New Orleans
PJ Morton Lyrics


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I used to sit for hours in my room
Making music just because that's what I love to do
Now I have to
Now so much is different I don't understand
Now all I hear is radio spins and what kid in place
Can it be fun again?
Like it was back in New Orleans
The place where I know what it all means
I had dreams in New Orleans
I done care what people thought of my songs




Yes I think it's time to go back home
‘Cause all my soul's lost and it's been too long

Overall Meaning

PJ Morton’s song, New Orleans, explores a burning longing for joy, authenticity and creativity. The first verse of the song shows Morton reminiscing about how he used to spend hours in his room making music just because it’s what he loves. It then transitions into a worried voice as he evaluates how much has changed in his music career, and how he doesn't understand the industry anymore. The current reality for Morton is the pursuit of radio spins and what is considered viable by the industry. The chorus of the song is a cry for something that once was and now is lost, for a place where Morton knows what it all means, a place where he can express himself creatively without the pressure of pleasing anybody else.


In the second verse, Morton expresses that he no longer cares about what people think of his music, indicating a sense of liberation to do what he loves. This verse ends with Morton realizing he needs to go back to New Orleans because "all his soul's lost and it’s been too long." Morton ties the whole song to a strong sense of nostalgia of being in New Orleans, where he can feel authentic, free, and joyful - as expressed through the line, "I had dreams in New Orleans," which emphasizes the creativity and dreams that came out of being in the city. New Orleans represents freedom for Morton, where he can be expressive in his music without the pressure of adhering to the music industry's definition of success.


Line by Line Meaning

I used to sit for hours in my room
In the past, I would spend long hours making music out of love for the craft.


Making music just because that's what I love to do
I crafted music merely for its sake; my love for music was enough motivation to see me through.


Now I have to
Presently, I need to:


Now so much is different I don't understand
Various things have changed, tampering with my understanding of the current setting.


Now all I hear is radio spins and what kid in place
Currently, all I'm exposed to is radios playing officially released music produced by a younger generation.


Can it be fun again?
I wonder if I can experience the joy of music production, just like before.


Like it was back in New Orleans
Those good old days feel like they were only real in New Orleans.


The place where I know what it all means
New Orleans is that place where my music made sense to me and bore a deeper meaning.


I had dreams in New Orleans
I had aspirations and a vision for my music in New Orleans.


I done care what people thought of my songs
Back then, I created music that wasn't subjected to public opinions.


Yes I think it's time to go back home
Therefore, It seems like an ideal time to return to my music roots in New Orleans.


‘Cause all my soul's lost and it's been too long
I feel like I've lost touch with the soul of my music, all due to the long absence from New Orleans.




Contributed by Henry Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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