Born in Hawaii, Jennings moved with his family to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, at an early age. Jennings learned to play guitar at the age of 13, when he began writing songs. Jennings later dropped out of school and moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota to pursue his musical career.
Jennings produced his self-titled debut album in 1997 on an analog four-track in the basement of a rented home, manning all instruments himself. In October 1998, after bringing drummer Chris Stock and bassist Robert Skoro on board, he began a weekly gig at Minneapolis' 400 Bar as the Mason Jennings Band. Garnering local praise and a wide fan base, Mason began touring nationally.
His 2000 album Birds Flying Away revealed Jennings' political activism and penchant for singing first-person narratives of imaginary rustic characters. Following the release of this album, Noah Levy took over drumming duties from Stock.
2002 saw the release of two albums: the studio piece Century Spring and a "fans only" collection of acoustic rarities, Simple Life. An EP supporting Century Spring was also released, featuring the album's opening track, "Living In The Moment," two live tracks, and the previously-unreleased "Emperor Ashoka." Jennings released all three discs -- and re-released his earlier albums -- on his homebrewed record label, Architect Records.
In 2003, Skoro and Levy left the band (the former to pursue a solo career), and were replaced by bassist Chris Morrissey (formerly of Bill Mike Band) and drummer Brian Mcleod.
On 10 February 2004, Jennings released Use Your Voice, which notably included the songs "Keepin' It Real," a foot-stomper ostensibly written at the request of Shrek 2 producers (but not used in the film), and "The Ballad of Paul and Sheila," an acoustic dirge for late Minnesota senator Paul Wellstone. On the 30th, September of that year, the band released a DVD entitled Use Your Van, which chronicled the recording of Use Your Voice and part of the promotional tour. The DVD was filmed by Andy Grund.
On June 17, 2005, news broke that Jennings had finally signed with a major label: Glacial Pace, a subsidiary of Sony's Epic Records headed by Modest Mouse frontman Isaac Brock. Minnesota's Star Tribune broke the story, and credited Brock with convincing Jennings to sign after the Mason Jennings Band had opened for several Modest Mouse shows in 2004. Jennings had long avoided the major labels, citing desires to maintain creative control and dodge big-label politics.
Jennings recorded his sixth album, "Boneclouds," at Pachyderm Studio in Cannon Falls, MN. The album was released on May 16, 2006 by Glacial Pace.
After considerable success on "Boneclouds", Jennings released his seventh full length album "In the Ever" in 2008. The album was released under Jack Johnson's "Brushfire Records".
In September 2009, Blood of Man was released on CD and vinyl format. In late 2010, Live at First Ave., his first ever live album, was released.
The Likes Of Me
Mason Jennings Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Never seen the likes of me
Well I come from steel city
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania with a six string on my knee
I will keep your daughter dancing
Keep your woman fancy
Make everybody feel so good
Everything will be the way it should
Well, you ain't never seen the likes of me
Never seen the likes of me
Well, you ain't never seen the likes of me
Never seen the likes of me
Well, down in New Orleans, it's Louisiana
People live the way that they should
Places open all night, faces loaded
Lit up more than Hollywood
Well I'll meet you there, maybe not today
But my Lord, as soon as I am able
I will meet you and all our friends
Will be dining at the same dinner table
Said, you ain't never seen the likes of me
Never seen the likes of me
Well, you ain't never seen the likes of me
Never seen the likes of me
One more time
You ain't never seen the likes of me
Never seen the likes of me
Well, you ain't never seen the likes of me
Never seen the likes of me
The lyrics to Mason Jennings's song, The Likes of Me, speak about the singer's uniqueness and special qualities that he possesses that are unmatched by anyone else. The first stanza mentions the singer's hometown of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and his beloved six-string guitar that he carries with him everywhere he goes. He boasts about his ability to keep people dancing, make women feel fancy, and bring joy to everyone around him. He also mentions his potential to maintain law and order and ensure that everything runs smoothly.
The second stanza depicts the singer's longing to visit New Orleans, Louisiana, and experience the vibrant nightlife and lively atmosphere of the city. He vows to meet up with his friends and share a meal with them at the same table. Overall, the song portrays the singer's confidence and self-assurance and reflects his belief that he is unique and exceptional. The song's catchy melody reinforces the message that the singer is different and special in his way.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, you ain't never, never seen the likes of me
I am a unique individual and unlike anyone you have ever encountered before.
Never seen the likes of me
I have qualities that are both rare and exceptional, making me one of a kind.
Well I come from steel city
I hail from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, a city known for steel production.
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania with a six string on my knee
I bring with me my guitar, ready to share my music with the world.
I will keep your daughter dancing
My music will be so lively and enjoyable that your daughter will want to dance to it all night long.
Keep your woman fancy
My music will bring about a sense of elegance and glamour, making your woman feel quite special.
Make everybody feel so good
My music will have a positive impact on everyone around me, making them feel uplifted and happy.
I will keep the police off the streets
My music will act as a calming force, preventing any potential disruptions and disorder in the community.
Everything will be the way it should
My music will have a harmonizing effect on society, bringing about a sense of orderliness and balance.
Well, down in New Orleans, it's Louisiana
New Orleans is a city located in Louisiana, offering a lot of excitement and liveliness.
People live the way that they should
The inhabitants of New Orleans embrace their unique culture and lifestyle, living authentically and with conviction.
Places open all night, faces loaded
In New Orleans, there are many establishments that stay open late into the night, and the people there are full of energy and enthusiasm.
Lit up more than Hollywood
The atmosphere in New Orleans is even more vibrant and electric than that of Hollywood.
Well I'll meet you there, maybe not today
Although I cannot be with you in New Orleans at this moment, I hope to reunite with you there someday soon.
But my Lord, as soon as I am able
As soon as I have the opportunity, I will make every effort to travel to New Orleans to see you.
I will meet you and all our friends
When we do reunite, we will be surrounded by our mutual friends, and the celebration will be that much more joyous.
Will be dining at the same dinner table
We will share in good food and drink, enjoying each other's company as if we had never been apart.
Contributed by Evelyn W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.