Jukebox
J.M. James Lyrics
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I'm the one that's singing this sad song
Well, I'll cry every time that you slip in one more dime
And let the boy sing the sad one, one more time
Southern California, that's as blue as the boy can be
Blue as the deep blue sea
Won't you listen to me now
Just like a hole in the head, I'm free
Hey mister, that's me up on the jukebox
I'm the one that's singing this sad song
Well, I'll cry every time that you slip in one more dime
And let the boy sing the sad one, one more time
I do believe I'm headed home
Hey mister, can't you see that I'm as dry as a bone
I think I'll spend some time alone
Yes, unless you've found a way of squeezing water from a stone
Let the doctor and the lawyer do as much as they can
Let the springtime begin
Let the boy become a man
I done wasted too much time just to sing you this sad song
I done been this lonesome picker a little too long
Hey mister, that's me up on the jukebox
I'm the one that's singing this sad song
Well, I'll cry every time that you're up and slip in one more dime
And let the boy sing the sad one, one more time
Well, I've been spreading myself thin these days
Don't you know
Good-bye
The lyrics to J.M. James's "Jukebox" tell the story of a lonely singer who faces the tough realities of life on the road. The singer is the one singing the sad song on the jukebox, and each time a listener puts in another dime to hear it, he can't help but cry. He longs to be back home but knows that he can't go back until he figures out how to make a living doing what he loves.
The singer reflects on his time in Southern California, describing himself as being "blue as the deep blue sea." He knows that he needs his fans to support him but also recognizes that he can't rely on them forever. He begs the listener to understand his plight and to let him sing his sad song just one more time.
As the song comes to a close, the singer acknowledges that he's been working too hard and that it's time for him to take a break. He knows that he needs to find a way to make himself happy again and to become the man he was meant to be. Despite the sadness of the song, there's a sense of hope and determination that runs through it, painting a realistic picture of the difficulties performers face in the music industry.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey mister, that's me up on the jukebox
The singer is requesting the attention of someone who is playing a jukebox where his song is being played.
I'm the one that's singing this sad song
The singer is identifying himself as the singer of the sad song being played.
Well, I'll cry every time that you slip in one more dime
The singer is admitting that he gets emotional every time someone inserts a coin into the jukebox to play his song.
And let the boy sing the sad one, one more time
The artist is requesting the person to let the melancholic song play once again.
Southern California, that's as blue as the boy can be
The artist is expressing that he is feeling very sad and low, similar to the feeling of the deep blue sea.
Blue as the deep blue sea
The singer is emphasizing the depth of his sadness.
Won't you listen to me now
The singer is urging the listener to pay attention to what he is saying.
I need your golden gated cities like a hole in the head
The artist is highlighting that he doesn't require the luxuries of California, which are as useless to him as a hole in his head.
Just like a hole in the head, I'm free
The artist is expressing his feeling of being free, without the burden of needing the things he doesn't want or require.
I do believe I'm headed home
The artist is stating that he's going back to his true home, where he belongs.
Hey mister, can't you see that I'm as dry as a bone
The singer is expressing his emotional emptiness, indicating that he doesn't have any feeling left inside him.
I think I'll spend some time alone
The artist is deciding to spend some time alone to recover from his emotional exhaustion.
Yes, unless you've found a way of squeezing water from a stone
The singer is stating that he needs solitude to recharge himself, and unless the listener can give him a solution, he will stay alone.
Let the doctor and the lawyer do as much as they can
The singer is saying that he doesn't need the help of professions like a doctor or a lawyer as he's capable of handling his issues alone.
Let the springtime begin
The singer is looking forward to new beginnings and fresh starts, similar to the arrival of spring.
Let the boy become a man
The artist is indicating his transition from a boy to a man, capable of handling his issues on his own.
I done wasted too much time just to sing you this sad song
The artist is expressing his regret of having spent too much time singing a melancholic song.
I done been this lonesome picker a little too long
The singer feels he's been lonely for too long, having played the life of a musician with little company.
Well, I've been spreading myself thin these days
The singer is expressing his feeling of being overwhelmed with multiple tasks and responsibilities.
Don't you know
The artist is expressing that he expects the listener to understand his situation.
Good-bye
The artist is expressing his farewell and parting from his past, looking forward to new beginnings.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: James Taylor
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind