DISQUS

Popdose: Pop Goes the World: Derek Webb, “Jena & Jimmy”

  • derek webb · 2 weeks ago
    thanks for the mention david. just for interest, the song is actually a metaphor for the relationship between the government and the civil rights movement in the 60's. specifically between hoover and MLK, the way hoover tried to use the kennedys to co-opt the movement (in order to shut them down, ultimately), just to have them wind up actually supporting it. grassroots movements are often intoxixcated by power, and therefore easily put in their place by that power. having said that, even less likely to wind up on the radio? probably.

    thanks again for the mention-
    d
  • DavidMedsker · 2 weeks ago
    Wow, the man himself sets the record straight. Thank you, Derek.

    I still maintain that if you were willing to let JT co-opt your song, you would be set for life.
  • autodidact · 2 weeks ago
    Has not Webb read Exodus 15:3? "The LORD is a man of war..." I guess God's opinion of war kind of depends on the war. Certainly we have not chosen our battles very wisely of late.

    I'm intrigued by anyone that can be compared to Neil Finn. Worth investigation.

    Eric, Bible-thumping Jesus Freak
  • DavidMedsker · 2 weeks ago
    Truth be told, The Ringing Bell is much closer to Sweet than Finn, and one song has a Difford/Tilbrook feel to it.
  • JT · 1 week ago
    Well...that was a surprising answer from the artist...and totally crushed my theory.

    I hadn't read any commentary about this song (which is the best on the CD, IMHO), so I was going on my own raw analysis skills. Was thinking Jimmy gradually working his way into Jena's pants (who at first would have flat out refused the dude) was a metaphor of how we can gradually be pulled away from something we believe in strongly or identify with. (How a pick can destroy what dynamite can't...)