"Don't Go Back to Rockville" is a song by the American rock band R.E.M. Delivered by the band's vocalist Michael Stipe and released as a single in 1984, as well as appearing on their second studio album, "Reckoning” the same year. My friends, me at 16, an other hardcore musician people loved the record

The song's title refers to Rockville, Maryland, a suburb of Washington, D.C., and the lyrics convey a sense of longing, regret, and the desire to escape from a place and situation. Michael Stipe mentioned in interviews that the song was written by Mike Mills as a plea to a special friend at the time, asking them not to return to Rockville

R.E.M. was formed in Athens, Georgia, in the early 1980s and became one of the leading bands of the alternative rock scene. "Don't Go Back to Rockville" is one of their notable early tracks and remains a fan favorite

Mike Mills always put his heart into it and remains my favorite bandmember: https://youtu.be/iKlwHbXVBJ8?si=HA8czyNjpBCZwHNc

JTS Mostly Good String Band version in C

[Verse 1]
C
Looking at your watch a third time
C                               F   Fsus4  F  Fsus4  F
waiting in the station for the bus
C
Going to a place that's far,
C                               F   Fsus4   F  Fsus4  F
so far away and if that's not enough
G            F      Em    Am
Going where nobody says hello,
Am                        Gm          F   Fsus4   F  Fsus4  F
they don't talk to anybody they don't know
C
You'll wind up in some factory
C                                           F   Fsus4   F  Fsus4  F
that's full time filth with nowhere left to go
C
Walk home to an empty house,
C                               F   Fsus4   F  Fsus4  F
sit around all by yourself
G                     F           Em  Am
I know it might sound strange but I believe
Am                   Gm          F   Fsus4   F  Fsus4  F
You'll be coming back before too long

[Chorus]
C                 Dm    G
Don't go back to Rockville,
C                 Dm  G
don't go back to Rockville,
C                 Dm   G
don't go back to Rockville
F
And waste another year

[Verse 2]
C
At night I drink myself to sleep and pretend
C                               F   Fsus4   F  Fsus4  F
I don't care that you're not here with me
C
'Cause it's so much easier to handle
C                               F   Fsus4   F  Fsus4  F
All my problems if I'm too far out to sea
G                    F      Em   
But something, it better happen soon
        Am                  Gm        F   Fsus4   F  Fsus4  F
Or it's gonna be too late to bring you back

[Chorus]
C                 Dm    G
Don't go back to Rockville,
C                 Dm  G
don't go back to Rockville,
C                 Dm   G
don't go back to Rockville
F
And waste another year

[Bridge]
C                           F    G    F   G
It's not as though I really need you
C                          F    G    F  G
If you were here I'd only bleed you
Dm      Am          Dm       Am                F
But everybody else in town only wants to bring you down and
           F               G
That's not how it ought to be
            G              F            Em    Am
Well I know it might sound strange but I believe
Am                   Gm          F   Fsus4   F  Fsus4  F
You'll be coming back before too long

[Chorus]
C                 Dm    G
Don't go back to Rockville
C                 Dm  G
don't go back to Rockville
C                 Dm   G
don't go back to Rockville
F
And waste another year

C                 Dm    G
Don't go back to Rockville
C                 Dm  G
don't go back to Rockville
C                 Dm   G
don't go back to Rockville
F
And waste another year

This song is about Ingrid Schorr, a formidable young woman the band knew at the University of Georgia whose hometown was Rockville, Maryland. She got a lot of attention on campus as classmates lamented her departure

Martin 00-21 Guitar
Epiphone F-500 ChopMaster Mando
Goldtone Micro Bass
Vega Folklore 5 Sting 🐝 Banjer
100% Organic

Don't Go Back To Rockville

Don’t Go Back to Rockville

@JTSunrise was born in Chicago, IL (the City of Blues) in 1968. JT grew up on a rural horse farm at Cuba Township near Fox River Grove, along the C&NW tracks, about an hour by train outside the city. Summer nights before the internet were for sleeping outside and watching stars, singing and playing guitar to his girlfriends, and hitching trains from his backyard. Anywhere JT went, he had his acoustic guitar slung around his back. JT also learned bass and banjo, and started a folk band in high school, playing house parties and school concerts and busking the commuter train station in Barrington, IL.

His teenage years took him around the world and to Tempe, AZ in 1987, (age 19) where he lived in the same building (and jammed often) with Spiral Stairs, a seminal guitarist who would later form the band Pavement. JT played acoustic sets at the legendary Sun Club. During this time, Robin Wilson of the Gin Blossoms (JT’s record store clerk friend) did his sound.

Seattle Music Era

Arriving in Seattle in 1992 with his Tempe barista girlfriend PJ (now wife), JT immersed himself in a city alive with music innovation. This was to become known as a time when Seattle bands reshaped the musical landscape. Amidst the scene, JTSunrise carved a niche and performed shows, blending busking music with the amplified Seattle sound, his Tempe-styled lyrical command, and the soul of Chicago street blues.

His performances became the background of Seattle’s music venues, from the intimate setting of **Art Bar** to the historic **OK Hotel**, where grunge legends made history. He captivated audiences at **Sit & Spin**, a venue combining a laundromat with a bar and live music, and found a true home at the **Lake Union Pub**, a legendary punk dive bar that embraced him as their own. Each chord, each lyric, carried the weight of personal experience.

Musical Influences and Style

JTSunrise draws from icons like Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash, and Billy Bragg, alongside bands he admired in Tempe such as Gin Blossoms and Dead Hot Workshop. The bands at the Sun Club and Long Wongs in Tempe, AZ shaped his sound and approach. These influences, coupled with the music scene in 1990s Seattle (including Elise Sauer, Obe-Wan Kenobe, and everyone to ever perform at the Lake Union Pub), molded his blend of folk, punk, country blues, and acoustic pop.

Signature Songs and Contributions

Among his many contributions to the musical landscape, a few songs stand out:
- **"Saint James Infirmary"**: A haunting rendition of the classic ballad.
- **"Biscuit Roller Blues"**: A soulful, gritty track that showcases blues roots.
- **"Kevin Song"**: A heartfelt, melodic piece that resonates deeply with listeners.
- **"Cure For Pain"**: A Morphine song that explores themes of struggle and redemption.
- **"Mama Tried"**: A tribute to Merle Haggard, blending acoustic blues with heartfelt emotion.
- **"O Danny Boy"**: A timeless ballad, rendered with sincerity and grace.
- **"Blue Eyes Cryin' in the Rain"**: A fusion of folk and rock.

Prolific Output

JTSunrise has a substantial discography on SoundCloud, with over 200 tracks available. This includes a mix of original songs, raw covers, and collaborations with other artists. His music spans genres like folk, bluegrass and country blues, cowboy country, and 90s acoustic rock, reflecting his diverse influences.

Commitment to Seattle’s Artistic Community

JTSunrise’s influence extends beyond music. His commitment to authentic Seattle art is evident in his participation and support of local artists and musicians. As of 2024 he remains a licensed Pike Place Market busker, a role that allows him to share handmade music directly with the community any time, creating intimate, memorable experiences for locals and visitors.

Thanks everyone for support! 

Find other Art  and Videos by #JTSUNRISE: IG, YouTube, X, TikTok, BlueSky interweb media @JTSunriseMusic
www.linkedin.com/in/jtsunrise-music-1528072b0

New tracks tagged #Generation-X Ray