Soothing Song Sundays: “Banana Pancakes” by Jack Johnson

Tessa Helfer, Staff Writer|May 9, 2016

By Peter Chiapperino: a concert photographer in Lexington, Kentucky (Own work) [CC BY-SA 4.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Jack Johnson performing at the Waikiki Shell in Honolulu Hawaii

Jack Johnson’s song, “Banana Pancakes,” stole this week’s Soothing Song Sunday without a doubt. His acoustic and authentic sound is what makes him a perfect pick for this Soothing Song Sunday. 

This singer-songwriter is definitely one to be recognized due to his laid-back vibes and relaxing guitar melodies. “Banana Pancakes” is one of those songs you just can’t help but to sing and hum along to.

The song, “Banana Pancakes,” was featured on Jack Johnson’s second album In Between Dreams in 2005. The song consists only of him and his guitar, which is why the song sounds so raw and acoustic. His guitar playing alongside his amazing lyrics is what makes “Banana Pancakes” such a memorable and favorite song of so many people.

My interpretation of “Banana Pancakes” is a happy, chill, love song. This is the kind of song that you sing on an early Sunday morning when you just don’t feel like doing anything but laying around and being lazy. Jack Johnson is singing to his significant other about how he just wants to make today a lazy day and forget about all the other work that needs to be done. He just wants to “make banana pancakes,” instead of getting the day started.

The song starts out with Johnson singing, “Can’t you see that it’s just rainin’ / Ain’t no need to go outside. / But baby / You hardly even notice / When I try to show you this / Song is meant to keep you / Doin’ what you’re supposed to…”

From these few beginning lines, it is true that Johnson is singing this song to someone to try and distract them from doing their work and moving along with their own day. Maybe it’s a Monday morning and he just wants to relax and with the rain outside, the entire mood of the situation seems so much simpler to just spend the day in bed.

Johnson continues with, “Wakin’ up too early / Maybe we could sleep in / Make you banana pancakes / Pretend like its the weekend now / We could pretend it all the time…”

The song must be set early on a weekday morning and Johnson is still trying to convince his girlfriend/wife to forget about work and just spend the day at home with him.

“Lady lady love me / Cause I love to lay here lazy / We could close the curtains / Pretend like there’s no world outside / We could pretend it all it all the time…”

Who could blame him? Sometimes on a Monday morning, especially when it’s raining, we would all like to “close the curtains” and go back to sleep.

“But the telephone’s singing ringing / It’s to early don’t pick it up / We don’t need to / We got everything we need right here / And everything we need is enough…”

Even though the world is awake, Johnson keeps trying to persuade his girlfriend/wife to take the day off and spend it with him.

“But baby / You hardly even notice / When I try to show you this / Song is meant to keep you / From doin’ what your supposed to / Wakin’ up too early / Maybe we could sleep in…”

The song finishes up as, “Rain all day and I really really really don’t mind.”

Behind the meaning of the song I believe it is about two people who love each other who just want to take some time off to enjoy one another. I think the reason why this song is so great is not only due to tone and melody but the lyrics as well. Jack Johnson is an amazing artist and if you have not listened to him make sure to check him out on YouTube and Spotify.