With the release of his album, Time To Get Right, the rest of America will soon know how Jessta’s unique blend of country, rock and hip hop honors his country roots while advancing the genre to places just recently discovered.
“I’ve loved music for as long as I can remember,” Jessta, whose name is a play on the word “jester” aka an entertainer, admits. “Some of my earliest influences were from my parents. My dad listened to a lot of outlaw country—Willie, Waylon, Hank Jr. and Johnny Cash— when I was growing up, as well as classic country, rock and Southern rock.”
A late bloomer artistically, Jessta didn’t write his first song until he was 24 years old, but the bug quickly bit him and he was hooked. “I wrote probably 150 songs over a year and a half,” the former construction worker says. “If I had an idea while I was at work, I’d write it on a two by four or a piece of cardboard I’d ripped from a box of nails.”
While still working his day job, Jessta began performing around Montana, doing both his own shows and opening for national acts, all the while building a devoted following.
With the support of his then-girlfriend and now wife, Chandra, Jessta headed to the West Coast hoping to hone and find a home for his music. While he connected with both fans and the industry, Jessta didn’t believe his vision was being fulfilled.
There were other forces at work as well.
After a brief foray into the California music scene Jessta found his country connection in Atlanta-based songwriter and producer Dan Hannon. The two men immediately hit it off and the collaboration began. Together they wrote the song “If That Ain’t Country” and demoed it. “As soon as I heard it I said, ‘That’s the sound I’ve been looking for,’” Jessta recalls. “I found that sweet spot and it just clicked.”
Even though Jessta is country through and through, it wasn’t until he discovered artists such as Eric Church, Big & Rich and Brantley Gilbert, among others, that he realized his unique blend of country rock infused with hip hop, wild west and classic rock could find mainstream success. After all, today’s iPod generation of country fans are just as comfortable listening to Jason Aldean as Ludacris and Lynyrd Skynyrd. “They’ve paved the way for my music,” says Jessta. The realization further validated the work he was doing with Dan.
The pair continued writing songs and then took what they had to Nashville to record with Music City’s top musicians, including some that had played with Jessta’s heroes Hank Williams Jr. and Garth Brooks, among others.
The result is a collection of music that embodies Jessta’s genre-bending blend of country, rock and hip-hop with his Wild West upbringing.
The best country music comes from the heart and Jessta’s music is no different. The album’s title cut, “Time To Get Right,” was born out of the loss of his older brother, Matt, to a prescription drug addiction in 2006. “We were best friends,” says Jessta. “We were only 20 months apart.”
Jessta hopes the song will help others deal with the issue of addiction. “This song gives me the opportunity to tell Matt all the things I didn’t get to tell him,” Jessta says. “It’s a really powerful song for me, but I’ve found that when people hear the song they relate to it. Everybody at some level has dealt with addiction, whether it’s a family member or a friend or an acquaintance.”
Front and center in Jessta’s life is his Christianity, which is evident on his album. There are many references to his spirituality—both overt and subtle. “I always want my music to make an impact and share a message,” Jessta says. “I’ve always just done what God has put in my heart as far as writing songs. What I’ve found is that it’s reaching people no matter what their faith is. It’s not coming across to people as preachy, it’s coming across as real.”
“My faith and my family are the most important things with me,” he adds.
Fittingly, “Better Man” is a song that Jessta wrote about his relationship with his father as well as the relationship he’ll have with his own children as they grow up. “It’s about the values I want to instill in them,” he says.
He calls songs such as “Better Man” and “Time To Get Right,” “a window into my soul, who I am as a person.”
“If That Ain’t Country Song,” explains just who Jessta is. “It tells my story. Everyone told me ‘you can’t do that’,” he says of his vision to blend genres, “but it actually pushed me more. I don’t have to do what everyone else says.”
“Rock ‘n’ Roll Angel’,” which features country up-and-comer Dana King, is a tribute to Jessta’s wife and her dedication to his career. “A lot of people don’t think about the people at home who make this happen,” he says.
With a groundbreaking new album in is back pocket, Jessta is ready to share his music with the masses in a big way. “The live show is where the rubber meets the road,” says Jessta. “It’s where I connect with my fans. I want them to say, ‘that was worth going to see. I’m going to tell everyone I can about it.'"
“I’ve been given a gift to relate to a lot of people from a wide variety of backgrounds,” Jessta concludes. “I’m making music for everybody. Whether you’re 4-years-old or 84- years-old, you’re gonna love the music."
Back In The Day
Jessta James Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Back in the day girl we were wild and free
Those were the good times, baby
Life is good laughing our cares away
Like back in the day
Way back in the day
Man I'll tell you sometimes, in the back of my mind
We'd go deep in them woods
Sipping granddaddy's wine
Raising hell till dawn just to see the sunrise
Sweet home Alabama, Dixieland delight
Cranking them tunes just to keep the mood right
Howling by the fire underneath the moonlight
See you only live once so we had a good time
Back in the day man we were crazy
Back in the day girl we were wild and free
Those were the good times, baby
Life is good laughing our cares away
Like back in the day
Way back in the day
And it still takes me back when I hear them old tracks
Something bout the sound had me thinking bout the past
Cold beer in my hand hot girl in my lap
Having too much fun make it hurt when we laughed
The thing about fun is you can never have enough
You see the little things are the things that you love
So when you get down and the going gets tough
Just forget about it all, man
And turn the music up
x 2
Back in the day man we were crazy
Back in the day girl we were wild and free
Those were the good times, baby
Life is good laughing our cares away
Feels so fine hope it'll stay this way
Crank it up and let the music play
Like back in the day
Way back in the day
Jessta James's song Back in the Day is a nostalgic track that takes the listener back to a time when life was carefree and wild. The lyrics are about reminiscing on the past and the memories that come flooding back when hearing old tunes. The chorus, "Back in the day man we were crazy, Back in the day girl we were wild and free" speaks of the wild and crazy nature they had back then. The memories they shared were filled with moments of joy, laughter, and fun. The lyrics "You see the little things are the things that you love" emphasizes how the small experiences stay with us and how important it is to cherish them. The song ends on a positive and upbeat note, "Feels so fine hope it'll stay this way, crank it up and let the music play, like back in the day, way back in the day".
The lyrics not only take the listener back in time, but the melody and instrumentals also transport them to a different era. The song features a catchy guitar riff and an upbeat tempo that gives it a country vibe. Jessta James's vocal delivery oozes raw emotion and honesty. His voice adds depth to the already nostalgic feel. The lyrics, melody, and James's voice together create a track that is sure to make anyone reminisce about their wild past.
Line by Line Meaning
Back in the day man we were crazy
In the past, we had wild and reckless behavior.
Back in the day girl we were wild and free
During that time, women had freedom and independence.
Those were the good times, baby
Those days were the best times of our life.
Life is good laughing our cares away
We enjoyed life and didn't let our worries bother us by laughing them away.
Like back in the day
It reminds us of the times we had.
Way back in the day
It was a long time ago.
Man I'll tell you sometimes, in the back of my mind
On some days, I remember those past times that are still fond in my memory.
I remember those days still thinking bout the nights
I think about the wild and crazy nights we had during those times.
We'd go deep in them woods
We would venture deep into the woods.
Sipping granddaddy's wine
We would drink alcohol from our grandparents' collection.
Raising hell till dawn just to see the sunrise
We would stay up all night causing chaos just to watch the sunrise.
Sweet home Alabama, Dixieland delight
We listened to Southern rock music and enjoyed the good times.
Cranking them tunes just to keep the mood right
We would listen to music to enhance the mood and keep festivities lively.
Howling by the fire underneath the moonlight
We would camp outdoors, sitting around a campfire, and howling at the full moon.
See you only live once so we had a good time
We lived life to the fullest because we knew we only had one shot at it.
And it still takes me back when I hear them old tracks
I am taken back to the good times when I listen to songs from that era.
Something bout the sound had me thinking bout the past
The sound of music reminds me of the good old days.
Cold beer in my hand hot girl in my lap
I would have a cold beer in my hand while sitting next to an attractive woman.
Having too much fun make it hurt when we laughed
We had so much fun that our stomachs hurt from laughing too much.
The thing about fun is you can never have enough
There is never enough enjoyment in life.
You see the little things are the things that you love
We loved the little things that made life fun and enjoyable.
So when you get down and the going gets tough
During the difficult times in life,
Just forget about it all, man
We should forget our troubles and focus on the good times.
And turn the music up
We will feel better by listening to music.
Feels so fine hope it'll stay this way
Everything is great and we hope it remains that way.
Crank it up and let the music play
We will listen to music to maintain our good mood and state of mind.
Like back in the day
We will feel like we used to feel during those past times.
Way back in the day
During a time long ago.
Writer(s): Marion James
Contributed by Asher K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@ninahnemeth5704
She is truely amazing I myself personally think her voice outshines Carrie Underwood anyday!! I seen them last weekend at a show and it was awesome...lovin them big time!
@Yayten4
I love this song!!!
@ROCKGUITARUSA
Definitely has that 80's vibe. Good job.
@MrFirerescue67
I love this song.. thanks for sharing
@devonstewart689
Hes really great in concert!!
@paulajane9828
I love everything about this song forever your awesome 🎸❣❤❣🎸
@babydollteresaw
That was awesome there Jessta James.. Looking forward to be hearing a lot more from you, It was a great song and it looks like you, You had a lot fun just doing that video,So Keep on keep on bring us more more..Thank's...
@ronaldwmcmillan
what is the music world thinking? Put Jessta out my goodness! Great songs and great video's!
Can't wait to see the gang in Dallas , Tx one day, come on music world get this done!
@panzertooE-CollartrainingPAGER
this is so good!
@countryboy2428
It's called "If That Ain't Country" the video just released yesterday! It's awesome!