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.
Hillside Song
My Morning Jacket Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The grass is always greener on the other side anyway
Why do I value our time now that it's done?
Rollin' down the hillside song
Rollin' down the hillside just playin' like two kids
In this grown up world, you're all I understood
At the top of the hillside we were standin' on
You in the moonlight and me in the dark
Night after night, we did always have that spark
What about the music we made so strong?
What about the hillside song?
Mm
When times were difficult, what was I runnin' from?
Rollin' down the hillside song
Wanna tell you I need you but that sounds so cliché
The grass is always greener on the other side anyway
Why do I value our time now that it's done?
Rollin' down the hillside song
Mm
Rollin' down the hillside song
Mm
Rollin' down the hillside song
The lyrics to My Morning Jacket's song Hillside Song describe a relationship that has ended but still holds importance to the singer. The opening line acknowledges the cliché of saying "I need you" to someone, but the singer still wants to convey the depth of their feelings. They contrast this with the idea that the grass is always greener on the other side, suggesting that perhaps the relationship wasn't as enjoyable as they now remember it to be. The second verse describes the joy the two felt while playing as kids and how their relationship was the only thing the singer felt they understood in the adult world. The chorus repeats the sentiment that the singer wishes they could go back in time and value the moments they had with their partner.
The bridge of the song contains the lines "You in the moonlight and me in the dark / Night after night, we did always have that spark." These lines suggest that even though the relationship may have ended, the two had a deep connection that can still be remembered fondly. The final line of the bridge, "What about the hillside song?" serves as a reminder of the memories they shared while rolling down the hillside, and how music was a part of that shared experience. The last verse acknowledges that they may have been running from something during the relationship, but the importance of the hillside song and their time together remains.
Overall, the song expresses a bittersweet nostalgia for a past relationship, and how the memories of those moments can bring both joy and sadness.
Line by Line Meaning
I wanna tell you I need you but that sounds so cliché
The singer has feelings for someone, but expressing them in a straightforward manner seems unoriginal.
The grass is always greener on the other side anyway
It is a common experience to desire what we don't have, even if we don't fully appreciate what we do have.
Why do I value our time now that it's done?
The end of a relationship often makes one realize how important it was and how much they valued it.
Rollin' down the hillside song
The phrase repeats throughout the song as a way of conveying the carefree feeling of youth and the natural joy found in playing outside. It represents the happy memories the artist has of being with their loved one on a hillside.
You in the moonlight and me in the dark
The artist remembers being with the person they loved, illuminated by the light of the moon while they themselves were in darkness. This juxtaposition hints at the complexity and mystery of their connection.
Night after night, we did always have that spark
The two people had a special chemistry, which persisted night after night.
What about the music we made so strong?
The music they made together was powerful and meaningful, perhaps an indication of how their time together had a positive impact on their lives.
When times were difficult, what was I runnin' from?
When faced with tough situations or emotions, the artist sought relief by reminiscing about the happy times they had with their loved one. They now wonder why they did this instead of facing their problems head on.
Rollin' down the hillside just playin' like two kids
The artist and their loved one enjoyed each other's company by acting like children, embracing the joy that comes with simple play.
In this grown-up world, you're all I understood
Despite the confusing and overwhelming nature of adulthood, the artist found comfort and clarity in their relationship with their loved one. They made sense of the world by being together.
At the top of the hillside we were standin' on
The top of the hill represents a high point in the relationship, a moment of clarity and perspective from which they could appreciate the beauty of their connection to each other and the world around them.
Lyrics © WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC
Written by: Jim James
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
D Ringo
on Librarian
Fantastic song...simple song with a huge message