The following albums saw large shifts in style. Much Afraid saw them releasing gorgeous - sometimes brittle - music, which the Band intended to have a "timeless" sound, while If I Left the Zoo is a quirkier but musically brilliant album, featuring considerably more keys and experimentation. The Eleventh Hour is their first true "rock" album. They returned to acoustic guitars for the "Furthermore" project, which featured two EPs - a live disc and an acoustic disc. The band's 5th album, Who We Are Instead continued some of the band's earlier sonic experiments and showcased some new gospel, bluegrass, and hymnsong influences. The hymnsong approach was continued on an album of new arrangements of classic hymns - Redemption Songs.
Good Monsters was released on Sept. 05, 2006. The album was hailed by CCM Magazine as "Album of the Year" - a controversial move considering that this announcement was made in August. "Good Monsters" further showcases the diverse style of the venerable quartet and is considered by the band to be their first true "rock" record. It is a rock driven record with electric guitars having prevalence on more of the songs than any previous albums. The album also has other stylistic influences and even includes a choir of African school children, while lyrically, it hits the darker side of their self-shaped genre.
In 2007, Jars of Clay announced that they were leaving Essential Records and were creating their own record label, Gray Matters. Jars of Clay released Christmas Songs through Gray Matters in 2007, and the Closer EP was released in the Summer of 2008.
April 21, 2009 marked the release of The Long Fall Back to Earth, containing two tracks from the Closer EP and 12 additional tracks. Two Hands is the first single from that release.
Good Monsters
Jars of Clay Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To see the wasteland where the home fires rise
And the people shouting, "Why, why, why"
Do you know what you are?
Do you know what you are?
All the giants wake from their sleep
And the pain makes them feel so alive
Do you know what you are; do you know what you are?
We are bored of all the things we know
Do you know what you are; do you know what you are?
Not all monsters are bad
But the ones who are good
Never do what they could, never do what they could
All the good monsters rattle their chains
And dance around the open flames
They make a lot of empty noise
While all of the bright eyes turn away
As if there wasn't anything to say
About the justice and the mystery
Do you know what you are?
Do you know what you are?
We are bored of all the things that we know
And we are forms of everything we love, we love..
If good won't show its ugly face,
Evil won't you take your place?
Nothing ever changes, nothing ever changes
By itself
We are bored of all the things that we know
Do you know what you are?
Because we are so in love with ourselves
We are forms of all the things we love.
The lyrics of Good Monsters by Jars of Clay can be interpreted as a call for people to step out of their comfort zones and confront the harsh realities of the world. The "good monsters" refer to the individuals who are brave enough to open their eyes and face the problems that plague society. The wasteland where the home fires rise represents the state of the world, where chaos and suffering are prevalent. The people shouting "why, why, why" may represent those who are questioning the existence of such suffering and wondering why it occurs.
The giants who wake from their sleep and roll outside of safety's keep may represent people who are comfortable in their own bubble and need to be pushed out to make a difference. The pain they feel outside of their comfort zone is what makes them feel alive and makes them realize the need for change. The monsters rattling their chains and making empty noise represent those who talk about change without actually doing anything about it. All of the bright eyes turning away represent people who are disillusioned and may not see the point in trying to make a difference in the world.
Overall, the song is a call for people to step up and make a difference in the world. It acknowledges the existence of suffering and challenges people to confront it and make a change. The lyrics also suggest that people are bored of their own complacency and need to push themselves to do better and be better.
Line by Line Meaning
All the good monsters open their eyes
The morally righteous become aware of their surroundings
To see the wasteland where the home fires rise
They observe the barren land where the people reside
And the people shouting, "Why, why, why"
Hear the cries of exasperation from the people
Do you know what you are?
Asking if you really know yourself
All the giants wake from their sleep
The powerful entities awaken from their slumber
And roll outside of safety's keep
They leave their comfort zone
And the pain makes them feel so alive
Their struggles give them a sense of being present
We are bored of all the things we know
We crave for something new
Not all monsters are bad
Some morally unconventional entities do exist
But the ones who are good
Though morally sound they lack the force to act
Never do what they could, never do what they could
They never look after their massive potential
All the good monsters rattle their chains
Morally just spirits try to break free from their bindings
And dance around the open flames
Indulge themselves in unbridled joy
They make a lot of empty noise
Their presence is usually unproductive
While all of the bright eyes turn away
The hopeful look for better opportunities
As if there wasn't anything to say
As if it's pointless to even have a conversation
About the justice and the mystery
Discussing the logic behind morality and the unknown
If good won't show its ugly face,
If the morally correct people won't act harshly
Evil won't you take your place?
Wouldn't the immoral entities rule the world?
Nothing ever changes, nothing ever changes
The status quo remains the same without any alterations
By itself
Without any external stimulus
Because we are so in love with ourselves
We're obsessed with ourselves
We are forms of all the things we love.
We're a reflection of everything that makes us happy.
Lyrics © CAPITOL CHRISTIAN MUSIC GROUP, Universal Music Publishing Group, Capitol CMG Publishing
Written by: CHARLIE LOWELL, DAN HASELTINE, MATT ODMARK, STEPHEN DANIEL MASON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Prepare4HisComing
Hello to the members of Jars of Clay. Have you gone mad? Oh foolish Jars of Clay who has bewitched you? Would you so easily give up on your Lord?!
He is good and there's nothing boring about Him. If sin hadn't entered the world through the freedom He gave humankind there would've never been a serious thought entering His mind. He'd have been having a fun and joyous time for all time.
Go back to Him! Those who are His will heed. Otherwise, He will remove the taste of Him He gave you that you so easily forgot.
Turn and don't perish. Taste and see the Lord is good and anything but boring. No man (or woman) is good. All good things come from above. Often those who do many good things and sin little in the world's eyes will then justify themselves, taking pride in themselves for this goodness. They won't turn and praise God. They then have no true love so will perish in their pride. Some have so much worldly wealth, so many blessings, so much notarity with humankind, they fill up on that instead of acknowledging their need to Christ to save them. They never praise God for their blessings so they perish.
It is not His will that any should perish, but He allows you freedom. Death is in one hand, life in the other. Chose Life, Chose Christ above all else and live.
Hell is hell for a reason. You see apart from God, apart from His presence there is nothing good. He will not having communion with evil for there is nothing dark at all in Him.
You have heard the truth. The wise will heed it.
ProNubieForce5
Jars of Clay's songs are like poetry, there is more to the song than just the words. To understand where they are coming from, you must understand what they mean by the words they say.
Tom
so if i understand the words they say i understand them wow deep lol
T D
Broken and saved!
ZOE
According to Dan Haseltine "this song is based of an Edmund Burke quote where he says, "All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing." And it's basically recognizing that when we're able to really be comfortable with who we are, what we are, that's when we can humbly enter into the suffering in the relationship with somebody else without kind of having this sense of being better than they are" (End of quote). ...So i want to be a good monster,imperfect but saved, and i don´t want to just make an " Empty Noise" i just want my life counts
T D
Amen and well said
savannah ok
The jars are "thinkers" who follow Jesus. I've been a fan for like 15 years and I enjoy their profound perspective on christianity and what it is to be human having a personal relationship with the Almighty God. I call them thinkers because they seem to be able to express aspects of our relationship with God that many christians just don't seem to touch on...many christians just understand the cookie cutter facts without the heart.
T D
they are brave in their lyrics and music and incredibly catchy hooks! spirit led touches my soul
tubapanda
Not all monsters are bad But the ones who are good Never do what they could, never do what they could All the good monsters rattle their chains And dance around the open flames They make a lot of empty noise While all of the bright eyes turn away As if there wasn't anything to say About the justice and the mystery Do you know what you are? Do you know what you are? We are bored of all the things that we know And we are forms of everything we love, we love..
Pidgeon
got my Good Monsters CD autographed by Charlie Lowell (keyboard player) its really a treasure to me since I've been listening to this band since I was little.
João Pedro Silva
Que banda. Nota 💯 pra esse rock. 🤘🏻