Mr. Jones and Me.
I figured I’d talk a little about something personal. I’m going to write about one of my favorite songs by the counting crows/Adam Duritz.
I was at a local kiddy hangout called bird bowl playing pool with a group of friends when I first heard Mr. Jones. From the moment I heard those first chords and the “Sha la la la…” I was hooked. The tone of the guitars, the simplicity of the drums, the almost carefree vocals. I was blown away. I never really paid attention to the lyrics (as usual) but the song just felt right to me. Funny enough, I first paid actual attention to the lyrics about two years later and realized one thing…
This song is me. I am such a dreamer, so eager to succeed, so full of ambition, and have such a passion for life that I feel almost invincible sometimes. This songs puts into perspective what I need and want. Maybe I don’t want to be a rock star or be on TV (as much), but I still have this yearning desire to be acknowledged and be loved by all.
Everyone that knows me considers me a fan of the counting crows. I don’t know if fan is the right word. I love the music and respect the hell out of Adam and the band (It’s funny how I write about them as if I know them when the best look I ever had of them was in August of last year on my birthday in West Palm at about 300 feet back). I believe the way he can put his thoughts on paper and later translate them into meaningful verses and melodies that linger in your brain is second to none. I’ve never been one to be much into the lyrical part of music, but certain bands and songwriters just seem to write just the perfect little line to catch even the most A.D.D. of us out there into really listening to what they have to say. Almost like casting a spell on a hyperactive monkey. In this case Adam is the wizard using the counting crows as his wand and I am the monkey. *sigh* I want to be the wizard one day.
I honestly believe this is as perfect as any song can be. There’s absolutely nothing I would change about the song. Well, except for one thing… I don’t really care about meeting Bob Dylan. Most of their songs are like this. This is a good thing.
If your not familiar with the Counting Crows, check them out on iTunes or go to their website. Personally I liked how their website used to be. Now it’s this login bullshit with some sort of pay thing going on, so I just step over the bullshit and head straight to Adam’s blog.
Anyway, at the end of the crows performance last year Adam said “Oh, and thanks Tony.” Obviously coincidence, but I’ll keep thinking that was for me. Oh well, I’ll just keep being “as happy as I can be” and look forward to their next album. Oh and Adam, if your reading this read this drop me a line. I have a couple of questions for you. 
Filed by tony at July 27th, 2007 under Music, Self-Improvement
