After departing The Guthries to embark on a solo career, Mays released his self-titled debut which maintained the rootsy, laid-back feel of his earlier work but also had a decidedly more rock vibe. The solo debut caused quite a stir across Canada and went on to be nominated to two Juno Awards (New Artist & Adult Alternative Album).
Mays followed this up with the first Matt Mays & El Torpedo album, recorded with the live band he had formed to tour in support of the Matt Mays album. Matt Mays & El Torpedo had quickly evolved into one of Canada’s best live acts. Produced with Grammy Award-winner Don Smith (Tom Petty, Keith Richards), the album’s first single “Cocaine Cowgirl” was a massive hit and the album went on to win four East Coast Music Awards in 2006. The band began working in the US as well, the highlight of which was an appearance on the Conan O’Brien show.
Just when everyone had him tagged as a Tom Petty inspired rock and roller Mays veered off in another direction, producing the music for ill-fated When the Angels Make Contact film. While it confounded many fans the album was a critical success and went on to be nominated for another Juno in the Adult Alternative Album of the Year category. Matt put together an eight piece band to tour the music and visuals from When The Angels Make Contact.
2008 saw the return of El Torpedo and the Terminal Romance album. Produced in the UK with producer Chris Tsangarides (Thin Lizzy, Judas Priest, Anvil) the album features the singles “Tall Trees”, “Building A Boat”, and the epic title track. Terminal Romance won the ECMA for Rock Album of the Year in 2008 and was nominated for a Juno in the same category.
Mays is back in solo mode now, working on material when not on the road with a new band performing material from all four albums.
Back Home Weather
Matt Mays Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Looking to move on and skip town
You're looking to get lost to be found
'Cause back home weather's got you down
You say you got somewhere to go
Where the palms grow tall and the air lets you know
Roll the windows down as far as they'll go
So you say you got somewhere to go
Take your time, enjoy the view
Don't let 'em get to you anymore
Let everything slide, go along for the ride
Make sure that you decide where you're going
Foreign car with northern plates
Heading down through the southern states
Find a decent motel with decent rates
In a northern car with foreign plates
In a foreign car with northern plates
Take your time, enjoy the view
Don't let 'em get to you anymore
Let everything slide, go along for the ride
Make sure that you decide where you're going
(repeat)
Where you're going (repeat)
The song, "Back Home Weather," by Matt Mays, expresses the feelings of someone who is tired of the depressing and gloomy weather back home, and wants to escape to a place where the weather is conducive to having an enjoyable atmosphere. The lyrics suggest that the weather is responsible for the negativity or sadness felt by the singer. The song tells the story of a person who wants to get "lost" to "be found," and he or she is indifferent about the destination or the journey, as long as it is an opportunity to leave the gloomy back home weather behind. The idea of getting lost to be found is suggestive, and it expresses that the trip is not just about leaving the location but also about finding some inner peace.
The song goes ahead to suggest that the weather is not the only barrier that the person wants to escape but also the people in their life that make them feel bad. The singer advises the person to take their time, let everything slide, enjoy the view, and go along for the ride while ensuring that they decide where they are going. The song is encouraging the person to embark on the journey with a positive mindset, and not let anyone or anything get to them as they move forward with their life.
Line by Line Meaning
Back home weather's got you down
Feeling low due to the unfavorable weather conditions in your hometown.
Looking to move on and skip town
Thinking of leaving your current place and starting anew somewhere else.
You're looking to get lost to be found
Wishing to lose yourself to rediscover who you are and what you want in life.
'Cause back home weather's got you down
Reiterating the negative impact the weather has on your mood and desire to leave.
You say you got somewhere to go
Indicating that you have a destination in mind, somewhere better than your current location.
Where the palms grow tall and the air lets you know
Describing a warm and tropical location where palm trees grow high and the air is refreshing.
Roll the windows down as far as they'll go
Opening the car windows as wide as possible to fully immerse yourself in the new surroundings.
Take your time, enjoy the view
Advising to slow down and appreciate your surroundings and the journey you're on.
Don't let 'em get to you anymore
Encouraging to not let negative people or circumstances affect your mood and outlook.
Let everything slide, go along for the ride
Suggesting to not stress about every small detail and instead go with the flow, embracing the journey.
Make sure that you decide where you're going
Emphasizing the importance of having a clear destination or goal in mind, even if the journey is full of unexpected detours.
Foreign car with northern plates
Driving a car from up north in a location where it's uncommon or unexpected.
Heading down through the southern states
Traveling through the southern United States to reach a warmer and sunnier location.
Find a decent motel with decent rates
Stopping at a affordable yet comfortable motel for the night.
In a northern car with foreign plates
Repeating the earlier lyric with slightly different phrasing.
Where you're going
Reminding to not lose sight of your ultimate destination or goal.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
The Poetry Lark
I use to own this CD , it came along in a time in life when it was crutial to hear, lost it but managed to hang on to my signed copy of his El-torpedo collaboration..I hope it's helping someone else.
Missin'Marbles Fishing
Puts me in a good mood no matter what. Ah Nova Scotia.... good to be back home.
RickMyTrainer
This may be my fav Mays track.
Shawn Hambler
What's the story behind why it's your favorite?
akakc
I've loved SRB for at least a dozen years. Saw them in Buffalo for free in 09, best time of my life. I've heard of mmays thru them.. I'm from New York and this is my first time hearing this song. It's really beautiful and I can definitely tell why people are relating to it, saying it's his best and the general emotion encompassing the work as a whole. Love it!
Travis Teeter
Why do Matt Mays videos not have more views and likes?
Maritimer
Love this tune, might be his best.
Daniel Hunt
One of the best modern bands !!
Erinn Kenney
Sad that I can’t find this on Apple Music. A lot of the old stuff with El Torpedo isn’t there. Oh well, at least I can come listen here on YouTube.
TheMBorax
Neil Young could've written this...but Matt sings much better! 'Discovering' Matt again has been great!