The Dumb Song
by AJR

Album: The Maybe Man (2023)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Here, AJR singer Jack Met is getting roasted by some important people in his life who think he's dumb. But Jack's reaction is surprising - he's actually cool with it.

    You said with certainty
    I may be the dumbest person that you've ever seen
    You think you're hurtin' me
    Bet you won't believe it, but you kinda set me free


    When someone called him the dumbest person they've ever seen, Jack realized that being stupid isn't always a bad thing, and that it can actually be liberating.
  • Jack has been open about his struggles with OCD (Obsessive-compulsive disorder). Someone suggested he take Adderall to calm down his bouncing-off-the-wall energy.

    You've mentioned Adderall
    Slip this guy a sedative, he's bouncin' off the wall


    But Jack doesn't sweat it. He's content not knowing about all the crazy stuff going on in the world

    Your world is endin' soon
    Mine's a little better 'cause I never watch the news


    While his smarty-pants critic is freaking out about everything coming to an end, Jack's happy-go-lucky attitude helps him avoid all that stress.
  • In "The Dumb Song," Jack Met continues to embrace his innocent side, just like he did in "The DJ Is Crying For Help." In that tune, people gave him a hard time for acting like a big kid. But with AJR blowing up in an industry where youthfulness is celebrated, folks are now laughing alongside him instead of poking fun.
  • AJR's musical craftsman, Ryan Met, produced "The Dumb Song." He also co-wrote it with Jack and Adam Met. Besides the Met brothers, the other musicians are:

    Guitar: Andrew Sobelsohn
    Drums: Chris Berry
    Trumpet: Arnetta Johnson

    Chris Berry is AJR's touring drummer.
  • Ryan Met also contributed the gang vocals along with Honore Balan, Alba Avoricani, Nell Balan, Martin Lieberman, Rob Piccione, Cat Capps and Andrew Sobelsohn. Alba Avoricani is Jack Met's girlfriend and often contributes additional vocals to AJR's songs.
  • The music video gives us a peek behind the scenes of AJR's creative process as we see how AJR made the song, which took a year and a half to finish. AJR's go-to visual collaborator Edoardo Ranaboldo and Austin Roa, the band's touring photographer, shot the visual.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Andrew Farriss of INXS

Andrew Farriss of INXSSongwriter Interviews

Andrew Farriss on writing with Michael Hutchence, the stories behind "Mystify" and other INXS hits, and his country-flavored debut solo album.

Jethro Tull

Jethro TullFact or Fiction

Stage urinals, flute devices, and the real Aqualung in this Fact or Fiction.

Songs in Famous Movie Scenes: Tarantino Edition

Songs in Famous Movie Scenes: Tarantino EditionMusic Quiz

Whether he's splitting ears or burning Nazis, Quentin Tarantino uses memorable music in his films. See if you can match the song to the scene.

Mike Rutherford (Genesis, Mike + The Mechanics)

Mike Rutherford (Genesis, Mike + The Mechanics)Songwriter Interviews

Mike Rutherford talks about the "Silent Running" storyline and "Land Of Confusion" in the age of Trump.

Donald Fagen

Donald FagenSongwriter Interviews

Fagen talks about how the Steely Dan songwriting strategy has changed over the years, and explains why you don't hear many covers of their songs.

Soul Train Stories with Stephen McMillian

Soul Train Stories with Stephen McMillianSong Writing

A Soul Train dancer takes us through a day on the show, and explains what you had to do to get camera time.