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.
St. George
Matt Mays Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
She drove slow and had a pretty fast backhand
She always hated it when it rained
It started out on St. George's Lane
Her mother drove a station wagon
It smelled like cigarettes and sand
Until we got it all cracked up on five corners
We don't drive too much anymore
Blue days & black nights
Back in a time when everything was right
Blue days & black nights
I took a bus down from Soul Harbour
Just to see the trophies she had one
Her father said she was gonna go pro
So don't you get too close to her
No, don't you get too close to her
Blue days & black nights
Back in a time when everything was right
Blue days & black nights
(Back in a time)
She grew up on St. George's Lane
She drove slow and had a really fast backhand
She didn't like the look of the clouds above
I ended up zero love
(lost love in the City of Lakes)
The song "St. George's Lane," by Matt Mays & El Torpedo, is a nostalgic ode to a lost love and a time gone by. The lyrics describe a woman who grew up on St. George's Lane, a place that is clearly significant to her and to the singer. They reminisce about her driving slowly, her fast backhand, and her dislike of the rain. The song suggests that at some point, the woman and the singer were together, and that they shared a certain happiness and contentment during that time. But as the song progresses, we learn that the relationship ended, and the singer remains haunted by memories of the past.
The lyrics are full of vivid imagery and sensory detail that help to bring the story to life. For example, we can imagine the smell of cigarettes and sand in the station wagon, and the sound of rain on the roof. But what really makes the song powerful is the way that it captures the bittersweet feeling of looking back on a time when everything seemed perfect. As the chorus repeats the phrase "blue days & black nights," we get the sense that the singer is mourning not just the loss of the relationship, but also the loss of a sense of innocence and possibility that defined that time.
Overall, "St. George's Lane" is a beautifully written and performed song that explores universal themes of love, loss, and nostalgia. Its ability to evoke strong emotions and memories in its listeners is a testament to its power and artistry.
Line by Line Meaning
She grew up on St. George's Lane
The subject of the song spent her formative years on St. George's Lane
She drove slow and had a pretty fast backhand
The subject was a skilled tennis player, known for her powerful backhand
She always hated it when it rained
The subject disliked rainy weather
It started out on St. George's Lane
The story being told in the song began on St. George's Lane
Her mother drove a station wagon
The subject's mother had a car that was a station wagon
It smelled like cigarettes and sand
The car had a distinct odor of cigarettes and sand
Until we got it all cracked up on five corners
The car was damaged in an accident at a location known as 'five corners'
We don't drive too much anymore
The damage to the car seemed to have resulted in it being used less frequently
Blue days & black nights
The song describes a melancholic time in the past that was marked by sadness or difficulty, hence the color imagery
Back in a time when everything was right
This line continues the relationship to the prior lyric regarding a nostalgic time in which things seemed to be more positive or easy
I took a bus down from Soul Harbour
The singer traveled from a place called Soul Harbour to see the subject
Just to see the trophies she had one
The artist was interested in seeing the trophies won by the subject
Her father said she was gonna go pro
The subject's father believed that she had the talent to make a career out of tennis
So don't you get too close to her
The subject was seen as off-limits, perhaps because of her potential career path or talent
No, don't you get too close to her
This line is repeated for emphasis, and further stresses the idea that the subject is not to be pursued romantically
She didn't like the look of the clouds above
The subject was worried by the appearance of dark or foreboding clouds
I ended up zero love
The artist lost in a tennis match, ending with a score of zero ('love' in tennis terminology). The setting of the match is unspecified, but may be 'the City of Lakes', which is referenced in the parenthetical postscript.
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ajalcorn
One of my dear friends just passed away recently and he was the one who got me into Matt Mays. Feeling very sad right now, listening to his music... but trying to focus on the good times we had over the years. He loved this song... as do I.
@joeblow9657
I know this comment is from years ago but I'm so sorry to hear that :(.... I hope you're doing a bit better
@walt175
These guys deserve more recognition. Beautiful tune.
@waynemoores
I live within walking distance of St. George's Lane...and of course Portland St. Came to Dartmouth from Cape Breton in the 70's, almost by chance...and never left...have always been close to Lake Banook...one way or another..."where the real people roam"...city of lakes
@ajalcorn
Thanks Mr. Tab! I'm from New Brunswick...
@narahkeshane447
lived in dartmouth also and this song reminds me of those days
@mountainmikefabs8143
fast back hand