Train’s “Drops of Jupiter” Lyrics Meaning

Train’s “Drops of Jupiter” uses very-colorful, celestially-based language and is full of symbolism and metaphors. Thus people have interpreted it in a variety of ways, which has contributed to its outrageous popularity. Indeed many consider it to be a love song, which is logical considering that the singer does use the word “romance” in the bridge.

However, who Patrick Monahan is actually singing to is his late mother, who passed away shortly before he wrote “Drops of Jupiter”.  In other words, he was still reeling from her departure when he penned this song. And the idea he is actually putting forth is that since passing away, her spirit has been traveling the universe. Thus what the “drops of Jupiter” actually represent is remnants of her visiting that planetary body which were still “in her hair” when she later came back to Earth.

But this song also has an introspective tone. Pat wonders how his mom would perceive him in terms of his progress in life. And he also recounts some of his past memorable experiences which she was a part of, with such self-introspection actually being one of the major themes of this piece.

So in a sense this is a grievance song, albeit one with a celebratory tone. The singer is not so much mourning for his loss as he is acknowledging that his departed mother now has the wherewithal to soar the cosmos. But simultaneously he also questions her concerning her well-being, as in wondering if she has achieved a heightened sense of self-awareness since embarking on her spiritual journey. 

Indeed as alluded to earlier, “Drops of Jupiter” represents a journey of self-discovery the singer himself is embarking on. He is taking the occasion of the passing of his mother and interacting with her spirit to also learn more about who he is as a person.

So in summation, this track is simple and complex at the same time. The premise is the idea of the spirit of the singer’s mother enjoying itself by traversing the cosmos. And the singer perceives this experience ideally contributing to his mom doing some soul searching while concurrently viewing it as one through which he can discover himself.

In Conclusion

This is a spiritually-based song, if you will. That is to say whom the singer is actually singing about and for the most part to is his deceased mother. And the way he envisions her in the afterlife is as someone soaring through the cosmos, thus explaining how she has acquired “drops of Jupiter in her hair”. So basically the lyrics are a mix of the metaphysical and the personal, as in the singer dropping what appears to be direct references to his mother’s lifestyle in addition to detailing the fantastical journey he pictures her on. Also the entire piece is also meant to serve as an exercise in self-discovery for Pat Monahan, the vocalist.

Who wrote “Drops of Jupiter”?

It was written by Train’s lead singer, Patrick Monahan and produced by Brendan O’Brien.

Monahan was actually spontaneously inspired to write this song when fragments of the opening lines came to him in a dream he had while visiting his childhood home in 1999, shortly after his mom passed away in December of the preceding year.

Release Date of “Drops of Jupiter”

This hit was released on 20 February 2001 as the lead single from Train’s second album. That album is also entitled Drops of Jupiter.

Chart Performance

“Drops of Jupiter” made it to number 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 (though it reached the position of number 4 on their year-end chart).

It also made the top 10 in several countries, including:

• Australia
• Belgium
• Denmark
• Italy
• The Netherlands
• New Zealand
• Scotland

 Furthermore, it reached the number 10 spot on the British (UK) Singles Chart.

Grammy Success

 “Drops of Jupiter” was one of the most successful and critically acclaimed songs of 2001. It went on to be nominated for five Grammys and actually took home two, Best Rock Song as well as Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist(s). The latter award went specifically to the track’s arranger, Paul Buckmaster.

When Train received the Grammy for Best Rock Song at the 44th Annual Grammy Awards (27 February 2002), Pat Monahan used the occasion to give a touching shoutout to his late mom.