Adam Durtiz of Counting Crows Reveals "Mr. Jones" | HPL

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Adam Durtiz of Counting Crows reveals the true identity of "Mr. Jones."
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[@evanrayswenson]

Why does he seem like he doesn’t fully realize that he wrote one of the most iconic records and song of the 90s?

[@christianscustoms6429]

I think he’s just not cocky about it and honest that he didn’t think it was going to be a hit.

[@onusgumboot5565]

It's hard to be objective when it's you. If that makes any sense to you. If someone else wrote it, it would be easier to see it as iconic. It's just one of many songs he wrote to him.

[@gregrock7451]

A lot of artists while maintain a certain sort of...not sure what to call it...sort of an "arm's length" detachment from their work, and try to avoid getting bogged down in what everyone with an opinion thinks about it, or how consequential/important it is, or how awesome it is, or how much it supposedly sucks, etc. One of the most extreme examples is Johnny Depp, who so far as I know has never once watched one of his own movies. As a singer/songwriter, Adam Duritz strikes me as one of those guys who's seriously wary of believing his own press. Presumably because they want to avoid pigeonholing themselves, becoming too narrowly-focused on what made their last album a monster hit, and falling into the trap of directing their creative energy into producing new work that tries to hit all the same notes that made their prior stuff a success, to the point of sounding generic/formulaic/contrived instead of evolving in some new/better direction, even if it means cranking out a few "misses." The downside of suddenly producing an album that sells a zillion copies and is Certified Double-Plutonium: your next one may do exceedingly well by any standard, but be perceived as a major let-down only because it didn't sell quite as many copies. Talk all the smack you want about "artistic integrity," having a few million dollars in the bank, along with scores of hot babes who wouldn't give you the time of day six months ago throwing themselves at you in the sluttiest ways imaginable, can really have an effect on your worldview. Speaking of "artistic integrity:" many artists fret about maintaining theirs the moment they release something that totally blows up, and worry a lot about whether or not they'll become some hack "sell-out" the way that going from "dead broke/obscure" to "wealthy/high-profile" in a very short time. Sometimes it's pretentious, other times it's not. That is often compounded by their fans. It's common for a lot of bands who spend years doing the whole "dues-paying" thing, mostly doing gigs within a 100-mile radius of wherever they start, and gradually building a devoted core fanbase. A lot of fans get possessive about the bands they follow, like it's somehow **their** thing. When their fave local band is suddenly on tour opening for some other monster band, becoming famous in their own right, their original fans start acting like that ex-girlfriend who keeps saying she's "over" you when she clearly isn't. I understand that Green Day had to deal with that kind of shit in a big way once they started selling tons of CDs. I don't get it, but there it is. Not hard for me to imagine not wanting to deal with that.

[@nealm6764]

Because to him he just wrote a song. He isn't in the same weird worshipping world most of you are in.

[@urbangorilla33]

Yeah, he does give the impression at least that he doesn't fully appreciate the greatness of the LYRICS. I'm of his generation and I can very much relate to the feelings expressed in the song, especially "Believe in me, cause I don't believe in anything."

[@walker675]

Such a good song. Just the opening bars get me every time.

[@cornpop1363]

mr. jones came out right when I was first learning to play guitar, and it's one of the first songs I ever learned. so I have that Am F Dm G progression *burned* into my brain. to me that riff is up there with Smells Like Teen Spirit or Plush.

[@HomelessNinjaKennedy]

The whole record is amazing

[@e.m.8094]

My favorite album of all time.

[@curtrod]

hells yeah

[@Thompsongs]

"You've been watching Huffpost Live - we're done forever." Oh, if only.

[@mikeschultz7480]

This guy seems real cool, but he also seems like he’s wearing a hair hat

[@tmeexperience1104]

So the wig aged as he did

[@michaelmiller4568]

I knew he had to wear wigs. At first his hair was real the dreeds but them cam the big hair the wig lol

[@larrymcjones]

Those dreads are bulletproof

[@itsjustchris6000]

Took me years to realize that

[@Hjgfrfjufdetivjiu]

@@michaelmiller4568it was a wig in mr jones video

[@indecentproposal9473]

man he has such a great voice, even speaking.

[@jimmuo9286]

One of the few bands that are good in the studio but exceptional live on stage. Especially when they change it up mid stream in a song, like Rain King ++. So satisfying.

[@Wangchung405]

That’s a lie lol. Seen them live and you can literally look up their live videos and it’s absolute ass water

[@Sms68]

Been playing around here for the past 3 days. I remember watching It on SNL Live. It definitely put them over the top. Great song with incredible Lyrics!!!!!

[@ceecee4693]

It took me 2 years to like this song... I love it now!

[@ronaldfriend4866]

Wow,I know instantly when I hear a song and like it.

[@happymethehappyone8300]

In My Humble Opinion,, The Whole Album Was A Hit.

[@jtconner7599]

The misspelling of his name in the video title is driving me crazy. You had one job HuffPost

[@veritasrex66]

Lol. Yeah, unbelievable.

[@triggerwarning5911]

4 years later and they still haven't. Durtiz. Wtf Huff Post.

[@miffachan123]

adam durtiz it is

[@gracianopontes245]

Essa musica me leva a um local que eu mesmo nunca conheci. Cheguei a escutar mais de 50x seguidas....ícone!

[@wendytravel1]

Thanks,Great little interview..mr Jones is my ‘go to, happy vid. ‘ Watching adam duritz bounce around singing/ dreamlike-storytelling …I love a good a to q interview .now I understand .

[@EscobarAdventures]

has the interviewer never heard the song?? "Why did you write about him, what was special about him?" if you have heard the song then you would know it was about him at the new amsterdam having some drinks and wanting to talk to girls while Martys dad played the guitar. Such a classic and timeless song.

[@quintonwinslow9354]

He went from looking like Eric Andre to looking like a thinner Patton Oswalt.

[@almiller5757]

Love this convo and love to hear that the band thought Rain King was gonna be the hit - all three of these songs are among my all-time favorites!

[@martinstrode2060]

I love Mr Jones it brings back the best memories and times of one's life. ❤

[@dorisburley8772]

look like Robert D. Jr "You've been watching Huffpost Live - we're done forever." Oh, if only. It took me 2 years to like this song... I love it now!

[@pvtparts6043]

his mannerisms when talking too lol. had to look the 2nd time when he did them gestures

[@JamesHH]

“Round Here” is such a powerful song. “August And Everything After” is a beautiful record.

[@RicardoMarlowFlamenco]

This was the only song that grabbed me at the time the music scene was changing. Because i was getting into flamenco. Now I know who is David Serva, an important figure in the world of flamenco guitar and singing (as accompanist he was a master), and I realize the accidental “duende” I thought this song has is not coincidental. Interesting the song found such success and that it surprised those involved.

[@impulsivedesigns]

"Anna begins" is the best song on this album anyway. lol

[@grammaticalerorr4654]

mine is Round Here. That's a beautiful song.

[@indecentproposal9473]

the whole album is solid

[@davedavid427]

Perfect Blue Buildings, but Anna is a close second.

[@adolfo1981]

I would agree. I have listened so many times to this whole album.

[@abelvillarreal5383]

Every word is nonsense but I understand. Makes my nuts get tight.

[@robertyoungs3181]

Counting Crows “Live On A Wire” is amazing. Their live music is so real.

[@kd78orangerangerpete]

This was my favorite song in high school. Still is my fav

[@memoryhero]

To this day, you know you've made it when - thirty years after the event you've been invited on camera to discuss - you show up to the interview as a 1972 Nam Vet.

[@jeffjones2021]

Perhaps one of the best overall albums of all time IMHO #August&EverythingAfter

[@rayvaughan3197]

Mr Jones was my introduction to Counting Crows, i knew back then it would go on to be a timeless classic , i bought August & Everything after off the back of it......man, what a defining album

[@KeepingItReal-USA]

I didn’t like Mr. Jones at first and made fun of it but, heard Round Here on SNL and got the album. So, glad I gave them another listen.

[@tiffanylabelle]

Legendary...

[@death-by-ego]

Being number 2 to Ace of Base made Adam often turn around so we wouldn't see his heart breaking

[@dustinhunter2324]

fucking legends

[@tonnymethorst1358]

look like Robert D. Jr "You've been watching Huffpost Live - we're done forever." Oh, if only.

[@MsDeathwish2]

Such a great song.

[@johnnydeadd]

"When I realized we couldn't top Ace of Bass is when I saw the sign, and it opened up my eyes."--Adam Duritz.

[@achristianson4059]

Grew up in the 90’s and honestly hated the song lol but thought the bad was always cool. Now I always the chord “ they paved paradise to put up a parking lot” … I know it’s a cover song but his cover always pops in my head

[@Aarenthewriter]

Great song

[@VIDEOHEREBOB]

Great, great tune

[@hntrains2]

He seems to be at peace with everything.

[@SS-qn9mm]

'I Agree' 'My' 'Adam' and 'Am Loving' 'You' 'Your' 'Darling' and 'Queen' XXXX Hasn't showered or ran a comb through the mop since Mr. Jones was released.

[@tcb6857]

I went to a CC concert a few years ago and they didn't perform Mr. Jones. I was bummed

[@cabeloDoPardal2]

I thought Mr Jones was that one from Dylan's Ballad of a Thin Man.. "Because something is happening and you do not know what it is, do you Mr. Jones?"

[@david.6519]

Same dude cause he just mentioned Bob Dylan.

[@mindgames9614]

Exactly this

[@DaveJavuify]

No, it's definitely the Mr. Jones from the Bee Gees New York Mining Disaster 1941 - "Have you seen my wife Mr. Jones? Do you know what it's like on the outside?" I got drunk with Adam once and he spilled. However when I observed that musically, Mr. Jones bore an uncanny resemblance to Van Morrison's Brown Eyed Girl, Adam smacked me in the face. I don't remember much after that...

[@melloreacts4327]

5-19-2020 4:30am yea that songs an icon

[@lovethyenemy435]

Well this song pretty much sums up my life

[@RuDemySumalinog]

I really like Mr Jones song😊❤

[@swisstrader]

And he’s a Member of the Tribe!! Aka MOT

[@jimmerseiber]

I love how he corrected his stupid question ha people dont even listen to lyrics. And he laughed like he was joking haha

[@farrahlynne7121]

Now that I know the mystery of who Mr Jones really is, I kind of feel like something's been taken from me☹️ I thought I wanted to know, but no, I'd rather have the suspense and wonder that I've carried associated with this song for all these years, it's just not the same now😭

[@nikolasflameart9750]

1994 me is now at peace 😌

[@samberg8181]

Dude been famous for decades but they're still spelling his name wrong.

[@mauricioteacher3157]

and who is Maria??? at least 4 songs mentioned Maria (or more)

[@TheVarietyGuyTV]

Mauricio teacher Adam has described Maria as himself, almost his female version

[@roller325]

The same person Dani California is -- a muse.

[@jasonfranko8143]

As far as I know Maria began/ evolved from a musician he worked with and admired on a few levels , later it becomes more then her specificly

[@phoebelafibi]

Maria is Just a name chosen by the writer. A Flamenco singer named Maria Tobar sing for me and the others that night for our flamenco show. Mr. Jones is David Serva Jones, He well known American flamenco guitarist that lives in Spain, a friend of the singer.

[@apollozero]

Boy, who is Mr. Jones? The answer was an epic fail and anti-climatic for the interviewer.

[@jesusjonesband]

Wait, what? We have a drumbeat? FUCK YEAH

[@mrmikea2011]

"Anna begins" is the best song on this album anyway. lol Dude been famous for decades but they're still spelling his name wrong.

[@kevinshaughnessy4962]

Song"s that should have been hits. Rain King, Einstein On The Beach, Recovering The Satellite, I Wish I Was A Girl. It in no way disqualifies Mr. Jones or Round Here. Which are classics!

[@chrisfaircloth9078]

and the live version of August and Everything After (blue cover on youtube) - Not to be confused with the Orchestra Amazon version which is..... ok

[@BrunoJeffersonalmeida]

look like Robert D. Jr

Even talks like him

[@HeckleTV]

Perfect example of why hits are so elusive for most musicians. Love Counting Crows, and a lot of their songs, but they couldn't produce another hit like "Mr. Jones" because they didn't know what they had when they wrote it.

[@genaroflores835]

Just shows what the record companies know

[@adamazzalino5247]

The interviewer asked Adam if it made to #1 lmao. Nice interview prep...how far it charted is really easy to look up lol

[@tyjuu1787]

and who is Maria??? at least 4 songs mentioned Maria (or more) The misspelling of his name in the video title is driving me crazy. You had one job HuffPost

[@huskiefan8950]

Weird that he thought rain king was gonna be the big smash, SOOOO many people that love Mr Jones, hardly know the song rain king even exists. Irony of life 😂

[@not1not2but3]

I’m his free time, Robert Downey jr likes to moonlight at the lead singer of counting crows. Ala, duke silver.

[@blackshirt5530]

Nice wig

[@fernandadavid828]

i love this song ng in the accustic version, i have nade all my friends who can play guitar to play it … 🤣🤣🤣

[@chrisstoyer2146]

This song is a metaphor for the person he becomes when he drinks, hence "Mr. Jones and me", "pass me a bottle Mr. Jones". And he uses this cheerful, happy, and carefree persona to hide his depression, loneliness, emptiness, and regret.

[@Xeltos]

Obviously not..

[@adamcartwright7281]

Uh, no. The song is about his liking of Jujyfruits. The word "Jones" starts with the letter "J", just like Jujyfruits, so that's the meaning.

[@AutumnAsh81]

He suffers from some kind of rare disease, he describes it as it's like he's watching his own life passing by.

[@AutumnAsh81]

Adam Cartwright all the bubbles are very meaningful.

[@bensmith2466]

Melanie Dahlstrom Funny how songs end up relating to life experiences we all may experience?

[@jonathanvisintin9600]

He could play tony starks half brother

[@Allison_Chaynes]

That is definitely the dude from Man vs Food.

[@Skatelifefool]

you dont even need a pillow with dreds like that lol

[@HerlinaBasri]

LOL

[@teli.tuketu]

no matter what anyone says, its x. je suis, aka sam. 💯 everything is. the man in the mirror

[@sharma1870]

He could play tony starks half brother and who is Maria??? at least 4 songs mentioned Maria (or more)

[@Kerm88]

Uh what the fuck is going on in this comment section?

[@u.p.woodtick3296]

Edit......crap ! Let the artist do his work......great tune.....Thank you

[@carlospenalosa8297]

look like Robert D. Jr "You've been watching Huffpost Live - we're done forever." Oh, if only. and who is Maria??? at least 4 songs mentioned Maria (or more) look like Robert D. Jr

[@TheBeachGhost]

Thought the new Amsterdam was in north beach not the mission

[@mimowes8436]

Hasn't showered or ran a comb through the mop since Mr. Jones was released. "You've been watching Huffpost Live - we're done forever." Oh, if only.

[@delilasloan8914]

Yep..lol..and he managed to date Courtney Cox, Samantha Mathis, and Jennifer Aniston with that hair

[@Hupomone]

0:04- Counting Crows, not "the" Counting Crows.

[@XwarslayerXmemechannel]

he looks like Robert Downey jr if he was a hippie

[@tazmon122]

i feel bad for this dude, cuz you can tell he's been conditioned with all the exact same Mr. Jones questions for over 20yrs now....and was expecting "oh, Huffington Post is a prestigious news aggregate, with a great staff, and they asked ME for an interview. this will be a good one"......he seems a humble dude, but def has that line in the back of his mind "this person would get fired if Prince was here promoting a new book of spiritual hymns and got nothing but 'i like Purple Rain' to work off of"

[@TurnerSparks]

Why does this interviewer act like the subject of Mr. Jones is a secret? They've always said it's Marty Jones.

[@airdrifter9578]

Who got here from Rogan

[@juttasteinseifer-szabo4196]

and who is Maria??? at least 4 songs mentioned Maria (or more) Dude been famous for decades but they're still spelling his name wrong.

[@DaveJavuify]

No. The question should be, why didn't Marty Jones make the cut to be the bass player in Counting Crows?

[@AAE-cg1il]

They had a great sound……

[@SeeCSeesCC]

❤️ Kenney Dale, the model on the bottle ❤️

[@luckyplumber3555]

Hasn't showered or ran a comb through the mop since Mr. Jones was released.

[@mcomiskey7]

Is this SNL?

[@stephanieteitelbaum2987]

look like Robert D. Jr "You've been watching Huffpost Live - we're done forever." Oh, if only. Boy, who is Mr. Jones? The answer was an epic fail and anti-climatic for the interviewer.

[@MrPetermatthew27]

whole album is great, but Anna Begins. if you had a girlfriend at the time .damn.

[@phillipagilbert]

"Anna begins" is the best song on this album anyway. lol Boy, who is Mr. Jones? The answer was an epic fail and anti-climatic for the interviewer.

[@jeffreyschmokdt71]

thanks so does Mr Jones need to change his image lol

[@georgerobinett5709]

Boy, who is Mr. Jones? The answer was an epic fail and anti-climatic for the interviewer. "Anna begins" is the best song on this album anyway. lol

[@danfuerthgillis4483]

HUFFINGTON Compost Lmfao!!!

[@payperview1758]

look like Robert D. Jr "You've been watching Huffpost Live - we're done forever." Oh, if only. "You've been watching Huffpost Live - we're done forever." Oh, if only. Boy, who is Mr. Jones? The answer was an epic fail and anti-climatic for the interviewer.

[@ThisIsWheelLife]

Is that Josh Gates!??!!

[@alexfermo]

Whatever, he doesn't even sing anymore... and didn't even sing Mr. Jones in Atlanta when he came here this month.

[@masonhernandez6225]

Is this man vs food

[@WhamBlam99]

Durtiz??? For f..k safe… His name is Adam Duritz!

[@Nightgig]

And I always thought Mr. Jones was his drunk alter ego.

[@DarkPark]

He just doesn't like the song. You can hear it in his voice.

[@fightdelaw47]

Oh shit. I thought it was a SNL skit lol

[@geetarbube]

Fucking Ace of Base?! Really, America?

[@Tangiie0]

look like Robert D. Jr "You've been watching Huffpost Live - we're done forever." Oh, if only. This lame guy doesn't know who Mr Jones is? That was known since 1994. Nice research, guy.