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.
Canyon Moon
Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Somewhere under the canyon moon
Camera jammed in a slow exposure
California in her rear view
She couldn't handle another season
Another ocean of fiction blue
Said a prayer to a dashboard Jesus
Then the road turned into desert everywhere
The sun ran out on a cold October
She disappeared, she disappeared
Take all your troubles, put them to bed
Burn down the mission, the maps in your head
Shot like a bullet, don't know the way
The ricochet, kind of got away from you
The leaves are falling, the church bells ringing
Marching band in a high school dream
Little town and a faded beauty
They still remember when she was queen
Then the road turned into desert everywhere
The leaves are falling, the church bells ringing
She disappeared, she disappeared
In Andrew McMahon's song Canyon Moon, the first verse describes a scene of the sun setting in October under a canyon moon in California. The lyrics continue to describe a person, potentially the singer's subject of affection, who is leaving California and looking for a fresh start. They're leaving behind a "fiction blue" ocean and "worn out shoes," suggesting a long journey. The second verse shows her desperation, acknowledging that she's exhausted by the never-ending seasons and finds solace in prayer to a "dashboard Jesus." However, her journey doesn't go smoothly, and the road takes her through the desert where she disappears, leaving behind only memories of her and her reign in a little town.
The chorus offers some advice, telling listeners to leave their problems behind and take control of their lives. "Burn down the mission," a metaphor for abandoning one's goals, and "the maps in your head," a reference to the plans that one sets for themselves. The person in the song may have done just that, leaving behind their old life and starting anew. The second half of the chorus references a bullet shot off course, speaking to the idea that life is unpredictable, and we must navigate through it as best we can.
Overall, the song paints a picture of a person leaving behind their past and starting anew. The lyrics suggest that change isn't always easy, but it's necessary to find happiness and fulfillment. The song's themes of reinvention and self-discovery make it a poignant reminder to listen to ourselves and follow our hearts.
Line by Line Meaning
The sun ran out on a cold October
The day ended with a chill in October.
Somewhere under the canyon moon
In an unknown location beneath the light of the full moon.
Camera jammed in a slow exposure
The camera got stuck while taking a slow shot.
California in her rear view
She left California behind and was driving away from it.
She couldn't handle another season
She was tired and couldn't bear to go through another season.
Another ocean of fiction blue
Another stretch of imagination and stargazing.
Said a prayer to a dashboard Jesus
She requested divine intervention from Jesus, who was seen on her car's dashboard.
Death Valley and worn out shoes
She wore out her shoes while traveling to Death Valley.
Then the road turned into desert everywhere
The journey started turning more barren with no sign of life.
She disappeared, she disappeared
She went out of sight and vanished from that place.
Take all your troubles, put them to bed
Forget everything that's troubling you and send them to rest.
Burn down the mission, the maps in your head
Erase the instructions and plans from your mind and start afresh.
Shot like a bullet, don't know the way
Moving fast like a bullet without any exact sense of direction.
The ricochet, kind of got away from you
The rebound took an unexpected path.
The leaves are falling, the church bells ringing
The autumn season is near with the sound of bells ringing in the church.
Marching band in a high school dream
Imagining a small-town scene with a high school band playing.
Little town and a faded beauty
A small town with old and faded charm is visualized.
They still remember when she was queen
The people of the town still remember and admire someone who is not there anymore.
She disappeared, she disappeared
The girl disappeared from sight and never returned.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Andrew Ross McMahon, Kevin M. Griffin, Samuel S. Hollander
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
E. C.
I think it's safe to say that this album is flawless
Chrissi Noble
This is one of those songs where you just there wide-eyed with a smile like "This is glorious"
Issa Mari
Chris Noble should've heard it live.
Finn Sullivan
00011
Sage C. Elliot
I'm so obsessed with this song. I've listened to it so many times since it came out, but I still can't get enough of it. I love the story of the girl that escaped, the incredibly beautiful lyrics and the haunting melody that I just can't get out of my head. Everything about this song is perfect.
I love every song on the album, so it's hard to choose a favorite, but if I had to, it would be this one, simply because I can relate to it so well (even though I've never been to California haha)
Jenny Waahila
It's eerie how much this reminds me of my own "escape" from my California desert hometown. I was Homecoming Queen, in the marching band, and leaving has most certainly helped me put my troubles to bed. I already adore your music Andrew and have for many years. Your voice was one of the soundtracks to my time there and to the beauty of leaving, but I find this song is different. It's about me, for me and I thank you for that. <3
Milli Blom
I really love the attention to detail: the lyrics say, "Camera stuck in a slow exposure", which is seen throughout the video as it is shot on, well, a slow exposure. I really love the song, the chorus really hits hard. One of my favorites off the album.
Kat Loveland
I love this song and I am going to suggest it to Jim Michaels who works on the show Supernatural, I think it could be a great piece for that show. Keep writing, keep singing you have a very unique sound and I want to hear more.
Innerbloom
Amazing song, I'm in love.
3iMrEaDy3
Love this song so much! I can't wait to hear the rest of the new album <3