This may have already been discussed here but I'm new to the boards but a long time MMJ fan and I've always wondered about the allusions to Christianity and such in there music and how the band feels about it. Let me make my case.
What a Wonderful Man- The wondeful man is arguably Jesus. Some lyrical proof. "He was telling us Love goes on"
"Big devil told us to sing along/ and like a loving flock we obeyed/ Except 4 him, he went his own way" and vague reference to the crucifiction "Til the day I found out his cause, was to do it for all of us."
Gideon - Bible character of war, and though this is an anti-war song there is still the line "Religion should appeal to the hearts of the young". As if Bush (who is obviously Gideon) and the rest of the Far Right have tainted Christianity to where it doesn't appeal to people anymore.
Steam Engine - IMO, almost the entire song is about religion and god. The first line, "So, I believe that none of this is physical", is establishing the idea of something spiritual or out of the physical realm (even the title hints at this with a steam engine being something powered by something you cannot touch or hold). "And anywhere I go, it's always with me." that could easily be the presence of God. "But it's a voice, and it's a choice/ to call you out or stay at home" The disembodied voice of God calling you to be with him. "But it's the touch, you need so much" The touch of God. Lastly the most obvious line "Take your money and your drugs/ to anyone who wondered/ what old JESUS meant to me." This is a rejection of all the rock band stereotypes of drugs and all that shit, which ties in with the whole motif of the song being something greater than and physical and the Jesus part well that hints, nay tells of, Jim's plausible relationship with Jesus.
Anyway, There numerous other examples, and so basically wondering is are these guys christian (cuz in an interview on AOL sessions [http://youtube.com/watch?v=LLejnsflaWA] Jim talks about how God has spoke to him) or am I just over reading everything.
Any thoughts?
You see, Jim IS Jesus.
Both names start with J.
Coincidence? I think not.
You're not the first to mention this. You can read whatever you want into it. That said, I think What a Wonderful Man is about Jesus Quintana, nor Christ.
Actually Jim has said that the song is about a friend of his who died. But what does he know?
QuoteYou see, Jim IS Jesus.
Both names start with J.
Coincidence? I think not.
"Nobody fucks with da Jesus."
Quote
"Nobody fucks with da Jesus."
Except Borat.
:)
also, the line in steam engine is:
what old JEBUS (not jesus) meant to me
and what about the line "goddam those skaky knees". First of all, I hope he goes to confession for that blaspheme. Secondly, if he's talking about Jesus' shaky kness, that's kind of creepy.
And you didn't mention the two songs that I think actually ARE about jesus or at least religion: I Needed it Most and Easy Morning Rebel.
sorry, just had to point that out.
Easy Morning Rebel was when I first noticed it but that song's just all over the place with it's imagery and craziness so I don't think I could tie any of it down. ANd the "Shakey Knees" line, well I said most the song referred to religion. There are still some lines which I have no idea what they mean or nothin'. But you can't deny the reference to divine intervention in the interview I linked.
JESUS would Love MMJ! :)
QuoteJESUS would Love MMJ! :)
You're right, he probably would! :D Actually I'd imagine that Jim and the rest of MMJ aren't that different from most of Jesus' disciples*, especially when he first met them. ;)
(*Judus I. excluded.)
No, no, no... Going to a concert to see MMJ is like going to church - you're about to get hit with some spiritual goodness. We are the disciples. The concerts are our revivals, our points of baptism by reverb. So long as we're the ones with the shaky knees spreading the gospel to the needy, we're the Monks.
I just happened to be one of those monks that knows a sweet ass Kung Fu technique, by the way.
QuoteNo, no, no... Going to a concert to see MMJ is like going to church - you're about to get hit with some spiritual goodness. We are the disciples. The concerts are our revivals, our points of baptism by reverb. So long as we're the ones with the shaky knees spreading the gospel to the needy, we're the Monks.
This statement just made my day.
I have a strong belief in God and in Jesus, and I can say that all of the following produce a similar feeling in me that I can't explain, turning on the tears at an instant:
1. Hearing a message in church that especially resonates in my life, to where I feel like God specifically wanted me to hear it.
2. Listening to music in church in which the lyrics are giving thanks to God and all the instruments are stripped away, with just four part harmony in acapella thanking him for the many blessings we have received.
3. Listening to the beautiful music and raw emotions of My Morning Jacket as I drive in my car.
4. Going to a MMJ concert.
I guess you could say listening to MMJ is truly a religious- type experience for me. Listening to them alone is the only scenario above where I don't fight back the tears and just let it go. I wish I wasn't ashamed to do it in the other three scenarios, because it is an awesome release. The fact that the band references a spiritual influence of some sort makes me love them even more.
http://www.savefile.com/files/163716
Cap'n Goodies sez a lil bit about religion/spirituality there.
QuoteSpirituality and religion, at least to us, is more of a force than putting a name on anything, more than calling it any certain religion. I mean, I think we speak to each other and enjoy each other's company and enjoy playing music together and that kind of bond between good music and between friends or between somebody you're in love with, that to me at least is what religion and spirituality is. I feel like we all kinda communicate on that same wavelength with each other to find value and important magical moments in your life and feel like the spirit talking to you through those moments.
From what I gather, the Jacket religion is: LOVE. That's all.
Every MMJ song is about Dr. Teeth
(sorry) :-/
QuoteEvery MMJ song is about Dr. Teeth
(sorry) :-/
Well, that probably makes Jesus sad.
WWJJD?
"none of this is physical" from Steam Engine =
Jim said in an interview it is something about how only looks have plastered itself into music nowadays and its no longer about the sound and feeling. just the looks (physical)
okay, WAWM was written about a friend who commited suicide. so it's not technically about Jesus. Steam Engine, whether the lyrics say it or not, he sings Jesus. I don't know, these guys certainly have a respect for Christianity, but I don't think it's our responsibility to tear apart the spiritual messages. the guys don't make music to preach to us, they make it to resonate with us. and that resonance ought to be something that defies explanation. some things, like their intent behind a song (especially Dondante) can make it hit so much harder, but it ought to ring with you in some way. their intent should only add to it.
that said, if WAWM says something to you about Jesus, that's awesome. The song still is not about Jesus, but if it means something to you in that way, that's what it's their for. But you can't tell us it's about Jesus, because where it means something on that level, it's in that subjective realm where it means something to any of us.
and i'm not bashing Jesus. Christ is who I live for and in. this isn't an argue about that. it's about the song's meaning. and there's two different levels to it.
i think i said it a lot better in a thread further back form last year...
QuoteWWJJD?
I wanna' git that debossed on a silicone bracelet.
Quoteokay, WAWM was written about a friend who commited suicide. so it's not technically about Jesus. Steam Engine, whether the lyrics say it or not, he sings Jesus. I don't know, these guys certainly have a respect for Christianity, but I don't think it's our responsibility to tear apart the spiritual messages. the guys don't make music to preach to us, they make it to resonate with us. and that resonance ought to be something that defies explanation. some things, like their intent behind a song (especially Dondante) can make it hit so much harder, but it ought to ring with you in some way. their intent should only add to it.
that said, if WAWM says something to you about Jesus, that's awesome. The song still is not about Jesus, but if it means something to you in that way, that's what it's their for. But you can't tell us it's about Jesus, because where it means something on that level, it's in that subjective realm where it means something to any of us.
and i'm not bashing Jesus. Christ is who I live for and in. this isn't an argue about that. it's about the song's meaning. and there's two different levels to it.
i think i said it a lot better in a thread further back form last year...
Awesome perspective. Three people can read the same passage in the Bible and have it mean three different things to them, all positive, depending on their situation in life. It is a living word. An MMJ song can be much the same. They have a gift for writing lyrics that are open for interpretation and can have different meanings for different people. It's not always black and white.
Quoteokay, WAWM was written about a friend who commited suicide. so it's not technically about Jesus. Steam Engine, whether the lyrics say it or not, he sings Jesus. I don't know, these guys certainly have a respect for Christianity, but I don't think it's our responsibility to tear apart the spiritual messages. the guys don't make music to preach to us, they make it to resonate with us. and that resonance ought to be something that defies explanation. some things, like their intent behind a song (especially Dondante) can make it hit so much harder, but it ought to ring with you in some way. their intent should only add to it.
that said, if WAWM says something to you about Jesus, that's awesome. The song still is not about Jesus, but if it means something to you in that way, that's what it's their for. But you can't tell us it's about Jesus, because where it means something on that level, it's in that subjective realm where it means something to any of us.
and i'm not bashing Jesus. Christ is who I live for and in. this isn't an argue about that. it's about the song's meaning. and there's two different levels to it.
i think i said it a lot better in a thread further back form last year...
Yes what you said is exactly true. MMJ does seem to excude some of their Christian upbringing [size="1"](didn't someone once mention/claim JJ and a few others went to the same Catholic/Christian school or something back in the day?)[/size] whether they intend to or not.
I remember back when I was younger, or about a decade ago, I used to try to pick apart a few Oasis tunes to see if Noel had eluded to a few Christian references and did find a few examples*, but I seemed to be the only one to think so. Plus any references probably would've been unconscious/unintentional anyway.
[size="1"](*Ex. "Cast No Shadow" (http://www.lyricsdomain.com/15/oasis/cast_no_shadow.html) which has the line
"Bound with all the weight of all the words he tried to say
chained to all the places that he never wished to stay...as he faced the sun he cast no shadow. As they took his soul they stole his pride..." ref. to Jesus' crucifixition and/or the stoning of Stephen(?), Live Forever (http://www.lyricsdomain.com/15/oasis/live_forever.html), Some Might Say (http://www.lyricsdomain.com/15/oasis/some_might_say.html) with the line:
"Some might say they don't believe in heaven, Go and tell it to the man who lives in hell", Acquiesce (http://www.lyricsdomain.com/15/oasis/acquiesce.html)-
"...We believe in one another,I know we're going to uncover, What's sleepin' in our soul...", Up In The Sky (http://www.lyricsdomain.com/15/oasis/up_in_the_sky.html) which sounds like them fighting God, Gas Panic (http://www.lyricsdomain.com/15/oasis/gas_panic.html) with the lines
"...And if there's a god would he give another chancer, An hour to sing for his soul...And if you hear me tap on your window Yer better get on yer knees and pray panic is on the way!, etc.)[/size]
Echoing what Jim said in his interview on austin city limits,
I love what joseph campbell said about religion.
"I don't think people want meaning to their lives, what they desire is that feeling of being alive!"
when you connect to something like music or art or religion it gives you that feeling which is what spirituality is to me.
kay, WAWM was written about a friend who commited suicide. so it's not technically about Jesus. Steam Engine, whether the lyrics say it or not, he sings Jesus. I don't know, these guys certainly have a respect for Christianity, but I don't think it's our responsibility to tear apart the spiritual messages. the guys don't make music to preach to us, they make it to resonate with us. and that resonance ought to be something that defies explanation. some things, like their intent behind a song (especially Dondante) can make it hit so much harder, but it ought to ring with you in some way. their intent should only add to it.
that said, if WAWM says something to you about Jesus, that's awesome. The song still is not about Jesus, but if it means something to you in that way, that's what it's their for. But you can't tell us it's about Jesus, because where it means something on that level, it's in that subjective realm where it means something to any of us.
and i'm not bashing Jesus. Christ is who I live for and in. this isn't an argue about that. it's about the song's meaning. and there's two different levels to it.
i think i said it a lot better in a thread further back form last year...
So much for writing my Thesis paper on Two-Tone Tommy being John the Baptist....Sigh.
But in all seriousness I guess everybody takes something different from the songs which makes them even more awesome.
Am I the only person who prefers to not notice lyrics? I love MMJ's music because his voice is another instrument in their powerful sound. Most of the time I can't understand what he's saying and prefer it that way.
I'm also the type of guy that can watch a commercial and then you immediately ask me about it, and I know nothing.
I don't know if those two are connected somehow?
...And then I have lyrics quoted in my Sig.
Doh!
Quote...And then I have lyrics quoted in my Sig.
Doh!
Pwned.
:P
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v351/eiseyrokker/me%20and%20my%20people/maloned.jpg)
Quote(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v351/eiseyrokker/me%20and%20my%20people/maloned.jpg)
uhhhh, please explain what Jabaar playing the Celtics has to do with being Malone'd??
exactly.
(true story, I made that thinking I was hilarious. and then realized that I was a complete dumbass when I found out it was Kareem Abdul-Jabaar, and not Karl Malone. I mean, not to mention the fact that it said his name under the picture i took it from and everything. this was a good three or four years ago, mind you...)
It's still fucking hillarious, mabey even more so. Just leave it.
Bob: Wha - why is there tape on your nose?
Dignan: Exactly!
:-[
I mean...........
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v351/eiseyrokker/me%20and%20my%20people/maloned.jpg)
1. "The Jacket religion is: LOVE. That's all."
Nicely said! I agree! Jesus did say "the greatest of these is love" and how about "Love your neighbor as yourself" Wouldn't that solve the world's problems?
2. Who is Dr. Teeth??? (remember - I'm a little slow...)
3. WWJJD - now THAT'S hilarious! ;D ;D ;D ;D
I wated to weigh in on this. I don't pay any attention to this stuff. Art should be left for everyones own interpretation. I was raised catholic and have been someone who has resented this. Church doesn't do anything for me. My mind wonders too much and I have anxiey and its impossible for me to pay attention to what the priest is talking about.
And for the record in steam engine he says Jebus, not Jesus. Which I'm not sure if he's reffering to Jesus but the word does have religious origin:
Top Web Results for "jebus"
3 results for: jebus
Je?bus? [jee-buhs] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–noun
an ancient Canaanite city taken by David: it later became Jerusalem.
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.0.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary - Cite This Source
jebus
trodden hard, or fastness, or "the waterless hill", the name of the Canaanitish
city which stood on Mount Zion (Josh. 15:8; 18:16, 28). It is identified with
Jerusalem (q.v.) in Judg. 19:10, and with the castle or city of David (1 Chr.
11:4,5). It was a place of great natural strength, and its capture was one of
David's most brilliant achievements (2 Sam. 5:8).
Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary
Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary - Cite This Source
jebus
Jebus, treading under foot; manger
Here you go.........
(http://img98.imageshack.us/img98/1935/mnq5.jpg)
Quote
2. Who is Dr. Teeth??? (remember - I'm a little slow...)
Dr Teeth is on the left, it's his band (Dr.Teeth and The Electric Mayhem). Jim talks about him
a lot. And that's Patrick on drums.
(http://www.carlaz.com/music/hof/electric_mayhem.jpg)
QuoteHere you go.........
(http://img98.imageshack.us/img98/1935/mnq5.jpg)
Shouldn't that read "KAREEM'ED"
QuoteHere you go.........
(http://img98.imageshack.us/img98/1935/mnq5.jpg)
That should be on t-shirts.
http://www.mcrcc.osmre.gov/Indianapolis/Images/Patoka/OBSC/OBSRgallery/Red/index.htm
hmmmm...
take him out to go diviiiiiiiiing.....
don't think anyone has mentioned this, but jebus is definitely a term from the simpsons, when Homer says thank you jebus for something or other. just thought id throw that out there if anyone was curious.
you're totally right. but the line from the simpson's is "but I don't even believe in jebus".
so maybe steam engine is about the simpsons! now that's an ethos I can really sink my teeth into!
Quote
And that's Patrick on drums.
(http://www.carlaz.com/music/hof/electric_mayhem.jpg)
Ha. What sharp wit you have!