Matt Mays (born August 10, 1979, in Hamilton, Ontario, and raised in Nova S… Read Full Bio ↴Matt Mays (born August 10, 1979, in Hamilton, Ontario, and raised in Nova Scotia) is a Canadian singer-songwriter and was the lead singer of Matt Mays & El Torpedo, a rock music group based in Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia and New York City. Previously, Mays was a member of a Canadian indie band The Guthries.

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.

Spoonful Of Sugar
Matt Mays Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Spoonful of sugar in Montreal city
When the leaves are dying and look so pretty
At home the ships are on the rocks and sinking
And as hard as we try
We just can't stop thinking

Dirt in my fist roots on my sleeve
This year the trees fell before the leaves

People like me like people like you
Cause people like you are far too few

Oh night daylight had got nothing on you
And nothing's everlasting when your
Always just passing through Oh no!

Ear full of music just when I need it
Your sould won't sing unless you bleed it
Lookin' for answers through the night owl's window
A million miles an hour through the wind n' snow
A spoonful of sugar in Montreal city

Nothing can cure this homesick disease
This fall the trees fell before the leaves

Overall Meaning

The song Spoonful of Sugar by Matt Mays is a melancholic reflection on the fleetingness of life and the inevitability of change. The opening lines of the song depict the beautiful city of Montreal during fall. While the leaves are dying and looking pretty at the same time, the songwriter uses the metaphor of spoonful of sugar to describe the sweetness of life that exists even in the midst of chaos and destruction. The chorus of the song captures the contrast between day and night and how nothing is everlasting when you are always passing through. It talks about how music can provide solace during tough times and how people who are able to connect with this form of artistic expression are becoming increasingly rare.

The second verse of the song portrays the poet's sense of displacement and loneliness as he tries to look for answers through the night owls' window, traveling at a million miles an hour through the wind and snow. Finally, the song ends with a stark reminder that nothing can ever cure the homesick disease that we feel when we see the fall of trees before the leaves have even fallen. Thus, Spoonful of Sugar is a somber reminder of the transience of life, and how we need to make the most of our time here, even in the face of seemingly insurmountable challenges.

Line by Line Meaning

Spoonful of sugar in Montreal city
There is something sweet like a 'spoonful of sugar' in Montreal city that makes life enjoyable amidst the dying leaves.

When the leaves are dying and look so pretty
Despite the dying leaves, they still look beautiful in their final moments of life.

At home the ships are on the rocks and sinking
There are problems back at home where things seem to be going wrong and going downhill.

And as hard as we try We just can't stop thinking
Although they try to forget and move on, they can't help but constantly think of their problems and worries.

Dirt in my fist roots on my sleeve
They have been working hard and are covered in dirt, implying they have been putting in effort in some way.

This year the trees fell before the leaves
Things seem to be happening out of order and abnormal this year, even nature is not following its usual pattern.

People like me like people like you Cause people like you are far too few
There are not enough people like the one they are addressing, and they appreciate them for being special and unique.

Oh night daylight had got nothing on you And nothing's everlasting when your Always just passing through Oh no!
The darkness of night has a quality that is better than daylight, though nothing is ever permanent as everything is constantly changing and passing by.

Ear full of music just when I need it Your soul won't sing unless you bleed it
Music has the power to soothe and uplift someone when they need it most. However, it also takes a level of passion and dedication to truly be able to express oneself through music.

Lookin' for answers through the night owl's window A million miles an hour through the wind n' snow A spoonful of sugar in Montreal city
In the midst of searching for answers and going through tough times, they can still find some joy and sweetness in the little pleasures of life in Montreal city.

Nothing can cure this homesick disease This fall the trees fell before the leaves
They are feeling homesick and there is an emptiness inside that cannot be filled. Additionally, the trees lost its leaves prematurely this fall season.

Contributed by Eva T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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