My Morning Jacket’s “Half A Lifetime” Turns a Lost Demo into an Electrifying Anthem


My Morning Jacket’s latest single, “Half A Lifetime,” is a testament to the band’s ability to breathe new life into old ideas. Originally conceived as a slow-burning demo during the Z sessions, the track has evolved into a guitar-fueled spectacle, pulsing with the raw energy and expansive soundscapes that define the band’s best work.
Jim James’ lyrics carry an introspective weight, meditating on resilience and the long road to self-discovery. “It’s about doing whatever it takes to get where you need to go, instead of bailing when things get hard,” James explains—fitting, given the song took nearly two decades to fully materialize.
With Brendan O’Brien (Bruce Springsteen, Pearl Jam) at the helm, the production amplifies every soaring riff and crashing crescendo, turning what was once a restrained ballad into an anthem of perseverance. Paired with a Danny Clinch-directed video, “Half A Lifetime” is another thrilling preview of is, the band’s first album in over three years, arriving March 21 via ATO Records.
Watch the official video and listen now.