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.
Can You See the Hard Helmet On
My Morning Jacket Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Totally unscarred
Serves protection for my head
But I don't believe everything I read
One that makes them warm
Don't ever lose any of your god-given charm
They believe you were sweet
'Cause I still recall in no time at all
You went from being so out of control
To snuffing out the rock that beats
That's why I thought this was so neat
Someplace to go where I felt so all-at-ease
No need to write, no need to call
There's no one to see, there's no you, no me
No need to be anything at all
Blood pours out of the walls
Fills up beside the clothes
In my dresser drawers
Wish I was quicker on the draw
The opening lines of My Morning Jacket's "Can You See the Hard Helmet on My Head?" introduces a theme of protection and skepticism which runs throughout the song. The singer asks if the listener sees the hard helmet on their head, which serves as protection, but then casts doubt on the idea of protection as a guarantee of safety. They don't believe everything they read, indicating a great deal of skepticism towards external sources of knowledge, and likely implying a preference for consulting one's own instincts and experiences. This hardness and self-sufficiency is emphasized by the line "Totally unscarred."
The next verse seems to be a commentary on how people project ideas and assumptions onto others, and how these perceptions can be used as weapons. The singer describes someone whom others perceive as sweet, but who they know to be capable of hurtful behavior; lines like "One that makes them warm" and "But you could never pull that one on me" seem to suggest that this individual is adept at putting on a facade to gain others' trust. The singer remains unconvinced, however, and recalls that this person went "from being so out of control/To snuffing out the rock that beats." This could be a reference to someone who was once wild and impulsive, but who has become cold and heartless - possibly as a result of conforming to others' expectations.
The final verse describes a place where the singer can escape from the pressures of everyday life, where they feel "so all-at-ease." The lines "No need to write, no need to call" and "There's no one to see, there's no you, no me/No need to be anything at all" suggest a desire for simplicity and solitude. However, this peaceful image is undercut by the disturbing lines "Blood pours out of the walls/Fills up beside the clothes/In my dresser drawers/Wish I was quicker on the draw." It's unclear whether this is meant to be taken literally or as a metaphor for some kind of psychological trauma or internal turmoil, but it creates a jarring contrast with the peaceful escape described earlier in the verse.
Line by Line Meaning
Do you see the hard helmet on my head?
Can you observe the protective gear encompassing my head?
Totally unscarred
The helmet is spotless and free of blemishes.
Serves protection for my head
Its purpose is to shield my head from harm.
But I don't believe everything I read
I am skeptical of information that is presented to me.
One that makes them warm
A particular aspect that brings them comfort and reassurance.
Don't ever lose any of your god-given charm
Keep your natural attractiveness and charisma.
They believe you were sweet
Others perceive you as kind and pleasant.
But you could never pull that one on me
You cannot deceive or trick me.
'Cause I still recall in no time at all
I distinctly remember how quickly you changed your behavior.
You went from being so out of control
You transitioned from a state of chaos and recklessness.
To snuffing out the rock that beats
To suppressing the vital and passionate aspect of oneself.
That's why I thought this was so neat
That is why I found this situation to be interesting or satisfying.
Someplace to go where I felt so all-at-ease
A place of comfort or relaxation where I could feel completely at ease.
No need to write, no need to call
There is no obligation to communicate through writing or phone.
There's no one to see, there's no you, no me
There is no one else present; neither you nor I matter in this context.
No need to be anything at all
There is no requirement to fulfill any role or expectation.
Blood pours out of the walls
Blood flows out of the walls.
Fills up beside the clothes
It accumulates next to articles of clothing.
In my dresser drawers
It specifically appears in the drawers of my dresser.
Wish I was quicker on the draw
I wish I could react more quickly to the situation.
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: JIM JAMES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
D Ringo
on Librarian
Fantastic song...simple song with a huge message