The Jayhawks are an American alt-country and rock band that began in the mi… Read Full Bio ↴The Jayhawks are an American alt-country and rock band that began in the mid-1980s. On hiatus from 2005 to 2009, the band reunited and, in September 2011, released a new album, "Mockingbird Time".

Led by the gifted songwriting, impeccable playing, and honeyed harmonies of vocalists/guitarists Gary Louris and Mark Olson, the Jayhawks' shimmering blend of country, folk, and bar band rock made them one of the most widely acclaimed artists to emerge from the alternative country scene. The group sprung up in 1985 out of the fertile Minneapolis, Minnesota, musical community, where Olson had been playing standup bass in a rockabilly band called Stagger Lee until his desire to write and perform his own country-folk material prompted him to begin a solo career. He enlisted Marc Perlman, the guitarist for a local band called the Neglecters, whom Olson then convinced to take up the bass; after the addition of drummer Norm Rogers, the group first played in front of a crowd of less than a dozen people. One of those patrons, however, was Gary Louris, a veteran of the local bands Safety Last and Schnauzer; after the show, he and Olson began talking, and by the end of the evening Louris, a guitarist famed locally for his innovative, pedal steel-like sound, had become a member of the group, eventually named the Jayhawks.

Drawing on influences like Gram Parsons, the Louvin Brothers, Tim Hardin, and Nashville Skyline-era Bob Dylan, the Jayhawks quickly became a local favorite, honing their sound in Twin Cities clubs before releasing their eponymous debut in 1986. Issued in a pressing of just a few thousand copies, the album was well received by those who heard it; a major recording deal did not follow, however, so the band continued to polish their craft live, with more and more of their songs bearing writing credits belonging to both Olson and Louris. In October 1988, after a lineup change which saw the departure of Rogers (who joined Cows) followed by the addition of drummer Thad Spencer, Louris was nearly killed in an auto accident, and the Jayhawks went on hiatus. At much the same time, however, executives at the Minneapolis independent label Twin/Tone decided to issue the demos the group had been stockpiling over the past few years, and after some overdubbing and remixing, Blue Earth appeared in 1989. Richer in sound and more complex in its themes and concerns, the record's release brought the group considerable attention, and also brought Louris back into the fold. After another drummer switch (Spencer for Ken Callahan), the band hit the road for a national tour.

The Jayhawks were signed to major label American Records after producer George Drakoulias heard The Blue Earth playing in the background during a phone call to Twin/Tone's offices. With Drakoulias in the producer's seat, the band recorded its breakthrough album, Hollywood Town Hall, in 1991; a mainstay of critics' annual "best of" lists, the album generated the alternative radio hits "Waiting for the Sun," "Take Me With You (When You Go)," and "Settled Down Like Rain." After a tour which saw the permanent addition of Minneapolis pianist Karen Grotberg, the individual bandmembers guested on albums from Counting Crows, Soul Asylum, Maria McKee, Joe Henry, and others. Before recording the fourth Jayhawks album, Callahan departed, and was replaced by session drummer Don Heffington. The resulting record, 1995's Tomorrow the Green Grass, is a beautiful collection of songs led off by the elegiac single "Blue," the recipient of significant airplay. A tour followed, but after some months on the road, Olson announced he was quitting the band. In 1997, the Jayhawks — now consisting of Louris, Perlman, Grotberg, and drummer Tim O'Reagan — released the album Sound of Lies. Grotberg left the band in early 2000, and was replaced by ex-DAG keyboardist Jen Gunderman for the band's sixth album, Smile. A move to a new label (Lost Highway) in 2002 brought about more changes in the band's ever evolving lineup, leaving Louris, Perlman, and O' Reagan (assisted by newcomer Stephen McCarthy on guitar) to craft 2003's rootsier Rainy Day Music.

After a hiatus from 2005-9, the band reunited and, in 2011, recorded a new album. The lineup consists of Mark Olson, Gary Louris, Marc Perlman, Karen Grotberg, and Tim O'Reagan. The album, Mockingbird Time, was released on 20 September 2011. In September 2015, the same line-up, minus Mark Olson, began recording a new album 'Paging Mr Proust', produced by Peter Buck and Tucker Martine for release on the band's own Sham label in April 2016.

The Jayhawks featured on two albums by English rock musician Ray Davies, best known as lead singer-songwriter for The Kinks: Americana, released in April 2017, and Our Country: Americana Act II which appeared in June 2018.

The following month, the 'Paging Mr Proust' line-up was augmented by John Jackson (mandolin, violin, acoustic guitar) for the album Back Roads and Abandoned Motels. Recorded in two sessions in 2017, it comprises nine songs co-written by Gary Louris with other artists, alongside two of his recent compositions.

Norm Rogers (August 1, 1956 - February 19, 2018) original drummer and founding member, died in 2018.

http://www.jayhawksofficial.com

There is another band with the same name:

2. The Jayhawks (Jay Hawks, Jay-Hawks) were an American doo-wop group from Los Angeles, California that had a hit in 1956 with "Stranded in the Jungle". Their track "The Creature (From Outer Space)" can be found on various Halloween themed rock & roll compilations. During this time they also recorded as The Classics, After a few line-up changes they renamed themselves The Vibrations in 1960, but also had a hit with "Peanut Butter" under the name The Marathons.

Sister Cry
The Jayhawks Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Sister cry, what you needed
Bought yourself things you could not use
Could be some man will come along and claim you
Could be you'll wind up in another town.

Sister cry, count the stars.
Is many in the sky that passed you by.
Could be up ahead you'll be seeing changes.

Somehow changes made won't belong to you.

[Chorus]
Someone come along and carry you down
And you called my name
I was so hungry then
Someone come along and carry you down
You could not see you
Someone come along and lay you down
And you don't talk at all
Its the hardest way
Someone come along and carry you down

Sister cry, been mistreated.
Doesn't mean someone won't let you in.
Could be some man will come along and claim you
Could be you'll wind up in another down

This devils knocking at your door
But I could lead them all astray
Just don't matter what people say

[Chorus]

Sister cry, count the stars.
Is many in the sky that passed you by.
Could be up ahead you'll be seeing changes.
Somehow changes made won't belong to you.

Could be up ahead you'll be seeing changes.
Somehow changes made won't belong to you.

Overall Meaning

The Jayhawks's "Sister Cry" is a melancholic song about a woman who has been mistreated and is now buying things she cannot use. The song explores the theme of hopelessness, as the woman feels stuck in life and doesn't seem to be making any progress. The lyrics suggest that she's waiting for a man to claim her, or for some changes to occur, but even if they do, they won't belong to her.

The opening verse of the song sets the melancholic tone by depicting a woman who seems to be seeking solace in material things that have no real value. The following verse suggests that the woman is aware of her situation and is counting the stars, hoping for better things to come her way. The chorus suggests that the woman is in need of companionship and is hoping for someone to come and lay her down. The repetition of the line "someone come along and carry you down" emphasizes the woman's need for help and support.

The lyrics of "Sister Cry" can be interpreted in different ways, but ultimately, the song is a plea for someone to help the woman find meaning and purpose in her life. It is a reminder that we all need someone to lean on from time to time, and that hopelessness can be overcome.

Line by Line Meaning

Sister cry, what you needed
Addressing someone who is upset, asking them what they need or what caused them to feel this way.

Bought yourself things you could not use
Purchased items without any practical use, possibly as a way of coping or trying to find happiness.

Could be some man will come along and claim you
Suggesting that a romantic partner may come along and provide comfort or rescue.

Could be you'll wind up in another town.
Imagining that someone may need to leave their current situation and start anew somewhere else.

Sister cry, count the stars.
Encouraging someone to look to the sky and appreciate the beauty around them.

Is many in the sky that passed you by.
Acknowledging that there are countless opportunities or experiences that someone may have missed or let pass them by.

Could be up ahead you'll be seeing changes.
Offering hope that the future may bring positive transformations or new opportunities.

Somehow changes made won't belong to you.
Conveying a message that as life progresses, things may change and evolve, but it may not always feel like it's a good fit.

Someone come along and carry you down
Suggesting that a person may need support or assistance during challenging times.

And you called my name
Implying that the person in need may have reached out to someone specifically for help.

I was so hungry then
Describing a situation where someone was seeking something deeply and was able to provide a helping hand.

You could not see you
Noticing that someone may have been unable to recognize their own worth or value.

Someone come along and lay you down
Continuing to emphasize the need for support and care during difficult times.

And you don't talk at all
Reflecting on the possibility that someone may be struggling in silence and may not be communicating their needs or emotions.

Its the hardest way
Expressing that having to go through hardship alone can be incredibly challenging and difficult.

Sister cry, been mistreated.
Acknowledging that the person in question may have been treated poorly or unfairly.

Doesn't mean someone won't let you in.
Suggesting that despite the mistreatment, there may still be others who are willing to offer kindness and acceptance.

This devils knocking at your door
Referencing a challenge or temptation that may be present in someone's life.

But I could lead them all astray
Asserting that the singer has the ability to protect or guide the person being addressed away from danger or negativity.

Just don't matter what people say
Encouraging the person to not let others' opinions or criticism affect their self-worth or actions.

Could be up ahead you'll be seeing changes.
Reiterating that the future may bring new opportunities and positive developments.

Somehow changes made won't belong to you.
Emphasizing that while the future may hold promise, it may still be difficult to adapt to changes that come along the way.

Could be up ahead you'll be seeing changes.
Once again offering hope and optimism for the future.

Somehow changes made won't belong to you.
Restating that despite the possibility of positive change, it may not always feel like a perfect fit or an easy transition.

Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: GARY LOURIS, GARY MICHAEL LOURIS, MARK OLSON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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