Jimmy Mowery "Damaged Goods” - Eighty Unplugged Episode 11
Touring, Writing, and Honesty: The Jimmy Mowery Interview
Listeners sometimes think they know what to expect from their favorite singer-songwriters. Though they may recognize him from season 16 of NBC's The Voice, Jimmy Mowery continues to grow and evolve. Playing 200+ shows a year has made him as versatile and adaptable as the industry itself. Yet his busy schedule didn't stop him from completing a degree from Berklee College. Jimmy is delivering fresh music, working with other writers, and giving pop songwriting new emotional depth. In this episode of Eighty Unplugged, Jimmy Mowery performs his original song, "Damaged Goods."
Background
Jimmy grew up in Altoona, PA and, after his father passed away when he was 11, decided he would become a musician. He got a guitar for his 13th birthday but gravitated toward songwriting during high school. Jimmy has been a working musician since a year after he graduated, both in bands and as an individual. His perseverance landed him a spot on The Voice in 2019 and gave him the opportunity to work with both Adam Levine and John Legend as his coaches. He is now based in Myrtle Beach, SC and tours the nation full-time.
Inspiring the Music
Growing up, his father inspired a love for rock and hair metal, while his mom and other relatives introduced him to 80s pop, RnB, Elvis, and country music. Like many in the '90s and early 2000s, he was also a self-described "Warped Tour kid." The emo genre is still one of his favorites. This background is revealed in the way Jimmy blends the emotional impact of emo storytelling with upbeat country and then some. His diverse musical palette also makes him a crowd favorite live musician. He often covers songs in a variety of genres while on the road, moving seamlessly between smooth pop falsetto and bold vocals in the same set.
Honest Songwriting
It's no wonder that, while in college, he switched his major from Music Business to Songwriting. He has a natural understanding of what makes a song catchy and an appreciation for a more traditional song structure. But his music is anything but ordinary, pushing the boundaries of what honest and direct songwriting is allowed to sound like. Songs like "The Ghost of You" and "Am I going Crazy" approach personal and thought-provoking subjects with a pop styling. He’s proven that honesty is a powerful songwriting tool. Jimmy also writes a lot of music behind the scenes and would eventually like to transition to doing that more than touring.
“Damaged Goods”
Jimmy Mowery tells a story of honesty in his performance of "Damaged Goods" for Eighty Unplugged. In 2020, he drove to his home in Myrtle Beach after having one too many drinks. At the request of his wife he called his mother, who talked him down in the midst of his distress. He told his mom he thought he was "damaged goods" because that's how he felt in the moment. It was written at a time when he was trying to do better about drinking but was struggling in the context of an industry that encourages it. The track he's most proud of, there's a sense of growth when reflecting how things are different now. Jimmy Mowery hasn't had a drink since March of 2023. Reminiscent of tracks by Miranda Lambert or Chris Stapleton, “Damaged Goods” is a great example of music that is relatable, enjoyable, and honest.
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Written by Jimmy Mowery
Verse 1:
Too much to drink so I called home
Tears on my face, and on my phone
She said, just calm down, she understood
I said, “momma I think I’m damaged goods”
Chorus:
Can you talk to the man upstairs?
Cause sometimes I wonder if he hears my prayers
Ask him why I cope this way
Cause the bottles empty, and it hurts the same
Verse 2:
Why do I keep on messin’ up?
She said “unfortunately it runs in our blood”
Swear I’ve tried the best I could
But Momma I think I’m damaged goods
Chorus:
Can you talk to the man upstairs?
Cause sometimes I wonder if he hears my prayers
Ask him why I cope this way
Cause the bottles empty, and it hurts the same
It was one of those nights when the lights went out
Had to call you up so you could talk me down
Hearing your voice made it turn around
When you said to me “son you’re not damaged goods”
Bridge: Instrumental
Chorus:
Can you talk to the man upstairs?
Cause sometimes I wonder if he hears my prayers
Ask him why I cope this way
Cause the bottles empty, and it hurts the same
It was one of those nights when the lights went out
Had to call you up so you could talk me down
Hearing your voice made it turn around
When you said to me “son you’re not damaged goods”
Verse 3/ outro:
I’ve seen more than most people should
It’s why I feel I’m damaged goods
The awful things my hearts withstood
Now broken parts and damaged goods
Follow Jimmy!
Support Jimmy Mowery by following him on these platforms!
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jimmymowery/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Jimmymowerymusic
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/58e8QpVKO4GflSPwWIMhmw?si=uklLIg0TRA6xMz4zqN0eMA
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@jimmymowerymusic
Website: https://www.jimmymowery.net/
A Podcast for Music Lovers!
Our goal with Eighty Unplugged is to create a space where songwriters from all levels of success and all backgrounds can discuss their art! We hope to grow into a community of musicians supporting each other's creations; and of course, hear some great live music!
Stay plugged in to Eighty Unplugged by subscribing to the podcast and following on all socials. I want to give a big thank you to Jimmy Mowery and all the fans for making this episode possible.