Mr. Jones by Counting Crows

Album: August And Everything After (1993)

Charted: 28 5

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This song is a commentary on fame. With the line, "When everybody loves me, I will never be lonely," lead signer Adam Duritz is stating - with more than a touch of sarcasm - that fame will make everything better ("never be lonely" is repeated to drive home the message: This guy is delusional). When it became the first hit for the band, Duritz was suddenly recognized all over America, which he found discomfiting. The newfound notoriety sent him into a prolonged funk; suddenly he found himself singing a song about dreaming of fame when he was quite bitter about it. With the song resonating his troubles, he came to loath singing it. Duritz stopped writing for over a year, and the Counting Crows second album, Recovering the Satellites, wasn't released until three years after their debut.

Looking back on the song in our 2013 interview with Adam Duritz, he explained that even though it is foolish to think that the adulation of fame will solve your problems, it's hard to resist. Said Duritz: "You're supposed to see through that guy: 'When everybody loves me, I'll never be lonely.' You're supposed to know that's not true. For one thing, there's no such thing as 'everybody loves me.' Nobody knows you in that case. So I knew that wasn't going to happen that way. But you still want it: you want life to be easier, you want to be a rock star so it's easier to talk to a girl. It's the same crazy person sitting there with the girl later, though. So it doesn't fix things."
"Mr. Jones" is Marty Jones, a friend of lead singer Adam Duritz. Before Duritz joined Counting Crows, they were in a band together called The Himalayans.
This was written by lead singer Adam Duritz and guitarist David Bryson (the other three band members also got composer credits). On an episode of VH1's Storytellers, Adam explained: "It's really a song about my friend Marty and I. We went out one night to watch his dad play, his dad was a Flamenco guitar player who lived in Spain (David Serva), and he was in San Francisco in the mission playing with his old Flamenco troupe. And after the gig we all went to this bar called the New Amsterdam in San Francisco on Columbus and we got completely drunk. And Marty and I sat at the bar staring at these two girls, wishing there was some way we could go talk to them, but we were too shy. We kept joking with each other that if we were big rock stars instead of such loser, low-budget musicians, this would be easy. I went home that night and I wrote a song about it. I joke about what it's about, that story. But it's really a song about all the dreams and all the things that make you want to go into doing whatever it is that seizes your heart, whether it's being a rock star or being a doctor or whatever. Those things run from 'all this stuff I have pent up inside of me' to 'I want to meet girls because I'm tired of not being able to.' It is a lot of those things, it's about all those dreams, but it's also kind of cautionary because it's about how misguided you may be about some of those things and how hollow they may be too. Like the character in the song keeps saying, 'When everybody loves me I will never be lonely,' and you're supposed to know that that's not the way it's gonna be. I knew that even then. And this is a song about my dreams."

Duritz later revealed that the guy at the bar who was getting the girls was Kenney Dale Johnson, who was Chris Isaak's drummer.
A lot of people thought "Mr. Jones" was a reference to a character in the Bob Dylan song "Ballad of a Thin Man." Dylan is mentioned the line "I want to be Bob Dylan, Mr. Jones wishes he were someone just a little more funky."

The Beatles did mention Bob Dylan's character in their song "Yer Blues." The line is "Feel so suicidal, just like Dylan's Mr. Jones."
Adam Duritz explained: "This is a song that has been misinterpreted greatly, to say the least. I think people too often look for symbolism in songs when they're simpler than they seem. This, in particular, is much simpler than it must seem to a lot of people. I have heard everything from it being about some ancient blues man who taught me to play music, which is completely ridiculous, but like somebody's movie fantasy. I've also heard it's about my dick, which is even more ridiculous. When we did the interview for Rolling Stone, I walked with David Wilde into the Musee d'Orsay in Paris one day and the first thing that happened was these two kids ran up to us and said, 'Hey! You're the guy from Counting Crows, right?' And I said, 'yeah.' And he said, 'Is Mr. Jones about your dick?' I wanted to kill the guy because I knew where that was going to end up, which is the first paragraph of the article in Rolling Stone."
"Mr. Jones" was the first single released by Counting Crows and also their biggest hit. The band's name refers to a phrase "Counting Crows" which means pointless, as in, "That is about as pointless as counting crows." >>>
Suggestion credit:
Robb - Pittsburgh, PA
All the band members are huge fans of the group Big Star. When performing this song on Saturday Night Live, Duritz changed the line "I Wanna be Bob Dylan" to "I Wanna Be Alex Chilton." Alex Chilton is the frontman for Big Star, and "Alex Chilton" was the name of the song by The Replacements. In the Replacements song they referred to him as "An invisible man with a very visible voice." >>>
Suggestion credit:
Steve - Chino Hills, CA
This song refers to a dancing woman named Maria: "Cut up Maria, show me one of them Spanish dances." This character appears in many of their songs. She is the main subject of their second single, "Round Here": "Maria says she's dying, through the front door I see her crying," and "Maria came from Nashville with a suitcase in her hand." In "Mrs. Potter's Lullabye," Duritz sings, "There's a piece of Maria in every song that I sing." She is also mentioned on the background writing on the cover of August And Everything After. The identity of Maria has never been revealed, which leads many to believe that she is not a real person, but a symbol for loneliness, desire, or something similar. >>>
Suggestion credit:
Alden - College Park, MD
Like several big hits of the mid-'90s, this song was not released as a single in America, which kept it off the Billboard Hot 100 chart, but meant that fans would have to purchase the entire album to hear it. The ploy worked, with sales of August And Everything After topping 7 million. The song reached #5 on Billboard's Airplay chart, which was integrated into the Hot 100 in 1998. Other hit songs of the era that weren't released as singles include "Don't Speak" by No Doubt and "Torn" by Natalie Imbruglia.
Duritz was accused of lifting the "sha-la-la-la-la" from Van Morrison's classic Brown Eyed Girl, which is far from the truth, he told Entertainment Weekly. "I've gotten a lot of this flack," he said. "I threw one 'sha la la' in as a joke on the record. The next thing I know I'm the second coming of the Belfast Cowboy [a Morrison nickname]. I don't get it. I can see where I learned from his singing. [But] all these other writers jump on it as an easy reference point."
T Bone Burnett produced the August And Everything After album. He released his own album called The Criminal Under My Own Hat the previous year, but then focused on production work for other artists. His next projects were albums for Bruce Cockburn and Sam Phillips (his wife at the time).
In the 1990 census, Jones was the fourth most popular last name, but it's far more musical than the top three: Smith, Johnson, and Williams. None of those have appeared in the titles to any classic songs, but in addition to "Mr. Jones," there's "Me And Mrs. Jones" (Billy Paul), "Casey Jones" (Grateful Dead), and "Crackity Jones" (Pixies). The name has a nice ring to it that fits well in a lyric.

Comments: 65

Kit from MississippiI always thought it was about battling drug addiction!
AnonymousWhat is the link between the color gray and Picasso? If there is any.
AnonymousI thought Mr Jones was a bottle of alcohol cuz he talks about how you stumbled
Lynnster from Alberta, CanadaIt kinda sucks to learn that the song’s lyrics are pretty straightforward, actually.
Keith from Vancouver CanadaI always thought "Mr. Jones" was a reference to marijuana i.e. MJ
Joe from Lincoln RiI think that "Maria" in Counting Crows songs may be Maria McKee of Lone Justice.
John Doe from Tulsa, OkI've always thought of Mr. Jones as the sinister type. ya know? the one who's a best friend and has what you would call the best intentions yet helps or allows you to be mislead right? Obiviously it has a spiritual or metaphysical sense with the lyrics Mr. Jones and me stare into the future and tell each other fairytales. mostly its like the good trip dude on god and the Ricky Nelson meanings I believe to an extent. when everybody loves me i will never be lonely well what about do yall love yourselves enough to realize no one is gonna be lonely. secret fear of all is being alone. its like the song glycerine from the same time period by bush. we live in a wheel where everyone steals when you realize it's like Strawberry Fields. Right? Nothing to get hung about right? Living is easy with eyes half closed, misunderstanding all you see. It's getting hard to be someone but it all works out.
Bocknobby from Toronto, OnDoes anyone know anything about the back-up singers who can be heard in the last half of the song? Great arrangement of their vocals. A timeless song.
Keith from Goose Creek, ScLet me preface this comment with the following statement: I understand that this was not the meaning intended by the author, it is only how the song speaks to me. That said, here goes nothing. I have recently been searching for faith, and recognizing that my own beliefs are weakly held at best. I am desperately trying to find truth but am constantly distracted by my worldly desires and though I often feel that the Lord speaks to me, in my arrogance I end up trying to take credit for His glory. This song feels like that story to me.

I was sitting in a bar having a drink and lusting after a woman, when the spirit of Jesus (Mr. Jones) begins speaking to the heart of a woman named Maria (Mary). She begins to dance as Mr. Jones’ father (God) plays the music (guitar) for her, and I suddenly recognize how spiritually beautiful she is- and I wish that I could be that beautiful. So I struggle with the silence in my own mind (the absence of the holy spirit in my life) through the metaphorical night until the dawn (the realization that I need Christ in my life). So I ask Maria to continue dancing for me, so that I can learn how to imitate her joyous abandon in the Lord- and ask Jesus to “pass me the bottle” (fill me with the Holy Spirit). I beg God to believe in me, because I recognize that I don’t truly believe in anything (myself included), and I want to be someone who believes.

Jesus and I walk together and talk about the things I think I believe (fairy tales), and we stare at the beautiful women, He at their spirits, I at their bodies. My instinct tells me they’re looking at Him, but my arrogance says “no, no- they’re looking at me.” I stare into the lights coming in from two different directions (the physical lights of worldly things, and the spiritual light of the Truth of God), I know that when everyone loves “you” (Christ) no one will ever be lonely again.

I paint the picture of my life, I paint myself in blue (sadness) and red (anger) and black (darkness, evil potential) and gray (potential for good, flawed by my sinful nature). I know that all of those things are necessary for my growth in life, and are therefore meaningful and beautiful, but gray (my potential for good) is my favorite aspect of myself. I know that if I am to stand before people and speak, that I will be a symbol for them, but I’m not yet capable of doing what is right. If I could, I would find someone who was able to see the beauty of creation through the chaos of reality and learn from them (like a Picasso), if I could do that I would stand up in front of God and everyone and play that “guitar”, while still remembering my own imperfection.

Jesus and I, look into the future of my life, we stare at the beautiful women (same as above) and I once again try to take credit for His glory. I’m standing in front of the crowd (in the spotlight), I finally know how to speak correctly (my gray guitar), but I fail again because I try to take the credit again by saying that when everyone loves ME, I will never be lonely… I will never be lonely… no I’m never gonna be, lonely… The more I try to convince myself that I will be the one to make myself happy, the more I become aware that it will only come through God. I want desperately to speak the Truth with true authority (like a lion), it seems everyone around me is satisfied to “pass as cats” (only the appearance of authority), we all want to be great- it is in our nature to seek greatness- but we all have different reasons (some to help themselves, some to help others, some to serve God). I once again beg God to believe in me, because I still don’t truly believe in the freedom of Christ (as evidenced by my continuing failure to give Him the credit for my blessings), and I want to be someone that people can believe in.

Jesus and I walk through the dirty streets of the “bario” together, we are still staring at the beautiful women, but now I finally see that they are perfect for Christ, and I know that there has to be someone right for me.
I want to be a storyteller who touches peoples lives (like bob Dylan), Christ wishes He was someone a “little more funky” ( so many people imagine Christ as uptight, but He walks with us even through the “barrios” of our lives), God tells Him ( ah, Son) that He is as funky as it gets, because everyone loves Him.

Christ and I watch the video of my life together, when I watch it with Him, I want to be able to look right into my own eyes staring back unashamed. We all want to be great- we just don’t know how to get it, or even why we want it, but when I become like Christ, and everyone loves me, I’ll finally be as happy as I can be.

Jesus and I, we’re going to be big stars.
I hope this interpretation doesn’t offend anyone- I do not intend that. I hope that if you are seeking like I am that this song speaks to you as deeply as it did for me and helps you on your journey.
Kyle from St. Louis, IlI've always seen this song as having a deeper meaning and that the writer loathes that is a bit disheartening. Regardless, I don't think the artist's take is necessarily any more valid than a listener's so I'll give my take: The song is mostly simple, just about aspiration, and the realization that life is more than professional success. But I also get the vibe that he's commenting on God via Mr. Jones. I can't pick out why, that's just how I interpret it.
Liv from Long Island, Nyum... maria is a spanish name. flamenco dancing is spanish.. so if maria is always in their songs why not make her the name of the dancer. and "his father" playing the guitar is Adams friends father playing while they drank. duhhhh
Brian from Boston, MaGreat song.This whole album is great.I first got into the crows around 1996. Many years before I had taken a couple of guitar lessons but I never really stuck with it.I picked up my guitar again in the summer of 96 and one song I would hear a lot was Mr Jones.I realize that it had been released 3 years prior but because I was now back into playing guitar I noticed it more every time it came on the radio.I loved the rythm of this song. By that fall I had learned the chords.This was one of only a few songs that I had ever learned just by listening to it. Once I learned the chords the rythm is what I had practiced most.I have now seen lessons for this song on the internet and often times they play it on an acoustic guitar.This song sounds O.K on acoustic but it sounds best when played as it is on the album with an electric guitar using a clean tone.This is one of the best songs of the 90's.What a great album too.
Gazza from Buenos Aires, ArgentinaDon't know if this has already been posted, but the "New Amsterdam" is now called the "International Sports Club" and is located at 1000 Columbus Avenue (Intersection with Taylor Street) in San Francisco.CA. Apparently they do a great happy hour with cheap beer. Sitting in Adam Duritz's seat is optional.
Heloisa Argentina from Córdoba, ArgentinaPeople, one question on the sentence: "She dances while his father plays guitar." - Whose father are they talking about? Wasnt it supposed to be "her father"?
At first I thought the Flamenco dancer could be the son of this "his father", but then Mr Jones would not be talking to a guy, right? SO the flamenco dancer is a girl (also because of the"She dances while..").
Can someone help me understand whose father is the song talking about? Mr Jones' father??
Clay from Henagar, AlGod this song gets really old really fast
Xavier from Schenectady, NyI thought Mr. Jones was a drink in the song...
Chad from Wilmington, DeWell, whatever you choose, the name, Mr. Jones is a common name- a nobody. A common name will somettimes be changed when a person achieves fame and music itself sometimes transforms the name when the man beocmes a famous musician. Sometimes the musician will keep his own name, but quite often it changes after he/she achieves fame. Or seldom is each individual band member's name is known. For example, we know the group that played the song as "Counting Crows", but I still could not tell you each indvidual band member's name.- Hope that helps...
Brad from Topeka, KsFor the longest time, I thought "Mr. Jones" was a metaphor for loneliness. Still a great song!
Fraser from Stirling, United KingdomHere's a blog abou the New Amsterdam features in the song: http://frazing.wordpress.com/2008/12/17/google-streeview/
Jan from Antwerp, --I think it's clear that this song is about the times when think that if you would be rich and/or famous, you would get everything in life what you desire.
Everybody who claims to be af Counting Crows fan knows that the singer soon discovered that this wasn't the case.
That's why, in live versions, the lyrics change everytime, depening on his mood state.
Steve from Charlotte, ScI'm a little bummed out that "Mr. Jones" is just a friend he got drunk with in a bar. I always thought "Mr Jones" was a clever euphamism for envyy and desire as in I'm Jonesn' for something or keeping up with the Jones'. In Jr. High School I had a friend that I would sneak off and smoke cigarettes with and he would always say "I'm Jonesn' for a smoke man I'm Mr. Jones Today..."

To answer another post, there are several good songs about heroin even if this isn't one. Dead Flowers by the Stones is my favourite but CCKMP by Steve Earle, White Freight Liner by Townes Van Zandt and The Needle and the Damage Done by Neil Young are some others.
Ekristheh from Halath, United StatesMaria is to Adam Duritz as Mary is to Bruce Springsteen.
Michael from Pittsburgh, PaStuart, I don't know the Nazareth song you referred to, so it's possible that the lines "So you wanna be a rock'n'roll star / Just listen now to what I say / Get yourself an electric guitar / and take some time and learn to play" appear in it, but those lines are from the song "So You Want To Be A Rock and Roll Star" by the Byrds. It's possible that Nazareth was quoting that song.
Sierra from Grand Forks, Ndok, so how the heck could this song be about a ding dong? hello? jesus that's just weird, i've known this song forever and the way i interpret is this: a guy has a friend that's kewler than him and they both wanna be famous and get the girls, i know there's more ways a song can be interpreted, but seriously, a penis?
Steve from New York, NyI actually met Marty Jones while writing a magazine article about the search for Maria. He was a really cool guy who tells the background of "Mr. Jones" in the story: http://bit.ly/326a7Io
Bertrand from Paris, FranceThe voice of Counting Crows' lead vocalist Adam Duritz is a magnificent instrument. "Mr. Jones" introduced music fans to Duritz' amazing facility at storytelling within the context of a song. Just try to sing along on "Mr. Jones" and after you finish gasping for breath, you realize just how phenomenal this performance is.
Charlie from Durham, EnglandI've just registered just to protest against a comment written WAY above:

"A song doesn't need to be complex to be good. Just look at Rick Nelson's "Garden Party." Simple and pure, but flippin' great rock n' roll. - Tony, Boston, MA"

The author's point was to say how there doesn't have to be a deeper meaning to a song to make it good (which I agree with, tho I do like meaningful lyrics) but unfortunately the example of 'garden party' doesn't work - garden party is packed with hidden meanings!!

It's all about how disillusioned Rick Nelson was when he played at a concert and noone was interested in his new material, it's not ACTUALLY about going to a garden party at all! It's packed with metaphors and references!

But back to Mr.Jones, love that song, a world-wide hit, I even heard it once in a while in the clubs in Spain when I lived over there, and that was 2001-2005! Can't believe ppl thought it was about his penis, I don't even get how that would work!
Natalie from Chiago, IlThis song wasn't delete because alot of people still love this song! I know I do! I was raised off the Counting Crows.
J from Jackson, GaI don't know about you people but I like this song.
Cory from Morden, CanadaI can't believe the song isn't about his (deleted)...I seriously have thought that for the past 13 years...
Ty from Indianapolis, InEven though it is about Marty Jones in this song, Bob Dylan's Mr Jones is rumored to be Brian Jones from the Rolling Stones
Stuart from Liverpool,, EnglandIf you listen to the version on the "Across A Wire - Live in New York" album, the song starts with the lyrics "So you wanna be a rock'n'roll star / Just listen now to what I say / Get yourself an electric guitar / and take some time and learn to play". These lyrics are borrowed directly from the Nazareth song Telegram.
Nicole from Derby, EnglandEveryone goes on about Maria being a real person, but Adam Duritz quite clearly says that shes not! Shes just meant to represent girls. But she does crop up in loads of songs, and the lyrics on the album cover are to the song "August and Everything After" which only gets played live.
Nicole xx
Kayla from Cary, Ncaw this song is so cute and the lyrics are blunt so stop trying to interpret them
Stephanie from Moreno Valley, Cathis song is also sung by Hidden In Plain View but its not in any of their cds that they have made.
Tony from Boston, MaThis is just one of those great songs that will always be taken out of context. Adam Duritz wrote this song as a memory of a fun conversation he and his friend, Marty (Mr.) Jones once had at a bar. Simple as that. Nothing more, nothing less. A song doesn't need to be complex to be good. Just look at Rick Nelson's "Garden Party." Simple and pure, but flippin' great rock n' roll.
Jo-c from Lima, PeruTo set this straight, the idea is to get many chicks and friends or whatever by becoming famous, like being in a rock band or something. Great song with great lyrics, easy to play on a band.
Ekristheh from Halath, United StatesI think this repeated "heroin" comment is a prank. It appears in the comments field of nearly every song I have researched on Songfacts. If someone were to post the songfact for "Veni, Creator Spiritus" or Sister Janet Mead's "The Lord's Prayer", someone would be sure to comment "Totally a heroin song." At least, this is how it seems to me.
Lisa from Perth, AustraliaI recommend that all who enjoy the music sung by Adam and backed up by the beautiful tempraments of the band itself is best heard through Across A Wire - Live In New York City. As Adam said best between songs "We're playing some of these electric songs because they've changed so much and because I think we really know how to play them now." So if you want to hear the meaning of the songs you love (especially Mr Jones)the album encapsulates so much of the current intention. You can actually feel his voice tremble with emotion and deepen with feeling, it may just be my imagination but I can actually hear everything they really want to say. I would love to see many more albums like this one. In regards to Mr Jones, why would you put a song to detrament by explaining it through him naming his dick or atributing great creativity to drugs, let it be what it is and find beauty in the pictures it creates. At the end of the day I think the intepretation says more about the person interpreting it than the person who's song it actually is.
Cherie from Ny, NyI always thought the song was about his penis.
Beth from Livonia, Mii agree with whoever said that this is one of those songs that are great because you can put yourself and your experiences into the song. I must say that saying this song is about heroin is a bit of a stretch- especially because there's barely any evidence in the song to support it. Sure, it talks about his guitar, but that's the only connection i can make between your argument and the song.
Dan from Columbia, MdGreat song with great lyrics! My favorite...I will paint my picture, Paint myself in blue and red and black and gray All of the beautiful colors are very very meaningful.
John from Cleveland, TnFunny, this song makes me think of a good good friend of mine when we were younger. At the time we really started listening to it, alot of the lyrics point to our real life. the first four lines point to my (at the time) blond girlfriend and also the black haired girl my friend was dating, who was also a dancer. And the line "She dances while his father plays guitar" also makes us think of the fact that there familes were in business for a short time. I could really get into, but it's a great song that definatly will be a favorite of mine for awhile...
Dante from Here, ChinaThis song is very deep to me. It reminds me of how I felt when my girl and I broke up, at the same time my uncles girl left him also. We both just hung out together getting drunk and high talking about our women. This song is about two guys who feel alone and just need someone to care about them. Luckily my uncle and I both got back with our girls. This song lets me see how lonely we could have ended up.
Matt from Millbrae, Cathis is actually a really good song. While everyone around them was jumping on the commercial pop gravy train, these guys had the guts to come out with a song that actually had meaning to the lyrics. for this, i applaud.
Fabian from Nogales, MexicoI think that Mr Jones is Duritz alter ego and when he gets really drunk or high or whatever mr jones is released, that´s my intepretation for that song.
Ben from Weymouth, Mathe song also seems like it could go along with the play "the death of a salesman."
Michelle from Montreal, United Statesi understand how this song was supposed to be about adams friend, but i have a different interperitation. i know it is not what adam intended, but i think that is partly why "mr. jones" is such an amazing song: eeeverybody can find a way to make this song very personal to themselves. however lame some interperatations are, if they mean something to that person, then so be it! i hope this is taken into consideration
Pat from Montreal, CanadaI used to think this song was about a skizophrenic, who became someone else when he lacked confidence, and eventually believes everybody likes this alter ego more than him. There is a wonderful acoustic version of this; it is to die for, except for the fact that they remove my favorite line: "Mr. Jones and mr, staring at the video; when I look at the television I want to see me, staring right back at me."
Brittany from Waverly, Nyi would like to know why the drug that rock songs are always about is heroine. this is not about heroine. i highly doubt that there are many good songs about heroine.
Monty from Omaha, NeI met Adam Duritiz in 200 when I was working at a local radio station, I asked him about the inspiration for this song and "Omaha"... This has nothing to do with drugs... WHY, why does everyone think Heroin is the bassis for ALL ROCK songs... Serriously, when ever someone says "This song is about heroin" I ignore the post...
Hey you know that song, "Happy birthday" it's about Heroin... yeah they wrote it about taking smack for the first time, you know your "birthday as and adict.
Se how stupid that sounds?
TorbjÃ?rn from Trondheim, NorwayI heard one theory from someone who thought that "Mr.Jones" was a liquor-brand. so if you get the lyrics a bit wrong it might be "Pass me a bottle of Mr.Jones" - and later when he sings "Mr. Jones strikes up a conversation with this black-haired flamenco dancer" he's drunk and it's just the booze talking.. hehe, wouldn't put too much weight into that theory though..
Katie from Royston, Gahave any of you guys heard of the movie "beautiful women" ?

i don't kno when the movie or song came out but after i saw the movie i was convinced that it was connected.

for one, the bar where they hung out was "mr jones's".

when they were sitting in that building they were talkin bout the man being in love with the girl and he said "we all want somthing beautiful"
. the name of the movie is beautiful women.

and i don't kno exactly where new amsterdam is but im pretty sure its up in yankee teritory so that maybe also the setting of the movie.....there are more things but i havn't seen the movie in a while
any one else see the connection?
Nick from Arlington Heights, IlDuritz also substituted "Dave Lowery" of Cracker for "Bob Dylan" on another TV performance, Duritz was also wearing a Cracker T Shirt during this performance
Matt from Durham, NhI don't care who he says it's about. Mr. Jones is Lester Bangs.
Marty from Eugene, OrAdam knows she was looking at me. And i did go and talk to (and make a damn fool out of myself) with the one i had my eye on. But maybe if i had been a rock star....
Rod from Ipswich, Australiaive got this mate david who believes the "Mr Jones" song by the Counting Crows is a freaking cover for crist sake. I hope this and other entries on the internet and tv/publications alike will set him straight. GOOD SONG and written by Adam Duritz and Counting Crows!
Matt from St. Charles, MoI like the idea of Mr. Jones being Adam's alter ego. I think that it really shows the difference between a person who is sober, and a person who is high or drunk (Mr. Jones). Either way it's a great song that never got the respect it deserved.
Katy from Eden Prairie, Mnjeffq who posted the first comment is obviosly confused. I would like to know where you heard that Adam had a herion adiction and pawned off his guitar before shows??? do you know how ridiculous you sound?
Jeffq from Nekoosa, WiThis is about lead singer Adam Duritz' heroin addiction. Mr. Jones is his dealer, and the hardships of being a heroin addict. The band was named after a favorite pastime of his whilst flying high off of heroin; counting crows. He would usually pawn off his guitar for drug money and the rest of the band would have to go buy it back before every show.
Jeremy from Gonzales, LaAdam Duritz said on VH1 Storytellers that the song was written when he and a friend were listening to his friends father (who was a flamenco guitar player) play at a bar called the 'New Amsterdam'. There were all of these pretty girls at the bar, and dancing to the music. 'Mr Jones' and Adam were drinking and talking about how they would have the nerve to talk to these women if they were famous. They then go on to dream about how all of their problems would be solved if they were famous.
Jaffa from Auckland, New Zealandcould be what he wants to be but is to scared to try
Karen from Virginia Beach, Va"Jones" can mean a passion, preoccupation, addiction or a craving... Mr. Jones is the singer's alt-ego. Who craves fame beliving it will bring him love and happiness. The singer is unsure of how people see him, do they see the real him or the fame. "She's looking at you,
I don't think so. She's looking at me."
Thank you to Bill for explaining this to me, it's a great song!
Karen :-)
Richard from Nederland, TxMr. Jones is not inspired by the Mr. Jones in the Dylan song. It's about Marty Jones one of Adam's friends from the Bay Area. Check any Crows press ever to back this up.
Live Freak from Beirut, OtherCould Mr. Jones be what the singer turns into when he's drunk.........somebody check it ??

"Pass me the bottle Mr. Jones..."

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"Panama" by Van Halen is not about the country or the canal, but about a stripper David Lee Roth met in Arizona.

Ho HeyThe Lumineers

"Ho Hey" by The Lumineers is about New York City, where lead singer Wesley Schultz moved to make it in music. He was dismayed to find many "trust fund kids" in the music scene while he struggled to pay the rent.

Waka Waka (This Time For Africa)Shakira and Freshlyground

Shakira calls her sons Milan and Sasha her "Waka Kids" because she met their father, Spanish soccer star Gerard Piqué, on the video shoot for "Waka Waka (This Time For Africa)," the official song of the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.

Walking On Thin IceYoko Ono

John Lennon's lead guitar work on Yoko Ono's "Walking On Thin Ice" proved to be his final creative act. It was upon their return home after completing laying down the track that Lennon was murdered by Mark David Chapman.