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.
Takes You by Surprise
John McVey Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Though at the start you think you're in control
Before too long you can't turn back
The walls you've built will start to crack
And all your reasons become lies
It always takes you by surprise
You have sworn you'd never play the fool again for love
Every time you fell and broke your heart
By the time you know it's much too late
Through all defenses you devise
It always takes you by surprise
Unspoken words, a silent song
A human right that's never wrong
It never lived and it never dies
And it always takes you by surprise
Each time she takes you by the hand
No one else seems to understand
But we can see it in your eyes
That you've been taken by surprise
What you have to realize
Is it always takes you by surprise
The song "Takes You by Surprise" by John McVey is a reflection on the unpredictable nature of love. The lyrics suggest that even though we may think we have control over our emotions, love has a way of breaking down all our defenses and catching us off guard. The song opens with the line "You can throw logic out the window when it comes to love," which sets the tone for the rest of the song. It's clear that the singer has been hurt before, and has tried to protect themselves from love's unpredictable nature, but ultimately realizes that they can't.
The lyrics are punctuated by the repeated refrain, "It always takes you by surprise," which underscores the theme of the song. No matter how much we try to guard ourselves against love, it has a way of breaking through and catching us off guard. The song also touches on the idea of unspoken emotions and the power of human connection. The lines "Unspoken words, a silent song, a human right that's never wrong" suggest that even though love may be unpredictable and difficult to understand, it is still a fundamental part of the human experience.
Overall, "Takes You by Surprise" is a poignant reflection on the nature of love and the way it can catch us off guard. The lyrics highlight the unpredictability of emotions and the power of human connection. It's a song that speaks to anyone who has ever been surprised by love.
Line by Line Meaning
You can throw logic out the window when it comes to love
Love is illogical and cannot be understood through rational thinking
Though at the start you think you're in control
At the beginning of a relationship, you feel like you have control over your feelings
Before too long you can't turn back
Once you fall in love, it's difficult to change your feelings and go back to the way things were
The walls you've built will start to crack
The emotional barriers you've put up to protect yourself will begin to weaken
And all your reasons become lies
The reasons you had for not wanting to fall in love no longer seem valid when you're in love
It always takes you by surprise
Falling in love is unexpected and unpredictable
You have sworn you'd never play the fool again for love
You've promised yourself that you won't let love make you look foolish like it has before
Every time you fell and broke your heart
In the past, you've been hurt by love
But you learned you can't anticipate
You've come to realize that you can't predict or control your feelings
By the time you know it's much too late
Once you realize you're in love, it's already too late to stop it from happening
Through all defenses you devise
No matter how hard you try to protect yourself, love will find a way in
Unspoken words, a silent song
Love can be felt without words or actions, it's an unsaid feeling
A human right that's never wrong
Love is a fundamental human emotion that cannot be judged right or wrong
It never lived and it never dies
Love is eternal and never truly disappears
And it always takes you by surprise
Love can happen unexpectedly and catches you off guard
Each time she takes you by the hand
When you're with the person you love, their touch can feel powerful
No one else seems to understand
The depth of your emotions is only fully understood by you and your loved one
But we can see it in your eyes
Others can see how deeply you care for the person you love just by looking at you
That you've been taken by surprise
Your feelings for the person you love happened unexpectedly
What you have to realize
It's important to understand
Is it always takes you by surprise
Love is unpredictable and can catch you off guard at any moment
Writer(s): john mcvey
Contributed by William S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.