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.
The Long Way Home
JJ Grey & Mofro Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
People born, people live, people kill, people dying
In a vague memory of the time I was born
Flash of light thunder rolled now I'm here now I'm gone
But do you, do you, do you know where your goin'
No effort, no gain
No, don't you ever try to live a lie
Bittersweet memories of the road to my regret
Tryin' to change the whole world ain't nobody did it yet
Yeah, this life can be cruel, yeah, this life ain't always fair
Yet we hope to ascend to the place we send our prayers
But do you, do you, do you know where your goin'
In "The Long Way Home," JJ Grey & Mofro take listeners through the cyclical nature of life and the inevitability of death. The lyrics speak to the idea that while time passes and things seem to evolve, the essence of human experience remains unchanged. People are born, they live, they kill, and they die. The opening lines of the song suggest that this has been the case since the beginning of time, emphasizing the idea that there is a certain futility in trying to change things.
The song then turns to the question of where we are all going. In the face of this cycle of life and death, it can be easy to feel lost or uncertain about our ultimate destination. The repetition of the line "do you know where you're going" emphasizes the importance of having a sense of purpose and direction, even in the face of uncertainty.
The song then addresses the idea that change requires effort. Without putting in the work to make things different, we are doomed to stay the same. This sentiment is echoed in the chorus, which suggests that trying to live a lie is futile. We must be true to ourselves and put in the effort necessary to make a difference.
The final lines of the song are both poignant and hopeful. The lyrics acknowledge the cruelty and unfairness that can be found in life, but also express the hope that we will eventually find our way to a better place. The repetition of the line "do you know where you're going" takes on added significance in this context, as it implies that having a sense of purpose and direction is key to finding a brighter future.
Overall, "The Long Way Home" is a powerful meditation on the cyclical nature of life, the importance of effort and direction, and the hope that there is something better waiting for us on the other side.
Line by Line Meaning
Ain't much changed around here since the beginning of time
The world is stuck in a constant cycle of birth, life, death, and violence that has remained unchanged for ages.
People born, people live, people kill, people dying
Human beings are born, live their lives, engage in violence, and eventually die.
In a vague memory of the time I was born
The singer can barely remember the circumstances of his own birth.
Flash of light thunder rolled now I'm here now I'm gone
Life is brief and unpredictable, symbolized by the suddenness of a flash of light and the sound of thunder.
But do you, do you, do you know where your goin'
The singer is asking whether the listener has any sense of direction or purpose in their life.
No effort, no gain
Without effort or hard work, there can be no progress or success.
No effort, stay the same
If you don't put in any effort, you'll remain stuck in the same place and situation.
No, don't you ever try to live a lie
The singer advises against living a life that is false or dishonest.
Bittersweet memories of the road to my regret
The singer has mixed emotions about his past experiences, which have led him to regret some of his choices.
Tryin' to change the whole world ain't nobody did it yet
Despite many attempts, no one has been able to completely change the world for the better.
Yeah, this life can be cruel, yeah, this life ain't always fair
Life can be harsh and unfair at times, causing pain and suffering.
Yet we hope to ascend to the place we send our prayers
Despite the difficulties of life, people hope to find solace and comfort in a higher spiritual realm.
Contributed by Oliver R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.