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.
Where Am I Going?
Matt Mays Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
With a song on my tongue and a wheel in my hand
Where am I going? Wouldn't you love to know
Where the water runs clean and the clouds run dry
The garden explodes and the air gets you high
Where am I going? Wouldn't you love to know
But if I told you then everyone'd wanna go
No, I can't tell you ‘cause everyone'd wanna go
Twenty miles tops from the city's lights
You can settle your heart down in the sunseted nights
Where am I going? Wouldn't you love to know
But if I told you then everyone'd wanna go
No, I can't tell you ‘cause everyone'd wanna go
Well, it's the place where I go where they know who I am
And trouble just left, I heard the screen door slam
Where am I going? Wouldn't you love to know
But if I told you then everyone'd wanna go
No, I can't tell you ‘cause everyone'd wanna go
Oh, if I told you then everyone'd wanna go
No, I can't tell you ‘cause everyone'd wanna go
The lyrics of "Where Am I Going?" by Matt Mays are somewhat ambiguous, making it hard to know exactly what the song is about. The song talks about a place that is peaceful, where one can enjoy the simple things in life, surrounded by nature. The singer talks about heading toward this place with a one-way ticket, a song on his tongue, and a wheel in his hand. He says he's going to a place where the water runs clean and the clouds run dry, where the garden explodes and the air gets you high. It's a place where he can settle down his heart and be free from trouble.
The lyrics keep repeating the line "Where am I going? Wouldn't you love to know," which could mean that the singer himself is not sure where he is going. The tone of the song is introspective and philosophical, as the singer reflects on his journey and the place where he's headed. He seems to be looking for a quieter life outside of the city, where he can find peace and solitude. This song could be interpreted as a metaphor for the search for meaning and purpose in life, always on the move and never quite sure where we are headed.
Line by Line Meaning
I got a one way ticket to a lucid land
I am embarking on a journey to a surreal and clear world.
With a song on my tongue and a wheel in my hand
As I move, I have a song on my lips and I am in control of my fate.
Where am I going? Wouldn't you love to know
I am on a personal expedition, and my destination is my own secret.
Where the water runs clean and the clouds run dry
My destination is a place where the environment is pristine.
The garden explodes and the air gets you high
The natural world is at its peak, and it's an exhilarating experience.
But if I told you then everyone'd wanna go
If I shared my destination, it would lose its charm as everyone would flock there.
Twenty miles tops from the city's lights
I am not going too far from urbanization.
You can settle your heart down in the sunseted nights
My destination is a calming place where I can soothe my soul as the sun sets.
Well, it's the place where I go where they know who I am
My destination is a place where people are familiar with me.
And trouble just left, I heard the screen door slam
It's a peaceful destination where I can escape from troubles.
Oh, if I told you then everyone'd wanna go
I am determined to keep my destination a secret so that it does not lose its magical quality.
No, I can't tell you ‘cause everyone'd wanna go
I cannot tell you where I am going because I want to keep it a secret so that it remains special to me.
Contributed by Allison I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Polychrest Keys
What a great song! Deserves all the exposure it’s now getting in the tourism ad.
Sean Talmadge
Not sure why but it brings me back to the 90's.
pharris54
It's VERY Tom Petty - esque.
Geoff Lake
Really like this song. Great job Matt May's!
Margie Hickey
Love this song , it's summertime for sure !
HEATCO LLC
Great Song ....conjecture by me ..probably popular today...because was ahead of its time when released...in 2004 ...!!!! go Canada.. cant wait to get back to Celtic Colours 2023...!! 🎼🎶🎵🎶
Gordie Cox
love it
Christiane Galley
A favourite summer song for the past ten years.
Natalie T
I heard this in the tourism ad and had to find it..I thought it was The Jayhawks at first! Great tune!!
Linda kahndangelo
Love this song!! I had to find it☆☆☆