Heart ...
One of the most important … Read Full Bio ↴From www.johnmcvey.com:
Heart ...
One of the most important things in music (and in life) is heart ... John McVey has that in spades. As a singer/songwriter, John has won national awards and thoroughly entertained audiences and listeners all over the world. His songwriting craft is recognized as among the best in the acoustic music world. His rhythmic guitar playing and soulful voice extract every possible bit of meaning from a song. Now he has added producer and engineer to his list of talents. In this realm he's as comfortable and innovative as on stage. And his heart comes through there as well.
The Artist ...
John McVey has been a performer most of his life. He's toured widely in this and several other countries. He's released two CDs. He's shared stages with Jonatha Brooke, Shawn Mullens, Ricky Lee Jones, Arlo Guthrie, Vince Gill and many more. He's won the Kerrville “New Folk” Contest and has been a finalist in every other one he entered. He's been named The National Academy of Songwriters “Artist Of The Year.” He's appeared on many TV and radio shows. He's been featured in The Performing Songwriter Magazine and reviewed (favorably!) by Rolling Stone. He's given his time and his music to national charities like Big Brothers/Big Sisters and Make A Wish, and local charities like Grand Rapids MI's God's Kitchen and Kids Food Basket programs. He is heavily influenced by The Beatles, Crosby, Stills and Nash, James Taylor, and Joni Mitchell. But also by many Motown artists, like Sly Stone, Jazz artists like Bird, Earl Klugh and Pat Matheny, and rockers like Jimi Hendrix and Van Morrison. He reads a lot. He is an art enthusiast. He loves wine.
The Producer/Engineer ...
John has recently settled in Boulder, CO. He works full time as a producer/engineer at Coupe Studios. Given that he's spent most of his life on the business end of a microphone (and still does regularly, both live and in the studio), he is now positioned perfectly to contribute to his artist clients. As a writer, he is a student of what makes a song work. As a music enthusiast, he is a student of sonic excellence. As a student of sound, he's technician and ‘gear slut.' As a player and singer, he is a student of accuracy and soulful expression. As a student of all of these things, he is able to bring his vast experience to each project in such a way as to get the most out of every performance, every instrument, and every piece of equipment. He loves his work.
The Writer ...
To find out what all the hoo-ha is about, just listen to his songs. But it doesn't end there. If you want to sell something, hire him as a commercial writer. He's written and produced commercial music for The US Ski Team, Dish Network, The Idaho Lottery, Foundation for a Better Life, and many more. In addition, he's written many songs for other artists and for many people for life events (wedding anniversaries, children, parents, etc.) that have moved their recipients beyond any other gift they could have received.
The Man ...
Heart ... that's truly the beginning and the end. John will bring it to any project, performance, event, song, recording and relationship in which he's involved. The work is important, challenging, fun and wonderful. The heart is imperative.
Distracted
John McVey Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
when we are standing face to face,
all of my fear would melt away,
with only love left in its place.
If you could see into my heart,
from a forgiving point of view,
maybe you would not be misled,
Because there's a masterpiece hidden underneath,
all my imperfection,
chisels out to it,
let your heart do it,
don't be distracted.
Some times I feel so out of place,
when I'm just trying to to fit in,
will you try to hear what I can't say?
will you try to see beneath my skin?
Because there's a masterpiece hidden underneath,
all my imperfection,
chisels out to it,
let your heart do it,
don't be distracted.
There's a masterpiece hidden underneath,
all my imperfection,
chisels out to it,
let your heart do it,
don't be distracted.
If you could meet me soul to soul,
when we are standing face to face,
all of my fear would melt away,
with only love left in its place.
The lyrics of John McVey's "Distracted" express a desire for genuine connection and understanding. The opening stanza speaks of the fear that can arise when facing someone, but also notes that meeting another "soul to soul" has the power to erase that fear and replace it with love. The second verse expresses a hope that those who perceive the awkwardness of others might take a step back and see the goodness underlying those imperfections. In this way, everyone has the potential to create a "masterpiece", but they need to be free from distraction and judgment in order to achieve it. The chorus repeats the message that we should look beyond the surface and connect at the level of the heart.
Line by Line Meaning
If you could meet me soul to soul,
The singer wishes to have a genuine and deep connection with the listener, devoid of any superficialities or barriers.
when we are standing face to face,
The connection the singer desires is meant to take place in person, with physical presence and emotional engagement.
all of my fear would melt away,
The singer is afraid of being misunderstood or rejected and would have their fears assuaged by a true connection with the listener.
with only love left in its place.
The artist believes that such a connection would be imbued with love and positivity, eliminating any negative emotions.
If you could see into my heart,
The artist desires to be understood and known on a deeper level by the listener.
from a forgiving point of view,
The singer wishes the listener would approach them with empathy and kindness, overlooking their flaws and mistakes.
maybe you would not be misled,
The singer believes that if the listener truly understood them, they would not be misunderstood or misjudged.
by all of the awkward things I do.
The artist is aware of their imperfection and the mistakes they make, which could potentially lead to misunderstandings and awkwardness.
Because there's a masterpiece hidden underneath,
The artist believes that despite their imperfections, there is something beautiful and worthwhile inside them.
all my imperfection,
The artist acknowledges their flaws and mistakes.
chisels out to it,
The singer believes that even their mistakes and imperfections contribute to their inner beauty and worth.
let your heart do it,
The artist implores the listener to approach them with empathy and kindness, and to understand them from the heart.
don't be distracted.
The singer urges the listener to not be swayed by their imperfections or external distractions, but to look deeper and connect with them on a genuine level.
Some times I feel so out of place,
The singer experiences feelings of being disconnected or not fitting in with others.
when I'm just trying to to fit in,
The singer is attempting to conform to the expectations of others, despite feeling uncomfortable or inauthentic.
will you try to hear what I can't say?
The artist hopes that the listener will be able to understand them even when they struggle to find the right words.
will you try to see beneath my skin?
The artist wishes to be known on a deeper level, beyond surface level appearances or assumptions.
There's a masterpiece hidden underneath,
Reiteration of the belief that despite imperfections, the singer possesses inherent worth and beauty.
all my imperfection,
Reiteration of the singer's acceptance of their flaws and mistakes.
chisels out to it,
Reiteration of the belief that even imperfections contribute to inner beauty and worth.
let your heart do it,
Reiteration of the plea to approach understanding with empathy and kindness, from the heart.
don't be distracted.
Reiteration of the urge to look beyond imperfections and external distractions to connect with the artist on a genuine level.
If you could meet me soul to soul,
Reiteration of the desire for a true and deep connection with the listener.
when we are standing face to face,
Reiteration of the importance of physical presence and emotional engagement in the desired connection.
all of my fear would melt away,
Reiteration of the belief that a genuine connection would assuage the singer's fears and anxieties.
with only love left in its place.
Reiteration of the belief that such a connection would be imbued with love and positivity, eliminating negative emotions.
Contributed by Adeline P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.