The band's moniker comes from a discarded coat James saw while walking through the remains of his favorite bar the morning after it burned down. The coat had the letters "MMJ" embroided on it. The band has released seven albums so far: "The Tennessee Fire" (1999), "At Dawn" (2001), "It Still Moves" (2003), "Z" (2005), "Evil Urges" (2008), "Circuital" (2011) & "The Waterfall" (2015). The band's breakthrough came when their 2003 single "One Big Holiday" became one of the most played songs on college radio that year. 2008's "I'm Amazed" was also a sizable hit, peaking at #6 on Billboard's Triple A (adult album alternative) Singles chart.
The Circuital songfacts reports that "Circuital" was recorded inside a church’s converted gymnasium in the band's hometown of Louisville, Kentucky. Said frontman Jim James: “I hate the phrase ‘going back to our roots’, but for this record we came home and made it in Kentucky. And it just felt a lot like it did when we were first starting out.”
James co-produced the record with Tucker Martine. The pair first worked together when James appeared on Laura Veirs ' album "July Flame" in 2010, which Martine, Veirs’ husband, also produced.
My Morning Jacket guest stared in the American Dad Episode "My Morning Straitjacket" where Stan Smith becomes obsessed with them and decides to become a groupie. The edisode was first aired November 22 2009.
12. Two Halves
My Morning Jacket Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You's goin' crazy, you know what I mean
It weren't that long ago, in the grand scheme of things
It weren't that long ago, you think you're so much smarter now
Twenty-one, everything stays in place, forty-one some things start to fade
Well when you're so young you wanna be older
And when you're older you want the body you have now
The only company you'd need would be in your brain
The only company you ever need is in your head
You want this, now, you want that- cant have it all
You should enjoy what you have
But I know what you want
Well I know what you want
Well I know what you want
You want the better of two halves
The song "12" by My Morning Jacket talks about the passage of time and how our perception and desires change as we grow older. The lyrics begin by reminiscing about the wild and reckless days of being seventeen, but then contrast with the realities of aging at forty-one. The first verse expresses the sentiment that it wasn't long ago that we were young and carefree, but with the benefit of hindsight, we feel like we've gained a lot of wisdom and knowledge. We look back at our younger selves as being naive, even though we went through life with great intensity at the time.
The second verse compares the desires we had when we were younger to those we have as we age. At seventeen, we wanted to be older and have more freedom and autonomy, while at forty-one, some things start to fade, and we long for the physical capabilities we once had. The line "you want the body you have now" suggests that we take for granted our youth and experience regret for not appreciating it more when we had it.
In the chorus, the singer expresses belief in a perfect world where one can control their destiny and the only weapon you need is your mind. The repetition of the line "the only gun you'll need is in your hands" suggests that our most powerful weapon is our ability to take action towards our desires.
The bridge of the song touches on the idea that we are always searching for something more, something better, but that we should focus on being content with what we have. The line "you want the better of two halves" implies that we constantly feel torn between two choices, but ultimately, we should appreciate what we have.
In conclusion, "12" by My Morning Jacket is a reflective song about the passage of time and how our perception and desires change as we grow older. The lyrics touch on themes of nostalgia, regret, and contentment, urging the listener to appreciate the present moment and be content with what they have.
Line by Line Meaning
Remember when you were seventeen
Recalling a time when you were younger
You goin' crazy, you know what I mean
Feeling like your mind is unraveling
It wasn't that long ago
Realizing that time has passed rather quickly
In the grand scheme of things
Considering the bigger picture of life
You think you're so much smarter now
Believing you are wiser and more knowledgeable
Twenty one everything stays in place
Feeling stable and secure in your early adulthood
Forty one some things start to fade
Realizing that time has taken a toll on certain aspects of your life
Well when you're so young, you wanna be older
Longing to grow up and experience more
And when you're older, you want the body you have now
Wishing to have the physical health and appearance of your youth
I believe in a perfect world
Holding onto a utopian vision of society
You rule your own universe
Having a sense of control over your life and surroundings
The only gun you'll ever need will be in your brain
Putting faith in mental strength and intelligence as a means of defense
The only gun you'll need is in your hands
Believing in individual power and agency
You want this now you want that
Desiring various things in life
Can't have it all, you should enjoy what you have
Recognizing that it is impossible to have everything you want, so appreciating what you already have
But I know what you want (what you want)
Understanding what someone desires
Well I know what you want (what you want)
Reiterating that you comprehend another's wishes
Well I know what you want, you want the better of two halves
Knowing that someone desires the best of both options
Well I know what you want (what you want)
Restating comprehension of what someone wants
Well I know what you want (what you want)
Underscoring understanding of another's desires
Well I know what you want, you want the better of two halves
Knowing that someone desires the best of both options
Lyrics © WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC
Written by: James Edward Olliges Jr.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@scotttomadams
I did NOT expect to find Ron Swanson here.
@MindthegapMonday
Love this song. Something the Beatles might have done if they'd stayed together and gotten better.