Jack Johnson – F-Stop Blues

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F-Stop Blues

Hermit crabs and cowry shells crush beneath his feet as he comes towards
you,
he's waving a shoe
Lift him up to see what you can see, as he begins his focusing,
he’s aiming at you.
And now he has, gutterways for memories and closeups of anything
that he has seen or even dreamed, and now he’s finished focusing.
He’s imagining lightening striking, sea sickness away from here.

Look who’s laughing now that you’ve wasted,
how many years and you’ve barely even tasted,
anything remotely close to everything you’ve boasted about.
Look who’s crying now.

Driftwood floats after years of erosion.
Incoming tide touches roots to expose them.
Quicksand steals my shoes.
Clouds bring the F-stop blues.

Look who’s laughing now that you’ve wasted,
how many years and you’ve barely even tasted,
anything remotely close to everything you’ve boasted about.
Look who’s crying now.

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Lyrics submitted by blueangelrugby

Track duration: 03:16


F-Stop Blues song meanings
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18 Comments

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  • 0
    General Comment:Well, most of you guys know that JJ was a pretty accomplished pro surfer himself, before he started playing music and the likes. My guess is that when he talks about "how many years since you tasted anything remotely close to all the things you boast about" he's talking about being away from that. During September Sessions, he was filming all these other guys out in the water killing it, and he was just sort of left there thinking "yeah, I was that guy once". He certainly hasn't stopped surfing, but still, it's got to be hard watching other people out there without you.
    Flag SlyBlu7on January 08, 2012   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I think its about the love of shooting to film and the sacrifice that it takes to do so. Most people don't understand things like "f-stop blues" when the clouds come out, the beauty of "the golden hour" and things of that nature. Who is laughing now after a photographer/filmmaker spends his whole life taking pictures of other things? even after getting "cutaways for memories and close ups of everything," he's never been a part of it besides being behind the camera.
    Flag Tpinkertonon October 04, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:"quick sand steals my shoes"
    he actually lost shoes while filming for the september sessions on the beach in quicksand
    Flag abrokedownlaxmanon March 02, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:this is the best song. in the world. i love it. it reminds me of my dad. we hang out at the beach sometimes. call me a fag, but i love a beach sunset.
    Flag slippinaway93on October 02, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:on i-tunes original jack talks about how when they were chillin on the beach (during the shooting of september sessions) a lil boy came up and he let him look through his camera, w/ zoom, at his friends down the beach and that he was so amazed that he could see far away...its really touching to hear jack talk about that, just shows how he is a down to earth guy and the little things impact him too:)
    Flag julson April 05, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I CAN see the John Mayer 3x5 Connection...
    "Look who’s laughing now that you’ve wasted,
    how many years and you’ve barely even tasted,
    anything remotely close to everything you’ve boasted about.
    Look who’s crying now. "
    The person taking pictures has waster many years and barely tasted thing he bosted about (meaning the pictures he takes - he's not in them, not enjoying the moment) and Now he is sad...
    I can totally get the whole "Didn't have a camera by my side this time. Hoping to see the world through both my eyes..." Mayer-y type thing goign on here... But JJ lyrics rock so much more consistantly
    Flag teamcanada84on November 06, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:wow...i never knew what this song was about, but it's interesting. This is one of my favs...so relaxed. as for comparing john mayer's 3x5...i don't really see a connection. i mean, i see the whole, "being on the otherside of the camera" thing, but i think 3x5 is more about just living for the moment and appreciating things as they happen
    Flag fallonmarie813on October 04, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:this song is incredible. its definetely about a camera... and the waste being a spectator in life...
    Flag aivilon June 16, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:The f-stop also determines the amount of depth of field that you are able to get. When he mentioned the clouds, I imagined his frustration of how flat/shallow the results would be. Sometimes his songs are literal and sometimes not. I love the way that he is able to intentionally create multiple interpretations of his songs.
    Flag ophelia219on April 19, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:what do you guys think about the meaning of this song in comparison with mayer's 3x5?
    Flag caseyjoneson April 18, 2004   Link

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