Ward was previously with the band Rodriguez, which included bassist Kyle Field (of Little Wings fame) and drummer Mike Funk. They recorded and released on cassette Box Plots and Cash Crops and then the album Swing Like a Metronome in 2000. Duet for Guitars #2 was released on Howe Gelb's Ow Om record label. Ward's 2001 album, End of Amnesia, was released by Future Farmer Records, and his subsequent albums have been released on Merge Records. A collection of live recordings, Live Music & the Voices of Strangers, was a self-released disc that was sold at his shows. His next album, Transfiguration of Vincent, was released in 2003, followed by Transistor Radio in 2005. A year later, Post War was released.
In 2006, he contributed a song to, and helped produce, the John Fahey tribute album, I Am the Resurrection. He also contributed the song "Transfiguration #1" from Transfiguration of Vincent to the Brushfire Records soundtrack for A Brokedown Melody, a Jack Johnson surfing film.
His album, Hold Time, was released in 2009. The album A Wasteland Companion followed in 2012. The album title alludes to T.S. Eliot's 1922 modernist poem, The Waste Land. In 2016, he released More Rain. On June 8, 2018, M. Ward released What a Wonderful Industry.
Side Projects
In 2008 M. Ward combined forces with Zooey Deschanel and became She & Him. They have released two albums so far, Volume One in 2008 and Volume Two in 2010. He is also one fourth of the folk supergroup, Monsters of Folk, alongside Jim James from My Morning Jacket, and Conor Oberst & Mike Mogis from Bright Eyes. Their self-titled release, Monsters of Folk, was released in 2009.
* Official website
Eyes on the Prize
M. Ward Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Everything I've forgotten looks just like new
I pulled the ends out for the tie that binds
To keep my promise with you
[Chorus]
With my eyes on the prize
And my mind on you
My whole life too
Now anything you ask me for is yours
Now say the word and I'll lay it at your feet
I'll meet the pavements down the line somehow
If you keep your promise with me
[Chorus]
You say, take your axe and fashion me a kind of swing
Walkin' blues have played a number on my feet
I'll dance whatever dance you need to dance
'Cause you keep you promise with me
You'll keep your promise with me
You'll keep your promise
You'll keep your promise
You'll keep your promise with me
M. Ward's song "Eyes on the Prize" is a reflection on love and commitment. The first two lines, "Everything I've learned I have forgotten / Everything I've forgotten looks just like new," suggest that the singer has been through a lot in life, but that his or her experiences have faded with time. However, the promise he or she made to the loved one is still strong and enduring. The tie that binds is an acknowledgement of the promise, and the singer's effort to keep it.
The chorus, "With my eyes on the prize / And my mind on you / I put my pride on the line / My whole life too," further emphasizes the singer's commitment to the loved one. The prize is likely the love and companionship that the two share. The singer is willing to put everything on the line to maintain this relationship, including his or her pride and life itself.
The last verse, "You say, take your axe and fashion me a kind of swing / Walkin' blues have played a number on my feet / I'll dance whatever dance you need to dance / 'Cause you keep you promise with me," suggests that the loved one has been through difficulties in life as well. However, the singer is willing to do whatever it takes to help the loved one through these tough times, as long as the promise is kept.
Overall, "Eyes on the Prize" conveys a message of dedication and devotion in the face of adversity. The singer recognizes that life has its ups and downs, but his or her commitment to the loved one remains steadfast.
Line by Line Meaning
Everything I've learned I have forgotten
All of the knowledge I had acquired doesn't seem to be useful to me anymore
Everything I've forgotten looks just like new
The forgotten knowledge has an element of newness and might be useful again
I pulled the ends out for the tie that binds
I went beyond my limits in order to keep the promise I made
To keep my promise with you
I am determined to keep my commitment to you
With my eyes on the prize
I am focused on the goal that we have set
And my mind on you
You are constantly on my mind as I work towards our goal
I put my pride on the line
I am willing to set aside my ego and do whatever it takes to achieve our goal
My whole life too
I am committed to putting my entire being towards accomplishing our shared aim
Now anything you ask me for is yours
I am willing to do whatever it takes to fulfill your needs and desires
Now say the word and I'll lay it at your feet
All you have to do is ask, and I will make it happen for you
I'll meet the pavements down the line somehow
I am willing to work hard and face difficult situations for us to achieve our goal
If you keep your promise with me
Our shared commitment to each other will make achieving our aim possible
You say, take your axe and fashion me a kind of swing
You are making a request that I will strive to fulfill no matter what it takes
Walkin' blues have played a number on my feet
I have faced many challenges and obstacles, but I am determined to keep moving forward
I'll dance whatever dance you need to dance
I am willing to adapt myself and do whatever it takes to accomplish our aim
'Cause you keep you promise with me
As long as you keep your commitment to me, I will do whatever it takes to make our goal possible
You'll keep your promise with me
I have faith in your commitment to our shared aim
You'll keep your promise
You will not let me down, and you will stay true to our commitment
You'll keep your promise
You will stay true to our commitment
You'll keep your promise with me
I believe that you will stay true to our commitment and help us achieve our goal
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: MATTHEW STEPHEN WARD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind