According to Songfacts, Nettles made inroads on the independent circuit, gaining a small degree of national attention, then later becomes a pop-country superstar. With Jennifer Nettles Band, the future Sugarland artist released three independent albums and went on the Lilith Fair in 1999. The band drew praises from a number of music publications including Performing Songwriter magazine, and accumulated a substantial fan base along the East Coast.
Nettles formed Sugarland in 2003 and when they hit it big, her Jennifer Nettles Band pretty much vanished
With a presentation of engaging tunes, dynamic vocals, and poetic flair in a passionately charged live setting, Jennifer Nettles and her band were quite successful during the mid- to late '90s. Originally a native of Atlanta, GA, Nettles successful career began with the release of Story of Your Bones and quickly a following was created. Over the course of her touring, Nettles received rave reviews from many publications including Jezebel, Atlanta City Mag, the Album Network, Southeastern Performer, and the Performing Songwriter. Nettles was rewarded with gigs at such momentous occasions such as the 1999 Lilith Fair Tour, Big Day Out 2000, and Music Midtown 1999.
Though much of her crafty songwriting and poetic expression merited a listen on their own, Nettles joined the royal company of a gifted and charismatic backing band. Drummer Brad Sikes put forth the group's ever-changing and diverse rhythms. Scott Nicholson bought to life the magic of the piano's keys with stirring ebony-and-ivory passages. Wesley Lupold lays down the framework of the songs chord structures with bass. And Mike Cebulski presented an eclectic array of sounds and rhythms with his gift of percussion. Nettles received airplay in major cities such as New York, Cleveland, Memphis, Atlanta, and throughout the Carolinas. Because of her songwriting magic and growing fan base, and those behind the scenes who devote their time toward helping market her music, Jennifer Nettles received the distinguished honor of being presented the Independent Musician of the Year award for 2001.
Nettles was influenced and inspired by a splendid mix of rock, blues, folk, and soul, and those influences reflected clearly in her work. She began her singing career in 1996 while performing with Soul Miner's Daughter in the Atlanta and Decatur music scene. A singer since the age of seven, Nettles certainly was not shy of showing her witty charm, and was not afraid of challenging herself to continually write and sing powerful, honest, soul-charging songs with engaging lyrical content. At times her tunes were filled with amazing richness and personality, while others left the listener dazed and haunted.
Jennifer Nettles Band made routine trips to such notable venues as the Variety Playhouse (Atlanta), the 40 Watt (Athens), and the Mercury Lounge (New York City). Her songs are full of poetic meaning, and the band plays with a sense of attitude, winning over her audiences each and every time, and making a crop of fresh new listeners happy as well. Her release Gravity: Drag Me Down appeared in February 2002.
Round And Round
Jennifer Nettles Band Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You'll find that old brick church still standing there
With it's holy oaks so burdened with Spanish moss
That its very limbs seem to bow in prayer
And there's Jesus in the air
Pass the cemetery where all the young people go
Cause there is no where else that they can drink
Cause sometimes a young woman just needs to think
Talk to the old black men who will make the observation
That we're still grouped into the haves and have-nots
Yeah, it's been a long time since integration but
It seems some folks here they forgot
(chorus)
It's every virtue and every vice
It's a big fat Americana slice
But there's space down here in this little town
And I can spread my arms and spin round and round
Well you don't have to be Baptist to escape hell's flames
But it wouldn't hurt to have one as a friend you know
We all go to bed early, don't take the Lord's name in vain
But if it's good beer and food you better believe we go
If you're in the mood for a scare tonight
There's a topless bar just up the interstate
Otherwise I'll see you in bowling shoes
Or in 3-D glasses or on roller skates.
Well we are quarterbacks and homecoming queens
And we are best all around and most likely to succeed
And it's Friday night and the back seat's getting hot
It's the hicks against the hippies in the parking lot
The Jennifer Nettles Band's song Round and Round paints a vivid picture of a small American town that holds within it all the contradictions and complexities of this nation. The opening lines describe the old brick church that still stands with its oaks weighed down by Spanish moss, conjuring up a sense of reverence and stillness. And yet, the next lines take the listener through a cemetery where young people go to drink and think, a place where the ones who have passed on seem to have more life than the living. If in the first verse the listener is invited to consider the holiness of a place, in the second, they're invited to recognize the struggles that continue to divide this country.
And yet, this is not a bleak song—this is a song about a place with enough space for everyone to spread their arms and spin round and round, a place where even if you don't take the Lord's name in vain, you can still go out and have a good time. There is a palpable sense of pride in this community, a place where the quarterbacks and homecoming queens coexist with the hicks and hippies, a place where contradictions aren't ignored, they're celebrated. In the end, Round and Round is a song about the richness of this nation, about how even in the midst of struggle, there is always room to dance.
Line by Line Meaning
Go down this dirt road about a half a mile
Follow this path to see the old places.
You'll find that old brick church still standing there
An iconic structure of the area.
With it's holy oaks so burdened with Spanish moss
The old trees, laden with memories and history.
That its very limbs seem to bow in prayer
In reverence of the divine.
And there's Jesus in the air
Faith and belief prevalent in the atmosphere.
Pass the cemetery where all the young people go
A place for reflection and gathering.
Cause there is no where else that they can drink
Limited opportunities for entertainment.
Where the law won't bother them and no ne will know
A secret spot for young people to hang out.
Cause sometimes a young woman just needs to think
The desire to escape from the monotony of daily life.
Talk to the old black men who will make the observation
The wisdom of the elders.
That we're still grouped into the haves and have-nots
Socioeconomic differences still prevalent in society.
Yeah, it's been a long time since integration but
The impact of history still lingers.
It seems some folks here they forgot
Lack of progress in certain aspects of society.
It's every virtue and every vice
A place of diversity, with its pros and cons.
It's a big fat Americana slice
A quintessential representation of America.
But there's space down here in this little town
A small community with room for growth.
And I can spread my arms and spin round and round
A place of freedom and self-expression.
Well you don't have to be Baptist to escape hell's flames
The importance of relationships and social connections.
But it wouldn't hurt to have one as a friend you know
Having people in your life to support your beliefs.
We all go to bed early, don't take the Lord's name in vain
Respect and obedience to cultural norms.
But if it's good beer and food you better believe we go
Indulging in fun and entertainment.
If you're in the mood for a scare tonight
Various entertainment options available.
There's a topless bar just up the interstate
A symbol of the area's rebellious nature.
Otherwise I'll see you in bowling shoes
A place of friendly competition and camaraderie.
Or in 3-D glasses or on roller skates.
Additional entertainment options.
Well we are quarterbacks and homecoming queens
The prominence of certain social groups.
And we are best all around and most likely to succeed
Keys to success and achievement.
And it's Friday night and the back seat's getting hot
Emphasis on social activities and relationships.
It's the hicks against the hippies in the parking lot
Different social groups coming together in a playful competition.
Contributed by Colin P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@rcinelli7056
Love this Jennifer.
She's so amazing
@krisross8815
This is the best JNB song!
@13Sugarlandfan
She is amazing no matter who she is with
@prestonmurphy6360
Jennifer nettles is the best .she is so beautiful.
@micahbrew9627
I remember her telling me after one of her Jennifer Nettles Band shows at Eddies Attic that she was a huge fan of Tori Amos. You can hear her channeling Amos in some of her stuff from back then. She is truly a brilliant singer and songwriter. It's ashamed that she allowed to let herself get pigeonholed for a long period of time. I still don't believe Sugarland can be sustained. She will eventually have to leave. She is too great to keep doing that kind of music. Sorry Sugarland fans.
@materialfam915
you getta, now.
@alexiswooten1263
I know her brother
@prestonmurphy6360
just mad because u don't look like her come on know.