The Creation of the Hit Song Mr Jones: The Way Counting Crows Produced Their Defining Song

Adam Duritz Shares the Early Days

Our first albums were mostly recorded in houses situated in the foothills above Los Angeles. Their debut major label album marked a significant milestone for the band, as it was their first release on a large record company. We each received an advance of $3,000; I used mine to purchase a 1971 cherry red VW Karmann Ghia and drove it to LA.

Every morning, I would start by playing a Poco track, which resembles the Beatles venturing into American folk. Additionally, I was into a Benny Goodman album that my father had picked up as a free giveaway at a gas station when I was young.

Mr Jones was part of a demo tape that we sent to labels, but it was a challenging song to complete. It lacked a clear direction at first. Neither a leisurely tune or a fast-paced number; rather, it moves with a rhythm, requiring a real feel to play. It’s soul music – closer to the Memphis soul style than country.

Our drummer struggled to grasp the track like the rest of us did – thus the producer brought in one of his heroes to play it.

We looked at several producers, but when I discussed things with T Bone Burnett, he really understand where the band was at. There was a lot of promise, but I wasn’t satisfied with our overall tone – we were still learning how to be a band. Eliminated all the synthesizers and effects pedals. Our drummer Steve Bowman couldn’t sync with the song’s rhythm, so T Bone invited a renowned drummer, one of Steve’s favorites, to lay down the drums. Looking back, it’s amusing, but it was tough on Steve back then.

My best friend Marty and I performed in groups together prior to Counting Crows. Marty’s dad, David Serva, had made it in Spain and was back in the Bay Area performing a series of shows. Attended one of his performances and spent the night with the musicians bar-hopping. The next morning, I went home and composed Mr Jones. The lyrics reflect our experience that night, dreaming we were accomplished artists so we could talk to the girls more confidently.

I believe, it’s one of the best pieces I’ve composed. After playing another track on SNL in 1994, the record climbed dozens of positions each week for over a month. Afterwards, Mr Jones turned into a huge hit.

David Immerglück Shares His Memories

Back in the 80s, Adam, David Bryson, and I were living together in a industrial building in Berkeley. I had been playing with Camper Van Beethoven and had an side project named Monks of Doom.

Returning home one night, Adam had a fresh recording he’d just done with the guitarist. I heard this song called the now-famous tune. It was done with a basic drum machine that sounded like a arcade sound or popcorn popping, but his vocals were exceptional.

After the producer took over, it was a total reinvention of Counting Crows. They shifted back to basics influenced by Bob Dylan, Van Morrison, and the Band.

Adam called me saying, “Hey, man, can you join us and contribute to this album?” When I got there, the producer had relocated us to a studio in Encino, Los Angeles – previously used by Tito Jackson. Inside, we found instruments that Bob Dylan had just recorded on.

T Bone instructed me to play my guitar behind the tempo the beat. His words were, “If you rush before the drums comes off like an adolescent hurrying.” With his Texas drawl, and his guidance was to visualize putting your feet up on the mixing board and chewing gum while playing.

The band was, to an extent, a reaction to the grunge movement. Kurt Cobain’s death felt like the final act. Back then, many used heroin. The aim was obliteration, not enlightenment. That negativity had reached an extreme, and the pendulum swung toward something more human and heartfelt. Counting Crows combined folk and rock with a strong influence of Van Morrison soul.

The song remains timeless. On stage, when performing with the singer, I recall that moment when he played me the demo. It’s insane.