He has toured with Owl City, John Mayer, Sheryl Crow, The Fray, Jason Mraz, Vedera Newsboys, MUTEMATH, Meiko, Cary Brothers, and Train; and headlined VH1's first ever "You Oughta Know Tour" in the spring of 2007.
Kearney's songs have appeared on the television series: Dirty Sexy Money, Kyle XY, The Unit, Without A Trace, Laguna Beach, The Hills, Bones, Jericho, Friday Night Lights, Wildfire, What About Brian, South Beach, 8th & Ocean, One Tree Hill, Scrubs, The Closer, NCIS, Life Unexpected and Grey's Anatomy.
He attended California State University, Chico in Chico, California where he majored in literature and played soccer until his junior year. It was also at this time when Mat picked up a guitar for the first time. Using a roommate's guitar, he tried covering other songs. Realizing he wasn't too good at it, he began writing his own.
Kearney has stated that his legal name is Mathew due to a nurse's error on his birth certificate. He discovered the error while in the 8th grade when he noticed how his mom corrected the error with red ink, never legally correcting it. Since then, he embraced the one T in his legal name.
Bullet
Mat Kearney Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Trying to remember whenever there was nobody listening
Before the hugging and the kissing, the booing and the hissing
All I had was just a vision,
All I had was my ambition
Your love without condition
Kept me swinging when I'm missing
My eyes upon the prize
Kept me striving for the mission
When I was down for the count, falling out of commission
I can hear you voice now screaming out "son, listen"
Get on up, don't give up, though you struck opposition
Time to buck all that stuff, find out what's you condition
Like a pull in my soul, like keys in my ignition
Call you all my commission, my love and my vision and
It doesn't matter if they call me wrong
Doesn't matter if they steal my song
Doesn't matter if we're all alone
It doesn't matter at all
'Cause I would take a bullet for you
I would take a bullet for you
I would cross any line, I'd swim across the sea
I would take a bullet for you
I would take a bullet for you
I would lose it all, I'd take my fall
To show you it's for real
Remember when we used to flow together back in the park
You would slang guitar licks under the stars in the dark
You'd say let's grow together as this world falls apart
I was holding on to hope but hardly holding a spark
All the rhymes that I wrote you'd call dope from the start
I'd be like a pure note. like a quote on the mark
You'd go to every show and promote from the start
From the beginning we've been building much more than this art
Remember bearing scars in you car to impart you heart
You cared enough to call my bluff through the junk from the start
That's why you're holding onto half of my heart
You've been there through the times,
Through the nights that were dark and
It doesn't matter if they call me wrong
Doesn't matter if they steal my song
Doesn't matter if we're all alone
It doesn't matter at all
'Cause I would take a bullet for you
I would take a bullet for you
I would cross any line, I'd swim across the sea
I would take a bullet for you
I would take a bullet for you
I would lose it all, I'd take my fall
To show you it's for real
It doesn't matter if they call me wrong
Doesn't matter if they steal my song
Doesn't matter if we're all alone
It doesn't matter at all x2
'Cause I would take a bullet for you
I would take a bullet for you
I would cross any line, I'd swim across the sea
I would take a bullet for you
I would take a bullet for you
I would lose it all, I'd take my fall
To show you it's for real
In Mat Kearney's song "Bullet," the artist reflects on a past relationship and the love he had for the other person. He remembers a time when it was just the two of them, and he had a vision for his future. He acknowledges the struggles they faced, including opposition and doubts, but his love for the other person kept him going. He believes that his love for the person is real and that he would do anything for them, even taking a bullet or sacrificing everything else in his life.
The line "I would take a bullet for you" is a powerful metaphor for the depth of love that the artist feels for the other person. It's a declaration that he would do anything to protect and care for them. The artist recognizes that society may not always approve of their relationship or his career, but his love is all that matters, and he's willing to sacrifice everything to prove that it's real.
The artist also reflects on the history of their relationship, including the early days when they would play guitar together in the park. He recognizes their shared passion for music and their deep connection, which has only grown stronger over time. The artist remembers the times when they faced challenges together, including difficult times when they had to rely on each other for strength.
In summary, "Bullet" is a song about the depth of love and commitment that the artist feels for someone who has been an important part of his life. It's a powerful declaration of the artist's willingness to sacrifice everything for that person, and a recognition of the challenges they have faced together.
Line by Line Meaning
Yesterday I was sitting. recalling. reminiscing
I was reflecting on the past, taking a trip down memory lane
Trying to remember whenever there was nobody listening
I was trying to recall when I didn't have an audience or anyone to support me
Before the hugging and the kissing, the booing and the hissing
Before the affection and criticism, before the cheers and jeers
All I had was just a vision,
All I had was a dream, a goal to strive for
All I had was my ambition
My drive and determination kept me going
Your love without condition
Your unwavering love and support
Kept me swinging when I'm missing
You kept me going despite my setbacks and failures
My eyes upon the prize
I was focused on achieving my goal
Kept me striving for the mission
I was motivated to keep working towards my objective
When I was down for the count, falling out of commission
When I was discouraged and needed a break
I can hear you voice now screaming out 'son, listen'
I can still hear your words of encouragement
Get on up, don't give up, though you struck opposition
Get back up and keep pushing forward, even when faced with challenges
Time to buck all that stuff, find out what's your condition
Time to let go of all the negativity and figure out your true state of being
Like a pull in my soul, like keys in my ignition
A strong inner motivation, like the spark that ignites an engine
Call you all my commission, my love and my vision and
You are my purpose, my reason for striving, and my love
It doesn't matter if they call me wrong
It doesn't matter if others judge and criticize me
Doesn't matter if they steal my song
It doesn't matter if others take credit for my work
Doesn't matter if we're all alone
It doesn't matter if we're isolated or unsupported
I would take a bullet for you
I would do anything to protect and support you
I would cross any line, I'd swim across the sea
I would go to great lengths and overcome any obstacle for you
I would lose it all, I'd take my fall
I would risk everything and face the consequences for you
To show you it's for real
To prove the depth and sincerity of my love and commitment
Remember when we used to flow together back in the park
Remember when we used to create and collaborate together in our youth
You would slang guitar licks under the stars in the dark
You would play your guitar and make music with me under the night sky
You'd say let's grow together as this world falls apart
You encouraged us to stay united and support each other in a chaotic world
I was holding on to hope but hardly holding a spark
I was hopeful but struggling to find motivation
All the rhymes that I wrote you'd call dope from the start
You loved and supported my creative work from the beginning
I'd be like a pure note. like a quote on the mark
My work was authentic and impactful
You'd go to every show and promote from the start
You would attend all my performances and help promote my work
From the beginning we've been building much more than this art
Our relationship and collaboration is deeper than just our creative endeavors
Remember bearing scars in your car to impart your heart
Remember when you shared your emotional burdens with me in your car
You cared enough to call my bluff through the junk from the start
You cared enough to challenge me and help me grow from the beginning
That's why you're holding onto half of my heart
You have a significant and meaningful place in my life and heart
You've been there through the times, through the nights that were dark
You have been a constant support and presence in my life, even during difficult times
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Capitol CMG Publishing
Written by: MATHEW KEARNEY, ROBERT L. MARVIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind