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.
War Begun
My Morning Jacket Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
This time your soul is my one
I belong to a race of robots
Drownin' out my one
Anytime your war gets out of hand
I'll take it on
Stolen as the war begun
I'd move on, but I know you'll need me some day
I'd roll on, but I know i'll need ya some day
The opening line of My Morning Jacket's song War Begun speaks to the idea of the cyclical nature of war and how it can be difficult to pinpoint the origins of any conflict. The first two lines also suggest a kind of possession or ownership over the soul of someone else, and how that person's soul now belongs to the singer. The following line, "I belong to a race of robots, drownin' out my one," is a metaphor for feeling consumed by a larger force or system, and losing one's individuality in the process.
The chorus of the song is a call to action, with the singer promising to take on any war that gets out of hand. This could be interpreted as a patriotic or even messianic sentiment, but it could also be read as a statement on the futility of war and how we all need to take responsibility for preventing violence. The repetition of the line, "This time your soul is my one," serves to reinforce the possessive nature of the singer's relationship with war.
The final two lines of the song suggest a sense of duty or obligation on the part of the singer, who knows that they will be needed again in the future. The repetition of the phrases "I'd move on" and "I'd roll on" conveys a sense of resignation, as if the singer knows that they can't escape their fate, even if they wanted to.
Line by Line Meaning
Stolen as the war begun,
Taken away as soon as the conflict commenced,
This time your soul is my one
This time, I am taking your essence for the war,
I belong to a race of robots,
I am part of a group of automatons,
Drownin' out my one
Overwhelming my individuality,
Anytime your war gets out of hand,
Whenever your conflict becomes unmanageable,
I'll take it on
I will face it with you,
Stolen as the wars begun,
Taken away as soon as the conflicts commence,
This time your soul is my one
This time, I am taking your essence for the war,
I'd move on, but I know you'll need me some day
I would leave, but I am aware that you will require me someday,
I'd roll on, but I know you'll need me some day.
I would continue living my life, but I am aware that you will require me someday.
Lyrics © WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC
Written by: James Olliges Jr
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
TravelingManEuro
I have been a music junkie since I was little boy back in the 60's, and I must say that this band is incredible. This song and the solo ... well, I can't stop listening to it. It brings me to tears. I will download the whole show. Thank your posting this! Dang, I am getting emotional again listening to this as I type.
Valpo Velvet Ice Cream
They are amazing
Kyle Schroeder
Let it out
bing
I have shed more tears for Jim James than any musician or band. I get it.
Dan Schneier
War Begun rocks so damn hard on live versions. It's just incredible how much better the live version is than album and that is NOT even a knock on the album version!
Q-Tip
Its even more amazing how much better it sounds outside the US! I hope they release some new music for a concert when things 'resume'.
Kate Campos
I have to say this song is by far my favorite my morning jacket song, and this recording is everything, thank you for uploading it! I have watched this video sooooo many times on repeat; its makes me feel sad and happy at the same time; don't know how. I would do anything to see them perform this song live, it means so much to me. such a great song & such a great band!! <3
Geoffrey Jellineck
My sentiments exactly.
darkstarflashes
I can't tell you how special this performance was. I watch it quite often. Thanks!
Joe Oder
I have several concert recordings of MMJ. I go back to this as one their best. an off night for the Jacket is still better than most bands on a good night.