The son of acclaimed author Larry McMurtry (Lonesome Dove, Terms of Endearment), James grew up on a steady diet of Johnny Cash and Roy Acuff records. His first album, Too Long in the Wasteland (released in 1989), was produced by John Mellencamp and marked the beginning of a series of acclaimed projects for Columbia and Sugar Hill. In 1996, McMurtry received a Grammy nomination for his Longform Music Video of Where'd You Hide The Body. 1997's It Had To Happen received the American Indie Award for Best Americana Album.
In 2004, McMurtry released the universally-lauded Live in Aught-Three on Compadre Records. 2005's Childish Things garnered some of the highest critical praise of McMurtry's career and spent six weeks at No. 1 on the Americana Music Radio Chart in 2005 and 2006. In September 2006, Childish Things and "We Can't Make It Here" won the Americana Music Awards for Album and Song of the Year, respectively. McMurtry received more Americana Music Award nominations for 2008's Just Us Kids. This album marked his highest Billboard 200 chart position in more than 19 years.
In 2009, Live in Europe was released, capturing The McMurtry Band's first European tour and extraordinary live set. Along with seasoned band members Ronnie Johnson, Daren Hess, and Tim Holt, the disc features special guests Ian McLagan and Jon Dee Graham. Also, for the first time ever, video of the James McMurtry Band's live performance is available on the included DVD.
The poignant lyrics of his immense catalog still ring true today. In 2011, "We Can't Make It Here" was cited among 'The Nation's' "Best Protest Songs Ever." Bob Lefsetz writes, "'We Can't Make It Here' has stood the test of time because of its unmitigated truth."
Never one to rest on his laurels, James McMurtry continues to tour constantly, and consistently puts on a "must-see" powerhouse performance. 'The Washington Post' noted McMurtry's live prowess: "Much attention is paid to James McMurtry's lyrics, and rightfully so: He creates a novel's worth of emotion and experience in four minutes of blisteringly stark couplets. What gets overlooked, however, is that he's an accomplished rock guitar player. At a sold-out Birchmere, the Austin-based artist was joined by drummer Daren Hess and bassist Ronnie Johnson in a set that demonstrated the raw power of wince-inducing imagery propelled by electric guitar. It was serious stuff, imparted by a singularly serious band."
JAMES McMURTRY LIVE IN EUROPE CD WITH BONUS DVD DOCUMENTS FIRST EURO TOUR WITH GUESTS IAN MCLAGAN AND JON DEE GRAHAM
On October 13, 2009, Lightning Rod Records released Live in Europe, a document of McMurtry's first European tour, on which, along with long-time band members Ronnie Johnson, Daren Hess, and Tim Holt, he was joined by keyboardist Ian McLagan and fellow Texas songwriting legend Jon Dee Graham. The set is available as a CD with a bonus DVD, or as a deluxe vinyl LP package with a CD and DVD insert. In early 2009, James McMurtry and his trio traveled overseas to play their first European tour. The guys played for enthusiastic crowds in Germany, Great Britain, Ireland, The Netherlands, Scotland and Belgium. Joining the band on keyboards for the tour was the legendary Ian McLagan (who also played on McMurtry's latest studio album, Just Us Kids). The best recordings from the Amsterdam, The Netherlands and Geislingen, Germany concerts were combined to create Live in Europe. The album includes a bonus DVD featuring performances from the Amsterdam show. This marks the first time fans will be able to purchase video footage of McMurtry live in concert. The deluxe vinyl version includes inserted copies of the CD and DVD. Fellow Austin-based songwriter Jon Dee Graham opened the shows and joins the band on a version of his tune "Laredo" on the bonus DVD.
JAMES McMURTRY ALBUMS REISSUED: 'CHILDISH THINGS' & 'LIVE IN AUGHT-THREE'
On February 1, 2011, two of James McMurtry's most popular albums, Childish Things and Live in Aught-Three were reissued by Lightning Rod Records. Live in Aught-Three has been remastered since its original 2004 release and will be available on vinyl for the first time. The deluxe double LP also includes a copy of the album on CD.
Painting by Numbers
James McMurtry Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
are padlocked and chained
to keep all the children in out of the rain
the art teacher's preaching
the virtues of pastel shades
you pay no attention but it won't hurt your grades
'cause you're painting by numbers
they don't have to tell you
you don't call the shots
you jump when they say jump
and you don't ask how high
'cause painting by numbers they know you'll get by
painting by numbers they know you'll get by
you take a position
in the old man's firm
he signs all the papers
you agree to the terms
they ley you run errands
and you don't get days off
you take off the garbage and hope it pays off
'cause you're painting by numbers
connecting the dots
you work from neck down
you might be in grad school
up ut M.I.T.
you might be down in the canal zone
being all that you can be
you might get to thinking you're ahead of the game
but when you break it all down
it all comes out the same
'cause you're painting by numbers
connecting the dots
you work from neck down
The lyrics to James McMurtry's song "Painting By Numbers" describe the life of someone who has no control over their own destiny. The gates of the schoolyard are padlocked and chained to keep the children in out of the rain, which is a metaphor for the system that keeps people in their place. Even the art teacher is preaching the virtues of pastel shades, which is a symbol of the constraints of creativity when one is only allowed to paint by numbers.
The song describes the monotony of life, where one takes a position in a firm and agrees to the terms set by elders. You are given menial tasks, such as running errands and taking out the garbage, with the hope that it will pay off in the future. However, painting by numbers is all you are allowed to do, connecting the dots provided by those above you. You jump when they say jump and don't question how high. The song suggests that even if you go to grad school at M.I.T or join the army in the Canal Zone, you are still painting by numbers, working from the neck down.
Overall, the song is a commentary on the lack of control that many people have in their lives. They follow the rules set by others, paint by numbers, and rely on the system to get by. Despite the hard work, life always seems to come out the same.
Line by Line Meaning
The gates of the schoolyard
The entrance to the school is blocked for security purposes
are padlocked and chained
The lock and chain together serve as a restraint mechanism
to keep all the children in out of the rain
Rain is the main cause of dampness and cold, so the school wants to keep their students dry
the art teacher's preaching
The art teacher is giving a lecture on a particular topic related to art
the virtues of pastel shades
The art teacher is highlighting the uses and benefits of a particular pigment used in painting - pastel shades
you pay no attention but it won't hurt your grades
You are not paying attention to the art teacher's lecture, but even if you do not listen, it won't affect your marks
'cause you're painting by numbers
You are following pre-determined instructions while painting
connecting the dots
Your painting involves joining pre-drawn points or lines
they don't have to tell you
There is no need for anyone to instruct or guide you
you don't call the shots
You have no control over decisions or actions
you jump when they say jump
You react to commands without delay
and you don't ask how high
You do not show any interest in knowing the extent or difficulty level of the task
'cause painting by numbers they know you'll get by
Following a set pattern ensures that you will succeed, with or without skill
you take a position
You agree to work somewhere or hold a specific role
in the old man's firm
You work in a company owned by an elderly person
he signs all the papers
The old man takes care of everything that needs to be signed or authorised
you agree to the terms
You comply and consent to the conditions laid out by the company owner
they ley you run errands
They allow you to perform small tasks or odd jobs
and you don't get days off
You are not given any leaves or holidays
you take off the garbage and hope it pays off
You do unimportant tasks patiently, hoping that it will lead to future benefits
you might be in grad school
You might be studying in a university or college for your postgraduation
up ut M.I.T.
You might be studying at Massachusetts Institute of Technology
you might be down in the canal zone
You might be doing manual labour work in a restricted location
being all that you can be
You are doing your best to achieve your full potential
you might get to thinking you're ahead of the game
You may start thinking that you are doing better than others
but when you break it all down
When you analyse the situation thoroughly
it all comes out the same
It all appears to be identical, with no distinguishing factors
you work from neck down
You perform your work mechanically, without any intellectual thinking or creativity involved
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: J MCMURTRY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@cityzen2717
The gates of the schoolyard
are padlocked and chained
to keep all the children in out of the rain
the art teacher's preaching
the virtues of pastel shades
you pay no attention but it won't hurt your grades
'cause you're painting by numbers
connecting the dots
they don't have to tell you
you don't call the shots
you jump when they say jump
and you don't ask how high
'cause painting by numbers they know you'll get by
painting by numbers they know you'll get by
you take a position
in the old man's firm
he signs all the papers
you agree to the terms
they ley you run errands
and you don't get days off
you take off the garbage and hope it pays off
'cause you're painting by numbers
connecting the dots
you work from neck down
you might be in grad school
up ut M.I.T.
you might be down in the canal zone
being all that you can be
you might get to thinking you're ahead of the game
but when you break it all down
it all comes out the same
'cause you're painting by numbers
connecting the dots
you work from neck down
Source: LyricFind
Songwriters: J Mcmurtry
Painting by Numbers lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
@tntblue61
One of the best songwriters you've never heard of.
@BrandXSports
Isn't it crazy? There is a line in the Rodney Crowell song 'Eathbound'..."One man's lust for life brings world reknown ....And the next guy can't get two feet off the ground... he's earthbound" ...McMurtry got more than two feet of the ground but should have gone MUCH higher
@bobprickett2223
His father was a pretty good writer too.
@olivei2484
Uh ... My ex is a huge Mellencamp fan (!) So this lp was a standard in the house when it was released. Wish he re- mix it with out that drummer.
@danthebeachman
The more I listen to James McMurtry....the more I appreciate him....great songwriter and artist.
@TheSentientParadox
Well. DUH. lol
@JayAr709
Take a flyer and read a few of “the old man,” his Dad, Larry McMurtry’s novels.
@KoolT
Choctaw Bingo
@nathanritzo2228
I saw this video exactly once on MTV when it was still "Music Television" in 1989 and the lyric "You work from the neck down..." has stuck with me through 31 years. A great song and album.
@twray1835
Just a damn good ballad with some patented McMurty clever lyrics and his great guitar. Thanks James!