Song Details
- Album Release Date: 2012
- Genre: emo
Song Meaning of “Donatello” by Jawbreaker
“Donatello” by Jawbreaker is a window into the group’s inner world, as they reflect on their life and identity. The song is inspired by the Renaissance artist Donato di Niccolò di Betto Bardi, also known as Donatello. It’s unclear why the band chose him as an inspiration – whether it’s because of his innovation in art, his sense of creative integrity, or something else.
The group uses “Donatello” to explore their own sense of artistry and confidence. The opening lines, “An uncertain sketch I draw, I’ll write my own words,” show the band’s struggle to find their own unique path and make a name for themselves. They sing about the gruelling work of creating a craft from nothing: “Down to wire I await, I break my battered back,” and express their fear of rejection or failure that come with that hard work: “My paintings will never age, the age of the naked page.”
The song also explores that feeling of being alone and feeling a disconnect with a world that doesn’t seem to understand their plight or motivations: “Whirl around, you see it float, the message won’t get past your nose,” and the desire to express something unique and powerful: “A passion strong, I never heard, an artist of the stone-cold word.”
The song ends with a set of entreating lines: “Show me the way to the future, how many, how much can I take? Show me the thorn and the sunrise, show me the way with my fate.” These words plea for guidance and provoke thoughts on how we are all responsible for sculpting our own lives and carving out our sense of self. “Donatello” challenges us to remain independent, creative, and passionate in whatever we pursue, following in the spirit of the Renaissance master they were inspired by.