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.
A Woman
JJ Grey & Mofro Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And when the night comes you need to show her too
You got to touch her in that way don't you ever stop loving her
And that's how a woman wants to be loved by her man
Now any old fool can stay through the good times
And any old fool can run out on her
So you got to buckle up and face that stormy weather together
There's a place Lord there's a place where a man can't go
She said, "you better not put your hands on me
Unless you, unless you're ready to love me"
And that's how a woman wants to be loved by her man
And that's how a woman got to be loved by her man
The lyrics in JJ Grey & Mofro's song "A Woman" speak to the importance of love and commitment in a relationship, particularly from a man towards a woman. The song emphasizes that love is not just something that can be given once, but must be consistently shown and expressed both in good times and in bad. The first verse describes the importance of physical touch and affection, stating that a woman wants to be loved by her man in a way that is both tender and enduring.
The chorus then emphasizes the importance of facing challenges and hardships together as a couple. The line "any old fool can stay through the good times" suggests that true commitment is tested during the difficult times. The lines "buckle up and face that stormy weather together" imply that a strong relationship requires both partners to face adversity head-on and support one another through tough times.
The third verse adds another layer to the song's message, suggesting that there are certain boundaries that cannot be crossed unless a man is fully prepared to show his love and commitment. The lines "you better not put your hands on me unless you're ready to love me" acknowledge that physical intimacy should be reserved for those who are willing to embrace the emotional and mental responsibilities that come with it.
Overall, "A Woman" is a song that emphasizes the importance of love, commitment, and mutual respect in a relationship. It suggests that true love requires effort, sacrifice, and an unwavering dedication to supporting one's partner through both the good times and the bad.
Line by Line Meaning
In the morning she'll show you how much she loves you
In the beginning of each day, she will demonstrate and express her affection and care towards you.
And when the night comes you need to show her too
Similarly, as the night arrives, it is your turn to reciprocate and exhibit your love for her.
You got to touch her in that way don't you ever stop loving her
Be sure to have physical contact with her in a way that she desires and deserves, and never falter in demonstrating your love for her.
And that's how a woman wants to be loved by her man
These actions and behaviors are exactly what a woman desires and expects from a man who loves her.
Now any old fool can stay through the good times
An average or foolish person can easily remain in a relationship during the happy and prosperous moments.
And any old fool can run out on her
Similarly, anyone can abandon or leave the relationship during difficult or challenging times.
So you got to buckle up and face that stormy weather together
Thus, you must commit to weathering any storms or hardships together, by being strong and supportive for each other.
And that's how a woman wants to be loved by her man
Showing resilience and support to one another during challenging times is highly valued and desired in a relationship according to women.
There's a place Lord there's a place where a man can't go
There are certain emotions and experiences that women can have that men simply cannot understand or fully empathize with.
She said, "you better not put your hands on me
She warns that physical contact that is not accompanied with genuine love and respect is unacceptable and will not be tolerated.
Unless you, unless you're ready to love me"
Therefore, a man must not engage in physically intimate activity unless he is truly prepared and willing to express his love and commitment to her.
And that's how a woman wants to be loved by her man
Respecting a woman's boundaries and understanding her expectations when it comes to physical intimacy is immensely important in any romantic relationship.
And that's how a woman got to be loved by her man
Thus, the song conveys a message that true love for a woman involves consistency, support, respect, and understanding in all aspects of a relationship, including physical intimacy.
Contributed by Zachary J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.