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.
See the Elephant
James McMurtry Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Dressed up in their Sunday suits
Getting themselves all up to go
Down to Richmond to the traveling show
Done my chores like I always do
And I won?t tell mama you let me go
Down to Richmond to the traveling show
Please Papa can I go
Down to Richmond to the traveling show
Please Papa don?t you say I can?t
I just want to see the elephant
I?ll borrow the truck from uncle Phil
You know I can drive it well
He won?t need it now that the hay?s all in
Just let me go and see the elephant
Sister she can?t go with me
This is not for her to see
Little brother you?ll get your chance
To go down and see the elephant
Little brother you?ll get your chance
To go down and see the elephant
They?re looking for a few good men
Could be war by summer?s end
Sure would hate it if I went
And never got to see the elephant
I saw Pete and Johnny too
Dressed up in their Navy Blues
Gettin? themselves all up to go
Down to Richmond to the traveling show
The lyrics of James McMurtry's song "See the Elephant" describe the longing of a young boy to witness something extraordinary. Here, McMurtry has used the phrase "see the elephant" as a metaphor for experiencing something incredible. The boy's longing to go to the traveling show in Richmond to see the elephant, which he believes is the most incredible thing he can witness, is evident throughout the song.
In the first two stanzas, it is apparent that the boy is looking for his father's permission to go to the show. He begs his father to allow him to go and promises to do as he has been told. The boy believes that seeing an elephant will be worth more than anything else, and he just wants to witness something amazing.
The last stanza of the song takes on a darker tone. The mention of war and the possibility of never getting to see the elephant hints at a much bigger picture. It seems that the elephant symbolizes hope for the boy, and he fears he might die before getting to experience anything special.
Overall, "See the Elephant" is a song about hope, childhood innocence, and the desire for something extraordinary. McMurtry has beautifully crafted the song with vivid metaphors that leave a lasting impression on the listener.
Line by Line Meaning
I saw Pete and Johnny too
I noticed Pete and Johnny who were also there
Dressed up in their Sunday suits
Wearing their best clothes
Getting themselves all up to go
Prepping themselves to leave
Down to Richmond to the traveling show
Heading to the traveling circus show in the city Richmond
I fixed the gate like you told me to
I listened to your instructions and repaired the gate
Done my chores like I always do
Finished my household duties as usual
And I won?t tell mama you let me go
I promise to keep our secret from mom
Down to Richmond to the traveling show
Going to the circus in Richmond
Please Papa can I go
Asking dad for permission to attend
Please Papa don?t you say I can?t
Please let me go, don't turn me down
I just want to see the elephant
I just want to witness the rare sight of an elephant
I?ll borrow the truck from uncle Phil
I plan to utilize uncle Phil's truck
You know I can drive it well
I am confident in my driving abilities
He won?t need it now that the hay?s all in
Since he is done with the hay, he won't require the truck now
Just let me go and see the elephant
Please allow me to go witness the elephant
Sister she can?t go with me
Sister cannot accompany me
This is not for her to see
This shouldn't be seen by her
Little brother you?ll get your chance
Little brother will also get the opportunity
To go down and see the elephant
To witness the majestic elephant
They?re looking for a few good men
People are being sought to join
Could be war by summer?s end
There's a possibility of war soon
Sure would hate it if I went
I would be disappointed
And never got to see the elephant
If I didn't have the chance to witness the elephant
I saw Pete and Johnny too
I observed two individuals named Pete and Johnny
Dressed up in their Navy Blues
Wearing their formal navy blue uniforms
Gettin? themselves all up to go
Preparing to leave
Down to Richmond to the traveling show
Heading to the Richmond circus
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: JAMES MC MURTRY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind