"Flake" - Jack Johnson

Ben Harper & Jack Johnson

In the late 90's - early 2000's, there was a plethora of acoustic, mellow artists that emerged like Ben Harper, John Mayer and Jack Johnson.  To be honest they all sounded like the same person  to me, who in my head I thought of as"John Jack Harper".  I've downloaded a few songs lately by Ben Harper and Jack Johnson, and I can now admit that I can see what all the fuss was about. "Flake" by Jack Johnson has been on repeat on my Ipod for the last few weeks, and I've been meaning to dedicate a blog post to it.  This is not my typical kind of post, because I don't have a personal connection to the song, and there's not an interesting story behind it.  But this song fucking rocks.. I mean that  (yes it warranted an f-bomb), so even if you don't listen to my ramblings go listen to this song!! 

No Flakes Up In Here

For those of you you don't know what a "flake" is, it refers to someone who is unreliable (not dandruff - so put down the Head & Shoulders.)  I wholeheartedly admit that while "flaking" is one of my pet peeves, I am guilty of it myself.  I am a fan of doing what I want - and sometimes what I want changes by the minute. 

I don't know a whole lot about Jack Johnson but I do know that:

1) He is ridiculously good looking

2) He is a surfer from Hawaii

3) The same guy that produced Ben Harper - J.P. Plunier, helped Johnson make it big

Brushfire Fairytales

"Flake" was first released off of the album "Brushfire Fairytales", and received huge success in New Zealand and a bit of success on the U.S. charts. Johnson's use of word repetition is brilliant and sounds completely natural.  "Maybe she thinks I know something, Maybe maybe she thinks I'm fine, Maybe she knows something I don't", or "I'm so tired, I'm so tired, I'm so tired of trying."   The song has a completely mellow, soft vibe, and features only an acoustic guitar as background music.  Another line I love love from this song is, "It seems to me that maybe, it pretty much always means no." That line speaks so much truth. I will often throw a "maybe" out there just to get someone off my case, even if I know it's already a no.  Maybe it's because "maybe" is much more acceptable as an answer. 

I know she said it's alright
But you can make it up next time
I know she knows it's not right
There ain't no use in lying
Maybe she thinks I know something
Maybe maybe she thinks its fine
Maybe she knows something I don't
I'm so, I'm so tired, I'm so tired of trying

It seems to me that maybe
It pretty much always means no
So don't tell me you might just let it go
And often times we're lazy
It seems to stand in my way
Cause no one NO not no one
Likes to be let down

I know she loves the sunrise
No longer sees it with her sleeping eyes
And I know that when she said she's gonna try
Well it might not work because of other ties and
I know she usually has some other ties
And I wouldn't want to break 'em, nah, I wouldn't want to break 'em
Maybe she'll help me to untie this but
Until then well, I'm gonna have to lie to you.

It seems to me that maybe
It pretty much always means no
So don't tell me you might just let it go
And often times we're lazy
It seems to stand in my way
Cause no one no not no one
Likes to be let down
It seems to me that maybe
It pretty much always means no
So don't tell me you might just let it go

The harder that you try baby, the further you'll fall
Even with all the money in the whole wide world
Please please please don't pass me
Please please please don't pass me
Please please please don't pass me by

Everything you know about me now baby you gonna have to change
You gonna have to call it by a brand new name
Please please please don't drag me
Please please please don't drag me
Please please please don't drag me down

Just like a tree down by the water baby I shall not move
Even after all the silly things you do
Please please please don't drag me
Please please please don't drag me
Please please please don't drag me down