McPherson grew up in rural southeastern Oklahoma, on a cattle ranch near the town of Talihina. His father was a farmer and ex-army while his mother was a church minister. He took up the guitar at age 13. In high school he played in a number of local punk rock bands and began writing his own songs. He has stated that he has never not been in a band of some sort since he was 16 years of age.
During this time, McPherson also developed a strong interest in 1950s rock and roll after being exposed to the music of Buddy Holly. This went on to shape his song writing and sound for bands he was in such as The Poison Okies and The Starkweather Boys.
He studied visual arts in college, earning a Master of Fine Arts from the University of Tulsa, and later worked as an art and technology teacher. After deciding to pursue music more seriously, McPherson sent a demo to Jimmy Sutton of the small independent record label Hi-STYLE Records, which specialized in roots music. Sutton agreed to produce McPherson's debut album: this became 2010's Signs and Signifiers. On 19 November 2012, Rolling Stone labelled McPherson an "Artist to Watch" in a 3½ star (out of 5) review of Signs and Signifiers after its wider release through Rounder Records.
The band played the acoustic stage at the Glastonbury Festival 2015 on Friday June 26, before continuing their European tour in the Netherlands.
In October 2015, JD McPherson and band appeared (in animated form) as musical guests performing a new and original song "Crazy Horse" for the DreamWorks animated TV series, The Mr. Peabody & Sherman Show on Netflix.
Country Boy
JD McPherson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ah shirajirashii kono machi mo hito mo najinde iku jibun ni mo iratsuite ita
Kawa no nagare kara me wo sorashita onaji you ni nagasarete kita wake ja nai
Tatta isshun datta to shite mo oh... kamawanai
ANCHI Destiny hanate shining orera no dream
Koko ni aru subete noyume risoukyou ga oh... kanawanai sonna koto wakatteru
Wakaranai you na ikikata wo uchinukou
Donna ni tabetatte futoranai boku wo mite
Kimi wa itta "kitto kono yo wa fubyoudou na mono ne"
Ue wo muite aruita kurai ja nanimo kawaranakatta
Me wo mukerubeki wa onore no naimen
Kyousou shakai de ki ni natteru yoko yoko ja nee zo
if... wa nai ANCHI Destiny naite owatte iku tsumori wa nee
Calling orera no SUTEEJI oh... Glory nai nara ore ga ninatte
Ketsudan no hikigane de iradachi mo kibou mo fukouhei mo kakugo mo juukou ni kome uchinukou
Time is now
Tokei wo hantai ni muke hashirinuke modoranai Time is now
give up ja owarenee no RISUKU no bouken
Don't be shy Break Wonder World
Erabareshi sei no deban wa give up ja owarenee
this moment of eternity kono kachikan de shika nai ga... sekai wa suteki daro
this moment of eternity oh... kono basho de egaita mirai te ni shitai
Tatoeba sore ga isshun datta to shite mo kamawanai
Mou kakugo wa dekiteru kakageta risou to shinjuu shichaeru kurai no
Kono kachikan dake mo oh... like it
Utagau yoji mo nai hodo yarikireteru sou ieru hodo
Kimeta nara ike yo
Omae datte koko de owatte tamaru ka sou omotte iru ndarou
Jibun de erabe yo zenbu erabe yo tsukinukeru kakugo mo yabureteku kakugo mo
Eikou no hikigane jibun de tsukande uchinukou
Tokei wo hantai ni muke hashirinuke modoranai Time is now
give up ja owarenee no RISUKU no bouken
Don't be shy Break Wonder World
Erabareshi sei no deban wa give up ja owarenee
It's time now
The song "Country Boy" by JD McPherson is about the struggles of being a country boy and trying to find one's place in the world. The lyrics are both reflective and motivating, highlighting the difficulties faced by the singer but also encouraging him not to give up. The first verse talks about feeling out of place in a fast-moving world and questioning one's existence. However, the singer does not let these feelings hold him back and embraces his dreams and aspirations. The second verse talks about the struggle to fit in with society's expectations and the pressure to conform. Still, the singer refuses to give up, stating that he will live life on his terms.
The chorus of the song emphasizes the idea that time is of the essence, and one cannot afford to waste it. The singer is encouraged to take risks and not be afraid of failure. The song's message is one of self-empowerment and encourages listeners to take control of their lives and follow their dreams.
Line by Line Meaning
Trigger
The singer is preparing themselves to take a risk by leaving their comfortable surroundings and exploring the unknown.
Ah shirajirashii kono machi mo hito mo najinde iku jibun ni mo iratsuite ita
The singer is frustrated with the dullness and stagnation of their current environment and the monotony of the people living there.
Kawa no nagare kara me wo sorashita onaji you ni nagasarete kita wake ja nai
The singer believes they cannot be held responsible for being swept along with the flow of the river of life, as they were not in control of the force of that flow.
Tatta isshun datta to shite mo oh... kamawanai
The artist is committed to living boldly, even if it’s just for a moment, without worrying about the eventual outcome.
ANCHI Destiny hanate shining orera no dream
The artist is ready to break free from their present circumstances and make their hopeful dreams become a reality.
Koko ni aru subete noyume risoukyou ga oh... kanawanai sonna koto wakatteru
The singer understands that not all their idealistic dreams can come true in their current situation.
Ketsudan no hikigane de ikiteru ka ikasareteru no ka
The singer is trying to decide whether they are directing their own life or if they are being influenced by external factors.
Wakaranai you na ikikata wo uchinukou
The artist is determined to overcome their indecisiveness and make a clear choice in how they live their life.
Donna ni tabetatte futoranai boku wo mite
The artist feels self-conscious about their lack of success in life, even though they have worked hard for it.
Kimi wa itta "kitto kono yo wa fubyoudou na mono ne"
Someone has told the artist that the world is full of chaos and things don't always go as planned.
Ue wo muite aruita kurai ja nanimo kawaranakatta
The singer has tried to take the high road in life, but their circumstances remain the same.
Me wo mukerubeki wa onore no naimen
The artist needs to focus on their internal self, rather than looking externally for validation.
Kyousou shakai de ki ni natteru yoko yoko ja nee zo
The singer doesn’t want to get caught up in the competitive nature of society and is looking for more fulfilling pursuits.
if... wa nai ANCHI Destiny naite owatte iku tsumori wa nee
The singer has no intention of stopping and is committed to chasing their destiny, regardless of any potential obstacles.
Calling orera no SUTEEJI oh... Glory nai nara ore ga ninatte
If the singer’s moment of glory never comes, then they will become the driving force for others to achieve it.
Ketsudan no hikigane de iradachi mo kibou mo fukouhei mo kakugo mo juukou ni kome uchinukou
The artist will utilize their decision-making abilities to overcome all negative emotions of anger, despair, and hopelessness and prepare themselves mentally for anything that comes their way.
Time is now
The artist is emphasizing that the time to act is in the present and there is no time to waste.
Tokei wo hantai ni muke hashirinuke modoranai Time is now
The singer is determined to move forward without looking back, even if they have to go against the clock.
give up ja owarenee no RISUKU no bouken
The singer is determined not to give up and to embrace the unknown journey ahead of them.
Don't be shy Break Wonder World
The artist is encouraging themselves to overcome their shyness and fear and break free from their limitations to experience the exciting and unknown world around them.
Erabareshi sei no deban wa give up ja owarenee
The artist has been chosen for a great mission, and there is no backing down until it is accomplished.
this moment of eternity kono kachikan de shika nai ga... sekai wa suteki daro
The artist acknowledges there is no other moment like the present, and by living in the current moment, they believe the world will become wonderful.
this moment of eternity oh... kono basho de egaita mirai te ni shitai
The singer is visualizing their future from their current surroundings and is excited to claim it as their own.
Tatoeba sore ga isshun datta to shite mo kamawanai
Even if it was just for a moment, the artist will embrace the sense of possibility and excitement that life has to offer.
Mou kakugo wa dekiteru kakageta risou to shinjuu shichaeru kurai no
The singer is ready to make a clear choice and work towards their goals with belief and conviction.
Kono kachikan dake mo oh... like it
The singer likes living in the moment and is determined to make the best of it.
Utagau yoji mo nai hodo yarikireteru sou ieru hodo
The singer is confident and productive, to the point where they can express it with conviction and certainty.
Kimeta nara ike yo
The artist has finally made a decision and is ready to take action.
Omae datte koko de owatte tamaru ka sou omotte iru ndarou
The artist believes that everyone, including themselves, is capable of finishing what they started.
Jibun de erabe yo zenbu erabe yo tsukinukeru kakugo mo yabureteku kakugo mo
The singer is choosing to take responsibility for their own choices and is ready to face the challenges that come their way, whether or not they break them down.
Eikou no hikigane jibun de tsukande uchinukou
The singer will use their internal strengths to grab onto success, and has resolved to overcome whatever is thrown their way.
It's time now
The artist is signaling that the time to act is now, and is ready to dive into action and accomplish their goals.
Contributed by Anna L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Walter Edwards
Just heard this at the Cracker Barrel. That's foot tappin, clapper
Teasha Kennedy
Wow this is my father song tiny kennedy