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.
Chills
My Morning Jacket Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ohhhh
Chills. Down on my spine
I do on a window sill
Still. Things that go away
Still. Feel like no one can tell
Chills run down my spine
Ahhhhh-ahhhhhh ahhhhhh- eww
Still. No one else lives your life
Except yourself. No one else lives your life
Except yourself. No one else lives your life
Still. No one else lives your life
Still eewww
The opening lines of My Morning Jacket's "Chills" set the tone for what is ultimately a song about feeling disconnected from oneself and the world around them. The repeated use of the word "still" emphasizes the feeling of being stuck or stagnant, unable to move forward or shake off an undefined sickness. The line "no one else lives your life" reinforces the idea that every person's experience is unique and personal, and no one else can fully understand or relate to what one is going through. The haunting melody and eerie background vocals add to the sense of unease and discomfort that permeates the entire song.
The chorus of "Chills" highlights the physical manifestation of the singer's internal struggles. The chills that run down their spine are representative of the deep-seated anxieties and fears that are difficult to express or shake off. The imagery of sitting on a windowsill creates a sense of isolation and loneliness, as if the singer is trying to escape or observe the world from a distance.
Line by Line Meaning
Still feel that I'm getting ill
Despite my efforts, I still feel like I am becoming sick or unwell.
Chills. Down on my spine
An intense feeling of cold or fear that is physically felt on the spine.
I do on a window sill
I feel the chills in a physical location, such as on a window sill.
Still. Things that go away
Things that may seem to disappear or fade away, but are still present or lingering.
Ahhhhh, eewww-ohhhhhh
An expression of discomfort or unease due to the chills being felt.
Still. Feel like no one can tell
Feeling as though nobody can understand or relate to what is being experienced.
Chills run down my spine
The physical sensation of chills continuing to be felt on the spine.
Ahhhhh-ahhhhhh ahhhhhh- eww
A continuation of the expression of discomfort or unease due to the chills being felt.
Still. No one else lives your life
A reminder that everyone's experiences and struggles are unique to themselves and can never be truly understood by others.
Except yourself. No one else lives your life
Reiterating the idea that only the individual experiencing something can fully comprehend or relate to it.
Except yourself. No one else lives your life
Continuing to emphasize the unique nature of one's experiences and the inability of others to truly understand them.
Still. No one else lives your life
A final reminder that one's experiences and feelings are unique to themselves alone.
Still eewww
A final expression of discomfort or unease, emphasizing the physical and emotional impact of the chills being felt.
Writer(s): James Edward Olliges Jr Copyright: Removador Songs, Chrysalis Songs
Contributed by Elijah L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Ernie Nantz
I love everybody who loves this song.
kevin valde
Its a Great tune..... Underrated
Kaneda Mikami
Love you too, bless you
Thanks for existing.
james jeffers
Ernie Nantz love you too!!!
HailedJunk
my morning jacket has the most laid back, chill and peaceful music ever
Gerardo B.
I WANNA DIE LISTENING THIS AWSOME SONG! :)
peaco1000
That's what I think sometimes. Just drifting off to the last part.
Green Floor Studio
So happy this version still remains.. gotta love that Z sound
EuphoniousNessable
Ive always wanted to hear this live. Hopefully it will happen this year or the next! I must've hit this over 800 times.....
Joel da Silva
Swap this for into the woods and Z is a perfect record