Particular influences on Matthews include Burt Bacharach and Scott Walker.
His contemporary take on Orchestral Pop is echoed in the work of The Last Shadow Puppets.
Fanfare
Eric Matthews Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I change my mind from listening to you
I pull some stretch try fright inside you
Holes on fire that burned my childhood smile
It might be late but time is guided
By open minds that fight disguises
Hiding cowards world
Listening hard for words
And meanings that point to true love
New love that's real
Yeah, yeah
Answer questions that I knew you had
I've seen your tears and heard your groaning
Those open wounds still lie beside me
And if we find that what we shared was real
Let's not stand 'round or wear disguises
Have open time, unwrap surprises
Tired and not too thrilled
With yearnings that musn't be filled
If it's not too late I'd love to know
Is what you're feeling down low
So super low, I know, and I know it's
My childhood smile
In the beginning of "Fanfare," Eric Matthews sings about changing his mind about something he heard from someone else. He then describes feeling a sense of fright or apprehension, stemming from a childhood memory that still haunts him. The lyrics then touch upon the concept of true love, encouraging honesty and transparency between two people. Matthews wants to answer any questions that his partner may have, and hopes that they can have an open dialogue, free of any pretenses. He wants them to explore true love together and discover new things about one another.
The second verse of the song touches upon some heavier themes. Matthews alludes to painful experiences from his past, and although he recognizes that he and his partner have exchanged lingering wounds, he still wants to move forward with honesty and authenticity. He urges his partner to explore their feelings for one another and not hold back, expressing how difficult it can be to have unfulfilled desires.
Overall, "Fanfare" explores the idea of embracing true love and being honest in a relationship. It also touches upon the idea that past pain and negative experiences can be carried into future relationships. Matthews emphasizes the importance of being transparent with our partners in order to build a deeper connection.
Line by Line Meaning
Did I hear you right you'll see me now
Are you truly telling me that you will meet me now?
I change my mind from listening to you
I have decided to stop conforming to your words and thoughts.
I pull some stretch try fright inside you
I make an attempt to incite fear and discomfort within you.
Holes on fire that burned my childhood smile
Painful memories from my past have destroyed the joy and innocence of my childhood.
It might be late but time is guided
Even if it is getting late, time is a force that cannot be tamed.
By open minds that fight disguises
People who are open-minded and do not hide their true identity are the ones who shape time.
Hiding cowards world
The world is filled with people who hide their true selves out of fear.
Biding unto nowhere
These people are waiting for something that may never come, leading them to a stagnant existence.
Listening hard for words
People are diligently searching for true meaning and understanding in their lives.
And meanings that point to true love
These individuals are looking for something that signifies true love and genuine connections.
New love that's real
They hope to find a love that is fresh and genuine.
Answer questions that I knew you had
I will provide answers to the questions that I know you have.
I've seen your tears and heard your groaning
I have witnessed your pain and suffering.
Those open wounds still lie beside me
The wounds of the past still exist and affect us in the present.
And if we find that what we shared was real
If we discover that our connection was genuine and pure,
Let's not stand 'round or wear disguises
We should not waste any more time pretending or hiding who we are.
Have open time, unwrap surprises
Be open to the moment and embrace the unexpected.
Tired and not too thrilled
I am feeling exhausted and not particularly enthusiastic.
With yearnings that mustn't be filled
I have desires that I cannot fulfill or act upon.
If it's not too late I'd love to know
If there is still time, I would like to understand something.
Is what you're feeling down low
Are you experiencing deep, intense emotions?
So super low, I know, and I know it's
I am aware that these emotions are extremely deep and intense.
My childhood smile
These emotions are related to the destruction of the joy and innocence of my childhood.
Writer(s): Eric Steven Matthews
Contributed by Luke A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
True Central
I bought this CD when it first appeared. I can't recall what prompted me to do so, but it is one of the few recordings that has followed me from that youthful era into middle age. It was certainly an anomaly in those grunge-heavy days and it was perhaps always doomed due to its association with Sub-Pop and the preconceptions most people bore regarding anything which appeared bearing that imprint.
It is most unfortunate, as the majority of 'grunge' has aged very poorly to my ears, whereas this sounds timeless. I pointed my daughter (a baroque musician) toward it, when she became a big fan of Elliott Smith, as I feel that Eric was almost a precursor (and not a lesser one) to that brilliant, doomed man.
I keep waiting for this record to be 'rediscovered' a la Forever Changes or Five Leaves Left and accorded the respect it so deserves. Perhaps the artist has to be dead or mentally absent in some regard for that to occur. As it is, it remains one of the finest albums of the '90's, in my book, and one I can still legitimately turn people on to with a knowing wink. If it had been as huge as it deserved to be, I wouldn't have that small pleasure.
Automatic For The Collector
I agree! I bought this CD when it first came out as well. I listened to it over and over. The entire album is great, and it still brings back great memories of that time period. I feel the same way about all of Epic Soundtracks' albums from those days. I think it was college radio that helped me discover artists and albums like these. There were so many great things being played back then!
Tic Toc Bang
His first two albums are BRILLIANT!
S.P. Rev Horner
This guy is the full package production minded artist he sounds like. Trust me.
William Draper
Also, I wanted to say that I get "sent" by this song. I mean it is fully lit and makes me appreciate being alive. If Eric ever sees this post, THANK YOU.
joetahoe777
This brilliant song featured the lead guitarist Jason Falkner from Jellyfish, the same person who played on "The King Is Half Undressed" another classic from the 90's.
James Bowers
I think that's him playing bass in this clip too
Jeff Roberts
Nice footnote. The King is another incredibly lush PowerPop tour de force.
Barry Hawk
Jason Falker is a hero and legend one of the dwindling power pop immortals.
Ghost Shark
Thanks for the info on this. Everything about the guitar on this track is great.