Modern World
Jess Morgan Lyrics


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A loose end and a hot day
What a match made up there I'd say
For pulling on your work jeans
And throwing a cigarette in the yard
We could always make like Spring-time
With new paint over old
'till the chains snaps clean off our machine
And they don't make them anymore

Surely a blessing you are
And I'll only spoil your fun
'gus see, me I'm an old soul
I don't think I belong
In your modern world

You could always see the good things
And I'd make do to make your heart sing
See the rust set in all over
As being only surface deep
Yet I'd give you racing handles
And strip your back for speed
Treat you kind and paint you clever
If you make it home with me

Surely a blessing you are
And I'll only spoil your fun
'gus see, me I'm an old soul
I don't think I belong
In your modern world

I'll remember you best in June
You took it oh so well
Changed clothes and your tune
Down at the dunes out by
California Sands
And you're red around the eyes now
But have it on the chin
You're looking bonnie with the wind
In them salt water curls

Surely a blessing you are
And I'll only spoil your fun
'gus see, me I'm an old soul
I don't think I belong
In your modern world
Me I'm an old soul
I don't think I belong
In your modern world
Modern world, in your




Modern world
Your modern world

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Jess Morgan's "Modern World" reflect the singer's sense of not belonging in the contemporary world. She discusses the joys of tinkering with old machines and outfitting them for speed, appreciating the beauty in rust and racing handles, and seeking solace in the simple things. The song opens with an image of a "loose end and a hot day," which the singer refers to as the "match made up there." It seems the day is perfect for pulling on work jeans, smoking a cigarette in the yard, and enjoying the company of someone special. The singer goes on to describe her appreciation of the past and her desire to embrace it through painting old machines and reviving them.


The lyrics take a turn when the singer starts describing her companion as a blessing but acknowledges that she'll only spoil their fun because she's an old soul that doesn't belong in the modern world. She can only remember them best in June, and sees their relationship as a beautiful moment in time, the past that can never be recaptured. Even though the lyrics are brief and straightforward, they capture a compelling message of the struggle between appreciating the past and living in the present, and the singer's sense of not belonging in this new world.


Line by Line Meaning

A loose end and a hot day
A day with nothing to do and a hot climate


What a match made up there I'd say
An ideal combination for a day like this


For pulling on your work jeans
For getting busy with some work


And throwing a cigarette in the yard
Casually throwing a cigarette butt on the ground


We could always make like Spring-time
We could rejuvenate ourselves


With new paint over old
By covering up the old with fresh paint


'till the chains snaps clean off our machine
Till our machinery breaks down


And they don't make them anymore
And machines these days aren't built to last


Surely a blessing you are
You are a true blessing in my life


And I'll only spoil your fun
And I won't be able to keep up with your carefree ways


'gus see, me I'm an old soul
You see, I am someone who's old-fashioned


I don't think I belong
And I feel out of place


In your modern world
In this modern age we live in


You could always see the good things
You always had a positive outlook


And I'd make do to make your heart sing
And I would do whatever it takes to make you happy


See the rust set in all over
But I can see the signs of aging everywhere


As being only surface deep
And realize that it's only superficial


Yet I'd give you racing handles
Still, I'd give you the best tools for the job


And strip your back for speed
And strip the machine down to remove any unnecessary weight


Treat you kind and paint you clever
Take good care of you and enhance your look


If you make it home with me
If you survive the journey with me


I'll remember you best in June
I'll always remember our time together in the summer


You took it oh so well
You handled everything with such grace


Changed clothes and your tune
You changed your outfit and your attitude


Down at the dunes out by California Sands
At the beach in California


And you're red around the eyes now
And now you have redness around your eyes


But have it on the chin
But you take it in stride


You're looking bonnie with the wind
You look beautiful with the wind in your hair


In them salt water curls
With those beautiful beachy waves


Me I'm an old soul
As for me, I am someone who's old-fashioned


I don't think I belong
And I feel out of place


In your modern world
In this modern age we live in


Modern world, in your
This modern age, in your


Modern world
This modern age




Contributed by Charlie W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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