In the Morning
The seven-piece alt-rock group draws inspiration from multiple genres inclu… Read Full Bio ↴The seven-piece alt-rock group draws inspiration from multiple genres including rock, funk, jazz, blues, and ska, featuring a unique mixture of the typical rock band drums, bass, guitar, and vocals, as well as keys and brass- namely sax and trumpet with the occasional trombone, flute, and strings. The brass brings on the jazzy, funk-laced feel, dependent on the song, while keys, vocals, guitars, and drums adapt to fit the different feel each song delivers. “It’s like if you took angsty 2000s punk rock (think like Anthony Raneri from Bayside) and put it in a blender with Ben Folds style piano melodies, threw in some jazz, added in some smooth orchestral elements, and sprinkled in a little Rufus Wainwright for good measure,” according to OK Sessions. Going from wildly upbeat songs that make the audience dance around uncontrollably (namely “Gestapo,” “Deserve,” and “That Doesn’t Happen,”) the Bastards are never lacking when it’s time to take it down a notch for the slow dance with songs like “Lightning,” “Annie,” and “Lucky to Have You.”
 Hailing from the Oklahoma City metro, the band formed in 2016, including band leader Johnny Manchild (vocals, keys), and co-founding members: Ethan Neel (drums), Ben Wood (trumpet), and James Thompson (bass). Danny McGinn (trumpet), Chris Lashley (guitar, vocals), and Logan From (saxophone) joined the lineup to complete the Poor Bastards as we know them today.

In the Morning
Johnny Manchild and the Poor Bastards Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

I don't wanna be here anymore, eyes on the floor,
Watching dust collect upon the metal of the vents
And insects marching, diligent to enter where they can
I wanna be just like them,
Another ant with one persisting drive
To find a better source of sustenance
I always find myself pursuing all the things that drag me further down
One more round of apathy for now
Just to help me push it all back down

I'm back down, eyes blacked out, can it pass now?
I'm counting sheep to fall asleep but they surround
Now the teeth begin to gnash and tear away, I am left to wither down
My own mind's beating back time,
Again forever stuck inside a thought that I can't seem to figure out
Another narrative reduced to
Monochrome and I can't seem to hear the sound

One more girl to kill it all away
Just one night and everything's okay

And in the morning I can tighten up, clean it up
Forget my worries and I'll brighten up, I'm on top
I know my mind has just been out of line
I'll see the sun and I know I'll be fine
And in the evening I can see my friends
I'll come around and wear a smile again
And I won't let it go away this time
No, I won't let it wash away this time
Right?





(Assorted trombones and da-da-das)

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Johnny Manchild and the Poor Bastards' song "In the Morning" express the desire to escape from the monotony and difficulties of life. The singer describes themselves as feeling stuck and unable to move forward, as if they are simply one of the many insects in the world, driven by the need for sustenance. They have a sense of hopelessness and apathy, but try to push these feelings down to continue on with life. However, as they try to ignore their problems and fall asleep, they find themselves overwhelmed by their own thoughts and anxieties.


The singer then describes a solution to their problems: finding a person to "kill it all away" and escape from their troubles for a night. They imagine that in the morning, after having forgotten their worries for a night, they will be able to face the day with a fresh perspective and regain control over their mind and emotions. The song concludes with the singer stating their determination to hold on to this feeling and not let it slip away.


Overall, "In the Morning" is a melancholy song that reflects on the struggles of life and the desire for escape. It also acknowledges the temporary nature of this escape and the need to continue facing one's difficulties in the long term.


Line by Line Meaning

I don't wanna be here anymore, eyes on the floor,
I am tired of my surroundings and I'm staring down at the ground


Watching dust collect upon the metal of the vents
I am observing the accumulation of dirt upon the metallic surfaces


And insects marching, diligent to enter where they can
I see the bugs moving, committed to finding an entry point


I wanna be just like them,
I aspire to have the dedication of these insects


Another ant with one persisting drive
I desire to be a creature with one unwavering impulse


To find a better source of sustenance
My only goal is to discover a superior source of nourishment


I always find myself pursuing all the things that drag me further down
I continue chasing things that harm me instead of lifting me up


One more round of apathy for now
One more instance of emotional indifference to cope with my troubles for now


Just to help me push it all back down
To suppress my feelings that cause me discomfort


I'm back down, eyes blacked out, can it pass now?
I have descended again, unable to see, hoping for it to end


I'm counting sheep to fall asleep but they surround
I am trying to sleep, but I am overwhelmed by thoughts and worries


Now the teeth begin to gnash and tear away, I am left to wither down
Now, my mind begins to fragment, leaving my mind to deteriorate


My own mind's beating back time,
My thoughts are fighting against my past experiences


Again forever stuck inside a thought that I can't seem to figure out
Again, I am trapped in an idea that I can't make sense of


Another narrative reduced to
Another story is simplified to


Monochrome and I can't seem to hear the sound
It is colorless and silent to me


One more girl to kill it all away
Another woman to use as a way to escape reality


Just one night and everything's okay
A temporary escape from my problems is all I need right now


And in the morning I can tighten up, clean it up
I can get my act together and tidy things up in the morning


Forget my worries and I'll brighten up, I'm on top
I'll forget about my problems and feel great again, I'll be on top of the world


I know my mind has just been out of line
I am aware that my mind is not functioning properly


I'll see the sun and I know I'll be fine
When I see the sun, I'll be okay again


And in the evening I can see my friends
In the evening, I can spend time with my friends


I'll come around and wear a smile again
I'll be happy again and show it


And I won't let it go away this time
I will not let happiness slip away from me again this time


No, I won't let it wash away this time
I won't let my happiness fade away this time. Right?


(Assorted trombones and da-da-das)
A musical interlude follows the last line




Writer(s): Ben Joseph Wood

Contributed by Wyatt B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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