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.
Slow Burning Luck
Matt Mays Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Makin like a *****
cracking like a whip
whoa ain't that just like my heart beat
when you kiss what i ********
yeah the night is young
let the flight take the bullets
from the gun
one by one by one by one by one
whoa I
whoa I
whoa I don't want much
just four wheels turning
and some slow burning luck
as heavy as a mother's tear
as tangled as the wind
whoa lets waltz in through
the great stampede of this trouble that we're in
but highway lover you're the only one
you're the only one
and the sky is dark with arrows
yeah they're blacking out the sun
blacking out the sun
I
whoa I
whoa I don't want much
just four wheels turning
and some slow burning luck
take me high
whoa high
let me live and let me die
on four wheels turning
and some slow burning luck
yeah the highway opens like the sky
and parts like a sea
Yeah I'm leaving tired
I need some luck rising over me
angels on the valley wall
singing only true love gets this far
and the love falls in like stars
it's tripping me out
it's tripping me out
instrumental
whoa I
whoa I
whoa I don't want much
just four wheels turning
and some slow burning luck
take me high
whoa high
let me live and let me die
on four wheels turning
and some slow burning luck
slow
burning luck
slow
burning luck
slow
burning luck
slow
burning luck
slow
burning luck
slow
The lyrics to Matt Mays’ Slow Burning Luck are a reflective meditation on the precariousness of life and the uncertain nature of love. The opening lines suggest both the harshness of life and the urgency of passion: “Makin like a ***** / cracking like a whip / whoa ain't that just like my heart beat / when you kiss what i ********”. The unnamed “you” is the object of the singer’s affection, and the lyrics suggest the perilousness of love, especially as it finds expression through physical intimacy: “highway lover the night is young / yeah the night is young / let the flight take the bullets from the gun / one by one by one by one by one”.
For the singer, love is a form of adventure, a kind of escapism from the mundane world of everyday life. The chorus reinforces this sense of longing and desperation: “whoa I / whoa I / whoa I don't want much / just four wheels turning / and some slow burning luck”. The image of “four wheels turning” is particularly poignant, suggesting both movement and freedom, the idea of being able to escape to a better place. The lyrics speak to a deep sense of yearning, a desire to transcend the limits of ordinary existence, and find meaning and happiness in love.
Line by Line Meaning
Makin like a *****
Going full speed ahead
cracking like a whip
Making a loud, startling noise
whoa ain't that just like my heart beat
My heart beats as fast and loud as a whip cracking sound
when you kiss what i ********
When you kiss what I desire
highway lover the night is young
Driving down the highway with a sense of freedom; it's still early in the night
let the flight take the bullets from the gun
Let time take care of any troubles or issues
whoa I
Expressing excitement
whoa I don't want much
I don't have many wants or needs
just four wheels turning
The only thing I need is a car to travel
and some slow burning luck
I hope for long-lasting fortune
as heavy as a mother's tear
A heavy feeling of sadness and loss, comparable to a mother's tears for her child
as tangled as the wind
Feeling disorganized and confused, like the wind's ever-changing direction
whoa lets waltz in through the great stampede of this trouble that we're in
Let's embrace the chaos and walk through the problems we face
but highway lover you're the only one
The only constant in my life right now is the freedom of driving
and the sky is dark with arrows
Metaphor for the many difficulties coming my way
yeah they're blacking out the sun
The problems seem overwhelming and take away from the beauty of life
take me high
I crave an adrenaline rush
let me live and let me die
I want to live life to the fullest, even if it means taking risks
on four wheels turning
While on the open road
yeah the highway opens like the sky
The road to the future is open and limitless
and parts like a sea
As it winds and twists, the highway feels like parts of a great ocean
Yeah I'm leaving tired
I'm tired of living the same life every day
I need some luck rising over me
I hope for some positivity and fortune in the near future
angels on the valley wall
Hope for divine guidance or protection
singing only true love gets this far
Only genuine love can endure time and hardships
and the love falls in like stars
Love unexpectedly enters one's life, like stars falling from the sky
it's tripping me out
It's something that is surprising or unbelievable
slow burning luck
Hoping for consistent, long-term success
Contributed by Molly V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Derek M
Best song on the album!
Jester0866
Excellent tune!
Col_in_Hellifax
Can't...stop...listening.
coralrosebud
this should have 5 million views, not 500! get on the Matt Mays train, folks, this new album is awesome!
Derek M
Love 2:07 !
Jakob Mousey B
where the hell do I find the lyrics!!!
\m/