After releasing two independent albums (Boxing Nostalgic and Projector Head) under the name Josh Joplin Band, the group signed to Artemis Records and released Useful Music in 2000. Produced largely by Shawn Mullins, the album received strong reviews but failed to make much commercial impact. It did, however, spawn a mild hit in "Camera One," a thoughtful exploration of depression and superficiality. Featuring a more rock-edged, radio-friendly sound than most of the material on Useful Music, the song peaked at #22 on the Billboard Adult Top 40 chart in 2001, and was featured in an episode of the comedy series Scrubs (season 1, episode 7, "My Super Ego").
In September 2002, Josh Joplin Group released its second major-label album, The Future That Was. On this record, Joplin's lyrics were noticeably more clever and playful than on Useful Music, with subject matter including the nature of popularity ("The Wonderful Ones"), the absurdity of snobbery among music lovers ("It's Only Entertainment"), and the uselessness of trying to predict the future ("The Future That Was"). The musical styles were similarly varied, ranging from slow piano- and acoustic guitar-driven pop to upbeat keyboard- and electric guitar-based rock.
Like its predecessor, The Future That Was received critical acclaim but sold poorly. Artemis released two singles from the album, "I Am Not the Only Cowboy" and "Wonder Wheel," but neither one took off. In the fall of 2003 the band announced that it was breaking up and would play its final two shows in Atlanta in December of that year.
On August 23, 2005, Joplin released a solo album, Jaywalker, on Eleven Thirty Records.
Gravity
Josh Joplin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
So I will not waste any time
Just pick my head up off the bar dear
Buy the next round
I'll be fine
Spoken like a poet
Who's just too drunk to know that
Everybody falls in small degrees
That's gravity
Here within lies the king of Graceland
Which makes the point all too clear
We stand in long lines
Praying our peace
And go home with a souvenir
Only fools rush in
To save a desperate man
Everybody falls in small degrees
Everybody falls in small degrees
That's gravity
Pull me down, don't pull me down
Pull me down, don't pull me down
When I was little
I used to dream that I had a cape
And I could fly
I'd rescue my friends from burning buildings
No one would ever die
Costumes fade fast
And super powers pass
Everybody falls in small degrees
Everybody falls in small degrees
That's gravity
In the song "Gravity", Josh Joplin seems to be reflecting on the fleeting nature of life and the inevitability of our own mortality. He begins with the sobering realization that he will not be around forever, which prompts him to reframe his outlook and live in the moment, not wasting any time on regrets or worries. He then proceeds to order another round of drinks, opting to enjoy the present moment with his friends rather than dwelling on the uncertainties of the future. Joplin suggests that we are all susceptible to the pull of gravity, which he interprets as a metaphor for the unseen forces that shape our lives and ultimately bring us down.
The verses that follow offer a somewhat cynical commentary on our human tendency to seek out and worship false idols. Joplin references the king of Graceland, Elvis Presley, and the commercialization of his legacy, suggesting that even in death, celebrities can become commodified and idolized by the masses. He warns against the dangers of blindly following our own heroes, cautioning that actions taken out of desperation can often lead to disastrous results. Despite this cautionary message, the chorus remains resolute in its acceptance of the natural law of gravity, suggesting that we are all equally subject to its pull and that ultimately, it is what gives our lives shape and meaning.
Overall, Joplin's lyrics offer a poignant reminder to live in the present moment and to resist the temptation to place too much emphasis on fame or material goods. The song's melancholic tone underscores the bittersweet realization that life is both beautiful and fleeting, but also carries with it the possibility of new beginnings and second chances.
Line by Line Meaning
I will not be here forever
I am aware of my own mortality and the fleeting nature of human life
So I will not waste any time
I want to make the most of the time I have and not let it slip away
Just pick my head up off the bar dear
I am telling my friend to cheer up and have a more positive outlook on life
Buy the next round
Let's have one more drink and enjoy the moment
I'll be fine
Despite any problems I may be facing, I believe that I will be okay
Spoken like a poet
My words have a lyrical quality and express deep emotions
Who's just too drunk to know that
Although I may seem confident and sure of myself, alcohol has impaired my judgment
Everybody falls in small degrees
No one is immune to the challenges and setbacks of life; we all experience them to some extent
That's gravity
This is just a fact of life, like the force of gravity that pulls us all down
Here within lies the king of Graceland
Elvis Presley is buried here, which is a reminder of our own mortality
Which makes the point all too clear
This serves as a stark reminder that we will all eventually pass on
We stand in long lines
People come from far and wide to visit this famous grave, reinforcing the idea that death is an inevitable part of the human experience
Praying our peace
We seek comfort and solace in the idea that we will find peace in the afterlife
And go home with a souvenir
We leave with a physical reminder of our visit, but must still confront the reality of our own mortality
Only fools rush in
Some people try to rush in and help others without fully understanding the situation
To save a desperate man
They try to rescue someone who is beyond their help
Pull me down, don't pull me down
A metaphor for trying to be saved from grief and despair before it's too late
When I was little
In my childhood, I had an innocent and optimistic outlook on life
I used to dream that I had a cape
I had fantasies of being a superhero who could save the day and make everything right
And I could fly
I believed that I had the power to rise above any problem or challenge
I'd rescue my friends from burning buildings
I wanted to protect the people I cared about from danger and harm
No one would ever die
In my youthful idealism, I believed that I could prevent all tragedies and loss
Costumes fade fast
As we grow older, our dreams and illusions become less vivid and more fleeting
And super powers pass
We realize that we are not invincible and cannot solve all of life's problems on our own
That's gravity
No matter how much we try to rise above it all, we are still subject to the laws of nature and the realities of life
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JOSHUA DAVID JOPLIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
M. Crosby
His music is still alive. Three years is too long for someone to comment on the beauty he brings.
Rachel Powell
This song has been going through my head a lot lately. I love it so much. Thank you for posting this!
Brandon Haygood
God, I just want everything this guy has ever done and show the world how amazing it is.
brainointmented
Thank you for posting this, one of my favorite songs.
Michael Jackson
Wow I have 2 subscribers to an account in which I only posted this one song yet 6000 views.. That's awesome lol!!
Tanuki Man
JJG is horribly unjustly unknown.
Michael Jackson
Kinda the same as Ben Folds Five.
Michael Jackson
I know right.
Michael Jackson
You are very welcome. Ive lost my info for this account.