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.”
Know My Heart
Jamie McDell Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Smiled but I still had to run away
I′ll always take the hardest road
'Cause I′ve learnt enough to hold my own
But I've gone a little crazy
'Cause you′re so amazing
The way you are
I know I'll probably fall down
Don′t know where to start
But don't tell me to close my eyes
I know my heart
I know I′m just misunderstood
And you can't see, but I wish you would
And nobody seems to understand
I am happy to live without a plan
But I′ve gone a little crazy
'Cause you're so amazing
The way you are
And I′m not in a rush now
I know I′ll probably fall down
Don't know where to start
But don′t tell me to close my eyes
I know my heart
I'm not afraid of getting burned
I know I still have more to learn
But somehow you are what I need
If I could make your heart believe
′Cause I've gone a little crazy
Don′t know how you made me
Dream so far
And I'm not in a rush now
I've had my share of fall-outs
And I know the dark
But don′t tell me to close my eyes
Don′t tell me I've gone too far
I know my heart, yeah
I know my heart
In Jamie McDell's song "Know My Heart," the lyrics explore the themes of independence, individualism, and self-acceptance. The first verse describes the singer's tendency to take the "hardest road" and run away even when they have fallen. However, their resolve to hold their own comes from the knowledge and life experiences they have gained. Despite their self-assuredness, however, the singer admits to going "a little crazy" because of someone they find amazing. This person seems to challenge their sense of self, and the singer has trouble reconciling their strong will with their newfound feelings for this person.
The second verse talks about how the singer feels misunderstood and how even their newfound love interest cannot see them completely. However, they do not seem to mind as they have learned to live without a plan and be content within themselves. The chorus repeats the sentiment of going "a little crazy" and falling down at times but knowing oneself, and not letting anyone else tell them otherwise. The ending lines reflect a willingness to learn and grow despite the risk of getting hurt, showcasing the singer's strength and vulnerability.
Line by Line Meaning
I took a fall again today
I made a mistake, stumbled or failed once again today
Smiled but I still had to run away
I tried to put on a brave face but had to escape from the situation
I'll always take the hardest road
I choose to face challenges and difficulties instead of taking an easier path
'Cause I've learnt enough to hold my own
I have gained enough knowledge and experience to rely on myself
But I've gone a little crazy
But I've become a bit wild or impulsive
'Cause you're so amazing
Because I am so impressed, infatuated or in love with you
The way you are
You are incredible just the way you are
And I'm not in a rush now
And I am not in a hurry anymore
I know I'll probably fall down
I am aware that I might still fail or make mistakes
Don't know where to start
I am unsure of how to begin or how to proceed
But don't tell me to close my eyes
But do not ask me to ignore my own feelings or intuition
I know my heart
I trust my own instincts and feelings
I know I'm just misunderstood
I am aware that others might not fully comprehend or appreciate me
And you can't see, but I wish you would
And you cannot perceive or understand, but I hope you could
And nobody seems to understand
And no one seems to be able to comprehend or relate to me
I am happy to live without a plan
I am content with not having a fixed or structured plan for my life
I'm not afraid of getting burned
I am not scared of getting hurt, disappointed or rejected
I know I still have more to learn
I recognise that there is still more for me to discover, improve or experience
But somehow you are what I need
But somehow you seem to fulfil or satisfy a need or desire I have
If I could make your heart believe
If I could convince you, make you see or make you understand
'Cause I've gone a little crazy
Because I've become a bit wild, reckless or infatuated
Don't know how you made me
I am not sure how you managed to influence or affect me
Dream so far
Dream of achieving such great things or having such deep emotions
And I'm not in a rush now
And I am not impatient or hasty anymore
I've had my share of fall-outs
I have experienced enough conflicts or breakups already
And I know the dark
I am familiar with the pain or the negative aspects of life
But don’t tell me to close my eyes
But do not ask me to ignore or deny my feelings, emotions or reality
Don't tell me I've gone too far
Do not tell me I have crossed a limit or boundary
I know my heart, yeah
I trust my own instincts and emotions, yes
I know my heart
I am confident in my own feelings, emotions or intuition
Contributed by Molly P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Natalya Roberts
laura bellieni
"Know My Heart"
I took a fall again today
Smiled but I still had to run away
I’ll always take the hardest road
I’ve learnt enough to hold my own
But I’ve gone a little crazy
Cuz you’re so amazing
The way you are
And I’m not in a rush now
I know I’ll probably fall down
Don’t know where to start
But don’t tell me to close my eyes
I know my heart
I know I’m just misunderstood
And you can’t see but I wish you would
And nobody seems to understand
I am happy to live without a plan
But I’ve gone a little crazy
Cuz you’re so amazing
The way you are
And I’m not in a rush now
I know I’ll probably fall down
Don’t know where to start
But don’t tell me to close my eyes
I know my heart
I’m not afraid of getting burned
I know I still have more to learn
But somehow you are what I need
If I could make your heart believe
Cuz I’ve gone a little crazy
Don’t know how you’ve made me
Dream so far
And I’m not in a rush now
I’ve had my share of fall-outs
And I know the dark
But don’t tell me to close my eyes
Don’t tell me I’ve gone too far
I know my heart
Yeah, I know my heart
Natalya Roberts
"Know My Heart"
I took a fall again today
Smiled but I still had to run away
I’ll always take the hardest road
I’ve learnt enough to hold my own
But I’ve gone a little crazy
Cuz you’re so amazing
The way you are
And I’m not in a rush now
I know I’ll probably fall down
Don’t know where to start
But don’t tell me to close my eyes
I know my heart
I know I’m just misunderstood
And you can’t see but I wish you would
And nobody seems to understand
I am happy to live without a plan
But I’ve gone a little crazy
Cuz you’re so amazing
The way you are
And I’m not in a rush now
I know I’ll probably fall down
Don’t know where to start
But don’t tell me to close my eyes
I know my heart
I’m not afraid of getting burned
I know I still have more to learn
But somehow you are what I need
If I could make your heart believe
Cuz I’ve gone a little crazy
Don’t know how you’ve made me
Dream so far
And I’m not in a rush now
I’ve had my share of fall-outs
And I know the dark
But don’t tell me to close my eyes
Don’t tell me I’ve gone too far
I know my heart
Yeah, I know my heart
john clark
jamie, you sing like an angel, makes me proud to be a kiwi. my wife and i saw you on tellie and instantly knew that you were a star. i thought the wrods were 'a heart covered in stars!!!!' your simplicity and naturalness brings tears to our eyes.....keep writing your own stuff. we love you - john and liz - fans forever
citruscyanide
This is really good, even completely raw! You should fully do a studio version! I've been listening to this on repeat all night. =) NZ Rep!
Skye B
absolutely love this!! it's the first song with actual real feeling in it that i have heard in a while. this is the type of music that should be out there. can't wait for your cd to come out!
affynum8
Do a studio version!! I want to be able to blast this when it comes on the radio!
laura bellieni
i love your songs! you should add the lyrics in descripstion, because these are the songs i love to learn and sing along with my friends! you're great!
Natalya Roberts
laura bellieni
"Know My Heart"
I took a fall again today
Smiled but I still had to run away
I’ll always take the hardest road
I’ve learnt enough to hold my own
But I’ve gone a little crazy
Cuz you’re so amazing
The way you are
And I’m not in a rush now
I know I’ll probably fall down
Don’t know where to start
But don’t tell me to close my eyes
I know my heart
I know I’m just misunderstood
And you can’t see but I wish you would
And nobody seems to understand
I am happy to live without a plan
But I’ve gone a little crazy
Cuz you’re so amazing
The way you are
And I’m not in a rush now
I know I’ll probably fall down
Don’t know where to start
But don’t tell me to close my eyes
I know my heart
I’m not afraid of getting burned
I know I still have more to learn
But somehow you are what I need
If I could make your heart believe
Cuz I’ve gone a little crazy
Don’t know how you’ve made me
Dream so far
And I’m not in a rush now
I’ve had my share of fall-outs
And I know the dark
But don’t tell me to close my eyes
Don’t tell me I’ve gone too far
I know my heart
Yeah, I know my heart
Chris Stockley
i am metal guitarist, and i envy you.... you are so talented and i hope you go far! NZ got talent!! i honestly hope i see you on there coz you should be on the world stage!
Jonn Christie
goosebumps beautiful song Jamie so talented my friend xx :) And what a beautiful beach so many gorgeous places
Bronnyluvsya
i really like this song. if it was released on itunes i would actually buy it!!!!. Good luck babe ur amazing!!! Sincerly fellow kiwi girl!!
MissMirror
you're such a good songwriter and singer :)