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.
Indio
Matt Mays Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In the key of sea, 10 colors... high
Echo, echo, sound on, sound on
On the sign of the night
Won't you take me back home, home
Ride tree with them high... in the sun
Ride the Babylon down, out on 55 up
In the 88 am radio
It's coming on strong, it's getting you wrong
It's gonna let it go
[Chorus]
Indio, won't you take me in?
The sound like old fashion, California sin, whoa
There's the... I don't make up with the dice
Watch the shake on,
If I give myself to you,
Well you gotta give yourself to me
And to loose
In the spirits of the deserts, a ride riding in that... slow
It's just... my headlights, as if the ruins will get on...
I was born out on the day the music died
The sun busted open just like some power ship collide
And the speed's coming on me strong
It's the only I'm going in, go home
[Chorus]
Indio, won't you take me in?
The sound like old fashion, California sin, whoa
There's the... I don't make up with the dice
Watch the shake on,
If I give myself to you,
Well you gotta give yourself to me
And to loose
[Guitar break]
Run, run, run, you are free now
Run, run, run, you are free
Run, run, run, you are free now
Run, run, run, you are free
It don't matter cause I got my song
It don't matter cause I got my song
It don't matter cause I got my song
It don't matter cause I got my song
Well you love, getting...
[Chorus]
Indio, won't you take me in?
The sound like old fashion, California sin, whoa
There's the... I don't make up with the dice
Watch the shake on,
If I give myself to you,
Well you gotta give yourself to me
And to loose.
The lyrics to Matt Mays's song "Indio" are full of poetry, with images and metaphors that paint a vivid picture of a journey through the desert Southwest of the United States. The opening lines refer to a flower blooming on someone's face, which could be interpreted as a sign of beauty or as a metaphor for a bright spot in a difficult situation. The next line suggests that the key to this journey is the sea, which could be seen as a symbol of freedom or escape.
The chorus of the song seems to be a plea to someone, possibly the town of Indio itself, to take the singer in and help ease his troubles. He refers to old-fashioned California sin, implying that he is searching for something wild and free. He also mentions giving himself to someone else and the need to let go, suggesting that he is looking for a release from his burdens.
As the song continues, the lyrics become more abstract, with references to riding a tree and watching ruins in the headlights. The song ends with a repetition of the chorus and a final message of freedom and the power of music.
Overall, the lyrics to "Indio" are open to interpretation, but they paint a vivid picture of a journey through a desert landscape and the need for escape and freedom.
Line by Line Meaning
Yellow, yellow, bloom on the face
The color yellow is everywhere, creating a vibrant atmosphere
In the key of sea, 10 colors... high
The surroundings are awe-inspiring, with ten different shades of blue from sea to sky
Echo, echo, sound on, sound on
The sound travels for a long distance, creating echoes
On the sign of the night
The night is alive with possibilities
Won't you take me back home, home
The singer longs for a place that feels like home
Ride tree with them high... in the sun
The singer rides with friends in the heat of the sun
Ride the Babylon down, out on 55 up
The group is on a wild ride on a major road
And you know there's something going home
There's a sense of comfort in returning home
In the 88 am radio
The radio is tuned to a favorite station
It's coming on strong, it's getting you wrong
The feeling is intense and confusing
It's gonna let it go
The singer will let it out and feel better
Indio, won't you take me in?
The singer calls on the place to welcome them back
The sound like old fashion, California sin, whoa
There's a nostalgic, sinful feeling about the place
There's the... I don't make up with the dice
There's uncertainty in life
Watch the shake on,
Be careful and stay alert
If I give myself to you,
If the singer comes back, they'll be all in
Well you gotta give yourself to me
The singer needs to feel welcomed in return
And to loose
The singer could lose everything, but is willing to take the risk
In the spirits of the deserts, a ride riding in that... slow
The vibes of the desert are present, as the group drives slowly through it
It's just... my headlights, as if the ruins will get on...
The singer can barely see through the ruins and debris on the road
I was born out on the day the music died
The singer comes from a time when music was changing
The sun busted open just like some power ship collide
The sun is intense and blinding
And the speed's coming on me strong
The feeling is growing quickly and strongly
It's the only I'm going in, go home
The singer knows where they belong and needs to go there
Run, run, run, you are free now
There's a sense of freedom in running away
It don't matter cause I got my song
The singer finds comfort in their music
Well you love, getting...
The last bit of the sentence is unclear and difficult to interpret
Contributed by Kennedy N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@Digitalhunny
Indio lyrics:
Yellow, yellow, bloom on the face
In the key of sea, 10 colors ...high
Echo, echo, sound on, sound on
On the sign of the night
Won't you take me back home, home
Ride tree with them high ...in the sun
Ride the Babylon down, out on 55 up
And you know there's something going home
In the 88 am radio
It's coming on strong, it's getting you wrong
It's gonna let it go
Indio, won't you take me in?
The sound like old fashion, California sin, whoa
There's the... I don't make up with the dice
Watch the shake on,
If I give myself to you,
Well you gotta give yourself to me
And to loose
In the spirits of the deserts, a ride riding in that... slow
It's just ...my headlights, as if the ruins will get on ...
I was born out on the day the music died
The sun busted open just like some power ship collide
And the speed's coming on me strong
It's the only I'm going in, go home
Indio, won't you take me in?
The sound like old fashion, California sin, whoa
There's the... I don't make up with the dice
Watch the shake on,
If I give myself to you,
Well you gotta give yourself to me
That's the rules
Run, run, run, you are free now
Run, run, run, you are free
Run, run, run, you are free now
Run, run, run, you are free
It don't matter cause I got my song
It don't matter cause I got my song
It don't matter cause I got my song
It don't matter cause I got my song
Well you love, getting ...
Indio, won't you take me in?
The sound like old fashion, California sin, whoa
There's the... I don't make up with the dice
Watch the shake on,
If I give myself to you,
Well you gotta give yourself to me
And to loose.
@JessSteeves13
Proud to be a Nova Scotian because of this man
@joechiasson6056
New brunswick here. Loved Matt's music sing my early 20s. Almost 40 now
@AMM3.
@@joechiasson6056 also from new Brunswick.. east coast pride lol.. I've also been listening since I was in high school.. in my 30s now.. matt Mays.. sound track of my life!!.also is he aging at a different pace than me or something??
@AMM3.
@@jonathanspak8495 east coast is where it's at! Come visit us as soon as you aren't worried ur gonna die from covid (though I think we kept that under wraps too lol)
@Digitalhunny
Atlantic coast, rules!
@aimcrazy5843
Newfoundland here love matt mays he's so underrated
@hellomyfriend67
You can't help but feel good when you hear this song. Every. Single. Time! Matt should be a SUPERSTAR!
@acsparkplug
I get the impression that he doesn't give a shit about being a superstar... 😎
@Saunders78
The song of the summer
@skye2pto701
My favourite video ever. East coasters are the best.