JR JR (formerly Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr.) are an American indie-pop band from… Read Full Bio ↴JR JR (formerly Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr.) are an American indie-pop band from Detroit, Michigan, consisting of Daniel Zott and Joshua Epstein. Zott and Epstein met each other while playing in other Detroit music projects and began recording in Zott’s basement in Royal Oak, Michigan.

JR JR was formed in late 2009 by members Joshua Epstein and Daniel Zott. The band also includes drummer Mike Higgins and the group’s newest addition, keyboardist Jon Visger. The band initially began as a basement recording project with few intentions of reaching the public.

In July 2010, the band released Horsepower EP via Quite Scientific Records. The Horsepower EP consisted of songs “Nothing But Our Love,” “Vocal Chords,” “Simple Girl,” and a cover of The Beach Boys’ “God Only Knows.” Months after their EP was released the band’s genre was described as ‘psych-retro pop,’ ‘an inspired mix of hip-hop and folk,’ ‘minimalist altera-pop,’ and ‘beach wave.’ The band came out with a second EP titled My Love Is Easy: Remixes Pt.1 via Quite Scientific Records on November 2, 2010. They were noted as ‘one of the best new bands’ of 2010 and became very well-liked from various sources such as Stereogum, SPIN, Under the Radar, Real Detroit, and The Metro Times. The band later came out with We Almost Lost Detroit EP via Warner Bros. Records and Quite Scientific Records on April 21, 2011. The duo released two singles, “Morning Thought” and “Simple Girl” on April 8, 2011 and September 9, 2011; respectively.

Then-Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. released their first full-length album, It’s A Corporate World on June 7, 2011 via Warner Bros. Records and Quite Scientific Records.

The band came out with their new single, “If You Didn’t See Me (Then You Weren’t On The Dancefloor)” on April 2, 2013. This single was released right before they came out with their new EP, Patterns. The band performed live on May 16, 2013 on KCRW’s Morning Becomes Eclectic to premier a few songs on their upcoming album. The featured songs included: “Hiding,” “Run,” “Mesopotamia,” “If You Didn’t See Me (Then You Weren’t On The Dancefloor),” “Dark Water,” “Knock Louder,” “War Zone,” “Don’t Tell Me,” and “I Think Of You.” They also performed on the TV series Conan, June 11, 2013, featuring the song “If You Didn’t See Me (Then You Weren’t On The Dancefloor).”

Patterns (EP) was released on April 16, 2013, consisting of four songs: “If You Didn’t See Me (Then You Weren’t On The Dancefloor),” “Dark Water,” “Hiding,” and “Habits.” Their 13-track sophomore LP, The Speed of Things, was released on October 8, 2013.

JR JR's first release under their new, shorter moniker on July 16, 2015 was the single "Gone," to be featured on their upcoming LP "Jr Jr," slated for a September 25, 2015 release.

More information can be found at the band's web site, jrjrmusic.com.

Dumb Myself Down
Jr Jr Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

In search of a river
I can cross with this load
Leaving loneliness behind
All it's impossible terrain

You give these eyes distant fire inner light
One star still burning in the night

I'll lay myself down
Down at your feet tonight
I'll lay myself down

A long way between fires
A longer way between friends
But I can see it I can breathe free now
No hiding love from now on again

You give these eyes distant fire inner light
And courage still to see things as we are

I'll lay myself down
Down at your feet tonight
I'll lay myself down

Today I don't want to see
Too far down the road
Today I don't want to be
In a world with no justice for all
Alone with the thoughts
And the dreams for no cause
Last night I was scared to death

You give these eyes distant fire inner light
One star still awake in the night
Awake in the night

Lay myself down
I'll lay myself down

At your feet tonight
Lay myself down

Overall Meaning

The opening lines of Jr Jr's song "Dumb Myself Down" speak of a journey, but not a physical one. The search for a river that can be crossed with a heavy load, represents a search for emotional freedom without carrying the weight of loneliness. The impossible terrain of loneliness is left behind as the singer looks towards distant fire and inner light that can move him forward. The next verse speaks of the difficulty of finding warmth and intimacy in a world full of emotional distance. The singer acknowledges the distance he has come, and the distance that still lies ahead, but he has faith in the power of love and courage, the tools that will allow him to see things as they truly are.

The chorus's repetition of laying oneself down at the feet of someone, suggests a willingness to submit and surrender in order to find this emotional freedom. The singer longs to lay himself down and be comforted by this inner light and guidance, letting go of the worries of the past and present. The middle section comments on the overwhelming feeling of powerlessness that can arise in a world that does not offer justice to all. The last part of the song circles back to the idea that the inner fire and light serve as a guiding star in darkness, offering hope and upholding the singer in moments of fear and uncertainty.

Line by Line Meaning

In search of a river
Looking for a path

I can cross with this load
Able to overcome a burden

Leaving loneliness behind
Moving away from feeling alone

All it's impossible terrain
Overcoming difficulties and obstacles

You give these eyes distant fire inner light
Your support provides motivation and inspiration

One star still burning in the night
Hope still exists even in dark times

I'll lay myself down
Giving oneself completely

Down at your feet tonight
Showing humility and admiration

A long way between fires
A long journey to find passion and warmth

A longer way between friends
A greater distance to find true companionship

But I can see it I can breathe free now
Feeling free and able to see clearly