JUMPER

THIRD EYE BLIND

BY: Andrew Spurlock
JUMPER By
Third Eye Blind
I wish you would step back from that ledge, my friend I wish you would step back from that ledge my friend
You could cut ties with all the lies, that you've been living in You could cut ties with all the lies
And if you do not want to see me again That you've been living in and if you do not want to see me again
I would understand, I would understand I would understand, I would understand, I would understand

The angry boy, a bit too insane I would understand

Icing over a secret pain I would understand
You know you don't belong Understand

You're the first to fight Can you put the past away?
You're way too loud I wish you would step back from that ledge, my friend
You're the flash of light on a burial shroud I would understand
I know something's wrong
I wish you would step back from that ledge, my friend
Well, everyone I know has got a reason I would understand
To say put the past away I wish you would step back from that ledge, my friend
And I would understand
Wish you would step back from that ledge, my friend
You could cut ties with all the lies that you've been living in I wish you would step back from that ledge, my friend
And if you do not want to see me again I would understand
I would understand, I would understand I wish you would step back from that ledge, my friend
And I would understand
And well, he's on the table
And he's gone to code
And I do not think anyone knows
What they are doing here

And your friends have left you

You've been dismissed
I never thought it would come to this
And I, I want you to know

Everyone's got to face down the demons

Maybe today we can put the past away
 About Jumper

The title, Jumper, is never sung in the lyrics, which led many people to believe it was called
"I Would Understand," which is repeated throughout the song. This song was actually
influenced when the death toll from the Golden Gate Bridge was about to reach 1,000 during
the late 90's. The band is based in San Francisco so it's their own way to reach out to those
who are contemplating of committing suicide by jumping.

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There are a lot of ledges in life, a lot of ways for a person who has run out of hope to throw
themselves away. The next hit of meth, next bottle of booze, next bad relationship, or the literal
ledge / bullet / whole bottle of pills. What's beautiful about this song is it's message of love and
self forgiveness and that it reminds people that you can reset life without killing yourself if you
just choose to. In today's world you are rarely ever in a room where there's not some kind of a
broken heart or tragedy just a couple of seats away.. this may have been written about a very
specific situation but I think it's transcended that. Most of us know someone who's approaching
some kind of ledge, right?
Lead singer Stephan Jenkins said, “It's not just a song about some guy offing himself. Jumper's
really about understanding. Everyone carries demons around, they carry some sort of scar
around. The message of Jumper is that there comes a time when you have to put the past
away."

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 MOOD

The mood of the song is depressing. It’s about the author’s friend who feels that he
doesn’t belong in the world, so he’s thinking about jumping off a ledge and
committing suicide. A situation like this happens everyday in the world. That’s one
reason why the song was so popular. At the same time, the song is hopeful because
the author is telling his friend to forget everything that has happened to him in the
past and look to the future.

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 TONE
The tone of the story coming from the author is hopeful. He’s trying to
convince his friend that, although some things have gone in his life, the future is
brighter and just keep fighting those things. He says that he would understand if
he was the one in that situation.

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 About The Artist
Third Eye Blind is an American alternative rock band formed in the early 1990s in San
Francisco. The band currently consists of Stephan Jenkins (vocals, guitar), and Brad
Hargreaves (drums, percussion). Guitarist Kryz Reid and bassist Abe Millet have replaced
the departed Tony Fredianelli and Arion Salazar respectively.

After the success of their eponymous debut album in 1997, the band released one more
album, 1999's Blue, before guitarist Kevin Cadogan was released under controversial
circumstances.[2] In 2003, the band released Out of the Vein. In 2008, the band released the
digital EP Red Star. After a six-year hiatus from releasing a full-length album, Ursa Major
was released on August 17, 2009. A fifth album currently set for a 2011 release is being
worked on as well.

The band is best known for the singles "Semi-Charmed Life", "How's It Going to Be",
"Graduate", "Jumper" and "Never Let You Go". All these songs are about real life
experiences.

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 Theme
For me the theme of this story is don’t give up on life keep fighting. There’s
more good things than bad things out there and just because one bad thing
happens doesn’t mean you have to take your life to make it better! I know
that this is a hard concept for your mind when something really bad happens
but that’s when you get a friend’s help just as the author is saying that he
understands his friend.

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 Setting
The setting of this story can be almost anywhere in
life. The author uses the example of having the idea
of jumping a bridge or building for his song but really
it can happen anywhere. The person that’s on the
bridge is usually alone because they don’t want
anyone to stop them, but in the song the author
finds his friend and tries to convince him not to take
his own life. Back
Why This is a Coming-of-Age Story

This song is an example of a C.O.A. Story

because if a friend, family member, or just
someone you know commits suicide then that
could definitely change your life! You could go
into depression or blame their decision on
yourself or even commit suicide yourself! It’s a
crazy thought!

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Point of View
The point of view for this song is in first person throughout it.
Some examples of how to tell are “I would understand”, “I wish
you…”, and “I know something’s wrong”. These examples are
seen in every part of the song.

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