Octane, Dizzy Reed (GN’R), The Last Vegas, Viking Skull, CRASHDÏET & Sunset Strip legends Steel Panther.

In 2008 they stayed in LA & appeared on “Jackass 24” (MTV) & “LA INK” (Kat Von D). Their single “Enemy in Me” (Viva La Bands-2/Ferret Music) was featured on both. Fall 2009 they issued “The Art of Telling Lies" to 5 star reviews.

March 2010 the band evolved with a great new singer & front man in Jesse Forte. The band also welcomes a 2nd guitarist in fellow Swede Anton Sevholt. VoJ toured Europe as a 5 piece in the summer 2010 playing 40 shows. September 2010 they are back in the US & launched a new single/video for “Everybody Loves You When You’re Dead-2010 Mix”.

After seven years, in January 2012, the band called it quits. It was announced on their official Myspace.

Wish You Were Here
Vains of Jenna Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

So, so you think you can tell
Heaven from hell
Blue skies from pain

Can you tell a green field
From a cold steel rail?
A smile from a veil?
Do you think you can tell?

Did they get you to trade
Your heroes for ghosts?
Hot ashes for trees?
Hot air for a cool breeze?

And cold comfort for change?
Did you exchange
A walk on part in the war
For a lead role in a cage?

How I wish, how I wish you were here
We're just two lost souls
Swimming in a fish bowl
Year after year

Running over the same old ground
What have we found

The same old fears
I wish you were here

Overall Meaning

The song Wish You Were Here by Vains of Jenna describes the dilemma of distinguishing between the good and bad experiences in life. The opening lines of the song, "So, so you think you can tell, Heaven from hell, Blue skies from pain," signify how challenging it is to differentiate between optimistic and pessimistic events as they often seem alike, and Heaven can be mistaken for hell or vice versa. The following lines, "Can you tell a green field, From a cold steel rail? A smile from a veil? Do you think you can tell?" further elaborates on how challenging it is to recognize the hidden sadness or joy beneath the appearances of things.

The second verse, "Did they get you to trade, Your heroes for ghosts? Hot ashes for trees? Hot air for a cool breeze? And Cold comfort for change?" explains how people are misled into believing something that is not true. People give up their passions, dreams, and genuine experiences for something that is superficial or meaningless. The final verse, "Running over the same old ground, What have we found, The same old fears, I wish you were here," reflects upon the monotony of life, how one keeps going over the same experiences time and time again, and the realization that everything stays unchanged, and one wishes to have someone to accompany them during these repetitive events.

Overall, the song Wish You Were Here urges people to recognize the truth beyond the superficial and appreciate the beauty that lies hidden beneath.

Line by Line Meaning

So, so you think you can tell
Do you believe you have the ability

Heaven from hell
To distinguish between paradise and torment

Blue skies from pain
Can you differentiate between happiness and sorrow

Can you tell a green field
Is it possible for you to recognize a lush meadow

From a cold steel rail?
Compared to a lifeless iron bar

A smile from a veil?
Can you recognize a real smile from a fake one

Do you think you can tell?
Do you believe you have the skill to do so

Did they get you to trade
Were you convinced to give up

Your heroes for ghosts?
Were your idols replaced with ethereal remnants

Hot ashes for trees?
Did you lose what you cherished most for something trivial