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.
One In The Same
My Morning Jacket Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
How long did it seem?
Three days or four?
Snow glazed all the trees
My mother held me
Like a motorcycle, so warm
We sang melody
Campin' out all night
Of all the things that you've seen
Was the motorcycle so warm you sang melody?
At that moment I'd know
Just how close we could be
And though it always was mine
It always seemed new to me
Ten thousand colors in all
Eyes like caves on my cheeks
To all the people I've loved
Don't think poor of me
It wasn't 'til I woke up
That I could hold down a joke or a job or a dream
But then all three are one in the same
And ALL then are one in the same
And all us are one in the same
The song One In The Same by My Morning Jacket seems to be about a moment in the singer's past when he was with his mother on a long road trip. The lyrics describe the snow-glazed landscape and the warmth of his mother's hold, likening it to a motorcycle. They sing together and camp out at night, enjoying each other's company. The singer reflects on how close he felt to his mother in that moment, and how the experience felt new and special, even though it was always his. The song ends on a note of unity and connection, with the singer acknowledging that we are all one in the same.
The lyrics of One In The Same are open to interpretation, but there are several themes that come through. The relationship between the singer and their mother is a central focus, with the image of her holding him like a motorcycle providing a sense of comfort and security. There is also a sense of nostalgia and longing for simpler times, represented by the open road and the campfire. The idea that we are all one in the same brings the song to a universal level, suggesting that despite our differences, we are all connected and share common experiences.
Line by Line Meaning
On the way back home
Starting our return journey after being away from home
How long did it seem?
Wondering how much time had passed while being away from home
Three days or four?
Uncertainty about the duration of the trip
Snow glazed all the trees
The winter scenery surrounded us
My mother held me
My mother was embracing me
Like a motorcycle, so warm
Her embrace was as warm as a motorcycle's engine
We sang melody
We sang a beautiful tune
Campin' out all night
Spending the night outdoors
Slow moves in the light
Moving calmly under the moonlight
Of all the things that you've seen
Reflecting on different experiences
Was the motorcycle so warm you sang melody?
Questioning the relationship between the warmth of the embrace and the song we sang
At that moment I'd know
Understanding something important at this specific moment
Just how close we could be
Realizing the depth of the relationship with my mother
And though it always was mine
Referring to something that belonged to me all along
It always seemed new to me
Feeling like something familiar is always refreshing
Ten thousand colors in all
Imagining a vast array of colors
Eyes like caves on my cheeks
Having dark circles under my eyes
To all the people I've loved
Addressing everyone I have cared for
Don't think poor of me
Asking them not to have a negative opinion of me
It wasn't 'til I woke up
Realizing something after a period of unconsciousness
That I could hold down a joke or a job or a dream
Being able to maintain a sense of humor or pursue career aspirations and personal goals
But then all three are one in the same
Connecting humor, career, and personal aspirations as three parts of a whole
And ALL then are one in the same
Emphasizing the idea that everything in life is interrelated
And all us are one in the same
Stressing the unity of all people
Lyrics © WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC
Written by: Jim Edward Olliges Jr.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
D Ringo
on Librarian
Fantastic song...simple song with a huge message