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.”
You'll Never Take That Away
Jamie McDell Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Learned enough to never be a liar again
Don't you know I'm not an actress
Taught myself to never ever try to pretend
Don't get me wrong
I, I have what you don't
I have a heart that's covered in scars
I got a beach, a melody, and a guitar
Got a dream that's bigger than me
I've got a rhyme, a rhythm, and time on the sea
You'll never take that away from me
I can see you with your judgement
Don't you know that's all you'll have to show in the end
Don't you know I'll go my own way
No surprise that I don't really care what you say
Don't get me wrong
I, I have what you don't
I have a heart that's covered in scars
I got a beach, a melody, and a guitar
Got a dream that's bigger than me
I've got a rhyme, a rhythm, and time on the sea
You'll never take that away from me
Can't you see I'm just a writer
Learned enough to never be a liar again
I have a heart that's covered in scars
I got a beach, a melody, and a guitar
Got a dream that's bigger than me
I've got a rhyme, a rhythm, and time on the sea
You'll never take that away from me
You'll never take that away
I have a heart that's covered in scars
I got a beach, a melody, and a guitar
Got a dream that's bigger than me
I've got a rhyme, a rhythm, and time on the sea
You'll never take that away from me
No, no, no
No, no
In Jamie McDell's song "You'll Never Take That Away," she talks about her identity as a writer and musician. She notes that she's not an actress or someone who pretends to be something she's not. However, there's pride in what she has achieved as a writer and artist. She's learned from her mistakes and is honest. McDell acknowledges that people may judge her for following her own path, but she is determined to continue pursuing her dreams regardless.
The lyrics tell a story of resilience and perseverance despite the judgment of others. McDell emphasizes what she possesses that nobody can take away from her - a heart full of scars, a dream, a melody, and a guitar. These things are unique to her, and they're more significant than what anyone else thinks of her.
Overall, the song is inspiring and uplifting, reminding us all to stay true to ourselves and our dreams. It also serves as a reminder that what makes us unique is what makes us special.
Line by Line Meaning
Can't you see I'm just a writer
I want to be recognized as a writer and not anything else
Learned enough to never be a liar again
I have been truthful in my writing and will always be so
Don't you know I'm not an actress
I am not someone who pretends or acts; I am always real
Taught myself to never ever try to pretend
I have learned to always be genuine and never pretend to be someone I'm not
Don't get me wrong
I don't mean to offend or upset you in any way
I, I have what you don't
I have qualities and possessions that you might not have
I have a heart that's covered in scars
I have been hurt in the past but it has only made me stronger
I got a beach, a melody, and a guitar
I have everything I need to create and express myself
Got a dream that's bigger than me
I have a big and ambitious dream that I want to pursue
I've got a rhyme, a rhythm, and time on the sea
I have the tools and the time to create something great while I'm on the sea
You'll never take that away from me
No one can take away my passion, my creativity, or my dreams
I can see you with your judgement
I know that you are judging me and my choices
Don't you know that's all you'll have to show in the end
In the grand scheme of things, your judgement doesn't matter and won't be remembered
Don't you know I'll go my own way
I have my own path to follow and I won't let anyone else dictate it
No surprise that I don't really care what you say
I am secure in my own choices and don't need your validation or approval
No, no, no
I am resolute and won't be swayed
No, no, you'll never take that away from me!
No one has the power to take away my passion, my creativity, or my dreams
Contributed by Gavin C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Rachel Julie
The "underdone" feel of the video, I think, is what makes it so great. This kind of video matches Jamie's image perfectly, and I think that might be lost if this was done up too much. I really like how real she is, and I think it's the same for a lot of her fans. This easy-to-relate-to, beachy, chilled out, REAL girl is what we love.
Jennifer Parker
love it - New Zealand you should be very proud of this talented young lady. You go girl!
Lydia Jacobsen
I love your videos and your voice! Keep it up!
FoFo
I'm addicted to this song, I listen to it in repeat! Lots of greetings from Cyprus!! :)
Evan Elliott
I love this song. Great job Jamie
Courtney Pedersen
Love this song, Jamie Mcdell is awesome!
spice349
this is amazing!! so proud of you Jamie! #gypsypirates
Carly Armstrong
Okay, do you know what I love about this? She's so natural. She hardly seems to be wearing any make. That's true beauty, natural beauty <3
Raúl Martínez
I'm from México and I'm living in NZ and I think this girl is amazing, how can people dislike her???¿?¿?¿
Ella Rose
What is wrong with people! This is an amazing song, you have an amazing voice, you're humble and naturally beautiful -3 people commenting saying I bet you can't actually sing like this are just making themselves look like idiots because you have tuns of vids singing just with a guitar and a standard camera! Keep doing what you're doing Jamie, you're really amazing :)