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.
Big Decisions
My Morning Jacket Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sittin' 'round wondering just what the hell to do with your life
Only get one chance but you seem to always think twice
And I'm getting so tired of trying to always be nice
You're sweet and sincere, but so ruled by fear
What do you want me to do?
Make all the big decisions for you?
Well I can't
I don't quite feel like faking it again tonight
Don't really feel like saying (everything is alright)
You're sweet and sincere, but so ruled by fear
What do you want me to do?
Make all the big decisions for you?
What do you want me to do?
Make all the big decisions for you?
Well I can't
Well I can't
Go on do it
If you really, really mean it, oh
Don't just hold back then regret it
You're sweet and sincere, but so ruled by fear
What do you want me to do?
Make all the big decisions for you?
What do you want me to do?
Make all the big decisions for you?
Well I can't
Well I can't
Ooh, ooh
Ooh, ooh
In "Big Decisions," My Morning Jacket sings about the frustrations of being in a relationship with someone who can't seem to make decisions on their own. The singer is exhausted by constantly having to be the one to make the big choices for his partner. He recognizes that she is "sweet and sincere," but also "so ruled by fear" that she can't take charge of her own life. The lyrics are an appeal to his partner to take control and make her own decisions, rather than constantly relying on him to do it for her.
The chorus repeats the question, "What do you want me to do? Make all the big decisions for you?" The singer is clearly feeling overwhelmed and frustrated by this situation. He recognizes that he cannot continue to bear this burden alone, but also recognizes that he cannot force his partner to change. The final verse encourages his partner to take a chance and make a decision, rather than holding back out of fear and then regretting it later.
Overall, the song is a poignant exploration of the challenges of being in a relationship with someone who struggles with making big decisions. It touches on themes of fear, frustration, and ultimately, the need for independence and self-determination.
Line by Line Meaning
Sittin' 'round wondering just what the hell to do with your life
Feeling confused and indecisive about the direction of one's life.
Only get one chance but you seem to always think twice
Overthinking and hesitating even though there is only one opportunity.
And I'm getting so tired of trying to always be nice
Feeling exhausted from the effort of trying to be accommodating all the time.
You're sweet and sincere, but so ruled by fear
Although well-intentioned, fear dominates and controls decision making.
What do you want me to do?
Expressing frustration and a lack of willingness to take control of someone else's life choices.
Make all the big decisions for you?
Questioning if the person wants someone else to take responsibility for their major life choices.
'Cause I can't
Declining the offer to make those big decisions for someone else.
I don't quite feel like faking it again tonight
Not wanting to pretend that everything is okay tonight.
Don't really feel like saying (everything is alright)
Not wanting to act like everything is fine when it's not.
Go on do it
Encouraging the person to take action and make their own decisions.
If you really, really mean it, oh
Only do it if it's something that the person truly wants and is committed to.
Don't just hold back then regret it
Warning against holding back from making a decision and regretting it later.
Well I can't
Reiterating that the responsibility for making decisions belongs to the person, not to the singer.
Ooh, ooh
Musical interlude.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Hipgnosis Songs Group
Written by: Daniel Dodd Wilson, James Edward Olliges Jr.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Chuck Smith
Sitting around wondering just what the hell to do with your life
Only get one chance, but you seem to always think twice
And I'm getting so tired of trying to always be nice
You're sweet and sincere but so ruled by fear
What do you want me to do: make all the big decisions for you?
'Cause I can't
Well, I can't
I don't quite feel like faking it again tonight
Don't really feel like saying everything is alright
You're sweet and sincere but so ruled by fear
What do you want me to do: make all the big decisions for you?
Well, I can't
Go on, do it if you really, really mean it
Don't just hold back then regret it
You're sweet and sincere but so ruled by fear
What do you want me to do: make all the big decisions for you?
Well, I can't
Alexander Rosales
Sit'n round wondering just what the hell to do with your life
Only get one chance but you seem to always think twice
And I'm getting so tired of trying to always be nice
You're sweet and sincere, but so ruled by fear
What do you want me to do?
Make all the big decisions for you?
Cause I can't
Well I can't
I don't quite feel like faking it again tonight
Don't really feel like saying everything is alright
You're sweet and sincere, but so ruled by fear
What do you want me to do?
Make all the big decisions for you?
What do you want me to do?
Make all the big decisions for you?
Well I can't
Well I can't
Go on do it
If you really, really mean it
Oh don't just hold back then regret it
You're sweet and sincere, but so ruled by fear
What do you want me to do?
Make all the big decisions for you?
What do you want me to do?
Make all the big decisions for you?
Well I can't
Well I can't
Ambient Infinite Video AIV
A classic song that you'll hear 50+ years from now and say, "I still love it."
T Lewis
You people are crazy..... Tennessee Fire, At Dawn, It Still Moves, Z, Evil Urges and Circuital? They are perhaps the greatest American rock band of their era.
MMJ has been more consistent over the last 15 years than any other American Rock Band besides maybe Drive-by Truckers.
This song is amazing.....
MauriceSpangle
+T Lewis You'd have to define ERA more specifically, last time I checked Tom Petty was still writing too; but his ERA is sort of over isn't it? Remember when U2 was amazing? Boy times sure do change.
T Lewis
+Noah Kankanala
AM, Being There, Summer Teeth, Yankee Hotel Foxtrot and A Ghost is born was a very good 10 year run.
But Wilco hasn't been the same since Jay Bennett left in 2001
William Jones
+Noah Kankanala yes
Noah Kankanala
Wilco
Shane Griffin
Drive By Truckers...one of the hardest working bands out there.
Chuck Smith
Sitting around wondering just what the hell to do with your life
Only get one chance, but you seem to always think twice
And I'm getting so tired of trying to always be nice
You're sweet and sincere but so ruled by fear
What do you want me to do: make all the big decisions for you?
'Cause I can't
Well, I can't
I don't quite feel like faking it again tonight
Don't really feel like saying everything is alright
You're sweet and sincere but so ruled by fear
What do you want me to do: make all the big decisions for you?
Well, I can't
Go on, do it if you really, really mean it
Don't just hold back then regret it
You're sweet and sincere but so ruled by fear
What do you want me to do: make all the big decisions for you?
Well, I can't
Big AL
Thank you
drewper73
Heavy.