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
Right in the Head
M. Ward Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I hope he don't forget where he came from
I hope he never has to deal with wrongin' someone
'Cause I lived with many ghosts when I was younger
And I will live with many ghosts until I go
[Chorus:]
I hope he's right in the head
I hope he's right in the head
Even if he has to wrong someone
[Chorus]
and I hope his guardian angel puts a gun in his hand
If ever they get ambushed or pursued
I hope she sticks around when he does dirty in this dirty duel he's brewed
And though the names will get changed to protect the innocent
He said, "I hope the names will get changed to protect me."
[Chorus: x2]
'Cause I lived with many ghosts when I was younger
And I will live with many ghosts until I go
The lyrics of M. Ward’s “Right in the Head” explores the artist’s hopes for his little brother’s life. The lines “I hope my little brother puts a call in today, I hope he don't forget where he came from, I hope he never has to deal with wrongin' someone” show the artist’s genuine concern for his little brother’s well-being. The artist hopes that his little brother maintains a connection to his roots and never has to do something wrong to someone else. The two hopes are connected, as there is a possibility that his little brother might have to do something wrong to someone to make it through life, but the artist hopes that he will be able to avoid such a situation.
The chorus of the song, which repeats the phrase “I hope he’s right in the head,” highlights the artist’s concern about his brother’s mental health. The artist is concerned that his little brother will be able to navigate life without any mental health issues that will interfere with his quality of life. However, the final lines of the song – “'Cause I lived with many ghosts when I was younger / And I will live with many ghosts until I go” – reveal the deep personal resonance this song has for the artist. Perhaps, through his little brother, the artist is trying to prevent his own personal struggles from plaguing the next generation of his family.
Line by Line Meaning
I hope my little brother puts a call in today
I hope my little brother stays connected with me and our family by reaching out to us by phone.
I hope he don't forget where he came from
I hope he remembers his roots and doesn't become disconnected from his past and the people who helped shape him.
I hope he never has to deal with wrongin' someone
I hope he never has to do something immoral or dishonest that may negatively affect another person.
'Cause I lived with many ghosts when I was younger
Because I have struggled with past mistakes and carry the burden of those memories with me.
And I will live with many ghosts until I go
And I will continue to carry the weight of my past actions and consequences for the rest of my life.
[Chorus:] I hope he's right in the head
I hope he has a strong and clear mind, with the ability to make wise and moral decisions.
[Chorus:] Even if he has to wrong someone
Even if he is put in a tough situation where he has to make an unethical decision to protect himself or others.
And I hope his guardian angel puts a gun in his hand
I hope he has the strength and ability to physically protect himself and those around him.
If ever they get ambushed or pursued
If he is ever faced with danger or threat from others.
I hope she sticks around when he does dirty in this dirty duel he's brewed
I hope his guardian angel will protect him even in situations where he may have to do something morally questionable or unlawful.
And though the names will get changed to protect the innocent
And even though the details of situations may be altered to keep the identities of the innocent safe and anonymous.
He said, 'I hope the names will get changed to protect me.'
He hopes that his own identity and reputation will also be protected in these situations where he may have to do something wrong.
[Chorus: x2]
I hope he is always able to make the right choices and have a clear conscience, even in tough situations that challenge him.
'Cause I lived with many ghosts when I was younger
Because I have struggled with past mistakes and carry the burden of those memories with me.
And I will live with many ghosts until I go
And I will continue to carry the weight of my past actions and consequences for the rest of my life.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: MATTHEW STEPHEN WARD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind