Tape Deck
Tape Deck

Jack Johnson - Tape Deck Lyrics

Rock
Sep 13, 2013
31
Tape Deck Music Video

Tape Deck Lyrics

From my tape deck there's a recklessness
Inflections of the world we want
All my friends, my rusty truck
We're just specks of love, directionless
Call this band just what we want
We can change the name from month to month
Four guitars and zero drums
We sounded folk but we wanted to be punk
In a world post punk

Well my friend had an old guitar
He took some lessons didn't get very far
An Ibanez with one knob stuck
Said, "You can have that thing for fifty bucks"
Laura got a bass but it got no amp
Borrowed skills but never gave it back

Luke is just learning how to strum
But since he was the worst
We made him play the drums
Play the drums

You may find
In the palm
Of your hand
There's a flame
As it burns
As it climbs
As it turns
To a blaze
Well this flame
It won't last
Here it comes
Hold it close
Cause this blaze
Can be fast
Set it free now there it goes

Luke's mom said that after school
We could rehearse in the living room
But that sure didn't last too long
Guess she didn't know we'd play Fugazi songs
We played these songs in the talent show
And all of the girls would be in the front row
But in the end we just chickened out
Because we can't sing
We can only shout
Only shhh

You may find
In the palm
Of your hand
There's a flame
As it burns
As it climbs
As it turns
To a blaze
Well this flame
It won't last
Here it comes
Hold it close
Well this blaze
Will be fast
Set it free now there it goes

Writer(s): Jack Hody Johnson
Copyright(s): Lyrics © Bubble Toes Publishing, REACH MUSIC PUBLISHING
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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Frequently Asked Questions

  1. What inspired Jack Johnson to write 'Tape Deck'?

    Jack Johnson was inspired by his experiences with his high school punk band, Limber Chicken. The song reminisces about the early days of the band, how they got their instruments, and their attempts at making music together despite their rudimentary skills and equipment.

  2. Why does 'Tape Deck' sound uncharacteristic of punk music?

    'Tape Deck' sounds uncharacteristic of punk music because it was recorded using a nylon string acoustic guitar, an upright bass, and a hand drum. Jack Johnson noted this as an ironic twist given the punk roots of the song's inspiration, describing it as 'the most un-punk thing you've ever heard.'

  3. What bands did Limber Chicken cover in their performances?

    Limber Chicken, the band mentioned in 'Tape Deck,' covered songs from notable punk bands such as Minor Threat, Fugazi, and Bad Religion during their performances.

  4. How does Jack Johnson describe his feelings about recording 'Tape Deck' in a non-punk style?

    Jack Johnson humorously reflects on recording 'Tape Deck' in a non-punk style by stating that if he were 18 again, he would have hated himself for doing so. He refers to it as 'the lamest 38-year-old thing to do,' showcasing his self-awareness and the evolution of his musical expression.

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