In going solo, Ryan Adams, an old friend, was impressed by Malin's songs and offered to produce a record for him, in spite of having never done it before. Malin's debut, "The Fine Art of Self Destruction," was made in just under a week, and was released in January, 2003. He toured both the US and the UK in support of the album.
Malin's follow-up, "The Heat," was released in June, 2004. He released his third solo album, "Glitter in the Gutter," in March, 2007.
In 2010, Malin formed a band called Jesse Malin & the St. Mark's Social and released an album called Love It To Life; the title comes from a quote by Joe Strummer (the title was previously used on a 2007 UK release of live material on the One Little Indian label.) Featuring a more rockier approach, the album's first single was "Burning The Bowery" and next single was "All The Way From Moscow." Love It To Life was referred to as "the best album of his career" by Paste Magazine.
In December 2010, Malin, along members of Green Day, formed the band 'Rodeo Queens'. They released one song, along with a video, called 'Depression Times'. D Generation reunited in 2011 and continue to play live.
In 2019, Jesse Malin released the critically acclaimed album "Sunset Kids," in collaboration with American roots icon Lucinda Williams and Billie Joe Armstrong of Green Day.
Indian Summer
Jesse Malin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I just lost another
I've been thinking about my mother
As the plane touched down
I feel lost and found
Coming home
Daylight's gonna come
Lately I've been thinking about you
We hung out in the kitchen
We did a lot of wishing
And dying for a living
If it all goes south with your whiskey mouth
On the run
Daylight's gonna come
Sing your life life unsung
Lately I've been thinking about you
Further than my father
Life for him was harder
There's millionaires and martyrs
We can tell bad jokes
And become our folks
In the end
Daylight's gonna come
Sing your life life unsung
Lately I've been thinking about you
Baby on the run
Oh I hope you're having fun
Lately I've been thinking
Over mountains over money over time
All the glitter in the gutter you can find
The verses of Jesse Malin's song "Indian Summer" convey a sense of loss, nostalgia and introspection. The first line "It's been an Indian summer and I just lost another" introduces the metaphor of an Indian Summer, a season that brings unexpected warmth and prolongs the summer, as a transitional phase where changes occur. The loss that the singer has experienced is not explicit, but it contributes to the melancholic and reflective tone of the song. The following line "I've been thinking about my mother as the plane touched down" adds a personal dimension to the narrative, suggesting that the singer is returning to his hometown or a place he associates with his past.
The chorus "Daylight's gonna come, sing your life life unsung, lately I've been thinking about you" is a hopeful echo of the idea that changes bring new opportunities and that life should be lived to the fullest. The line "sing your life life unsung" can be understood as an invitation to express oneself, to embrace the present moment and not to regret the past. The second verse reveals that the singer shares memories with someone he's close to, probably a friend or a romantic partner. The intimate moment of hanging out in the kitchen becomes a space of dreams and struggles, as the lyrics "we did a lot of wishing" and "dying for a living" suggest. Yet, the moment of union and complicity is threatened by uncertainty and the possibility of failure, as the line "if it all goes south with your whiskey mouth, on the run" implies.
The third verse broadens the perspective and compares the singer's life to his father's, whose life was "harder". The contrast between "millionaires and martyrs" emphasizes the unpredictable nature of success and reminds the listener of the sacrifices and compromises one may face in life. However, the lyrics also suggest a sense of reconciliation with the past and the possibility of continuity. The idea of "becoming our folks in the end" suggests that one's identity is shaped by the cultural and familial heritage that influences one's choices, but also that it is possible to redefine and reshape one's legacy. The final bridge "over mountains over money over time, all the glitter in the gutter you can find" sums up the message of the song, encouraging the listener to look beyond the superficiality of material achievements and seek meaning and beauty in unexpected places.
Line by Line Meaning
It's been an Indian summer
It has been a prolonged period of unusually warm, dry weather and the emotional feeling associated with it.
And I just lost another
I have recently experienced another loss in my life, possibly related to death or a breakup.
I've been thinking about my mother
I have been contemplating the memory of my mother, perhaps due to feeling lost and in need of guidance.
As the plane touched down
As I arrived at my destination by plane, perhaps returning home or starting a new journey.
I feel lost and found
I feel both disoriented and discovered, possibly due to confronting unresolved feelings or being in a new environment.
Coming home
Returning to a place of familiarity, comfort, and belonging.
Daylight's gonna come
The future holds the promise of a brighter tomorrow or renewed hope and optimism.
Sing your life life unsung
Express yourself and your experiences in a way that has previously been unacknowledged or unheard.
Lately I've been thinking about you
Recently, my mind has been preoccupied with thoughts of someone significant to me, possibly a romantic interest.
We hung out in the kitchen
We spent time together in the heart of the home, sharing moments of intimacy or comfort.
We did a lot of wishing
We spent a significant amount of time contemplating the future and our desires or aspirations.
And dying for a living
Engaging in a self-destructive lifestyle or occupation that causes harm to oneself or others.
If it all goes south with your whiskey mouth
If everything falls apart due to your addiction to alcohol or destructive behavior.
On the run
Fleeing from something or someone, possibly related to danger or fear.
Further than my father
My experiences and challenges in life have surpassed those of my father's.
Life for him was harder
My father had to endure a more difficult life, and I have respect for his struggles.
There's millionaires and martyrs
There are individuals who succeed financially and those who sacrifice their lives for a greater cause.
We can tell bad jokes
We can find humor and levity in everyday situations, even when they are not particularly humorous.
And become our folks
As we age, we embody qualities and characteristics of our parents or ancestors.
In the end
Ultimately, when all is said and done.
Baby on the run
Possibly referring to a pregnant woman fleeing a dangerous or unstable situation.
Oh I hope you're having fun
Expressing a desire or wish for someone to find enjoyment or happiness in their situation.
Over mountains over money over time
Overcoming obstacles related to physical challenges, finances, and the passage of time.
All the glitter in the gutter you can find
Finding beauty and meaning in unexpected or difficult situations, despite their seeming flaws or imperfections.
Contributed by Zoe S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Jacqueline Dillon
Great song by the best live performer on the scene - then and now. Thanks for posting this beautiful quality video.