Jackson Cannery

Ben Folds Five

Stop the bus
I want to be lonely
When seconds pass slowly
And years go flying by
You gotta stop the bus
I'll get off here
Enough's enough
I'm leaving this factory

All she wants
Is food on the table
I won't be able
To bring it home
All she wants, come on,
All I need is free
Cause I'm a factory

Did Mother Nature tell you
Boy you come and go as you please
That's what she said to me
But Big brother got the keys
And I got Jackson Cannery

Millionaires and mill rats live side by side here,
Messed up my brother's mind
He's far from earth
What's he worth
The same as you the same as me
In this factory

Did Mother Nature tell you
Boy you come and go as you please
That's what she said to me
But Big brother got the keys
And I got Jackson Cannery

(Whoa)(Come on)(Whoa)(Whoa)
(That's pretty good, try it again)
(Whoa)

It's 4 in the morning
Mother don't know
That I'm going far away
She's whispering to the moon
I hope he don't join you soon

Baby boss
Climbs up on his soapbox
But Great Caesar's ghost
Knows what's best for me
He says stop the bus

Did Mother Nature tell you
Boy you come and go as you please
That's what she said to me
But Big brother got the keys
And I got Jackson Cannery

Big brother got the keys
And I got Jackson Cannery
Big brother got the keys
And I got Jackson Cannery


Lyrics submitted by kevin

Jackson Cannery Lyrics as written by Ben Folds

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

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Jackson Cannery song meanings
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18 Comments

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  • +1
    General Comment
    I love this song!!!
    moonshadow158on December 18, 2004   Link
  • +1
    General Comment
    Its weird how many of these songs make sense to me now that I'm older. This song is about what every man goes through when they get married and have kids. You're on a ride that you can't get off of unless you stop the bus - that is, divorce and go your own way (which Ben has done a few times!) You want to be "lonely" again - without the burden of marriage. Marriage, at least some marriages, the husband feels like a factory, churning out "food on the table." He is simply a tool. Men innately feel the need to wander, not be tied down ("did mother nature tell you boy you come and go as you please?") But Big Brother's got the keys - the machine of societal pressure binds us. And I've got Jackson Cannery - the factory that he has become. And all men are in the same situation - whether they be millionaires or mill rates, they're all worth nothing but the factory they represent to their wives. The 4 in the morning thing is him leaving his wife in the middle of the night. Anyway, that's my interpretation.
    UncleWalter1978on July 25, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    Reminds me of the phrase "you are what you eat" especially when he says "cause I'm a factory." You work in a factory, therefore the factory becomes your life. This song could easily be about any job that people stay in despite the fact that they hate it and what they've become as a result of it. So screw the job, take the bus to California and get a job as a pizza delivery boy. Better than working in a factory.
    tubesockson July 05, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    I reciently played this song with a group of my friends at my school talent show. Everyone loved it. The emotion definetly shows that his brother in the song has more power then his in some way. "Stop the bus" must mean he has to get out of harms way as he refers to Ceasar(who was stabbed in the back by his friends for thoes of you who dont know)...
    supraxon September 29, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    One thing I love about this song is how open to interpretation it is. What is the factory? It could represent any dead-end job, a life you don't want to lead, someone who is trapped into carrying on some family legacy. "Big brother" could be anyone better off. This song is about jealousy, being stuck in a rut, borderline madness, trying to please others, etc. I love it. Go Ben!
    LittleBriddieon June 24, 2003   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    I love all the deeper meanings in BFF's songs. YOu think you all know what they are about...but I bet we're all wrong.
    DrPhilon June 27, 2003   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    This song is fun. What's up with this stanza: It's 4 in the morning Mother don't know That I'm going far away She's whispering to the moon 'I hope he don't join you soon' Heck, what's up with the entire song? Am agreeing with Briddie.
    Greyshoeson December 15, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    aah i know that the purpose of this song is to analyze the words. but that really isnt what i hear when listening to this song. i hear the excellent music. i absolutely l o v e this song.
    lysson February 04, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    yea i agree with lyss. the music just puts you in a great mood, regardless of what the song "really" means. Although I think it might be about a society where "big brother" aka the government or an all seeing force is at hand. Jackson Cannery is probably fictitious, because I can't find anything about the name on the internet. So Ben could be saying "I've got Jackson Cannery" in a way that Jackson Cannery is a book, drug, alcoholic drink, philosopher, etc... that keeps him sane?
    nitroamigoon March 07, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    I agree with the statement "Reminds me of the phrase "you are what you eat" especially when he says "cause I'm a factory." You work in a factory, therefore the factory becomes your life". Buyt I do not think that Jackson Cannery is a person, so there's no point looking him up on the internet - Jackson cannery, as in a factory, where they can things... that would make sense....
    ___evaporatedon March 16, 2005   Link

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