2018 marked McDell’s return with an independently-released record that celebrates her musical roots and the sounds of her upbringing. This new recorded project came together between Auckland, New Zealand and Nashville, Tennessee where she recorded the tracks with Australian award-winner producer Nash Chambers. The record features a hearty cast of country music legends including Kasey Chambers, Bill Chambers and Tami Neilson.
It was the music of her childhood that would form the fundamental elements of what excited her about songwriting the most - an honest vocal, lots of acoustic guitar and deep storytelling. At age 7, while living aboard a yacht in the Mediterranean, when McDell wrote her first song. On that yacht lived a small collection of her parents’ favourite tapes, including albums by Jimmy Buffett, John Denver and James Taylor, which the young McDell formed a particularly strong bond with. She fondly remembers watching her parents perform Jimmy Buffett duets - and occasionally chiming in, learning how to harmonize vocally with her mother. An eager learner, McDell picked up the guitar after studying her fathers’ John Denver chord book collection and has never looked back.
In March 2017, McDell booked a trip to Nashville for a change of scenery and to connect with the environment that birthed the country/folk music of her youth. There she wrote the songs that would make up the fabric for her upcoming record.
Later that year, twelve songs (written solely by McDell) were recorded in two days with full band at House Of Blues, Studio D in Nashville, with Chambers at the helm. Recording this way would boil up feelings of nostalgia for McDell, who’s very first recording experience took place at Auckland’s York Street studios in the same vein.
“This is the closest thing I’ve done to a live record,” McDell says. “I enjoy playing and singing in the same room as everyone, recording full takes, celebrating the liveliness of the players and accepting mistakes or imperfections as a special and important part of the body of work.”
On this new record, McDell’s vocals are the most raw and vulnerable they have ever been - powerful and honest - and reflect her core listening inspirations which include Patty Griffin and Alison Krauss. Her Margaritaville-infused childhood sneaks through in humorous lines like “scared of looking crazy, she opens up a bottle of wine, forgets about her baby and looks to have a hell of a time.”
This new album also marks McDell’s second independent release since going independent from 2016 - the first being a debut album, written/performed with her younger sister Tessa as Dunes. This record has been personally hand-crafted from the ground up, with McDell overseeing everything from the writing, creation, promotion and release. She also creates the visual artwork herself, as a graphic designer by day.
Putting the overall feeling of the album into words isn’t easy, but McDell reflects on the personal challenge of leaving the comfort of home to write something that was honest and true.
“Nashville was me getting out of my comfort zone and finding my way back to it. I like to write songs quickly and alone and quite frankly when I feel like it, and I think being away from home helped me get back to that headspace,”
“The listener is getting a sincerely true collection of stories that haven’t been tampered with since they were written. They are exactly what I felt like saying/singing at the time - raw, unpolished
and deeply honest.”
Get Away
Jamie McDell Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Can't fight this want to run away
These streets are just too crowded
And the traffic it's too loud
It's making me wish for a better day
Not steady, too much is fake
Got to shake it off an sail away
This city makes you crazy
Take me to a different time and place
Let's get away from here
Pack all our bags and disappear
I know I'm just not ready
In a world so hot and heavy
So let's get away from here
Woah, woah, woah
Seems wrong to be hiding from the sun
Those black high heels don't look that fun
I know I'm not the only one who wants to grab my car keys
Head off to a place where I can run
Let's get away from here
Pack all our bags and disappear
I know I'm just not ready
In a world so hot and heavy
So let's get away from here
Woah, woah, woah
Sometimes I just want to break out
Re-evaluate my life now
I'm just too young to not have fun
Let's get away from here
Pack all our bags and disappear
I know I'm just not ready
In a world so hot and heavy
So let's get away from here
Woah, woah, woah
I'm just too young to not have fun
The song "Get Away" by Jamie McDell is about feeling overwhelmed and seeking escape from the stresses of city life. The lyrics depict a desire to leave the city and all its noise and chaos behind in search of a better, more peaceful place. The song expresses a longing for something more, a need to break free from the constraints of everyday life and explore new horizons.
The first verse describes the restlessness and discontent of the singer, who wishes to escape from the constant hustle and bustle of the city. The lyrics convey a feeling of suffocation and exhaustion that is all too familiar to anyone who has ever lived in a crowded urban environment. The second verse calls attention to the need for adventure and the desire to break free from the monotony of everyday life. The lyrics speak to the importance of following your dreams and seeking out exciting new experiences.
Overall, "Get Away" is a song about daring to dream and taking the necessary steps to make those dreams a reality. It's an invitation to leave behind the daily grind and explore the unknown, to throw caution to the wind and to pursue happiness with reckless abandon.
Line by Line Meaning
So busy it's too much to take
Feeling overwhelmed and unable to handle the stress and demands of daily life
Can't fight this want to run away
Feeling a strong urge to escape and leave behind the current situation
These streets are just too crowded
Feeling claustrophobic and suffocated by the overwhelming urban environment
And the traffic it's too loud
Feeling irritated and frustrated by the constant noise pollution and sensory overload
It's making me wish for a better day
Yearning for a more peaceful and fulfilling life than the one currently experienced in the city
Not steady, too much is fake
Feeling unsure and distrustful of the superficial and artificial nature of city life
Got to shake it off an sail away
Need to let go of the negative feelings and escape to a better place
This city makes you crazy
Believing that the fast-paced and stressful lifestyle of the city can induce feelings of anxiety and instability
Only my guitar to save me
Finding solace and comfort in music, as it is a source of creative expression and emotional release
Take me to a different time and place
Desiring to escape from the present reality and experience something new and refreshing
Seems wrong to be hiding from the sun
Feeling guilty or conflicted about the desire to escape from the city and its opportunities in favor of a more peaceful and solitary alternative
Those black high heels don't look that fun
Appreciating the beauty and glamour of the city, but finding it exhausting and uncomfortable to keep up appearances
I know I'm not the only one who wants to grab my car keys
Recognizing that others share the same desire to leave and pursue a simpler and more fulfilling lifestyle
Head off to a place where I can run
Looking for a place where there is no pressure or expectations, but rather a sense of freedom and liberation
Sometimes I just want to break out
Feeling trapped and constrained by the pressures and demands of city life, and wishing to break free from them
Re-evaluate my life now
Reflecting on personal priorities, goals, and values in order to assess whether the current lifestyle is truly fulfilling and meaningful
I'm just too young to not have fun
Believing that life should be enjoyed and lived to the fullest, and recognizing the need to pursue experiences and opportunities that bring joy and fulfillment
Let's get away from here
Reinforcing the desire to leave the current situation and find a better alternative
Pack all our bags and disappear
Taking the necessary steps to physically leave the city and start anew
I know I'm just not ready
Feeling uncertain and apprehensive about the prospect of leaving behind familiar surroundings and starting a new adventure
In a world so hot and heavy
Navigating a highly competitive and stressful environment, which can make it difficult to find peace and happiness
Woah, woah, woah
Conveying a sense of urgency and determination to make a change and find a new path in life
Contributed by Lucas F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Anthea Mackenzie
I absolutely love these lyrics and resonate with them so much, what a beautiful song, beautiful voice and video. Thank you for creating 💕
Rosie
jamie you are truly amazing, you have the voice of an angel. you are the best singer i have ever heard and you are naturally talented. alot of singers these days use heaps of autotune and stuff like that but you are so natural. you are my favourite singer, im such a proud kiwi <3
Life In A Suitcase with Bethany
I LOVE YOU SO MUCH JAMIE. YOUR LYRICS ARE INCREDIBLE AND SO RELATABLE. you have helped me through a lot. you are incredible! thank you
Maria Wilhelmsen
Always liking Jamie's videos before she even started to sing, because I know it's going to be fucking amazing no matter what. YOU GO GIRL
Sergio Canalini
Jamie ha una voce molto, incantevole che si fa piacere da tutti....
Taylor Kastenbaum
this song is my favorite you have such an amazing voice
Sarah Albers
You are Amazing. You inspire me. Not many people do. :D Keep it up!
Stanley Salmon
This song and All your Acoustic songs always brings Tears to my eyes. There just so Beautiful. xD
Chris1973
Awesome,as always.Keep doing what you love Jamie coz you are so good at it! :)
Alina M
Oh my gosh I love this too basically all your music so good!!