My Morning Jacket is a rock band which formed in 1998 in Louisville, Kentuc… Read Full Bio ↴My Morning Jacket is a rock band which formed in 1998 in Louisville, Kentucky, United States. The band consists of Jim James (vocals, guitar), Carl Broemel (guitar), "Two Tone" Tommy Blankenship (bass), Bo Koster (keyboards) and Patrick Hallahan (drums). The band is best known for their reverb-soaked sound and their enthusiastic live shows. My Morning Jacket is signed with ATO Records. The band's style is a blend of alternative, alt country, folk rock and psychedelic rock.

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.

If All Else Fails
My Morning Jacket Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Surely your lips deceive me
Surely I know you're fine
And if we get too close this evening
Well, apart we'll grow in time
And I know (that you're mine) ooh
Show me your heart
I'll take you there, it ain't far
And if all else fails

I'll come running back
Wonderin' where you went with my heart

Sherie your arms deceive me
Sherie I know you're fine
And I know (that you're mine)
Sherie your heart
I'll take you there, it ain't far
And if all else fails,

I'll come running back
Wonderin' where you went with my heart

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to My Morning Jacket's "If All Else Fails" depict a sense of uncertainty and longing in a relationship. The singer expresses their doubt, believing that their partner's words may be deceptive, yet still acknowledging their attractiveness. They acknowledge that if they become too close, they may eventually grow apart. Despite this fear, the singer still feels a strong connection to their partner and is willing to make an effort to keep the relationship alive.

The repeated line "And if all else fails, I'll come running back, wonderin' where you went with my heart" reveals the singer's vulnerability and fear of losing their partner. They are willing to put aside any doubt or hesitation and go to great lengths to pursue the relationship. The mentioning of Sherie in the second verse adds a personal touch, potentially referring to a specific person in the singer's life, making the emotions feel more intimate and genuine.

Overall, the song captures the ambivalence and fragility of a relationship where doubts and uncertainties coexist with strong emotional connections. It explores the fear of losing someone, the need for reassurance, and the willingness to try to make things work despite the risks involved.

Line by Line Meaning

Surely your lips deceive me
I have doubts about the honesty of your words

Surely I know you're fine
However, I am aware that you are doing well

And if we get too close this evening
If our relationship becomes too intimate tonight

Well, apart we'll grow in time
We will inevitably drift apart as time goes on

And I know (that you're mine) ooh
But deep down, I believe that you belong to me

Show me your heart
Reveal your true emotions to me

I'll take you there, it ain't far
I am willing to go on this emotional journey with you, it's not a difficult task

And if all else fails
In case every other option doesn't work

I'll come running back
I will return to you hastily

Wonderin' where you went with my heart
Curious about where you have taken my vulnerable emotions

Lyrics © WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC
Written by: James Olliges Jr

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind