Growing up in the swamplands of northern Florida, JJ Grey became a realist early on. "You fall in love with a pig," he says, "and then one day your granddad knocks it in the head and bleeds it for butchering. You tend to grow up with a certain amount of realism in your life."
JJ Grey and his band MOFRO exude rocking, funky, melodic, front porch realism in every song they play. Grey comes from a long tradition of Southern storytellers, and his songs oftentimes use the loss of his natural surroundings and the marginalization of the Southern culture he grew up in as a metaphor for universal truths. The band delivers his material with brilliant musicianship, resulting in music that is thought provoking, rhythmically dynamic and texturally mesmerizing.
JJ Grey & MOFRO's Alligator debut Country Ghetto (produced by Dan Prothero) features 12 original JJ Grey compositions that come right out of the Southern musical and literary tradition. Grey's ear for detail inhabits his songs, whether it's a story passed down to him from his grandmother or the tribulations of a childhood friend. His voice delivers them with an unflinching strength that makes the personal universal and paints a vivid portrait of an exact time or place with words and music. Like his songs, his rich, soulful vocals are forceful and commanding, seemingly old beyond his years. And the music, from smoldering soul ballads to gospel-fried funk to straight ahead rock 'n' roll, brings it all home with danceable grooves and a melodic freshness that will stay with you long after the album ends.
Grey's songwriting influences are widespread. "I listen to people who tell the story," he says, naming Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker, R.L. Burnside, Tony Joe White, Jerry Reed, Otis Redding, Dr. John, Sly & The Family Stone, Van Morrison, Bill Withers and Dan Penn. What these writers and performers have in common is a love for simplicity, evoking complex emotions with a minimal amount of words. As a performer, Grey is influenced by the sexually charged blues of Howlin' Wolf, the country soul of George Jones, and the hard funk of James Brown, as well as local personalities like street preachers and old-time radio DJs.
Lochloosa album cover album cover JJ live From the beginning, Grey's songs have been connected to his ancestral Florida homestead 40 miles outside of Jacksonville, a landscape he writes about with passion and devotion. Back in 1986, Grey worked at an air conditioning company, where he befriended guitarist Daryl Hance. At the time, Grey had a young original band that needed a guitar player so he gave Hance the call. Grey was immediately impressed with Daryl's minimalist approach. "Daryl plays like Curtis Mayfield or Peter Tosh. He plays like the older generation, with patience."
Under the name of MOFRO (a nod towards a lumberyard he worked at), Grey and Hance recorded a demo together. They were courted by a number of record labels, but were not at all impressed by the seemingly false and unrealistic promises being offered. On his own, Grey researched and found Fog City Records, owned by producer/engineer Dan Prothero. The two hit it off instantly. Fog City -- with Prothero producing -- recorded and released BLACKWATER in 2001 (named by Amazon.com as one of the best CDs of the decade) and -- again with Prothero at the helm -- LOCHLOOSA in 2004. JJ Grey & MOFRO's rabid following, through hard work, touring and undeniable musical prowess, grew quickly.
A National Public Radio feature in 2001 brought the band music to more people than ever before. Doors at press, radio and venues opened across the country. Then JJ Grey & MOFRO performed at Bonnaroo, opened for Ben Harper, Widespread Panic, Galactic, B.B. King and Jeff Beck. Word of their live show spread quickly, and bookings at festivals and concerts around the world increased, including jaw-dropping shows at The Austin City Limits Festival and The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. The band continues to tour relentlessly, and will hit the road hard in support of COUNTRY GHETTO.
From gritty funk to juke joint romps to contemplative country soul to blistering rockers, JJ Grey & MOFRO occupy a distinctive space in the music world. And, like the best of the great Southern novelists, JJ Grey fills his stories and songs with details that are at once vivid and personal, political and universal. Smell the cypress trees, feel the hot breeze, and remind yourself that home is where the heart is.
Recent updates include a blistering summer schedule for 2008 www.mofro.net/tour/map/; A fan site went up on the web in Feb, 08 at www.mofrofans.com; and a drummer change from George Sluppick to Anthony "AC" Cole occured in March, 2008.
JJ Grey & MOFRO released their 4th record, "Orange Blossoms," on Aug 26, 2008. The album has won much critical acclaim and, as always, the band has been touring relentlessly in support. A 2 month break during Apr-May 09 will be followed by a summer schedule of festivals, and an extensive club circuit schedule in the fall.
In March of 09, long time organist/bassist Adam Scone left the band. Beginning late March, he is to be replaced by Andrew Trube and Anthony Ferrell of the band Greyhounds from Austin TX, transforming Mofro into a 7 piece outfit.
Brighter Days
Mofro Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Doesn't matter what I say?
My whole world was by that river
Flowin' north to meet the sea each day
I don't want to move away
You look at me and ya say "what's wrong boy?"
I don't want to leave tomorrow
I been and gone but I belong here now
Your big world can wait another day, ooh yeah
Brighter days where did they go, go, go, go, go, go
(Lord I'll never see) brighter days where did they go, ooh yeah
Brighter days where did they go, go, go, go, go, go
(Lord I'll never see) brighter days, yeah yeah
I am hopeful for where I'm goin'
But I belong in the South
That was where I was born a po' boy
Livin' life like there's no end in sight
Even so I've done without
Brighter days where did they go, go, go, go, go, go
(Lord I'll never see) brighter days where did they go
Brighter days where did they go, go, go, go, go, go
(Lord I'll never see) brighter days where did they go?
Boy you about to hit the bottom
Brighter days where did they go, go, go, go, go, go
(Lord I'll never see) brighter days where did they go go, boy you about to hit the bottom
Brighter days where did they go, go, go, go, go, go (Lord me said have mercy)
Brighter days, hit the bottom, the bottom, the bottom, the bottom baby
Oh , I'll be alone I feel I'm movin' where
And I see you 'bout to hit the bottom
Lord help me move away
And I've seen, and I've seen, Lord yeah
Brighter days where did they go, go, go, go, go, go, baby
Brighter days where did they go, go, who baby, move with me, yeah
Brighter days where did they go, go, go, go, go, go (have mercy)
Brighter days, hit the bottom, bottom, bottom, hm, hey hey hey
Brighter days
Where did they go, yeah
Come on y'all, I know y'all know
Na na na, na na na na na na
Oh oh oh, come on y'all
Na na na, na na na na na na
Just a little bit louder, come on y'all
Na na na, na na na na na na
Lord I feel, a little bit louder
Na na na, na na na na na na
Lord I've changed, Lord I've changed, Lord I've changed
I've changed, I've changed, yeah
Lord I feel, Lord I feel, Lord I feel, Lord I feel, Lord I feel feel feel, say yeah
Lord I've changed, I feel it people, something in my veins
Oh, brighter days, brighter days, brighter days, brighter days, brighter days
The lyrics to Mofro's song, Brighter Days, explore the theme of belonging and the longing for one's homeland. The song begins with the singer talking about how he doesn't want to stop moving forward, even if he knows it's not the right thing to do. He talks about how his world used to revolve around a river that flowed north to meet the sea, and how he doesn't want to move away from that place. The singer then explains that he is hopeful for where he is going, but he knows he belongs in the South, where he was born and raised.
Throughout the song, the singer struggles with this longing for his homeland and the uncertainty of his future. He wonders where the brighter days have gone and if they will ever return. The lyrics build to a climax as the singer's friends warn him that he's about to hit rock bottom, but even then, he remains hopeful for the future.
The theme of the song is relatable to anyone who has left home and struggled to adapt to a new place. The singer's desire to return to his roots is something that many people can understand and relate to.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't stop even for the right thing
Keep moving forward even if it goes against doing the 'right' thing.
Doesn't matter what I say?
No matter what I say, my actions will speak louder.
My whole world was by that river
The river was a significant part of my life and identity.
Flowin' north to meet the sea each day
The journey towards the sea represents the daily struggles in life.
I don't want to move away
I'm not ready to leave my home and start over.
You look at me and ya say 'what's wrong boy?'
When asked what's wrong, it's hard to express the struggles I'm facing.
What else do you want me to say?
There is no other way to express my feelings or experiences.
I don't want to leave tomorrow
I'm not ready to leave yet and am hesitant about the future.
I been and gone but I belong here now
Even though I've explored other places, I now feel like I belong here in the south.
Your big world can wait another day, ooh yeah
There is no rush to explore the rest of the world, as the memories and connections made in the south are too significant to leave behind.
Brighter days where did they go, go, go, go, go, go
Reflecting on the past when things seemed brighter and easier to handle.
(Lord I'll never see) brighter days where did they go, ooh yeah
Expressing doubt about ever seeing those brighter days again.
I am hopeful for where I'm goin'
Looking towards the future with optimism.
But I belong in the South
No matter where I go, my heart and home will always be in the south.
That was where I was born a po' boy
My roots are in the south as a humble, struggling individual.
Livin' life like there's no end in sight
Living life to the fullest with no fear of the future.
Even so I've done without
Despite not having much, I am content with what I have.
Boy you about to hit the bottom
A warning to someone who may be headed towards a difficult time or place.
Oh , I'll be alone I feel I'm movin' where
The feeling of loneliness when moving away from the south.
And I see you 'bout to hit the bottom
Recognizing someone's struggles and warning them about where they're headed.
Lord help me move away
Asking for help and guidance to move on from the south and start fresh elsewhere.
Come on y'all, I know y'all know
Encouraging listeners to join in and sing the chorus.
Na na na, na na na na na na
A nonsensical repetition or beat to add emphasis.
I've changed, I've changed, yeah
Expressing that I have changed and grown as a person.
Lord I feel, Lord I feel, Lord I feel, Lord I feel, Lord I feel feel feel, say yeah
Expressing overwhelming emotion and passion about the situation and the south.
Brighter days, brighter days, brighter days, brighter days, brighter days
A plea for a return of the bright and easy days of the past.
Lyrics © EYEBALL MUSIC
Written by: JJ Grey
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@reneedalley8773
JJ I absolutely love the feeling you and the Mofro band express in your music. I am 62 and have had seizures for 25 yrs. I can't be around groups of people because it makes them worse. I basically don't go anywhere. My neurologist told me yesterday that I can't go to church anymore because of the seizures the emotions I get there causes them to come on. I listen to your music and others loud so I feel like I'm there. I even put my Bowes speaker on me so I can feel the vibrations. Just wanted to let you know how you touch so many of us who can't leave home. You make us feel like we are getting a private concert!! Thank you!! Can't wait to hear more and keep on with the harmonica!! I play that instrument and enjoy it very much!! RD
@danielosullivan3110
Best wishes ❤️🔥☘️
@patschmere
"For where two or three are gathered together in my name, I am there among them"
You and J.J. is (2) May God Bless you !! Tomorrow could be brighter than ever!
@davidculp7594
Hey, I feel you. Enjoy the simple pleasures . We are still here for a reason . I'm still trying to figure out why. Until then, it's the little things that get us by
@Tafields-lo7si
You are amazing and truly understand the pains and hurt of addictions.... your lyrics took my soul
@mikeheaton1959
If you ever get the chance to see this man and this band, it’s a must see! One of the best live performances I’ve ever seen!
@chrisshep4466
77ûy6
@blythebyrd7471
ABSOLITELY! This song helped me through brain rumor diagnosis!!!
@pattitroutfetter5606
Exact same thing My friend cuz said too me, an Was Soo right !!
@markkunkel7401
For sure man!