JJ72 were an alternative rock band from Dublin, Ireland. After forming in 1996, they signed to Lakota Records in 1999, releasing two hit albums before splitting in 2006.
The band was formed in 1996 by lead singer and songwriter Mark Greaney and drummer Fergal Matthews, while studying at Belvedere College. Greaney grew up in Dublin, where for a time he lived next door to Phil Lynott. Matthews originated from County Meath. The name 'JJ72' derives from a window at Belvedere College made from 72 jam jars. They cited Nirvana, Mudhoney and Joy Division as influences. After auditioning several bassists they recruited their schoolmate Garvin Smith on bass in 1996. After a few early gigs, Smith left, and Greaney and Matthews once again set about auditions for a new bassist. Two bassists had short stints with the band, but in 1997 Greaney and Matthews entered the studio as a duo to record their first demo. They sent it to local record companies and media but with little response. In 1998 they started university courses, but shortly after starting they decided to concentrate on the band; They played a concert at Behan's pub in Dublin, backed by a string quartet, and were asked to appear on local television. They decided they needed someone who could mime and who "looked good", and recruited Hilary Woods, who Greaney had known for several years. Despite not being able to play bass, Woods became a member in January 1999. They recorded a second demo, and targeted the UK, playing several gigs there and getting a write-up in Select. This led to interest from the Dublin-based Sony sub-label Lakota Records, who signed the band in mid-1999.
Things go wrong when I trust them, in my naive way I love them
Like you told me to love them, I abide by man made rules
And am a picture of all fools, I have a border of white clues
I use the formulae of everyday
In the floods I'll stay and get washed away
People talk in nothing with a reverence in a something
And my heart beats on with indifference to the lessons of attrition
I am a picture of all fools, I have a border of white clues
I use the formulae of everyday
In the floods I'll stay and get washed away
Formulae of everyday
In the floods I'll stay and get washed away
Formulae of everyday
In the floods I'll stay and get washed away
Formulae of everyday
In the floods I'll stay and get washed away
Formulae of everyday
Stumbled round, you I found
Adored your glory, you're my story
Then you let me down, let down
You know we're the same
Once I frowned, then I found
The one I love, as if from above
You smile at me, I smile at you
We were the same
You are not an enemy
You are not an enemy
Gentle as the sky
Please don't ask me why
You are not an enemy
You are not an enemy
Gentle as the sky
Decaying as I am
Need not some promised land
I know that I am failing
Acceptance was their plan
No silence in the sea
Nothing tranquil awaits me
Useless and used up
Too much using to do
I have chosen everything
This is what makes it so bad
No matter what the action
Situation was created by me
My life is different
These gray streets will only get me down
They will never fool me
Integrate me as their clown
Decaying as I am
Need not some promised land
I know that I am failing
Acceptance was the plan
No silence in the sea
Nothing tranquil awaits me
Useless and used up
Too much using to do
Decaying as I am
Need not some promised land
I know that I am failing
Acceptance was the plan
Stumbling through patches
Flowered mortality
My daze it is special
I, I saw a prayer, drift by your eyes
I swear I saw a prayer
Perfect at night and perfect at day
The only thing that I can say
Breathe it in, breathe it in
The softest skin I've ever seen
Bluest eyes there's ever been
Breathe it in, breathe it in
Maintenance of simplicity
It's the one thing that cannot be
But breathe it in, breathe it in
Holy ghost and rock 'n roll
Imprints upon your soul
Breathe it in, breathe it in
Capture beauty
Escape unlikely
I, I saw a prayer, drift by your eyes
I swear I saw a prayer
I, I swear I saw a prayer
Perfect at night and perfect at day
The only thing that I can say
Breathe it in, breathe it in
The softest skin I've ever seen
Bluest eyes there's ever been
Breathe it in, breathe it in
Maintenance of simplicity
It's the one thing that cannot be
But breathe it in, breathe it in
Capture beauty
Escape unlikely
I, I saw a prayer, drift by your eyes
I swear I saw a prayer
I, I saw a prayer, drift by your eyes
At three in the morning
The moonlight was breaking, breaking down
Oh, the heartache it glistened
As angels want to listen as people drown
She said, ?This will not suffice, it's not enough?
She said, ?You will not suffice, you're not enough?
As I looked at the beauty
And struggled with the duty of being wrong
She said, look at my beauty
And struggle with the duty of being wrong
She said, ?This will not suffice, it's not enough?
She said, ?You will not suffice, you're not enough?
I need to touch your face, to feel your grace
It's my epiphany
I need to touch her face, to be embraced
Be my epiphany
All these words with no reasons
Effect me like millions of burning stars
And the shapes that we're seeing
The things that we're being are a step too far
She said, ?This will not suffice, it's not enough?
She said, ?You will not suffice, you're not enough?
I need to touch her face, to feel her grace
My epiphany
I need to touch her face, to be embraced
Be my epiphany
The veils of blue and fields of grain
For all the time I'll have to say
I need to touch your face, to feel your grace
My epiphany
I need to touch her face, to be embraced
By the bright leaves in the garden of my savior
As the parasol gently shades her
I can't see you when I want to, where I am now
With our old lives left behind us we are new now, oh yea
Only way I want to be
Only thing I want to see
Only way I want to live
Only one I want to love
Only way I want to be
Only one I want to see
Only way I want to live
Only one I want to love
By the old wood burning in the garden
As the moths fly through the flames like our little Harlem
I can't see you when I want to, where I am now
With our old lives left behind us we are new now, oh yea
Only way I want to be
Only one I want to see
Only way I want to live
Only one I want to love
Only way I want to be
Only one I want to see
Only way I want to live
I saw you in a river
Stardust and golden spray
Was sent down by the good sun
Covered you and made you shine
An angel thats what you are
But this shining flower
Knows it can sting
I know my mind is
Taken over by this satellite
In the land of cloud
Where you fell from
An angel thats what you are
But this shining flower
Knows it can sting
Honesty it could destroy me
Angel is worth the risk
Being sentenced by a Pilate
To my dreamland cross
An angel thats what you are
But this shining flower
Knows it can sting
I know my mind is
Taken over by this satellite
In the land of cloud
Where you fell from
An angel thats what you are
But this shining flower
People go dancing
In crowded rooms
My head is getting tired
Darkness looms
Children go cursing
At their only cause
Why won't it snow?
Like they said it would
What is it that they know?
That I really should
I check my look
In the mirror, it don't glow
My face is getting thinner
Darkness shows
Children go cursing
At their only cause
Why won't it snow?
Like they said it would
What is it that they know?
That I really should
Why won't it snow?
Like they said it would
What is it that they know?
These feelings don't have any windows
But these feelings are feelings only God knows
As the figures fade into the distance
You're at home now, need for resistance
Marble exterior so cold
But like magic your soul puts things on hold
The truth is you've heard it all before
Oh, these feelings, the sea just brings you more
And you sink further into yourself
And you think only of yourself
And you sink further into yourself
When you sink wanting to be someone else
If this body, is but a grain of sand
Then friend, I need to take your hand
But these feelings have too many windows
But these windows are guarded by the angels
And you sink further into yourself
And you think only of yourself
And you sink further into yourself
And you sink wanting to be someone else
And you sink further into yourself
Seasons don't change
They just glide through my eyes
Like a serpent in the sky
Tempestuous love passing me by singing, ah, ah
Infinity of space
It destroys this special place
Of momentary bliss
It's the thorn in a kiss singing, ah, ah, ah, ah
Sadness and you have become
My perfect two
In a world I divide what is good
And what I do singing, ah, ah, ah, ah
Seasons don't change
They just glide through my eyes
Like a serpent in the sky
Halfway to heaven I saw a light was on
The deep blue of emptiness my refuge so strong
Through needles, by highways, I'll travel to your light
Chariots of fire, and chariots of ice
[Chorus:]
Here in your arms
The scent of your charms
Here in your arms
For always and forever
Oh always and forever
And always and ever
My Home
All that I asked of you was more of the same
All I received from you was more of this pain
[Chorus]
Always and ever
Oh always and ever
Oh always and ever
My Home
Here in your arms
The scent of your charms
Here in your arms
For always and ever
Oh always and ever
And always and ever
My Home
This room is as white as a ghost
In this space you can see your own breath
This room is as cold as its host
Is it this sleep that is the brother of death?
This cloth is as green as an orchard
Where the salt can coat the trees
This girl cries tears as if tortured
Is this girl the queen of the sea?
I'm gonna see you through this my love, my love
I'm gonna see you through this my love, my love, love
Eyes of the toys they are moving
It's here that everything never lived is alive
Yeah, the eyes of the toys they are soothing
As into the brother of sleep that we die
I'm gonna see you through this my love, my love
I'm gonna see you through this my love, my love
I'm gonna see you through, I'm gonna see you through, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
I'm gonna see you through this my love, my love
I'm gonna see you through this my love, my love
Escaping contamination
Is a difficult operation
I need some hibernation
Hide me from the evil
Protect me from the vultures
The men and the women
Drink and make children
They need some hibernation
To hide them from the evil
Protect them from the vultures
Guide me through the colors
Spring it dies summer arrives
Summer dies autumn arrives
Autumn dies winter arrives
Forever and ever ever and ever
I need this hibernation
To stray with deviation
To gather some information
Hide me from the evil
Protect me from the vultures
Guide me through the colors
Spring it dies summer arrives
Summer dies autumn arrives
Autumn dies winter arrives
Forever and ever ever and ever
Ever and ever
Spring it dies summer arrives
Summer dies autumn arrives
Autumn dies winter arrives
Spring it dies summer arrives
Summer dies autumn arrives
Boy made of dread poaches from the river
His eyes are rimmed with lead, heart is made of silver
Rays of love shine on, rays of life shine on
Girl made of hope poaches from the river
Her eyes are lost in hope, heart is made of silver
Rays of love shine on, rays of hope shine on
Boy made of dread poaches from the river
Eyes are rimmed with lead, heart is made of silver
Take love to you
Oh, life to me
Love in my heart poaches from the river
Heart in my love takes me home the real way
Smile in my love takes me home on further
Here in my heart, takes me home away
Sad love to you, all love to you
Short sleeves and warm skin
Losing coins, calling next of kin
Dropping words about the city we're in
Ponds compressed by heavy air
Us without care just sprawling there
God's in our world
Airports and undergrounds
Waiting to find the unfound
Rising to pure insanity
Here when you want me
True love has no simplicity
God's in our world
You and I were going so high
The air is gettin' thin
Our land does not breathe in
We don't need oxygen
It's dreams that binds us and locks us in
The rest are impaled by sense
You and I were going so high
The air is gettin' thin
Our land does not breathe in
We don't need oxygen
It's dreams that binds us and locks us in
The dreams of dying mothers
I awoke, my insides shuddered
The grey coats of the infantry
Victims looking for sympathy
And splash of October swimmers
The cheers of Helsinki winners
My barbed bones of futility
Leaking marrow of ability
And I don't need anyone
You don't need anyone
I want to be a happy boy
This means that you must employ my lies
When I want you
I don't need anyone
I want to be a happy boy
This means that you must employ my lies
And I don't need anyone
You don't need anyone
I want to be a happy boy
This means that you must employ my lies
When I want you
And I don't need anyone
And I don't need anyone
Torrential high seas
Dragged me to my knees
Bleeding perfumed blood
Magic mixed with mud and
Grace I need you to ease
My place in this world
Of face I don't want to ever
Death defying breeze
Is just what I need
Ease this passing blood
Pressure in my ears and
Grace I need you to ease
My place in this world
Of face I don't want to ever
Torrential high seas
Dragged me to my knees
Bleeding perfumed blood
Magic mixed with mud and
Grace I need you to ease
My place in this world
Fade away into dust again
And I will see what I want
I sing my sad songs
And I hope forever
Denounce the spears thrown by mourners
Cherish the fears and wait for death
I sing my sad songs
Pasta machine broke down by the weed in the field
I get so nice when I see Angel's face
I will sip the wine of all the tears you cry
Feel for me sympathy, the kind that we all need
Crimson handed fiend of hate strokes, the soul of all
Saints cannot flee the strength of the call
We just carry on as if we know all that is wrong
Feel for me sympathy, the kind that we all need
Placid perspective straight, losing hope postponing fate
Synchronize, incarcerate, let them eat, I can hate
So, I can say nothing new despite the doves that flew
Feel for me sympathy, the kind that we all need
Crimson handed fiend of hate strokes, the soul of all
Saints cannot flee the strength of the call
We just carry on as if we know all that is wrong
Halfway to heaven I saw a light was on
The deep blue of emptiness, my refuge so strong
Through needles, by highways, I'll travel to your light
Chariots of fire and chariots of ice
Here in your arms, the scent of your charms
Here in your arms for always and ever
Oh, always and ever and always and ever my home
All that I asked of you was more of the same
All I received from you was more of this pain
Here in your arms, the scent of your charms
Here in your arms for always and ever
Oh, always and ever, oh, always and ever my home
Always and ever, oh, always and ever
Oh, always and ever my home
Here in your arms, the scent of your charms
Here in your arms for always and ever
the rain impinges upon the earth again blissfully
the trees sigh in the wind and sway with distilled purity
stench of relevance permeates the talk of love
cloudless skies of blue,anaemic now, think of you
curve of your neck is beautiful
shape of your face is elegant
gaze but poignant still
but memories stings
second stain of consequence
fruit is rotting and then
the crowd turns around to go back home
views so empty
but sane proceeds on its way to the grave
curve of your neck is beautiful
shape of your face is elegant
gaze but poignant still
but memories stings a
second stain of consequence
oh consequence
this is consequence
this is consequence
protect me on my way
stay with me every day
permeate my soul
with what you think is good
protect me on my way
stay with me every day
permeate my soul
with what you think is good
know you
feel you
love fair
you where
touch me
help me
so close
slow you
half whole
know you
love me
be mine
wouldn't you be
close to me
wouldn't you need a kiss from me
tag me while I play
lie with me to delay
anaesthetise my want
when you think you should
protect me on my way
stay with me every day
permeate my soul
with what you think is good
wouldn't you be close to me
wouldn't you be close to me
know you
feel you
love fair
you where
touch me
help me
so close
slow you
half whole
know you
love you
eight dogs on a factory wall
let out primative call
oh love don't let me fall
oh love don't let me fall
from paris to syria
from edinburgh, bogata
girls cry cos boys die
boys cry cos girls die
vanity haunting me
vanity haunting me
we'll wait for you
yeah we will wait for you
we'll wait for you
yeah we will wait for you
we'll wait for you
yeah we will wait for you
aaaaahhhhh
playing chess by washington square
i don't care that you weren't there
robert was known to frankenstein
i don't care that you're not mine
vanity haunting me
vanity haunting me
we'll wait for you
yeah we will wait for you
we'll wait for you
yeah we will wait for you
we'll wait for you
yeah we will wait for you
aaaaahhhhh
we'll wait for you
yeah we will wait for you
we'll wait for you
yeah we will wait for you
we'll wait for you
yeah we will wait for you
we'll wait for you
yeah we will wait for you
was there in the backstage
when first light came around
I grew up like a changeling
to wait the first time around
I could see all the weakness
I could pick all the faults
But I concede all the faith tests
just a stick in your throat
3 - 1 - G
3 - 1 - G
3 - 1 - G
Hung around in your soundtrack
to mirror all that you've done
To find the right side of reason
to kill the three lies for one
I could see all the cold facts
I could see through your eyes
All this don't make no contact
no matter how hard I try
3 - 1 - G
3 - 1 - G
3 - 1 - G
I could still hear the footsteps
I could see only walls
I say 'hey' for you mad traps
hearing no at all
I could see contradiction
I could give up the fight
Just to live in the past tense
To make believe you were right
3 - 1 - G
3 - 1 - G
3 - 1 - G
Ohh ohh ohh ohh
Ohh ohh ohh ohh
Stupid short was swimmin' flight
Engulfed with my magic light
Days of years, years of days to go
(Go)
And everything is upside down
And down around we go, ho
But still my thoughts are surrendered
Bang light, that's all they do
Beings like gods, there are too few
Holding on to the last dance tonight
And everything is upside down
And down around we go, ho
But still my thoughts are surrendered
Pale face in a beach scent
Piers of nothing remain cement
Days of school learning how to smile
And everything is upside down
And down around we go, ho
But still my thoughts are surrendered
Bang, light that's all they do
Beings like gods, there are too few
Holding on to the last dance tonight
And everything is upside down
And down around we go, ho
Everybody has the reason
Everyone will have their season
'Cause nobody knows where we'll go
Everybody will be happy
Everyone will see what I see
Nobody knows where we'll go
Tenderly to the sea
Veiled in silk, you and me
Under stars so high above
Dust from eternal love
Someone with real emotion
Someone with true devotion
Can see all the marvels I can't see
Someone who's strong and willing
Someone who'll keep on winning
He'll show you where you should go
Tenderly to the sea
Veiled in silk, you and me
Under stars so high above
Dust from eternal love
Tenderly to the sea
Veiled in silk, you and me
Under stars so high above
Dust from eternal love
Love
Love
Wrap me up in confidence
Break it down when it suits you
Always separate
No matter what happens
Always needing more
Never content
That's me no capacity
For complete generosity
Not like you
Possibly
Please love me
Sincerely
Claim you believe it's true
Story could have confused you
Maybe I was wrong
Maybe you were strong
Take it out on me
I will fight with thee
Because I need things to
Go wrong when they are right
Not like you
Possibly
Please love me
Sincerely
Wrap me up in confidence
Break it down when it suits you
Always separate
No matter what happens
Always needing more
Never content
That's me no capacity
For complete generosity
Not like you
Possibly
Please love me
when i look back upon my life
it's always with a sense of shame
i 've always been the one to blame
for everything i long to do
no matter when or where or who
has one thing in common too
it's a, it's a, it's a
it's a sin, it's a sin
everything i've ever done
everything i ever do
everyplace i've ever been
everywhere i'm going to
it's a sin
at school they taught me how to be
so pure of thought
and word and deed
they didn't quite succeed
for everything i long to do
no matter when or where or who
has one thing in common too
it's a, it's a, it's a
it's a sin, it's a sin
everything i've ever done
everything i ever do
everyplace i've ever been
everywhere i'm going to
it's a sin
father forgive me
i tried not to do it
turned over a new leaf
then tore right through it
whatever you taught me
i didn't believe it
father you fought me
cos i didn't care
and i still don't understand
so i look back upon my life
forever with a sense of shame
i've always been the one to blame
for everything i long to do
no matter when or where or who
has one thing in common too
it's a, it's a, it's a
it's a sin, it's a sin
everything i've ever done
everything i ever do
everyplace i've ever been
everywhere i'm going to
it's a sin
it's a sin
it's a sin
everything i've ever done
everything i ever do
everyplace i've ever been
everywhere i'm going to
Under dappled moons and under teary skies
This canopy is life and the stars are her eyes
She's angered at my fall and it's winter when she cries
Springtime reappears, wipe these tears from her eyes
And it wouldn't be wrong to sing this song
To the ones you love, I guess I love you
And it wouldn't be wrong to sing this song
To the ones you love, I guess I love you
At least I hope I do
Vanity of day gives birth to a veil
This veil is remorse, it's the air I exhale
Oh, raging on and on goes to a mansion in the sky
Oh, raging on and on is this tear in your eye
And it wouldn't be wrong to sing this song
To the ones I love, I guess I love you
And it wouldn't be wrong to sing this song
To the ones you love, I guess I love you
At least I hope I do
And it wouldn't be wrong to sing this song
To the ones you love, I guess I love you
And it wouldn't be wrong to sing this song
To the ones you love, I guess I love you
At least I hope I do
And it wouldn't be wrong to sing this song
To the ones you love, I guess I love you
And it wouldn't be wrong to sing this song
To the ones you love, I guess I love you
At least I hope I do
And it wouldn't be wrong to sing this song
To the ones you love, I guess I love you, I guess I love you
as i walk alone through the streets of grey
i feel special thoughts fade away
again
if you see the beauty or beast that's .....
you are too human all the same
again
oh-oh-oh
and i recede from you
flowers on the skull filled with buds and lies
imbalance becomes a strain on my mind
again
communicate deliberate shy away from pain
but you are too human all the same
again
oh-oh-oh
and i recede from you
oh-oh-oh
pierced palms pulsated passively
dripping from above
sickly sacred syrup
caused by thorns they call it love
earthly delights
earthly delights
alliance becomes necessity
cos everything it grows
heartache and the loneliness
the isolation shows
earthly delights
earthly delights
earthly delights
earthly delights
earthly delights
Lend and defend all the dread,
a head, With the doubts and the shouts,
Till you smile with desire.
To defeat and delete then employ to destroy,
And betray but always pray.
As it seems, in a dream, In a scream,
I am eloquent again.
As it seems, in a dream, in a dream,
You are elegant again.
To drum on the lawn, shocks to the lost,
For the noise of the joys,
To betray and pray.
As it seems, in a dream, In a scream,
I am eloquent again.
As it seems, in a dream, In a dream,
You are elegant again.
Ooooooooooh oooh oooh,
Ooooooooooh oooh oooh.
As it seems in a dream, In a scream
I am eloquent again.
As it seems, in a dream, In a dream,
Pebbles bleed as the love recedes
A waste of breath all this stoic stealth
Beyond poppied hills we see
The meeting point of our history
Impressions of life
Confusion is rife
Tell a lie then intensify
All your thoughts of hate to articulate
On poppied hills we see
The meeting point of our history
Impressions of life
I am coming home again
And you won't be alone again
And I, I have the gold
I have broken roads for you
I would murder men for you
I, I have some gold
It's in your hands
It's in your arms
At your command
We shall disarm
I will dig a grave for you
Oh, let's make that a grave for two
I, I have the gold
It's in your hands
It's in your arms
At your command
We shall disarm
It's in your hands
It's in your arms
At your command
We shall disarm
Seasons turn
Reasons burn
Coming home
When I ramble down
In my paltry crown
I hear that things will change
But nothing will change
And you tumble down
In your tattered gown
They say things will change
But nothing will change
Through the loss, the pain
Oh the love you'll gain
Through the years of strain
Oh the life to gain
Through the loss, the pain
Oh the life
You can drink your wine
From your earthly vines
They say things will change
But nothing will change
Through the loss, the pain
Oh the love you'll gain
Through the years of strain
Oh the life to gain
Through the loss, the pain
Oh the life
Through the loss, the pain
Oh the love you'll gain
Through the years of strain
Oh the life to gain
Through the loss, the pain
Oh the love you'll gain
Through the years of strain
i feel like a pig who owes miracles
perplexing a way that is comical
contradicting contradict
the tests will become my only friends
prick, prick, prick, prick, i
prick, prick, prick, prick, i
prick, prick, prick, prick, i
sirens makes noise and so do i
bags carry clothes and so do i
so many things that make me cry
mans romance is tempting fate
my minds alive without ???
my skin's too thin hide the bones
the water is good but bad as well
healthy minds but bloody ones
prick, prick, prick, prick, i
prick, prick, prick, prick, i
prick, prick, prick, prick, i
i feel like a pig who owes miracles
perplexing a way that is comical
contradicting to contradict
the tests will become my only friends
sirens makes noise and so do i
bags carry clothes and so do i
i feel like a pig who owes miracles
perplexing a way that is comical
so many things that make me cry
black eyed dog
he called at my door
The black eyed dog
he called for more
A black eyed dog he knew my name
A black eyed dog he knew my name
A black eyed dog
A black eyed dog
I'm growing old and I wanna go home
I'm growing old and I don't wanna know
I'm growing old and I wanna go home
A black eyed he called at my door
only silly words
boring clichéd words
describe my thoughts
when I think of you
cushions guide me along
in my head is with the song
still found time
waiting for tomorrow
[solo]
places have some names
derived by peoples brains
moved and confused
when I think of you
only silly words
boring clichéd words
describe my thoughts