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.
Queen of Portland Street
Matt Mays Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
One, two, three, four
He wants the life-changing song on a white cassette
Old melody I'll never forget
Your gettin' me a triple-triple and a BCD
The good times'll be on me
Find me the queen of Portland street
Out in the five-runner out in the rain
Me and G chasing hurricanes
Come on Lanny cut me a deal
I work so hard and I never steal
In the 827 punched out my lights
Down at Rudy's last Saturday night
I know this road like the back of my hand
From the donair temple to the L-Town sand
Me and G'll meet you down in the dunes
With the moon and the tunes yeah we'll be there soon
Throw in the shifter one two and three
Find me the queen of Portland street
Out in the five-runner out in the rain
Me and G chasing hurricanes
And the good times, they go, flyin' with the sparrow south
They flying so hard, cause fools like you and me
Man will never understand
Or get to dismiss all this distance
Throw in the shifter one two and three
Find me the queen of Portland street
Out in the five-runner out in the rain
Me and G chasing hurricanes
Throw in the shifter one two and three
Find me the queen of Portland street
Out in the five-runner out in the rain
Me and G chasing hurricanes
Me and G chasing hurricanes
Me and G chasing hurricanes
Me and G gon' be chasing hurricanes
"Queen of Portland Street" by Matt Mays is a song that captures the essence of nostalgia and the longing for simpler times. The lyrics tell a story of the singer reminiscing about a past love and a time when life seemed more carefree. The opening lines, "He wants the life-changing song on a white cassette, Old melody I'll never forget," set the tone for the song, emphasizing the power of music to evoke memories and emotions.
The mention of a "triple-triple and a BCD" refers to ordering coffee at Tim Hortons, a popular Canadian coffee chain. This detail adds a touch of familiarity and everyday life to the song. The reference to the queen of Portland street suggests that the singer is searching for someone or something special in a place that holds significance to them. The line, "Me and G chasing hurricanes," conveys a sense of adventure and a desire to escape the mundane.
As the song progresses, the lyrics reveal a yearning for freedom and a rejection of societal norms. The singer mentions Lanny, asking for a deal, perhaps indicating a desire to break free from the constraints of work and the monotony of everyday life. The line, "I know this road like the back of my hand, from the donair temple to the L-Town sand," speaks to a deep connection with a place and a feeling of familiarity and belonging.
The song's chorus, repeated multiple times, reinforces the desire to find joy and excitement amidst the routine of life. The "good times" are portrayed as elusive yet irresistible, "flyin' with the sparrow south." The song captures the bittersweet longing for a time when everything felt vibrant and alive.
Overall, "Queen of Portland Street" takes listeners on a journey of longing and reminiscence, celebrating the power of music, adventure, and the pining for the good old days.
Line by Line Meaning
He wants the life-changing song on a white cassette
He desires a song with the power to transform his life, recorded on a white cassette tape
Old melody I'll never forget
A nostalgic tune that will always remain in his memory
Your gettin' me a triple-triple and a BCD
You're buying him a large coffee with three creams and three sugars, along with a breakfast sandwich
The good times'll be on me
He will be responsible for creating enjoyable moments and experiences
Throw in the shifter one two and three
Engage the gears quickly, shifting from first to third
Find me the queen of Portland street
Help him locate the most captivating and influential person on Portland street
Out in the five-runner out in the rain
Driving in the rain with a powerful vehicle known as a five-runner
Me and G chasing hurricanes
He and his companion, G, actively seeking thrilling and intense experiences
Come on Lanny cut me a deal
Urging Lanny to offer him a favorable agreement or arrangement
I work so hard and I never steal
Highlighting his strong work ethic and commitment to honesty
In the 827 punched out my lights
His car, the 827, experienced a malfunction or breakdown
Down at Rudy's last Saturday night
He was at Rudy's establishment on the previous Saturday night
I know this road like the back of my hand
He is incredibly familiar with this road and knows it thoroughly
From the donair temple to the L-Town sand
Referring to specific locations on this road, from a popular donair restaurant to a sandy area in L-Town
Me and G'll meet you down in the dunes
He and G will rendezvous with someone in the dunes
With the moon and the tunes yeah we'll be there soon
Arriving shortly with the moon as their guide and music as their companion
And the good times, they go, flyin' with the sparrow south
The enjoyable moments swiftly pass by and move towards the southern direction like a bird
They flying so hard, cause fools like you and me
These experiences are vibrant and intense, affecting individuals like him and the listener
Man will never understand
People will struggle to comprehend or grasp the significance of these experiences
Or get to dismiss all this distance
Unable to disregard the emotional or physical separation associated with these experiences
Me and G gon' be chasing hurricanes
He and G will continue to actively seek and pursue intense, exhilarating experiences
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Adam Andrew Baldwin, Matt Mays
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
SHARK_REALM
I’ve heard this song on the radio a million times, completely grew up with it, and just came to find that Matt is Nova Scotian!! Makes my childhood so much sweeter knowing it is about the place I live. I’m not a singer and I don’t like singing in front of other people, but whenever it’s just me and my dad in the diesel truck driving on a gravel backroad with the windows down and this song comes on, we always sing the lyrics together.
Daniel Golden
Like reminiscing with old friends. This song always puts a smile on my face.
akakc
I love how this song keeps me on my toes listening and expecting and waiting for the bass to drop and the drums to just start running 😄🏃♂️⚡⚡
27poopsmoothie
" get me a tripple tripple and a BCD" So awesome to tie in Tim Hortons. haha This album is in my top 5 right now!
AMM3
Lucky enough to see him live a few times now, and I'll take any chance in the future 10/10 recommended!! ❤❤❤❤❤❤
Michael Pierrynowski
loved seeing him on canada day! became a Matt Mays fan after that concert
rob m
such a whicked tune, cant get enough of coyote in general
Trinity Barnes
he's so perfect, my heart hurts.
ForzaGuy298
Saw matt last night in halifax such an awsome high energy guy
haus05
such an awesome song :) cant wait till oct 13th!!!