“Since high school, my goal in life was to get signed to a record label, so I got an empty box tattooed on my wrist,” he explains. “When I got signed, the plan was to tattoo a check mark inside of it. It’s a reminder of what I’ve been working towards forever.”
Matt picked up his first guitar at the age of eleven. As a teen he found inspiration in the likes of Radiohead and Modest Mouse, and he began pursuing his goal to become a musician. Off the strength of his dynamic voice, he was accepted into University of the Arts in Philadelphia, majoring in vocal performance. As soon as he graduated, he increased that momentum, independently releasing his debut full-length, View of the Pines, in spring 2014. NBC’s The Voice scouted him shortly thereafter. He chose Adam Levine as a coach, and he vaulted to international stardom over the course of season seven.
“At the beginning of the show, I was so nervous,” he admits. “By the time the finale came around, I became completely comfortable. I learned how to adapt into any environment and feel like I had a place there. You can be a big fish in whatever pond you’re in. I thrived under pressure. I feel prepared for anything now because of that experience.”
Matt emerged in second place, but he won the love and support of audiences everywhere. His cover of Hozier’s “Take Me to Church” landed in the Top 5 of the iTunes Overall Top Songs Chart, while his original single “Wasted Love” not only debuted Top 5, but immediately clinched the #1 spot upon release. The track would go on to sell over 100,000 digital downloads in less than 24 hours, making a seismic impact on the industry on par with that of the year’s other massive hit Taylor Swift’s “Shake It Off.”
With its elegant piano, distinct melody, and impassioned performance, “Wasted Love” [Republic Records] formally announces Matt’s arrival as a striking singer and powerful pop presence.
“On the surface, it’s about a relationship that didn’t work out,” he goes on. “I like to think of things in terms of how they relate to my musical journey though. In that sense, the song is about not having your dreams come to fruition the way you want them to. Love, talent, and passion are wasted. It really strikes a chord with me.”
In addition to getting that “check mark,” Matt’s in the midst of preparing new music for 2015 and beyond.
“I have a vision and direction for my songs,” he leaves off. “I know who I am as a person and a musician, and everything has helped me expand the definitions of both of those things. My dream hasn’t changed. It’s just gotten bigger.”
Burning Bridges
Matt McAndrew Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I'm drowning in the stupid things we said
Well, in New Jersey I burn bridges
And I'm drowning in the stupid things we said
Well don't tell me I'm the only one who told you you're not any good in bed
Your affection is an inside joke
Your portrait is a whispered love affair
Your portrait is a whispered love affair
And don't you know your watch is slow?
I can see your frozen faces from my chair
Well, this used to be a place where I could picture myself growing old with you
This used to be a place where I could picture myself growing old with you
Well, we could live out on the beach in a million dollar mansion built for two
And we could fall in love
Fall in love
Fall in love
Philadelphia sits with poets
And she smiles with the aristocracy
Philadelphia sits with poets
She smiles with the aristocracy
She keeps my eyes in a camera and hangs my tattoos in a gallery
There's a girl inside the parlor and she listens while the tears rush in her eyes
There's a girl inside the parlor and she listens while the tears rush in her eyes
Her hair is light and golden like California sun and bright blue skies
And we could fall in love
Fall in love
And we could fall in love
In love
The lyrics to Matt McAndrew's song Burning Bridges tell a story of a broken relationship, specifically one that he had in New Jersey. He talks about burning bridges, which is a metaphor for completely cutting ties with someone, and drowning in the stupid things they said. He suggests that he's not the only one that told his partner that they're not any good in bed. It appears that McAndrew is blaming the failed relationship on his partner, pointing out that their affection is just an inside joke, and their portrait is just a whispered love affair. He even criticizes their watch, suggesting that it's too slow, and he can see their frozen faces from his chair.
However, despite all the negativity, there are moments where McAndrew reminisces about what could have been, thinking about a time when he could picture himself growing old with his partner. He describes living out on the beach in a million-dollar mansion built for two. The lyrics suggest that his partner is from Philadelphia, a city known for its poets and aristocracy. McAndrew is mesmerized by his partner's beauty, and this is evident when he talks about a girl who listens while the tears rush in her eyes, referring to his partner. He concludes the song by suggesting that despite everything, they could still fall in love.
Line by Line Meaning
In New Jersey I burn bridges
I sever ties and become disconnected from people in my life while living in New Jersey
And I'm drowning in the stupid things we said
Regretting and struggling with the things we said in the past that are affecting us negatively now
Well don't tell me I'm the only one who told you you're not any good in bed
Refusing to hear that information just from one person, especially considering how harsh it is
Your affection is an inside joke
Your love isn't taken seriously and makes me feel like I'm being made fun of
Your portrait is a whispered love affair
Your image and likeness is a secret and forbidden love I can't fully have or show
And don't you know your watch is slow?
You're not up to speed, you're behind the times and not quite with it
I can see your frozen faces from my chair
I have a clear view of the tension and discomfort between you all from my position, as if you're all physically frozen or static
This used to be a place where I could picture myself growing old with you
At one point in time, I saw us having a future together and aging together
Well, we could live out on the beach in a million dollar mansion built for two
A scenario where we could live a luxurious life together in a grand, romantic house by the sea
Philadelphia sits with poets
Philadelphia, a place or entity, associates with creative and articulate individuals
And she smiles with the aristocracy
Philadelphia and its people are elite and high class with an appearance of glamour and status
She keeps my eyes in a camera and hangs my tattoos in a gallery
Philadelphia captivates and immortalizes me in a captured image and cherishes a display of my unique tattoos
There's a girl inside the parlor and she listens while the tears rush in her eyes
A girl in the parlor is heartbroken and crying while hearing everything that is being said
Her hair is light and golden like California sun and bright blue skies
Her hair is a description of her beauty and radiates like the bright, warm skies in California
And we could fall in love
There is potential for us to fall in love
Fall in love
Repeating the idea of falling in love, emphasizing its importance and possibility
In love
Concluding the song with the idea and feeling of being in love
Contributed by Jeremiah J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Nicolesgipsysoul
We're ALL amazed by your voice! Love love love this song. You're stunningly gorgeous tone rings in my ears.
Sandy Stamps
LOVE your music and voice Matt! Keep pushing forward! God is with you!! 😘
MOONFIXED86
I could listen to you all day. From the moment of your audition to The Blower's Daughter, which was incredible, you had me. It makes it even better hearing your originals.
Brenda Freitas
just love this song 😊
He's a great singer!
Bernadette OHanlon
I love your music. You are amazingly gifted. I hope you win the Voice and even if not you have a long, long , great career ahead of you. You were born to sing.
heilen nuñez
this song is amazing!!!!! love it!
Naomi Doner
I love Wasted Love and ALL Matt's music but Burning Bridges is my FAVORITE song of all time! I could hear it a hundred times back to back and never get tired of hearing it. I love your music Matt! Please do a concert in Greenville, SC or nearby so I can see you in person.
anybra
Me encanta esta cancion!!
Lisa Chatterton
I am so downloading all of your music..you are great and I love listening to your voice.
Johanna Sequera
I love this song <3 your voice...