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.
James Dean
Jr Jr Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Staring at a cigarette
I tried to quit, but haven't yet
In the moonlight, in a freezing house
Put on the record you've been all about
Ah, na, na, naaaaa, it's all I want to be
I've been feeling like good times just don't last
Got me screaming out, "Ooh, ooh, look at me now"
Ah, na, na, naaaaaaaa, all I wanna be
Is to be cool like James Dean
I'm not dumbn, but I've wasted time
A hundred projects; none of them were mine
Suitcase half unpacked
The internet won't ever love you back...
The song "James Dean" by Jr Jr talks about the singer's desire to be cool like James Dean. The song starts with the singer staring at a cigarette, showing his struggle with quitting smoking. He then mentions how he feels in the moonlight, in a freezing house. He urges his partner to put on a record that they have been all about, possibly indicating his love for music and the nostalgia that comes with it.
In the chorus, the singer talks about how being cool like James Dean is all he wants to be. He says he has been acting like a fool and feeling like good times don't last. He then exclaims, "Ooh, ooh, look at me now," which could be interpreted as him trying to prove that he can be cool too.
In the second verse, the singer mentions how he has wasted time on a hundred projects that were not his. He talks about his suitcase being half unpacked and how the internet won't ever love him back. Overall, the song is about the singer's struggle to be cool like James Dean, and how he feels that he is wasting time in his life.
Line by Line Meaning
Staring at a cigarette
Reflecting on life
I tried to quit, but haven't yet
Struggling to overcome personal demons
In the moonlight, in a freezing house
Feeling isolated and lonely
Put on the record you've been all about
Trying to find comfort in familiar things
Ah, na, na, naaaaa, it's all I want to be
Longing for a simpler life
I've acting a fool
Making poor choices
I've been feeling like good times just don't last
Experiencing disappointment
Got me screaming out, "Ooh, ooh, look at me now"
Desperately seeking attention and validation
Ah, na, na, naaaaaaaa, all I wanna be
Dreaming of a better life
Is to be cool like James Dean
Fascinated by celebrity and iconic figures
I'm not dumbn, but I've wasted time
Regretting past mistakes
A hundred projects; none of them were mine
Feeling unfulfilled and directionless
Suitcase half unpacked
Never feeling settled or at home
The internet won't ever love you back...
Feeling disconnected from reality and real relationships
Contributed by Hailey F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Garrett Watts
I am trying to get work done today and I cannot stop watching this on a loop.
Curse your incredible music JR JR and curse your flawless dance moves Adam Carpenter.
Wilo Polis
This album is one of my favorites of all time, it's in my top 5 definitely
*sigh*
Is past Garrett here to save us? Please?
lucindathefieryginger
omg no way does Garrett like JR JR too, I am shook they are my fave!
Pat
Gotta love garret
kdawgl
Garrett Watts GARRET
Thejugglingbum
Such a good song. Glad to see Napoleon Dynamite is doing okay.
Chase Crawshaw
I laughed real hard at that comment
NirnrootQueen
His moves are delicious, and I love every single one of them.
Elias Swerte
double thumbs up man, amazing song so relaxing and cool music video make some more this kind of music ..love to listen it, make more more