Jack Johnson: Cookie Jar Meaning

Cookie Jar Lyrics

I would turn on the TV
but it's so embarrassing
to see all the other people
I don't know what they mean
and it was magic at first
when they spoke without sound
but now this world is gonna hurt
you better turn that thing down
Turn it...

1. 1TOP RATED

   #1 top rated interpretation:
   anonymous

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   Feb 22nd 2006 !⃝

   This song was written after he came back from a surf trip in Australia and he had turned on the TV and the first thing he saw getting back was the Columbine shootings. The overall message he is trying to get across is that everybody blames everybody else for the things that happen, media, games, movies, parents, kids, etc., but everybody is really at fault in the end.
2. anonymous

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   Jan 5th 2011 !⃝

   I agree with the whole blaming situation, but could he also possibly be talking about how people interpret television in general? For example, getting caught up in the reality t.v. scene, so many people do it- "it was magic at first, but then there was sound this world is gonna hurt turn that thing down turn it around" I feel as if he's saying stop watching so much t.v.,live life be active, its entertainment not reality, some people get it mixed up. Every news channel has a skewed view point trying to get you to think their way. Everyone needs to obtain their own peace of mind, and personally I think for a lot of people, they might realize this or not, modern television corrupts the way we think.
3. anonymous

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   Dec 20th 2010 !⃝

   This song is definitely commenting on how the media negatively effects the minds of the nation's youth. The young, in turn have the blame placed on their parents who proceed, as noted in the song, blame it on the media. Basically it just illuminates the cycle of blame our society goes through, never accepting, always scapegoating another group. He makes a parallel to the childish crime of getting caught with your hand in the "cookie jar" to a far more heinous crime of shooting someone.
   Its a very meaningful song with a strong message.
4. anonymous

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   Sep 6th 2009 !⃝

   I agree as said before. Anyone who knows bob Dylan and jack Johnson can see the similarities between cookie jar and who killed Davy Moore! I heard them both seperately and never knew Dylan was johnson's biggest inspiration. Take a look for yourself!
5. sauvebt

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   Jan 8th 2009 !⃝

   I think that this song is a knock off of a Bob dylan Song called who killed Davey Moore. Give it a listen and tell me what you all think. But yeah its just saying how the blame is always placed someone elese no one will take the blame for what they did. Its an amazing song but be sure to check out the bob Dylan song who Killed Davey Moore.
6. anonymous

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   Dec 7th 2008 !⃝

   I think the point is that at times we are all selfish and have cruel feelings that lead to a society plagued with murder and violence. Immaturely, everyone tries to absolve him or herself instead of taking responsibility. The title symbolizes this as the childish act of getting caught with your hand in the cookie jar.
7. anonymous

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   Dec 24th 2007 !⃝

   It's about the media and culture of society, and how all of this is so negative. It deals with the issue of who should be blamed for all the violence. We all have blood on our hands.
   the stuff on the tv is so embarassing to some people watching it who feel "above" that.
   Lastly, about turning around the situation and possibly making it better.
   great song.

   This interpretation has been marked as poor. view anyway

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