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 churchâs converted gymnasium in the band's hometown of Louisville, Kentucky. Said frontman Jim James: âI hate the phrase âgoing back to our rootsâ, 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.â
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, Veirsâ 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.
Bear
My Morning Jacket Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To go down to the pier by your self after dark
It's a bad idea
'Cause they're down on their luck
And they've lost touch with their bleeding hearts
Bad idea
The time is near To come forward with whatever killed your spark
There's still time, for you, to change your mind
Or whatever else you do
There's still time
Whosaa
The lyrics to My Morning Jacket's song "Bear" are evocative and haunting. The first verse warns against going down to the pier after dark, likely because the people down there are "down on their luck" and have lost touch with their emotions, becoming calloused or numb to the pain of others. The second verse is more introspective, with the singer admitting that they have felt similarly and that they shouldn't have gone down to the pier either. The third verse suggests that it's not too late to change or come forward and acknowledge whatever "killed your spark" - whether that's an emotional or literal death.
The song seems to be exploring themes of isolation, loneliness, and desensitization to pain or suffering. The pier could represent a place of danger, where people go to escape their problems or sink deeper into them. The singer may be urging the listener to confront their issues rather than trying to escape them or block out the world's pain.
Musically, "Bear" is a slow, melancholy track with sparse instrumentation - just acoustic guitar, piano, and a hint of percussion. Jim James' vocals are especially emotive, conveying a sense of sadness and empathy for the people he's describing.
Overall, "Bear" is a poignant and thought-provoking song that encourages listeners to examine their own emotional states and reach out for help if needed.
Line by Line Meaning
It's a bad idea
Going to the pier by yourself after dark is not a good decision
'Cause they're down on their luck
The people who usually go to the pier at night are not doing well in life
And they've lost touch with their bleeding hearts
They have disconnected from their compassionate and empathetic feelings
Bad idea
The artist is emphasizing that going to the pier alone at night is a risky choice
'Cause I've felt that way and I know I shouldn't have gone
The artist has experienced the urge to go to the pier alone at night and regrets it
The time is near
Something important or significant is about to happen soon
To come forward with whatever killed your spark
It's time to acknowledge and confront the things that have caused discouragement, disappointment, or a lack of motivation
There's still time, for you, to change your mind
It's not too late to reconsider and make a different decision
Or whatever else you do
The artist acknowledges that the listener may choose a different path, regardless of the warning
There's still time
The artist emphasizes that there's still time to make a different choice
Whosaa
A vocalization that expresses relief or relaxation, possibly indicating that the singer has said all they needed to say
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: JIM JAMES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@jaxcasonmaximus
It's a bad idea
To go down to the pier
By your self after dark
It's a bad idea
'Cause they're down on their luck
And they've lost touch
With their bleeding hearts
Bad idea, cause I've felt that way
And I know I shouldn't have gone
The time is near
To come forward with
Whatever killed your spark
There's still time,
For you, to change your mind
Or whatever else you do
There's still time
Whoaaa
@BigDaddy-vr2ut
Lyrics :
It's a bad idea
To go down to the pier
By your self after dark
It's a bad idea
'Cause they're down on their luck
And they've lost touch
With their bleeding hearts
Bad idea, cause I've felt that way
And I know I shouldn't have gone
The time is near
To come forward with
Whatever killed your spark
There's still time,
For you, to change your mind
Or whatever else you do
There's still time
Whosaa
@deena2931
At 38 years old this is still one of the most haunting tempos/melodies Iâve ever heard.
@spencerjones1928
My 28 year old brother took his own life and the line " whatever killed your spark" always breaks my heart.
@D42137
Im really sorry man. Send you a big big hug
@alexjames4064
Very sorry for your loss
@jamessullivan4391
Me too. Sorry.
@joshtuk
Hope youâre okay
@jdmesa0925
I love this song. Its always carried a weight of sadness and encouragement woven together that somehow helped me a while back. Im truly sorry for your loss and hope this song does for you what it does for me.
@MrxB1
WOW!!! I have never heard such a unique band like this! All there songs are seem to be played by angles! So far, I'm liking them a hole lot! There songs are so, soothing. This band is awesome!
@alexaholmes9479
Still gets stuck in my head in â21 đ„°
@spencerjones1928
This song especially "whatever killed your spark", reminds me of my 28 year old brother who took his own life in 2016. Sleep well Luke. X