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Ty Buchanan, Contributor

Film Schooled - Jimmy Eat World - A Praise Chorus


Third Eye Blind and Jimmy Eat world touring together is a dream come true and it’s happening this summer. Both bands have been rocking for more than 2 decades, and have written songs that never get old. Everyone knows “Semi-Charmed Kinda Life” and “The Middle”, among many others. A song that doesn’t get much recognition however, is “A Praise Chorus” by Jimmy Eat World. This song is all about the feeling you have while listening to a track that always makes one sing and dance no matter however many times they’ve heard it. When talking of A “Praise Chorus” Jimmy Eat World Front man Jim Adkins says it’s about the “unquantifiable release when rock music is doing what it should.”

This track’s chorus is a reference to many songs that have this release that Atkin’s talks about. In between “Crimson and clover, over and over”, which is a reference to Tommy James and the Shondell's song “Crimson and Clover”, there are lines from songs that a friend of the band gave them when he was asked what are some lyrics that get stuck in his head. The songs are “Our House” by Madness, “Why Did We Ever Meet” by the Promise Ring, A Rock N Roll Fantasy by the Kinks or Bad Company, “Don’t Let’s Start” by They, “All of My Everything’s” by The Promise Ring, and “Kickstart my Heart” by Motley Crew.

Here are the chorus lyrics for reference:

Crimson and clover, over and over Crimson and clover, over and over

Our house in the middle of the street (Crimson and clover, over and over) Why did we ever meet Start in my rock and roll fantasy (Crimson and clover, over and over) Don't don't don't let's start (Crimson and clover, over and over) Why did we ever part Kick start my rock and roll heart

The video for A Praise Chorus is a full visualization of rock music doing what it should. In between Atkins singing in his familiar black shirt and the band behind him jamming, there are cut to scenes of them on road and of the crowds they gather. One cut to is of a large line outside of a theatre. Anyone who’s been to a show knows such a line and feels privileged to wait their turn. The energy of the crowd while the band is playing is something that cannot be faked either. For the portion of time that they’re sharing with friends singing, dancing, jumping around, they aren’t thinking about that bill that’s overdue, or the job they hate but still have to work. For those moments they are free of all of that and connecting with one of their favorite artists. That’s what rock music is all about.

I will be seeing The Summer Gods tour in Columbus, Ohio. Be sure to check for the closest venue to you!


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