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.
Run Thru
My Morning Jacket Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oh shit run!
Oh shit run thru the ghetto
They will hear you
Mornin' bell tolls at home
Rings loud back where I come from
Calls me back
Often times I would hope and pray
Oh shit run! Oh
Its what appears to me its what appears to me
Oh shit run! Oh
Its what appears to me its what appears to me
Its what appears to me, ah
The lyrics of My Morning Jacket's song Run Thru convey a sense of urgency and danger as the singer is urged to run through the ghetto. The repeated phrase "oh shit run" along with the high energy guitar riff and pounding drums create a sense of urgency and chaos. The singer is aware that they may be heard and possibly hunted down, which adds to the sense of danger.
The morning bell tolling at home serves as a reminder of where the singer comes from, which makes them feel conflicted about leaving. However, fate has presented an opportunity for the singer to escape their current situation, which may be why they are urged to run. The lyrics "its what appears to me" could suggest that the decision to run may not have been entirely voluntary, but rather a necessity.
Overall, the song is a commentary on the struggles that arise from living in poverty and the difficult decisions that must be made in order to improve one's situation. The urgency and chaos conveyed through the lyrics and musical arrangement emphasizes the seriousness of the situation.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh shit run!
There is an urgent need to escape from the current situation.
Oh shit run!
The need to run is reinforced as the danger level increases.
Oh shit run thru the ghetto
The escape route lies through a dangerous ghetto.
They will hear you
The escapee needs to be quiet and avoid attracting attention.
Mornin' bell tolls at home
The start of a new day reminds the escapee of home.
Rings loud back where I come from
The sound is so clear that it can be heard even from a distance.
Calls me back
The sound of the bell prompts feelings of nostalgia and homesickness.
Often times I would hope and pray
The escapee has had moments of doubt and uncertainty about their journey.
Then fate came my way
The escapee feels that their journey was meant to be and is guided by fate.
Oh shit run! Oh
The urgency to escape is reiterated.
Its what appears to me its what appears to me
The escapee is unsure of what lies ahead and is navigating based on their intuitions and perceptions.
Oh shit run! Oh
The urgency to escape is reiterated once more.
Its what appears to me its what appears to me
The escapee is still uncertain about their future and is relying on their instincts to guide them.
Its what appears to me, ah
The escapee acknowledges that their perceptions may not match reality entirely, and they may need to stay alert and adaptable.
Lyrics © WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC
Written by: Jim Edward Olliges Jr.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Delmar
Oh shit run! oh shit run! oh shit run thru the ghetto.
They will hear you.
Mornin' bell tolls at home, rings loud back where I come from, calls me back.
Often times I would hope and pray, then faith came my way.
Oh shit run! oh...
It's what appears to me, it's what appears to me.
Oh shit run! oh...
It's what appears to me, it's wha appears to me.
It's what appears to me.
Ahhhhhhhh...
muppet4life
That guitar riff man. Hanging on to it by a thread that makes you want to listen to it more, musical genius!!
Abby
nothing's worse than listening to such a good song without being able to share it with someone who has good taste in music. this song is too good to get mainstreamed and shared with random people.
nathan bohn
his vocals go into my head and rattle my brain into a numb bliss.
Maria Chamorro Barber
Awesome music, really emotive, can be very cathartic, love them!
Rafa92
I don't think that's a bad thing, for me it makes it even better for those of us who can really appreciate the magic of MMJ's music
Rightcoast Mike
Been singing along with life to this tune since 2003 when I turned a ripe 17. It never-ever gets old, ever.
Tekkenfreek234
I will find every album this band has released...and I will own them.
brandenc246
They are pretty great !!
Lammo 71
How the hell has this song evaded my senses for 12 years ?
Staggering.
mufflerstien
this sends me into another dimension. amazing!