The band made its recording debut in 2001 with Blackwater, following up in 2004 with Lochloosa (both released under the name Mofro; both albums reissued by Alligator). In 2007 the band, with it's current name, released Country Ghetto, followed by the 2008 album Orange Blossoms. With the release of 2010’s Georgia Warhorse, the band stepped further into the mainstream view with the AAA radio breakout single The Sweetest Thing. In 2011 the full fury of the band’s live show was captured on the live CD/DVD Brighter Days.
April 2013 brings the release of the band's sixth studio album, This River. Named for the St. John’s River, a centering point for Grey's childhood near Jacksonville, Florida, b]This River flows from freewheeling celebrations (Florabama) to dark inner journeys (Somebody Else), from late night, beer-soaked testimonials (Your Lady, She’s Shady) to heartfelt ballads of the almost-forgotten (The Ballad Of Larry Webb), and ends with the title track and a singularly devastating vocal performance. With Dan Prothero at the helm as producer, JJ and the band once again returned to Retrophonics Studio in nearby St. Augustine, Florida and muscled out some of JJ’s strongest material to date.
The band has played countless festivals, including Lollapalooza, Bonnaroo, Wakarusa, Austin City Limits Festival, Byron Bay Blues Festival (Australia), Montreal Jazz Festival and Fuji Rock (Japan). Over the course of his career, Grey has shared stages with the likes of Lenny Kravitz, B.B. King, The Allman Brothers Band, The Black Crowes, Los Lobos, Jeff Beck, Ben Harper, Booker T. Jones, Mavis Staples and many others. In 2011 the band extensively toured the UK. That same year, back in the U.S.A., Grey embarked on his first-ever solo tour, playing packed-to-capacity clubs. The band returned to Europe in 2012, playing multiple dates in the UK, Germany and The Netherlands.
JJ’s songs have appeared in film and network television including House, Flashpoint, Crash, Friday Night Lights, The Glades, The Deadliest Catch and the film The Hoot. In November 2009, JJ wrote his first film score for the critically-acclaimed, Emmy Award-winning documentary The Good Soldier, that appeared in theatres and on Bill Moyers Journal on PBS. In 2010, JJ played piano, sang and contributed a song (The Wrong Side) to Buckwheat Zydeco’s Grammy-winning Alligator Records album Lay Your Burden Down. JJ also appears on Shemekia Copeland’s Grammy-nominated 2012 CD 33 1/3.
99 Shades Of Crazy
JJ Grey & Mofro Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Fighting like I'm fighting for life
They're only words but they cut like a blade
Swinging wide with all of my might
Ah yeah, I guess it's all of that coffee, that's got my mind in a whirl
I'm still cussing and bitching and there ain't nobody here
I'm standing right here beside you
Oh, 99 shades of crazy, I'm 99 shades of crazy
Crazy, crazy, crazy, crazy
Pour another drink, make it a double for me
Maybe I can drink this away
It's never fun when they pull out the gun
Beat you black and blue, boy
You gotta pay, you gotta pay
Oh, where the hell am I? I hope at least I had fun
I'm stumbling through New Orleans oh, to the rising sun
Oh yeah, you don't have to holler I hear you
I'm standing right here beside you
Oh, 99 shades of crazy, I'm 99 shades of crazy
Crazy, crazy, crazy, crazy
Lord have mercy on me
Noventa nueva tonos de loco
I need some peace, just some relief
From this voice, killing me
You stare at me, and you glare at me
All this pain it's all the same, it's all insane
(you see)
Is this really happening or did I make it all up?
I'm bound for Chattahoochee on a turnip truck
Oh yeah, you don't have to holler I hear you
I'm standing right here beside you
Oh, 99 shades of crazy, I'm 99 shades of crazy
Crazy, crazy, crazy, crazy
Ah you're crazy you're crazy
Hold my feet, feet to the fire
You hold my feet to the fire
I never said I was down with you
The lyrics to JJ Grey & Mofro's "99 Shades Of Crazy" delve into the singer's inner turmoil and the battles he faces in life. The phrase "I can't agree to disagree" sets up the theme of conflict, while "fighting like I'm fighting for life" highlights how high the stakes feel. The singer acknowledges that words can be as sharp as blades, and he's swinging wide, trying everything he can to stay afloat.
Despite being alone, the singer feels overwhelmed and overstimulated by his thoughts, suggesting that perhaps his mind is spinning out of control. He sees himself as "99 shades of crazy," with no escape from his own thoughts. The line "pour another drink, make it a double for me" reveals that he is trying to numb the pain, but even that doesn't seem to be working. He's unsure of his surroundings, confused and disoriented - "where the hell am I?" - and seems to be experiencing a sort of mental breakdown.
The repeated use of the word "crazy" suggests that the singer is struggling with some sort of mental health issue, and the final line "I never said I was down with you" seems to be directed at someone who is perhaps judging him for it. Overall, "99 Shades Of Crazy" is a song about the mental and emotional battles that we all face at some point in our lives, and the difficulty of finding peace in times of turmoil.
Line by Line Meaning
I can't agree to disagree
I'm not willing to accept a different opinion
Fighting like I'm fighting for life
I'm putting all my energy into this argument
They're only words but they cut like a blade
The words you're using are hurting me deeply
Swinging wide with all of my might
I'm being assertive and standing my ground
Ah yeah, I guess it's all of that coffee, that's got my mind in a whirl
I'm feeling anxious and overwhelmed, maybe due to coffee consumption
I'm still cussing and bitching and there ain't nobody here
I'm venting my frustration and anger to no one in particular
Oh yeah, you don't have to holler I hear you
I'm aware of your presence and what you're saying
I'm standing right here beside you
I'm physically present and available to listen
Oh, 99 shades of crazy, I'm 99 shades of crazy
I'm feeling overwhelmed and unstable, almost to the point of insanity
Pour another drink, make it a double for me
I'm seeking to numb my pain and emotions with alcohol
Maybe I can drink this away
I'm hoping that alcohol will solve my problems
It's never fun when they pull out the gun
Things get dangerous and violent quickly
Beat you black and blue, boy
I'm being physically hurt and abused
You gotta pay, you gotta pay
There are consequences for standing up for myself
Oh, where the hell am I? I hope at least I had fun
I'm feeling lost and unsure, but hoping for some enjoyment
I'm stumbling through New Orleans oh, to the rising sun
I'm wandering aimlessly, trying to find my way
Lord have mercy on me
I'm feeling desperate and in need of help
Noventa nueva tonos de loco
Ninety-nine shades of crazy (in Spanish)
I need some peace, just some relief
I'm seeking a break from the chaos and stress
From this voice, killing me
The thoughts and emotions inside my head are overwhelming
You stare at me, and you glare at me
I'm feeling judged and criticized
All this pain it's all the same, it's all insane (you see)
The pain I'm feeling is overwhelming and driving me crazy
Is this really happening or did I make it all up?
I'm questioning my reality and sanity
I'm bound for Chattahoochee on a turnip truck
I'm headed for a mental breakdown or a psychiatric hospital
Ah you're crazy you're crazy
You're behaving in a way I find unstable and unpredictable
Hold my feet, feet to the fire
Make me face the consequences of my actions
You hold my feet to the fire
You're not letting me get away with anything
I never said I was down with you
I never agreed to your plans or ideas
Contributed by Kaitlyn I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@michelewalburn4376
The "race war" was started after Bacons rebellion.
The wealthy saw the different people fighting together and feared that if we, the real people united against them they were screwed. We weren't an independent country yet, but they were working on it.
They knew that with no royalty to fear it would be hard to keep us down.
The church has already made up the "race" lie, but it wasn't used fwithin any country.
It was only for "othering" people of different countries.
Seeing the European, native American, and Africans fight together was terrifying to them.
Knowing how easily led the poor were, and being reminded of it by seeing the native Americans and Africans fight against their own best interest, they began planting the seeds of division.
That is why poor white men got the right to vote and a few other fake "rights".
If you've never studied Bacons rebellion, it's a fascinating read.
We're seeing the same thing happening in real time again.
That's why real history isn't taught in the USA.
Their way of life depends on keeping us divided, ignorant, and angry.
@GwynSmallie
my dad is the bass player and he is awesome! at home he can get kindof strict...but i still love him! best dad i could ever ask for!
@angelawalker445
Daddy's do that with their daughters, because he loves you. Truly talented and one of a kind sound.
@BillTheButcher79
Your dad, Todd Smallie, is a legend. Love his work with JJ and with Derek Trucks. Hope y’all are doing good these days, ☮️ ✌️!!
@timharper4246
Strict is better than uncaring and apathetic. It made me happy to see you speak well of your father. It's hard to know how much to parent versus allowing your children to scrape their own knees.
@pamkeener8248
I was just replying on a different video, who he is... He is great!
@absolutryde
I am a newbie to Mofro & have seen them 2x in the last 3 months. Your dad is one hell of a bass player & always had a big smile on his face.
@Debbie_Faulhaber
Thank you for the music. It's real. Lost my son, my mom, my son's dad, and 3 good friends in the last year, and y'all have brought healing to me. Much love and respect!!
@nickperkins7463
How
@sonialucky4446
@@nickperkins7463what do you mean how? You’ve never been through shit and used music as therapy.
@grungevig
Mofro fo' sho! Love this catchy track from JJ Grey and Mofro. JJ's vocals are as soulful and gritty as usual. The opening guitar riff reminds me of early Rolling Stones. Excellent tune from a criminally underappreciated artist. By the way, if you've not had a chance to see JJ Grey and Mofro live, put it on your bucket list. Incredibly entertaining.