JJ Grey & Mofro (up to 2007 billed just as Mofro) is an American soul/funk… Read Full Bio ↴JJ Grey & Mofro (up to 2007 billed just as Mofro) is an American soul/funk/R&B/blues/southern rock band from Jacksonville, Florida, composed of JJ Grey (vocals, electric piano, acoustic guitar and electric guitar, harmonica), Andrew Trube (electric guitar and slide guitar), Anthony Farrell (Hammond Organ), Anthony Cole (drums) and the "Hercules Horns" Dennis Marion (trumpet), Art Edmaiston (tenor saxophone) and Todd Smallie (bass guitar).

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.

Country Ghetto
JJ Grey & Mofro Lyrics

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I see the look in your eyes I know I′m simple and plain
A country boy can't survive too many ways in your game
So you can say what you will about your helping hand
I know I′ll never be more than just your dumb white trash

Life in a country ghetto
Love touches us all yes we're black and we're white
Out here in the cut still living side by side

So never mind what you′ve seen and just forget what
You′ve heard
Another ignorant redneck just some Hollywood words

Life in a country ghetto
No I'm not tame
The only voice that speaks for me speaks from this clay
Little boy you ain′t never take a dime from the man
Starve to death before you live by a government handout
They call us poverty
Life in a country ghetto
Life in a country ghetto

Life in a country ghetto
Life in a country ghetto

Overall Meaning

In "Country Ghetto" by JJ Grey & Mofro, the lyrics capture the struggle of living in a rural, economically disadvantaged area. The singer acknowledges their simplicity and plainness, recognizing that they may not fit into the complexities of the world where others play their different games. The reference to being a "country boy" who can't survive too many ways in the game speaks to the challenges and limitations faced by those living in a country ghetto. Despite any offers of help or assistance, the singer feels they will always be viewed as nothing more than "dumb white trash," conveying a sense of societal prejudice and marginalization.

The song paints a picture of a diverse community living in the country ghetto, where love transcends racial boundaries. The mention of being black and white and still living side by side highlights the unity and interconnectedness within the community. Despite the stereotypes and judgments from outsiders, the residents of the country ghetto continue to coexist and support each other, emphasizing the importance of unity and solidarity in the face of adversity.

The singer challenges the perception of being meek or submissive, asserting their resilience and determination to speak up for themselves. The mention of a voice that speaks from the clay symbolizes a deep connection to the land and the roots of their existence. Refusing to be dependent on government handouts, the singer expresses a fierce independence and pride, willing to endure hardships rather than compromise their integrity. The defiance against being labeled as poverty reflects a sense of dignity and self-worth amidst the struggles of life in the country ghetto.

The repetition of "Life in a country ghetto" throughout the song serves as a powerful refrain, reinforcing the theme of resilience and strength in the face of adversity. Despite the challenges and hardships faced in their environment, the residents of the country ghetto find a sense of community, love, and unity that transcends societal judgments and misconceptions. By shedding light on the experiences of those living in rural poverty, the lyrics offer a poignant commentary on the everyday realities and resilience of individuals navigating life in a country ghetto.

Writer(s): John Grey Higginbotham

Contributed by Mason D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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