According to Songfacts, Bonnette, who is also the lyricist of the band (with upright bass player Ben Gallant handling most of the production and some vocals as well) volunteered at a suicide prevention hotline for teenagers for eight years, and worked with homeless men and women in the Phoenix, Arizona area. These experiences gave him a sometimes bleak, but at moments, hopeful outlook on life, often reflected in the band's lyrics.
On Halloween 2005, Andrew Jackson Jihad covered Neutral Milk Hotel's In the Aeroplane Over the Sea album in its entirety at CounterCulture Cafe.
Their biggest performance to date has been in their hometown with Flogging Molly and Authority Zero on St. Patrick's Day 2006.
On April 15, 2006, the band played as part of the 2006 New Times Music Showcase, nominated for Best Americana Band, and won a 2006 Best of Phoenix later that year.
Besides their local shows, where they have become arguably the most prominent representative in Arizona of the DIY ethic, they have also toured in clubs and basements across the Western United States, appearing at such venues as the Knitting Factory in Los Angeles, CA. One show in Kimberly, Idaho saw the band in a cowboy bar and leaving the premises as soon as possible after the show.
Andrew Jackson Jihad also performed at St. Augustine, Florida's second annual Harvest of Hope Festival in 2010. They played a dual set with Bomb the Music Industry!
In 2016, the band officially changed their name from "Andrew Jackson Jihad" to AJJ (a moniker that many of their fanbase had been using to refer to them for several years). In a statement on the band's website, Bonnette wrote "1.) We are not Muslims, and as such, it is disrespectful and irresponsible for us to use the word jihad in our band’s name. 2.) We no longer wish to be a living reminder of president Andrew Jackson. Interesting historical figure as he was, he was an odious person and our fascination with him has grown stale."
Body Terror Song
ajj Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I’m so sorry that you have to have a body, oh yeah
I’m very sorry that you have to have a body
One that will hurt you, and be the subject of so much of your fear
It will betray you, be used against you, then it’ll fail on you my dear
But before that, you’ll be a doormat, for every vicious narcissist in the world
Oh how they’ll screw you, all up and over, then feed you silence for dessert
I’m so sorry that you have to have a body
I'm sorry that you have to have a body
Filled with infection
One hundred scabs singing in unison
Eyes and hands, sometimes bullets,
Uninvited, passing through us
Uninvited, passing through us
I’m sorry that you have to have a body
I’m sorry that you have to have a body
The lyrics of AJJ's "Body Terror Song" express sincere apologies for the human condition of having a body. The opening verse begins with the repetition of "I'm so sorry that you have to have a body" as if this is a universally grim condition. This sets the tone for the rest of the lyrics, which describe the many ways in which our bodies can cause us pain and torment. The "subject of so much of your fear" is a portrayal of how people perceive their own bodies as potential sources of anxiety and unease.
The second verse speaks to more specific issues of betrayal, abuse, and isolation that can result from having a body. The lyric "before that, you'll be a doormat, for every vicious narcissist in the world" captures the sense of vulnerability that comes with embodiment. The line "oh how they'll screw you, all up and over, then feed you silence for dessert" illustrates the feeling of being exploited by others, followed by a sense of solitude and loneliness. By repeating the chorus and ending with the line “I’m sorry that you have to have a body”, the song reaffirms the idea that having a body is a difficult and painful reality.
Line by Line Meaning
I’m so sorry that you have to have a body
Expressing sorrow for the fact that every human has to live with a physical form that has its own set of limitations and vulnerabilities.
I’m very sorry that you have to have a body
Acknowledging the burden of having a body which not only hurts but also becomes a source of fear for people.
One that will hurt you, and be the subject of so much of your fear
Highlighting the fact that people suffer physical and psychological pain due to their bodies, making it difficult for them to live a peaceful life.
It will betray you, be used against you, then it’ll fail on you my dear
Conveying the idea that even though one's body is one's own, it can turn against them at any moment, leading to a feeling of betrayal and ultimate failure.
But before that, you’ll be a doormat, for every vicious narcissist in the world
Indicating that before people experience the full impact of their body's limitations, they are often subject to the manipulations of narcissistic individuals who take advantage of their vulnerability.
Oh how they’ll screw you, all up and over, then feed you silence for dessert
Expressing the idea that manipulators will take advantage of people's bodies and then leave them to suffer with the aftermath alone, without apology.
Filled with infection
Depicting how bodies aren't just limited but also inflicted with diseases and other health issues that further complicate one's life.
One hundred scabs singing in unison
Portraying a graphic image of a body with numerous scabs, indicating the presence of multiple wounds that refuse to heal.
Eyes and hands, sometimes bullets,
Metaphorically personifying the body parts as weapons that can hurt people in different ways, including becoming the target of others' hate or anger.
Uninvited, passing through us
Depicting how people have no control over their body's reactions to external stimuli, highlighting a sense of powerlessness.
I’m sorry that you have to have a body
Reiterating the regret over the fact that every human has to face the challenges of living with a physical form.
Lyrics © DistroKid, TERRORBIRD PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: Sean-Claude Bonnette
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@prongsb1396
hello
trans people
people with low self esteem
people who have/ have had eating disorders
people who have self harmed before
everyone who feels alienated by their own body
people who have been assaulted before
everyone who has to live with trauma
i hope you know that you‘re loved and that you’re doing great
@user-ty4pm8de2f
[Chorus]
I'm so sorry that you have to have a body
I'm so sorry that you have to have a body, oh yeah
I'm very sorry that you have to have a body
[Verse 1]
One that will hurt you and be the subject of so much of your fear
It will betray you
Be used against you
Then it will fail on you, my dear
But before that, you'll be a doormat
For every vicious narcissist in the world
Oh, how they'll screw you all up and over
Then feed you silence for dessert
[Chorus]
I'm so sorry that you have to have a body
So very sorry that you have to have a body, oh yeah
I'm sorry that you have to have a body
[Verse 2]
Filled with infection
One hundred scabs
Singing in unison
Eyes and hands
Sometimes bullets
Uninvited
Passing through us
Uninvited
Passing through us
[Outro]
I'm sorry that you have to have a body
I'm so sorry that you have to have a body
@stelloola
I don't think this is exclusively about trans people, people with eating disorders, disabled people, etc. I think it's an ode to the human race as a whole, not even just to humans, to every organism ever known. It's dedicated to anything that relies on a corporeal form to live.
@magichobbiest3425
In one of my depressions I told my therapist that I don't want to be an animal no more. I don't want to be a body. Thank for this comment
@mothtastic7641
its therapeutic to have someone finally say sorry, even if its just a song
@_animanity_9949
Fr
@renthewerecat
true, it's why i'm here
@scp--297
So true, I legit cried in my car while blasting this song.
@zenmothermagick
@Scp- ****-2 SAME!!!
@mothtastic7641
@Romy lol
@ALiteraIToaster
“From the moment I understood the weakness of my flesh, it disgusted me. I craved the strength and certainty of steel.”
@AdaptiveApeHybrid
What is this from? It makes me grin.