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.
Hiding
Jr Jr Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What am I gonna do
What am I gonna do
If I can't have you
Oh, tired and true
Buried out behind the school
Where the mud is thick as glue
What am I gonna do
Covered up in skin
All the vessels there within
Every single little sin
Covered up in skin
and your head is on my lap
all your cells are little maps
said I can't tell where we're at
so we'll just go back
this is what you said to me
I ain't hiding
I ain't hiding no more
I ain't hiding
I ain't hiding no more
And the grass is wild and tall
in the field behind the mall
covers you up like a shawl
Don't you feel so small?
This is what you said to me
I ain't hiding
I ain't hiding no more
I ain't hiding
I ain't hiding no more
I ain't hiding
I ain't hiding no more
no more
The song "Hiding" by Jr Jr is a reflective track about the desire to be with someone, the fear of losing them and the importance of being open and vulnerable in a relationship. The lyrics suggest that the singer is deeply invested in a romantic relationship and is struggling with the idea of losing their partner, saying "If I can't have you, what am I gonna do?" The singer is exploring the lengths they would go to in order to keep their partner close, reflecting on moments they shared and the intensity of their connection.
The first verse talks about a hidden spot behind a school where the singer and their partner would spend time together. The image of the mud being "thick as glue" suggests a sense of comfort and familiarity. This spot may be seen as a metaphor for the intimacy that the two share, away from the prying eyes of others. As the song progresses, the singer describes how their partner's "head is on [their] lap" and how "all [their partner's] cells are little maps." This line suggests that the singer knows their partner inside and out - physically, emotionally and mentally. They have a deep understanding of who their partner is.
The chorus of the song emphasizes the importance of being true to oneself in a relationship, saying "I ain't hiding, I ain't hiding no more." The singer seems to be acknowledging that they may have previously concealed part of themselves in order to appease their partner or to avoid conflict. However, now they are committed to being authentic and not hiding their feelings or desires.
In the last verse, the singer speaks of the "grass [that] is wild and tall" and how it "covers you up like a shawl" suggesting that the natural world can provide sanctuary and comfort. The imagery of the grass covering the singer's partner reinforces the idea that they are protective of their lover and want to keep them safe. In the end, the emphasis is on being honest and open about how they feel, with lines repeating "I ain't hiding, I ain't hiding no more."
Line by Line Meaning
If I can't have you
Expressing the disappointment of not being able to have the one they desire.
What am I gonna do
Questioning about what options they're left with.
What am I gonna do
A repetition of the earlier line to emphasize the hopelessness of the situation.
If I can't have you
Reiterating their desire for the one they can't have.
Oh, tired and true
Feeling exhausted and knowing that the situation won't change.
Buried out behind the school
Describing a location, but it's a metaphor for feeling stuck and hidden.
Where the mud is thick as glue
Further illustrating the feeling of being stuck and unable to move or progress.
What am I gonna do
Asking the same question again, emphasizing the lack of options.
This is what you said to me
Referring to a conversation they've had with someone else.
Covered up in skin
Describing the human body as a shell or cover for the inner self.
All the vessels there within
Referring to the veins and arteries as pathways within the body.
Every single little sin
Acknowledging the fact that everyone has flaws and makes mistakes.
Covered up in skin
Repeating the earlier line for emphasis.
and your head is on my lap
A visual image of the person and the singer being close physically.
all your cells are little maps
Seeing every aspect of the person as a piece of them leading to who they are.
said I can't tell where we're at
Feeling uncertain about the current status of their relationship or connection.
so we'll just go back
Suggesting that they should just return to a previous state, rather than moving forward.
this is what you said to me
Referring to a conversation they've had with someone else.
I ain't hiding
Showing a newfound sense of confidence in themselves.
I ain't hiding no more
Emphasizing that they're not hiding anymore and will be honest with themselves and others.
I ain't hiding
Repeating the same line for emphasis.
I ain't hiding no more
Repeating the same line for emphasis.
And the grass is wild and tall
Describing a physical setting, but it's a metaphor for feeling surrounded by nature and life.
in the field behind the mall
Describing the physical location, but it's a metaphor for being in a place of commerce and consumerism.
covers you up like a shawl
Seeing the grass as a protective covering, like a shawl on the body.
Don't you feel so small?
Questioning how they feel in the face of nature and its overwhelming power.
This is what you said to me
Referring to a conversation they've had with someone else.
I ain't hiding
Repeating the same line for emphasis.
I ain't hiding no more
Repeating the same line for emphasis.
I ain't hiding
Repeating the same line for emphasis.
I ain't hiding no more
Repeating the same line for emphasis.
no more
A definitive statement, emphasizing that they are not hiding anymore and will face their feelings head-on.
Contributed by Alexander O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
headybomb
This is gonna blow up. Congrats Jr. on one of the best songs so far this year!
Nicole Cruz
Recently Found This One. Think This Is Going To Be My New Jam. Really liking This One❤👍👍
Marisol N
I love this song I play it on repeat
Jeffrey Kilroy
Saw these guys last night at the Metro. This song was amazing live!
apocalyspeSampler
loving the album already
Lyan Vargas
i love this SONG SO MUCH M A N
BASSic - Bass Boosted Music
I bass boosted this... it turned out great! good sound guys! You made a fan
TheFistGamers
Saw them at the A&R Music Bar in Columbus. They were amazing!
BASSic - Bass Boosted Music
Great music! Good job!
Cristóbal Correa Benavente
like it!