Counting Crows — Mr. Jones
Album: August and Everything AfterAvg rating:
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Total ratings: 2188
Length: 4:27
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Sha la la la la la la, hmm, uh huh,
I was down at the New Amsterdam,
Staring at this yellow-haired girl,
Mr. Jones strikes up a conversation,
With a black-haired flamenco dancer,
You know she dances while his father plays guitar,
So she's suddenly beautiful,
And we all want something beautiful,
Man I wish I was beautiful.
So come dance this silence down through the mornin'
Sha la la la la la la la yeah, uh huh yeah,
Curl up, Maria! Show me some of that Spanish dancin'
And pass me a bottle, Mr. Jones.
Believe in me, help me believe in anything,
'Cause I, I wanna be someone who believes, yeah.
Mr. Jones and me tell each other fairy tales,
And we stare at the beautiful women,
"She's looking at you. Ah, no, no, she's looking at me."
Smiling in the bright lights, coming through in stereo,
When everybody loves you, you can never be lonely.
Well, I'm gonna paint my picture,
Paint myself in blue and red and black and gray,
All of the beautiful colors are very very meaningful,
Yeah, well you know gray is my favorite color,
I felt so symbolic yesterday, if I knew Picasso,
I would buy myself a gray guitar and play.
Mr. Jones and me look into the future,
Yeah, we stare at the beautiful women,
"She's looking at you. I don't think so. She's looking at me."
Standing in the spotlight, I bought myself a gray guitar,
When everybody loves me, I will never be lonely,
I will never be lonely, son, I'm never gonna be lonely.
I wanna be a lion,
E-Everybody wants to pass as cats,
We all wanna be big big stars,
Yeah but we've got different reasons for that,
Believe in me 'cause I don't believe in anything,
And I, I wanna be someone to believe,
To believe, to believe, yeah.
Mr. Jones and me stumbling through the barrio,
Yeah we stare at the beautiful women,
"She's perfect for you, Man, there's got to be somebody for me."
I wanna be Bob Dylan,
Mr. Jones wishes he was someone just a little more funky,
When everybody loves you, oh, son,
That's just' bout as funky as you can be.
Mr. Jones and me staring at the video,
When I look at the television,
I wanna see me staring right back at me,
We all wanna be big stars,
But we don't know why and we don't know how,
But when everybody loves me,
I wanna be just' bout as happy as I could be,
Mr. Jones and me, we're gonna be big stars.
I was down at the New Amsterdam,
Staring at this yellow-haired girl,
Mr. Jones strikes up a conversation,
With a black-haired flamenco dancer,
You know she dances while his father plays guitar,
So she's suddenly beautiful,
And we all want something beautiful,
Man I wish I was beautiful.
So come dance this silence down through the mornin'
Sha la la la la la la la yeah, uh huh yeah,
Curl up, Maria! Show me some of that Spanish dancin'
And pass me a bottle, Mr. Jones.
Believe in me, help me believe in anything,
'Cause I, I wanna be someone who believes, yeah.
Mr. Jones and me tell each other fairy tales,
And we stare at the beautiful women,
"She's looking at you. Ah, no, no, she's looking at me."
Smiling in the bright lights, coming through in stereo,
When everybody loves you, you can never be lonely.
Well, I'm gonna paint my picture,
Paint myself in blue and red and black and gray,
All of the beautiful colors are very very meaningful,
Yeah, well you know gray is my favorite color,
I felt so symbolic yesterday, if I knew Picasso,
I would buy myself a gray guitar and play.
Mr. Jones and me look into the future,
Yeah, we stare at the beautiful women,
"She's looking at you. I don't think so. She's looking at me."
Standing in the spotlight, I bought myself a gray guitar,
When everybody loves me, I will never be lonely,
I will never be lonely, son, I'm never gonna be lonely.
I wanna be a lion,
E-Everybody wants to pass as cats,
We all wanna be big big stars,
Yeah but we've got different reasons for that,
Believe in me 'cause I don't believe in anything,
And I, I wanna be someone to believe,
To believe, to believe, yeah.
Mr. Jones and me stumbling through the barrio,
Yeah we stare at the beautiful women,
"She's perfect for you, Man, there's got to be somebody for me."
I wanna be Bob Dylan,
Mr. Jones wishes he was someone just a little more funky,
When everybody loves you, oh, son,
That's just' bout as funky as you can be.
Mr. Jones and me staring at the video,
When I look at the television,
I wanna see me staring right back at me,
We all wanna be big stars,
But we don't know why and we don't know how,
But when everybody loves me,
I wanna be just' bout as happy as I could be,
Mr. Jones and me, we're gonna be big stars.
Comments (118)add comment
Step outside the FM overplayed context and recall back when you first heard this song. When it came out, it was extremely different and completely original, especially given that radio was playing so much grunge crap. Don't get me wrong, plenty of great grunge music, but radio stations were playing anything that came out of Seattle, regardless if the band had any talent.
DelightedIdiot wrote:
Great story and I particularly enjoyed the last line.
Sorry haters. You go and sulk and fume. I'll tell you about our first winter in northern New England. January 1994 in our new 1840's farmhouse with the wind leaking through 150 year old plaster walls and our 1-1/2 year old baby dancing on the cracked gray linoleum kitchen floor while we record their squeals of delight on the old Radio Shack cassette recorder. 30+ years later the linoleum has been replaced, the walls have been insulated and the kid is off making their own way in the world now. We sit in our pleasantly appointed kitchen listening every once in awhile to that old tape and under our kids squeals of delight we hear Mr. Jones playing from the FM radio that used to sit on top of the refrigerator.
You've got your sad memories of an overplayed FM hit and I've got mine of a single play of that FM hit frozen in time, in my kitchen, with my kid dancing on the old linoleum floor.
Just hit the freakin' PSD button and shut up.
Great story and I particularly enjoyed the last line.It feels like dancing
Sorry haters. You go and sulk and fume. I'll tell you about our first winter in northern New England. January 1994 in our new 1840's farmhouse with the wind leaking through 150 year old plaster walls and our 1-1/2 year old baby dancing on the cracked gray linoleum kitchen floor while we record their squeals of delight on the old Radio Shack cassette recorder. 30+ years later the linoleum has been replaced, the walls have been insulated and the kid is off making their own way in the world now. We sit in our pleasantly appointed kitchen listening every once in awhile to that old tape and under our kids squeals of delight we hear Mr. Jones playing from the FM radio that used to sit on top of the refrigerator.
You've got your sad memories of an overplayed FM hit and I've got mine of a single play of that FM hit frozen in time, in my kitchen, with my kid dancing on the old linoleum floor.
Just hit the freakin' PSD button and shut up.
You've got your sad memories of an overplayed FM hit and I've got mine of a single play of that FM hit frozen in time, in my kitchen, with my kid dancing on the old linoleum floor.
Just hit the freakin' PSD button and shut up.
Just caught these guys in Denver last month. Great live band. One of my favorite albums & song.
This song was ridiculously overplayed back about then (MTV, radio, etc). But having had a period of time not hearing it (and hearing it and...), this is a darn good song.
Reminds me of an old relationship, but don't all songs do that?
jukes1 wrote:
Can we add a third category for Bill's transitions? He played a song I'd never heard ("Djinn Pulse") into this track absolutely perfectly. I wish I knew enough about music theory to know why that sounded so "right."
This is one of those cases where I wish there were two different ratings. One for how much we like the song (10) and one for how much we want to hear the song on RP again (1).
Can we add a third category for Bill's transitions? He played a song I'd never heard ("Djinn Pulse") into this track absolutely perfectly. I wish I knew enough about music theory to know why that sounded so "right."
Ipse_Dixit wrote:
...anything by Bowie? ;)
Is there a third "Mr. Jones" song Bill can play? If so, hats off!
...anything by Bowie? ;)
Is there a third "Mr. Jones" song Bill can play? If so, hats off!
Are we supposed to be able to scroll through comments?? Am I not aware how?
Anyway always loved this song but not my favorite on the record
Anyway always loved this song but not my favorite on the record
I've always loved this passion-laden, rocking song. It holds nothing back. Puts me in the mood for Blues Traveler, Jayhawks, Old 97s...
nice segue from the Bee Gees, Bill. there must be more Mr Jones references in music to continue this set.
I always singalong with this song… I like it
h8rhater wrote:
Ohhh, it is indeed....
Ohhh, it is indeed....
Second play in a few hours.
To be fair, the first was the even more awful unplugged version.
More Nickelback please...
To be fair, the first was the even more awful unplugged version.
More Nickelback please...
maboleth wrote:
And after that ... your level! One step at a time.
I think Thom Yorke is jealous, thinking "man, if only I could moan like this guy, but at least I can whine!"
And after that ... your level! One step at a time.
I think Thom Yorke is jealous, thinking "man, if only I could moan like this guy... but at least I can whine!"
jukes1 wrote:
???cognitive dissonance???
This is one of those cases where I wish there were two different ratings. One for how much we like the song (10) and one for how much we want to hear the song on RP again (1).
???cognitive dissonance???
Such a well produced recording. A pure pleasure to hear.
Mr. Jones right after another Mr. Jones, that's one reason what I like rp for!
First, we get "Chumbawumba - New York Mining Disaster 1941" with "Have you seen my wife, Mr. Jones?" in the chorus, then followed by the actual "Mr. Jones" song.
Nice one, RP.
Nice one, RP.
chrisross wrote:
Check it out. I think BillG's got you covered.
(Scroll down to see the list of songs played here.)
Really, Mr. Jones from Counting Crows, the most played song on this album. Play something else from this album like Omaha, Round Here, Sullivan Street, or Anna Begins, which are much, much better songs and don't get near the airtime as this one.
Check it out. I think BillG's got you covered.
(Scroll down to see the list of songs played here.)
ace-marc wrote:
And you're sure it's not your taste that's bad?
Yeah, but Bill has to play it for the listeners with bad taste. It's only fair.
And you're sure it's not your taste that's bad?
Elroweho wrote:
... and don't we all wish that?
Still love the line"Mr. Jones wishes he were someone just a little more funky"
... and don't we all wish that?
Still love the line"Mr. Jones wishes he were someone just a little more funky"
cavemanleong wrote:
ME TOO, caveman
Ignoring all the haters here. 
Loved this song back then. Still love it now.
Loved this song back then. Still love it now. ME TOO, caveman
They don't make songs like this anymore..
and that's why I like it.
and that's why I like it.
Still a great song!
nomnol wrote:
Bravo. These were super good times and vibes for me. And it was a cool song that hit the airwaves hard.<3 
A song can remind you of a place or time in your life. I remember this fondly. Allow me that.
lewisv66 wrote:
Bill did it again 4 weeks later! He can do it every time, as far as I'm concerned.
This, following Bob Dylan's "Ballad of a Thin Man" - just brilliant, Bill.
Bill did it again 4 weeks later! He can do it every time, as far as I'm concerned.
Always thought it was "Mrs." Jones duhhhh
This following Cuwawumba singing about Mr. Jones. What’s next, Tom Jones 😂
This, following Bob Dylan's "Ballad of a Thin Man" - just brilliant, Bill.
ace-marc wrote:
agreed.
Nope. It is not agreed by everyone that this song deserves a low rating. I liked it then, and still do, for the unique lyrics, quirky vocal delivery AND fun musicality. The female back-up "sha-la-la" was pure genius... a classic, standard callback vocal to juxtapose the oddity of the lead. Sure it was overplayed, but that does not make it a bad song. It proves that a lot of people really liked it.
I do understand that certain songs rub people the wrong way from the start. But, gees, lighten up a little bit, guys.
agreed.
Nope. It is not agreed by everyone that this song deserves a low rating. I liked it then, and still do, for the unique lyrics, quirky vocal delivery AND fun musicality. The female back-up "sha-la-la" was pure genius... a classic, standard callback vocal to juxtapose the oddity of the lead. Sure it was overplayed, but that does not make it a bad song. It proves that a lot of people really liked it.
I do understand that certain songs rub people the wrong way from the start. But, gees, lighten up a little bit, guys.
terrific album, song was played way too much on the radio. I like hearing it only when listening to the entire album. And occasionally advance to next...
that said, taken on its own i think it is a great tune about two band members or bros or just friends hanging out sharing dreams in a bar
that said, taken on its own i think it is a great tune about two band members or bros or just friends hanging out sharing dreams in a bar
junebaby65 wrote:
Yeah, but Bill has to play it for the listeners with bad taste. It's only fair.
Please stop the madness.
Yeah, but Bill has to play it for the listeners with bad taste. It's only fair.
Nine for brilliant lyrics and 5 chords that work together simply and beautifully. I love a lot of complex jazz and classical, but that has nothing to do with Mr. Jones being anything less. Hipsters let yourself enjoy.
jelgator wrote:
There needs to be a Zero added to the ratings specifically for this song.
There needs to be a Zero added to the ratings specifically for this song.
BCarn wrote:
I guess this song has been overplayed on stupid commercial radio stations back in the day, and probably still is on ‘classic rock’ stations. I wouldn't know, because I avoid everything that can cause over-exposure of anything.
For me, this is just a nice song that evokes nice memories.
Well I like it! Great tune. Not sure what haters problems are.
I guess this song has been overplayed on stupid commercial radio stations back in the day, and probably still is on ‘classic rock’ stations. I wouldn't know, because I avoid everything that can cause over-exposure of anything.
For me, this is just a nice song that evokes nice memories.
I still don't like his (Duritz?) voice. Sounds to me like he's scared. I prefer Dylans Mr. Jones. PSD
junebaby65 wrote:
I know, right?
Top 40 Radio fodder, at best.
Please stop the madness.
I know, right?
Top 40 Radio fodder, at best.
Really, Mr. Jones from Counting Crows, the most played song on this album. Play something else from this album like Omaha, Round Here, Sullivan Street, or Anna Begins, which are much, much better songs and don't get near the airtime as this one.
hah nice, right after DylansBallad of a Thin Man
The minute you hear the first chords, you, instantly know this is "Counting Crows"...you're hooked instantly....that's a hit!!....and to this day it still resonates as a classic!!
Hannio wrote:
agreed.
The suckiest, barfiest song in the RP playlist.
agreed.
terrible song, awful songwriting, these guys are the musical equivalent of a flushable toilet wipe
BCarn wrote:
Agreed! And I think the answer is simple....they hate! I'm still at a 9 on this one, might really be an 8 + 1 for nostalgic reasons....and I might have already said the same exact thing on this song's comments....oh well! Long Live RP!!
Well I like it! Great tune. Not sure what haters problems are.
Agreed! And I think the answer is simple....they hate! I'm still at a 9 on this one, might really be an 8 + 1 for nostalgic reasons....and I might have already said the same exact thing on this song's comments....oh well! Long Live RP!!
Well I like it! Great tune. Not sure what haters problems are.
This is one of those cases where I wish there were two different ratings. One for how much we like the song (10) and one for how much we want to hear the song on RP again (1).
Please stop the madness.
all in all a very good LP
still gets a spin a few times a year for this ol' boy
still gets a spin a few times a year for this ol' boy
ppopp wrote:
I love this song, but this comment still made me laugh!
Decent music, but the singer is a complete cowpat.
I love this song, but this comment still made me laugh!
Decent music, but the singer is a complete cowpat. His voice is hilarious at best. Someone must've been pulling his leg when they suggested he sings in a band. Sadly, he believed them.
This band sucks. A blemish to an otherwise fine radio station.
Now sing the last line as:
"Mr. Jones and me, we're gonna cut big farts."
"Mr. Jones and me, we're gonna cut big farts."
Solid 8
My rating stays at 7
Proclivities wrote:
Was it an African or Asian rhino?
Ah, Hatari! I was always a big fan of Michele Girardon, the actress who played Brandy in that movie.
Was it an African or Asian rhino?
Ah, Hatari! I was always a big fan of Michele Girardon, the actress who played Brandy in that movie.
Ignoring all the haters here. Loved this song back then. Still love it now.
Loved this song back then. Still love it now. PLOT TWIST:
Mr. Jones is a pedophile
Mr. Jones is a pedophile
Good song. Great memories
mdnlsn wrote:
You can have your zero rating...I'll keep mine at nine....Long Live RP!!
This song requires something below 1-Sucko Barfo. Maybe 0-Suicide Watch? Thank the lawd for the skip button...
You can have your zero rating...I'll keep mine at nine....Long Live RP!!
I like this song now more than I ever did when it first came out. Adam is an underrated lyricist. And pretty funny.
This song requires something below 1-Sucko Barfo. Maybe 0-Suicide Watch? Thank the lawd for the skip button...
unclehud wrote:
Chumbawamba covering the 60s Bee Gees original.
Nice segue from Chumbawamba's New York Mining Disaster and it's line: "Have you seen my wife, Mr. Jones?"
Chumbawamba covering the 60s Bee Gees original.
I guess Mr. Jones survived the mining disaster. He must have suffered a head trauma of some kind in the process if he's hanging around with these guys.
Nice segue from Chumbawamba's New York Mining Disaster and it's line: "Have you seen my wife, Mr. Jones?"
AAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Proclivities wrote:
Was it an African or Asian rhino?
Huh? I ... I don't know. AUUUUGGGGHHHH!
Was it an African or Asian rhino?
Huh? I ... I don't know. AUUUUGGGGHHHH!
Hannio wrote:
There are better songs on the album than this. Back in the day, FM turned this into a torture session via heavy rotation. Don't think I'll ever be nostalgic for this tune.
On the Gitmo top 40.
There are better songs on the album than this. Back in the day, FM turned this into a torture session via heavy rotation. Don't think I'll ever be nostalgic for this tune.
What a great Jones combo, lol. We love the Crows so I hope more comes along!!!
Oh my God this song sucks so bad.
This band, album, and song necessitate at negative rating scale. If I was given one single -10 to spend on RP, this would be it...
ppopp wrote:
Was it an African or Asian rhino?
*Throws rhino at music system*
Was it an African or Asian rhino?
Just terrible. Hated it then and nothing's changed since.
Stop. Dammit. Still a good song. Compare it again to the wash of shit coming at you from every radio station.
On the Gitmo top 40.
Belch!!!!
Blechh!
*Throws rhino at music system*
seen these guys on MTV Live a couple of days ago
not a pretty sight
not a pretty sight
Fingers nails on a chalk board singing voice.
I see it as a very good debut single which accomplished exactly what it speaks of.
It made him/band a 'star' and everything that goes with it.
Round Here, Ghost Train, Anna Begins, and A Murder of One are much higher on my list than this song. It's one of those albums I really enjoy if only heard once or twice a year. That's not meant pejoratively.
I like the reference to the gray guitar in Picasso's Musicians...it hangs in my house!
vit wrote:
Wow seeing them in print just brings home how idiotic these lyrics are.
omg, as bad as the vocals
Wow seeing them in print just brings home how idiotic these lyrics are.
omg, as bad as the vocals
ppopp wrote:
Agreed, or one of the worst anyway.
Very worst single of the last 25 years.
Agreed, or one of the worst anyway.
Very worst single of the last 25 years.
lmic wrote:
Also Mr. Jones mentions Dylan.... Mr. Jones and me stumbling through the barrio
Yeah we stare at the beautiful women
"She's perfect for you, Man, there's got to be somebody for me."
I want to be Bob Dylan
Mr. Jones wishes he was someone just a little more funky
When everybody loves you, son, that's just about as funky as you can be
Wow seeing them in print just brings home how idiotic these lyrics are.
Also Mr. Jones mentions Dylan.... Mr. Jones and me stumbling through the barrio
Yeah we stare at the beautiful women
"She's perfect for you, Man, there's got to be somebody for me."
I want to be Bob Dylan
Mr. Jones wishes he was someone just a little more funky
When everybody loves you, son, that's just about as funky as you can be
Wow seeing them in print just brings home how idiotic these lyrics are.
From Dylan's Mr. Jones to the Counting Crows.' Talk about going from the sublime to the ridiculous...
Woho... one of the best albums out there. Even if Mr. Jones is a little to poppy and overplayed, the whole of the album is quality. CCs best!
I liked this first album and bought it. But, I grew tired of them very quickly.
musikalia wrote:
What the...?
I find the Counting Crows to be so mediocre and boring.
I was referring to this album.....was a pretty strong first album.
However, I too cannot listen to them anymore as they sound so monotonous.
What the...?I find the Counting Crows to be so mediocre and boring.
I was referring to this album.....was a pretty strong first album.
However, I too cannot listen to them anymore as they sound so monotonous.
Chazar wrote:
What the...?
I find the Counting Crows to be so mediocre and boring.
Nine of eleven songs off this album are heard here at RP
What the...?I find the Counting Crows to be so mediocre and boring.
Yes, but this is the only CC song that speaks to me. I like it but I'm not sure about the rest.....
Nine of eleven songs off this album are heard here at RP....pretty strong.
are you with me, Dr. Wu?
Yeah. It should be "Mr. Jones and I tell each other fairy tales."
Radical347 wrote:
"Mr. Jones and me tell each other fairy tales"? Sorry, that won't cut it for me. I don't like how he goes "sha la la la la la"... and this song just goes around and around and has no point to it. Not that that's necessarily a bad thing, but in this case it is.
Papernapkin wrote:
Too whiney, cry-y for me.
ya think?
and the morning was going so well...
Ugh.
Too whiney, cry-y for me.
redtex wrote:
I kinda figured this may follow Bob.
You won't get a kiss for it....too obvious at all.
and again...
Now Playing:
Counting Crows - Mr. Jones
Bob Dylan - Ballad of a Thin Man
:)
But this songs is superb.
The suckiest, barfiest song in the RP playlist.
I kinda figured this may follow Bob.
Overplayed,...
Poacher wrote:
No comments. . . I'm suprised.
Stonking song. Yeeeee Ha. . . 
Gets the air drum award for me
:D
I got your reward right here.. Gets the air drum award for me
:D
keepin up with the jones'
thousandrobots wrote:
7:25 pm - Counting Crows - Mr. Jones
7:19 pm - Bob Dylan - Ballad of a Thin Man*
7:16 pm - Pixies - Here Comes Your Man
7:12 pm - Mississippi John Hurt - Richland Woman Blues
*addressed to "mr jones"
Also Mr. Jones mentions Dylan....
Mr. Jones and me stumbling through the barrio
Yeah we stare at the beautiful women
"She's perfect for you, Man, there's got to be somebody for me."
I want to be Bob Dylan
Mr. Jones wishes he was someone just a little more funky
When everybody loves you, son, that's just about as funky as you can be
7:25 pm - Counting Crows - Mr. Jones
7:19 pm - Bob Dylan - Ballad of a Thin Man*
7:16 pm - Pixies - Here Comes Your Man
7:12 pm - Mississippi John Hurt - Richland Woman Blues
*addressed to "mr jones"
"Mr. Jones and me tell each other fairy tales"? Sorry, that won't cut it for me. I don't like how he goes "sha la la la la la"... and this song just goes around and around and has no point to it. Not that that's necessarily a bad thing, but in this case it is.
The original studio track. 10/10
No comments. . . I\'m suprised.
Stonking song. Yeeeee Ha. . . Gets the air drum award for me
:D
Gets the air drum award for me
:D