The devolution of Mat McHugh. That’s what we’re talking about. Bands get bi… Read Full Bio ↴The devolution of Mat McHugh. That’s what we’re talking about. Bands get bigger over time. Music gets louder. Everything evolves, there is nothing which doesn’t change over time. Some artists keep trying to find bigger mountains to climb, others make a conscious effort to crawl back into the sea.

In 2002 the frontman and creative force behind The Beautiful Girls began riding the wave as the band’s Morning Sun EP became the radio hit of the Australian Summer. In 2010, after 12 world tours, eight records and 285,000 album sales, the wave reached a musical high-water mark with the critically acclaimed Spooks – a dub tour de force which peaked at number 6 on the US Billboard Reggae Charts and debuted at number one on the Australian Independent charts. The album won over critics around the world and took McHugh to the US for two national tours in the one year. The first with his band to see the old fans and the second to the church of John Butler with nothing but an acoustic guitar between him and a new cast of thousands. The latter was a watershed moment – and now the tide has receded to reveal a new world of inspiration for one of Australia’s best-loved songwriters.

“Spending a year of my life working on Spooks was an amazing journey and it’s a brilliant record, but The John Butler tour was as influential to me as anything in my musical career so far. It was such a grounding, emotionally-fulfilling experience. I’m used to playing in a band to a few thousand people who are having a party, but playing solo to two or three thousand people, I felt connected. Music, for me, has always been about communication. It was a turning point as far as working out what I was going to do next – and that’s what 2011 is about,” Mat muses.

The result is devolution. Mat McHugh’s first album as a naked, raw solo artist. After a decade of striving to get bigger, better, louder and more colourful, the focus is on being transparent. Simple. Honest. Intimate.

This is a roots record in every sense of the word. No computers. No auto-tune. Nothing but guitar, bass and drums. It’s back to where it all began, albeit through the eyes of a man who has spent three quarters of the last decade sampling beats from around the globe and melting them down in his own brand of earthenware.

Devolution isn’t about fashion. It isn’t about what everyone else is doing. It isn’t about trends. Devolution isn’t about a marketing plan and guest appearances. Devolution is about music at its purest. “I want to contribute to the musical landscape in 2011 by making something more about feelings and emotions than it is about musical cleverness,” McHugh says.

“My favourite records, whether they’re Johnny Cash or Nick Drake sound like they could have been made in 2011 or 1960. There’s nothing added, it’s a simple formula. They’re just a little statement of what the people who created them believed to be inherent truths and that’s all I’m trying."

Breaking your Fall
Mat McHugh Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Some days seem complicated, other days don't seem like nothing at all
And some times seem so unlikable,
love comes home knocking at your door
Breaking your fall
Heart's aching, and hands shaking, my broken bones won't sigh no more
It's alright now, it's in sight now,
it's true love I came here to live for
For breaking your fall

For breaking your fall

Overall Meaning

The song “Breaking Your Fall” by Mat McHugh is a heartwarming reflection on love and its power. The lyrics speak of the ups and downs of life, how some days can be complicated and others can be easy. In the midst of all this, the singer seems to have found true love, which has given him a new lease on life. The love that comes knocking on his door is the one that breaks his fall when he feels like life is too heavy to bear. It’s a beautiful metaphor that shows how love can be a source of strength and support when one feels lost.

The lines “Heart's aching, and hands shaking, my broken bones won't sigh no more” are particularly powerful. The singer seems to have been through a lot in life, perhaps been hurt in the past, and is now ready to let love in. He acknowledges that his heart aches and his hands shake, but he’s no longer going to give up or give in. He’s found something worth fighting for, and that’s true love.

In summary, the song is an ode to the power of love to heal and uplift, and how it can give one the strength to face life’s challenges with renewed vigor.

Line by Line Meaning

Some days seem complicated, other days don't seem like nothing at all
Life has its ups and downs, some days are challenging while others are effortless.

And some times seem so unlikable, love comes home knocking at your door
Just when you think things can't get any worse, love arrives unexpectedly to brighten up your life.

Breaking your fall
Love is there to support and catch you when life knocks you down.

Heart's aching, and hands shaking, my broken bones won't sigh no more
Despite the pain and suffering, the presence of love gives strength and a reason to keep going.

It's alright now, it's in sight now, it's true love I came here to live for
With love as the motivation, everything will be alright and there is a clear path to follow.

For breaking your fall
Love is not just a feeling, it's an action that provides support and stability.

For breaking your fall
Love is the reason for the fight and the source of strength to overcome any obstacle.

For breaking your fall
Love is the ultimate savior, rescuing us from the depths of despair and lifting us up to new heights.

Contributed by Lillian G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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