The Morning Benders is a band from Berkeley, California, formed in 2005, consisting of Julian Harmon, Tim Or, Jonathan Chu, and Christopher Chu. In 2008, they released their debut album Talking Through Tin Cans on +1 Records. The band has toured in support of Broken Bells (Spring/Summer 2010), Grizzly Bear (Fall 2009), The Kooks and Death Cab for Cutie (Summer 2008), Ra Ra Riot (Fall 2008), The Black Keys (Summer 2010), and has also played with Yo La Tengo, MGMT, Grand Archives, Yeasayer, Two Gallants, The Rosebuds, Au Revoir Simone, We Are Scientists, and White Rabbits. They also toured with The Submarines in 2009. Having shared the stage with other bands such as Beach House, MGMT, Ra Ra Riot, Grizzly Bear and Girls, these boys are seasoned vets. Don’t let their age deceive you.
In December 2008, iTunes deemed Talking Through Tin Cans the best indie/alternative album of 2008.
The Morning Benders recorded their 2010 album Big Echo in San Francisco and mixed it in Brookyln. Chris Chu and Chris Taylor (Grizzly Bear) produced it in eleven days. On the twelfth day they rejoiced. There are 10 tracks on Big Echo, which The Morning Benders think is an ideal length for an album.
In March of 2012 the band announced that they would be changing their name to POP ETC.
Mason Jar
The Morning Benders Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Stuck in the mason jar, where I sealed up my heart.
I take it out once a week to donate to charity.
And through my own grey eyes, I watched the colours change in the sky.
(?).....collapse.
Don't hear them knocking at the door you forgive the one thing they just want more.
And all my pictures fall apart, and all my.(?).have lost their .(?).
While the leaves quickly change and leave.(?).their waste.
And I know I do it to myself!
Yes I know I do it to myself!
Oh spirits hold tight, and jump in when the temperature's right!
Don't hear them knocking at the door, you forget the one thing they just want more.
Don't hear a word they try to say, so do us a favor and go on your way.
You way...
The lyrics to The Morning Benders' song "Mason Jar" paint a picture of a person who feels trapped in their own emotional state. The first line "Stuck in the mason jar, where I sealed up my heart" suggests a sense of emotional isolation, as though the person is keeping their emotions bottled up inside. They only let them out once a week to "donate to charity," which could represent a brief moment of connection with others or an attempt to do something positive with their emotions.
The second verse speaks to the person's feelings of detachment from the world around them. They watch "the colours change in the sky," but it's through their "own grey eyes," suggesting a sense of apathy or disinterest. The line "collapse" may refer to a sense of emotional exhaustion or a breakdown of sorts.
The chorus is a plea for the person to be left alone, to not have to deal with other people's demands on their emotions. "Don't hear them knocking at the door" and "don't hear a word they try to say" suggest a desire for solitude and a break from other people's expectations.
The final verse has a sense of resignation to it, as though the person has accepted that they are responsible for their own emotional state. "And I know I do it to myself" suggests that they recognize that they are the one holding themselves back. However, the final line "Oh spirits hold tight, and jump in when the temperature's right" leaves open the possibility of hope, that there may be a time when they can break free from their emotional isolation and connect with the world around them.
Line by Line Meaning
Stuck in the mason jar, where I sealed up my heart.
Feeling emotionally closed off and trapped, keeping my heart protected from pain.
I take it out once a week to donate to charity.
Occasionally opening up and being vulnerable, but only in a controlled and limited way through acts of kindness.
And through my own grey eyes, I watched the colours change in the sky.
Feeling numb and disconnected from the beauty and wonder of the world around me.
(?).....collapse.
Unclear, possibly referring to a sense of impending doom or emotional breakdown.
Don't hear them knocking at the door you forgive the one thing they just want more.
Choosing to ignore those who may hurt me, even if it means forgiving them for repeated offenses.
Don't hear a word they try to say, so do us a favor and go on your way.
Blocking out negativity and toxicity from others, and encouraging them to leave my life.
And all my pictures fall apart, and all my.(?).have lost their .(?).
My memories and relationships are deteriorating, leaving me feeling lost and alone.
While the leaves quickly change and leave.(?).their waste.
Life around me continues to move on and change, while I feel stuck in the same emotional state.
And I know I do it to myself!
Realizing that my own actions and choices are contributing to my emotional state and isolation.
Yes I know I do it to myself!
Admitting responsibility for my own emotions and relationships.
Oh spirits hold tight, and jump in when the temperature's right!
Possibly a message of hope and encouragement to wait for the right timing to take action and open up emotionally.
Don't hear them knocking at the door, you forget the one thing they just want more.
Repeating the refrain from earlier in the song as a reminder to protect myself from those who may harm me.
Don't hear a word they try to say, so do us a favor and go on your way.
Repeating the refrain once more as a final warning to those who may try to bring negativity into my life.
You way...
Ending the song with a command for others to leave, emphasizing the importance of self-protection and emotional well-being.
Contributed by Anthony H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
iloveulll
last year this was the first song that i heard from them. and it's still my favorite! i kinda miss the morning benders. they're new stuff isn't as good as this but it's still good i guess. i just love the feel of this album "big echo" better. it's more soothing and relaxing
Yoel Kra
Erick The Architect is a Genius
Aslhax
Yoel Kra that's facts 🔥🔥
cr1spy239
who else is here because of Flatbush zombies?
Aslhax
Zombies FUCK YEAH
Romario Sandoval
cr1spy239 man it's so cool to see other people here
Ziletox
cr1spy239 FBZ sent me
Daniel Daley
cr1spy239 Babel
Eryk Lawes
Erick arc Elliot finding the obscure to sample. Such a genius.
kenny garcia
I told y'all this was sampled by Flatbush but shit still fire