McMahon announced the moniker in a blog post in July 2014, stating, "as I embark on yet another musical adventure, I will be traveling with my band to many of those same stages, this time as “Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness”. I suppose my wilderness is mostly an abstract one. Since putting Jack’s behind me, I have forced myself into strange spaces seeking new stimulus..."
The first song recorded under the moniker, 'Cecilia and the Satellite', received official radio play on the 17th July 2014. An album is expected to follow.
Brooklyn You're Killing Me
Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Alright, just let me think
Just let me think
My heart is a troubled captain in poisoned television waters
I have this air-conditioned nightmare
Like that book you gave to me last summer
That made me think that everything was so much worse than it really was
But let's not get caught up on the weather
I could keep searching for the meaning
Try, try to keep this all together
But you've got green eyes like the forest
I got lost in on the way to some other life
Brooklyn, Brooklyn, my dear
Brooklyn, my dear, you're killing me
Brooklyn, Brooklyn, my dear
Brooklyn, my dear, you're killing me
My hand is a braindead magnet
So I keep waking up on fire
Beneath this low rise second city that's turning good men into liars
And maybe I'm not all that good
But I was better in your west coast bed
My hand is a braindead magnet
But let's not get caught up on connections
I could keep searching for a meaning
But I'm still looking for directions
I was baptized in your parents' pool in southern California
Then I fled
Brooklyn, Brooklyn, my dear
Brooklyn, my dear, you're killing me
Brooklyn, Brooklyn, my dear
Brooklyn, my dear, you're killing me
La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la
La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la
My hand is a braindead magnet
So I keep waking up on fire
Beneath this low rise second city that's turning good men into liars
Brooklyn, Brooklyn, my dear
Brooklyn, my dear, you're killing me
Brooklyn, Brooklyn, my dear
Brooklyn, my dear, you're killing me
Brooklyn, Brooklyn, my dear
Brooklyn, my dear, you're killing me
Brooklyn, Brooklyn, my dear
Brooklyn, my dear, you're killing me
La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la (you're killing me)
La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la (you're killing me)
La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la (you're killing me)
La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la (you're killing me)
Brooklyn, Brooklyn
La, la
The lyrics of "Brooklyn, You're Killing Me" by Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness depict a sense of discontentment and frustration with a specific place, in this case, Brooklyn. The song begins with the singer feeling troubled and overwhelmed, comparing their heart to a troubled captain navigating through poisoned television waters. This imagery portrays a feeling of being immersed in negativity and toxicity.
The lyrics further express a state of disillusionment, as the singer mentions a book given to them the previous summer that made them perceive everything as worse than it actually is. This suggests that external influences, such as media and literature, have played a role in shaping their negative perspective.
The second verse introduces the concept of being magnetically drawn to destructive patterns, as the singer's hand is described as a braindead magnet, constantly leading them to waking up on fire. They refer to the city they're in as a "low rise second city" that turns good men into liars, suggesting a sense of moral decay and frustration with the environment.
Line by Line Meaning
My heart is a troubled captain in poisoned television waters
I feel overwhelmed and lost in a toxic environment filled with negativity and media influence.
I have this air-conditioned nightmare
I am trapped in a comfortable but suffocating and unfulfilling life.
Like that book you gave to me last summer
That made me think that everything was so much worse than it really was
The book you gave me made me realize that my perception of things was more negative than the reality.
But let's not get caught up on the weather
But let's not focus on external factors that we can't control.
I could keep searching for the meaning
Try, try to keep this all together
I could keep trying to find purpose and hold everything together, despite the challenges.
But you've got green eyes like the forest
I got lost in on the way to some other life
But your captivating green eyes remind me of a past life I got lost in, longing for something different.
My hand is a braindead magnet
So I keep waking up on fire
I am attracted to destructive habits or people, leading to constant internal turmoil and unrest.
Beneath this low rise second city that's turning good men into liars
In this city of little significance, honorable individuals are influenced to compromise their integrity.
But I'm still looking for directions
But I'm still searching for guidance or a sense of purpose in life.
I was baptized in your parents' pool in southern California
Then I fled
I had a transformative experience in your hometown, but I had to leave abruptly, fleeing from the past.
Brooklyn, Brooklyn, my dear
Brooklyn, my dear, you're killing me
Brooklyn, my beloved city, you are causing me emotional distress and overwhelming challenges.
La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la
Musical interlude
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Keith William Hamilton Jeffery, Andrew Ross McMahon
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Christopher Oldfield
This chorus sounds so much like Chris Carrabba, and I love it. Also getting lots of "I'm Ready" vibes from the song. Love it. ❤️
Christopher Oldfield
Steve Mulholland He's had that one new song they've been playing live recently (Sorta Kinda Maybe or whatever it's called). Could really go for a new album from them/him already though!
Steve Mulholland
except Chris has been MIA for some time now.
Fan Chen
This is the soundtrack every time I pay my rent.
Jeffrey and The Ever Expanding Universe
Because you're in the city of Brooklyn?
Jeff Carbine
The spoken lyrics remind me of "I'm Ready" and that is a very good thing
sarahfrom96
right!!!
Tiffany X
Best thing is hearing new Andrew for the first time. So many memories and feelings for me over the past decade tied to his music. New is always different, but ALWAYS good
Tiffany X
Adam Reichl well, she's part of the big plan. ☀️🌴
Sweater Wearing Squirrel
Tiffany X I hope I do instead of getting the Suicide Blondes haha.