Moreland first debuted his name as a part of the Black Gold Band from 2006-2010, with a 2006 full-band demo, 2008's Endless Oklahoma Sky, and 2009's solo demo session falling in that time span before he decided to retire the Black Gold Band name. John continues to write and record music, and in 2010 will release Things I Can't Control under his own name. Black Gold Band guitarist Wayne Wedge has returned to perform secondary guitar duties, and producer Stephen Egerton (ALL, Descendents) has been playing drums on the studio sessions. In 2010, Moreland was featured on the multi-musician studio project The Seven Degrees of Stephen Egerton, along with members of Drag the River, Descendents, MxPx, and many others.
I Need You to Tell Me Who I Am
John Moreland Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm as green as the grass in every song you wrote
Well babe, I'm afraid I lost it before you knew I had it
Boxes full of dust are falling from the attic
I threw my love into the ocean and I found it in the sand
And I need you to tell me who I am
I got years worth of work and I'm running low on tools
We stood out on the sidewalk throwing feathers at the castle
Be careful what you wish for, babe you look a little fragile
And they'll blow smoke in your direction til you don't know where you stand
And I need you to tell me who I am
I never cared for anyone so much
I was born with a bomb inside my gut
You spend so long looking that you never really see
I need you to tell me what to be
Well babe, I'm afraid I lost it before you knew I had it
I only wanted one thing and I put my faith in magic
I threw my love into the ocean and I found it in the sand
I need you to tell me who I am
In "I Need You to Tell Me Who I Am," John Moreland explores themes of identity, insecurity, and self-discovery. The opening lines set a melancholic tone as the singer gazes at the sky with a heavy feeling in his throat. He then references the songs written by his lover, indicating that she may have a significant influence on his life. However, he admits that he has lost something important, possibly his own sense of self, without her even realizing he had it. The boxes of dust falling from the attic may represent memories or forgotten dreams that have been neglected.
The second verse continues to express the singer's frustration with his personal and creative struggles. He acknowledges that he has worked hard for years but feels like he is running out of resources. He has been relying on the words of those who are tired and beaten down, rather than forging his own path. He also warns his lover to be careful what she wishes for, as he describes her as fragile. In this verse, he hints at the idea that the world can be harsh and misleading, with people blowing smoke to obscure truths.
In the chorus, the singer reveals his vulnerability and asks his lover to help him discover who he really is. He admits that he has never cared for anyone so much and feels like he was born with a "bomb inside my gut." He has spent a lot of time searching but has yet to find what he is looking for. Therefore, he is placing his trust in his lover, hoping that she can provide guidance and direction.
Overall, "I Need You to Tell Me Who I Am" is a poignant reflection on the complexities of identity and the search for meaning in life. It is a call for help and a plea for understanding from someone who is feeling lost and disconnected.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm staring at the sky with a lump inside my throat
Feeling emotional and overwhelmed, struggling to express how I'm feeling.
I'm as green as the grass in every song you wrote
Imitating the experiences of others in my own creative pursuits, feeling unoriginal and unremarkable.
Well babe, I'm afraid I lost it before you knew I had it
Feeling like I've missed out on something important, and wishing for guidance from someone who might have a clearer perspective.
Boxes full of dust are falling from the attic
Memories and past experiences are coming back to me, even if they're not pleasant or easy to deal with.
I threw my love into the ocean and I found it in the sand
I've made a major sacrifice for love and it didn't turn out as expected, leaving me feeling lost and uncertain.
And I need you to tell me who I am
I'm looking for guidance and clarity, hoping that someone else can give me answers about my own identity.
I got years worth of work and I'm running low on tools
Feeling like I've put in a lot of effort, but that I'm not able to make real progress or achieve what I'm hoping for.
I've been worshiping the words of weary worn out fools
Realizing that some of the things I've been listening to or following are not helpful or productive, but are actually holding me back.
We stood out on the sidewalk throwing feathers at the castle
Feeling powerless against powerful forces that seem unshakeable, but recognizing that there's a chance to make change if I work with others.
Be careful what you wish for, babe you look a little fragile
Others may be judging me or concerned for my well-being, but I still need to be careful about what I hope for because I may not be prepared for it.
And they'll blow smoke in your direction til you don't know where you stand
The people or groups I'm relying on may not have my best interests at heart, and I need to be wary of false promises or manipulations.
I never cared for anyone so much
I've never felt this way about anyone before, and it's confusing and overwhelming.
I was born with a bomb inside my gut
I feel like I'm carrying something dangerous or explosive within me, and that it's a constant burden and worry.
You spend so long looking that you never really see
I've been searching for answers or direction for so long that I may be overlooking important things or people right in front of me.
I need you to tell me what to be
I'm looking for someone to give me a clear purpose or identity, because I don't feel like I have one on my own.
I only wanted one thing and I put my faith in magic
I've had high hopes for something or someone, and have invested a lot of my trust and energy into it without really considering the consequences or reality.
Contributed by Carter G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@xxHATESxTHExWORLDxx
I'm staring at the sky with a lump inside my throat
I'm as green as the grass in every song you wrote
Well babe, I'm afraid I lost it before you knew I had it
Boxes full of dust are falling from the attic
I threw my love into the ocean and I found it in the sand
And I need you to tell me who I am
I got years worth of work and I'm running low on tools
I've been worshiping the words of weary worn out fools
We stood out on the sidewalk throwing feathers at the castle
Be careful what you wish for, babe you look a little fragile
And they'll blow smoke in your direction til you don't know where you stand
And I need you to tell me who I am
I never cared for anyone so much
I was born with a bomb inside my gut
You spend so long looking that you never really see
I need you to tell me what to be
Well babe, I'm afraid I lost it before you knew I had it
I only wanted one thing and I put my faith in magic
I threw my love into the ocean and I found it in the sand
I need you to tell me who I am
@ambymae5807
On this black friday full of Covid, as a retail worker I find that a few beers and John moreland at the close of this day remedy all the woes of the day. ❤️
@seancasey6793
Take care love. I feel you.
@JohnLLJ
My wife passed away Sep 2020
and loved all your music. Loving the memories.
@MrDonimal
Sorry for your loss
@davidk.umlauf7436
One of the most powerful songs I've ever listened to! John moreland is one of the most soulful musicians I've ever heard!
@J__C__
Talk about a diamond in the rough! An actual country/blues singer.
Thank you!
@yangerjamir0906
He's polished diamond...a rare one.
@TheGrahamSnyder
This guy is right up there with Jason isbell , Ray Lamontange and Tyler Childers . Wow
@vmantle
How is it possible that this young man is telling the story of my 39 blessed years with my husband, and the craziness I now feel because he’s gone. All in one song.
@robinr5669
Blessings on you, your grief, and hopefully getting through each day.