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.
Terminal Romance
Matt Mays Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And split for the Sun
Shot through the night from a frozen gun
With my eyes to the skies
And one foot to the ground
I really gotta go
...Away
Sitting here staring out across the bay
With that sunrise in your eyes
There's never really too much to say
But I really gotta go
...Away
'Cause heartbreaks are uncurable
And I'm up all night
Stone-faced in New York City
Trying to set things right
She talks with her hands and she's saying goodbye
Nobody's gonna' tell me why
They just say time, time heals all
But I don't believe them
'Cause heartbreaks are uncurable
And I'm up all night
Stone-faced in New York City
Trying to set things right
Now time rolls on religiously, swift and sly
Bullet train full of souls riding through the night
Everyone thinks they can slow it down
I used to be like that before I knew you
There ain't nothing as dead as a dead romance
Nothing more alive than the city tonight
Storefront windows reflecting me
Where my steel cut heart can feel the electricity
Look at me now, whose gonna take me there
From this lighting and the thunder and you, the eighth wonder
She talks with her hands and she's saying goodbye
Nobody's gonna' tell me why
They just say time, time heals all
But I don't, I don't, I don't believe them
'Cause heartbreaks are uncurable
And I'm up all night
Stone-faced in New York City
Trying to set things right (repeat)
Look at me now, whose gonna take me there
From this lighting and the thunder and you, the eighth wonder
She sang rock n' roll with the devil
The song "Terminal Romance" by Matt Mays speaks about heartbreak, trying to move on, and the struggles of reconciling with it. The opening lines "Broke the winter's back and split for the sun; Shot through the night from a frozen gun" shows the desire to leave behind a difficult and cold situation, and to move towards something brighter and warmer. While the song touches on themes of moving on, it also highlights the struggle of accepting the fact that heartbreaks are uncurable, and that you'll always carry a piece of it with you.
Mays also talks about the attempts to set things right, and the difficulty of moving on in the face of heartbreak. He sings, "She talks with her hands and she's saying goodbye; Nobody's gonna tell me why; They just say time heals all, but I don't believe them." The struggle to move on from the heartbreak and the feeling of helplessness are common in many people, and the song captures that emotion well.
Line by Line Meaning
Broke the winter's back
I finally left the cold, unpleasant time behind me.
And split for the Sun
I left and went somewhere warm and sunny.
Shot through the night from a frozen gun
I emerged from a difficult and miserable time.
With my eyes to the skies
I'm hopeful and optimistic.
And one foot to the ground
But I'm still grounded and practical.
I really gotta go
I need to leave and start fresh.
It's a rough n' tumble come down at the break of day
Life is tough and challenging, especially in the morning.
Sitting here staring out across the bay
I'm pensive and reflective.
With that sunrise in your eyes
But there's still some hope and beauty.
There's never really too much to say
Words can't always capture the feelings and experiences.
But I really gotta go
I still need to leave and move forward.
'Cause heartbreaks are uncurable
Heartbreak is permanent and can't be fixed.
And I'm up all night
I can't sleep, I'm too upset.
Stone-faced in New York City
I'm expressionless and emotionless.
Trying to set things right
I'm attempting to rectify what's gone wrong.
She talks with her hands and she's saying goodbye
She's using body language to convey her farewell.
Nobody's gonna' tell me why
No one has explained the logic behind our separation.
They just say time, time heals all
People offer an empty platitude that I don't believe in.
But I don't believe them
I don't believe that time can heal a broken heart.
Now time rolls on religiously, swift and sly
Time is consistent and sneaky, always moving forward.
Bullet train full of souls riding through the night
People are traveling quickly and purposefully through their lives.
Everyone thinks they can slow it down
People falsely believe they can control time.
I used to be like that before I knew you
Before this heartache, I was naive and innocent.
There ain't nothing as dead as a dead romance
There's no feeling sadder and emptier than a failed love.
Nothing more alive than the city tonight
But there's still vibrancy and energy surrounding me.
Storefront windows reflecting me
I see myself in the glinting city lights.
Where my steel cut heart can feel the electricity
My heart is hardened, but I still feel a spark in this lively city.
Look at me now, whose gonna take me there
Now that I'm heartbroken, who can guide me out of this darkness?
From this lighting and the thunder and you, the eighth wonder
Amid this chaos and pain, you were a rare and wondrous thing, but now you're gone.
She sang rock n' roll with the devil
She lived a wild and dangerous life without regard for consequence.
Contributed by Elena G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Aaron Peebles
Matt Mays & El Torpedo – Terminal Romance Lyrics
Broke the winter's back
And split for the Sun
Shot through the night from a frozen gun
With my eyes to the skies
And one foot to the ground
I really gotta' go
... Away
It's a rough n' tumble come down at the break of day
Sitting here staring out across the bay
With that sunrise in your eyes
There's never really too much to say
But I really gotta' go.
... Away
Cause heartbreaks are uncurable
And I'm up all night
Stone-faced in New York City
Trying to set things right
She talks with her hands and she's saying goodbye
Nobody's gonna' tell me why
They just say time, time heals all
But I don't believe them
Cause heartbreaks are uncurable
And I'm up all night
Stone-faced in New York City
Trying to set things right
Now time rolls on religiously, swift and sly
Bullet train full of souls riding through the night
Everyone thinks they can slow it down
I used to be like that before I knew you
There ain't nothing as dead as a dead romance
Nothing more alive than the city tonight
Storefront windows reflecting me
Where my steel cut heart can feel the electricity
Look at me now, whose gonna' take me there
From this lighting and the thunder and you, the eighth wonder
She talks with her hands and she's saying goodbye
Nobody's gonna' tell me why
They just say time, time heals all
But I don't, I don't, I don't believe them
Cause heartbreaks are uncurable
And I'm up all night
Stone-faced in New York City
Trying to set things right (repeat)
Look at me now, whose gonna' take me there
From this lighting and the thunder and you, the eighth wonder
She sang rock n' roll with the devil
Destiny Wayn
It's 2019 and it's the FIRST TIME I HEARD THIS SONG... 7:40 minutes of pure magical art.
Thank you
Bradly Marshall
that's awesome:). One of his best.. Heard it about ten years ago and it's still great.
Andrew M
This is an absolute masterpiece of a song and has been in my top ten favourite songs since the album came out. This song is almost too good.
Sounds Of Suburbia
This song is amazing live! Gotta be my fave MM song.
Dan Hain
One my favs from Matt. That build up is so great.
Lisha Belle
I love this whole album!
chris mintie
Still can't get enough of this album! So good! What would the tuning be for the lap steel guitar on this tune?
Derek Rodgers
Still one of my top ten album!
steak Tablet
Can't get enuff Matt. His music touches my soul.
Aaron Peebles
Matt Mays & El Torpedo – Terminal Romance Lyrics
Broke the winter's back
And split for the Sun
Shot through the night from a frozen gun
With my eyes to the skies
And one foot to the ground
I really gotta' go
... Away
It's a rough n' tumble come down at the break of day
Sitting here staring out across the bay
With that sunrise in your eyes
There's never really too much to say
But I really gotta' go.
... Away
Cause heartbreaks are uncurable
And I'm up all night
Stone-faced in New York City
Trying to set things right
She talks with her hands and she's saying goodbye
Nobody's gonna' tell me why
They just say time, time heals all
But I don't believe them
Cause heartbreaks are uncurable
And I'm up all night
Stone-faced in New York City
Trying to set things right
Now time rolls on religiously, swift and sly
Bullet train full of souls riding through the night
Everyone thinks they can slow it down
I used to be like that before I knew you
There ain't nothing as dead as a dead romance
Nothing more alive than the city tonight
Storefront windows reflecting me
Where my steel cut heart can feel the electricity
Look at me now, whose gonna' take me there
From this lighting and the thunder and you, the eighth wonder
She talks with her hands and she's saying goodbye
Nobody's gonna' tell me why
They just say time, time heals all
But I don't, I don't, I don't believe them
Cause heartbreaks are uncurable
And I'm up all night
Stone-faced in New York City
Trying to set things right (repeat)
Look at me now, whose gonna' take me there
From this lighting and the thunder and you, the eighth wonder
She sang rock n' roll with the devil