“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.”
My enemy
Matt McAndrew Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Are we still the same as we were in youth?
'Cause I look nothing like me but maybe
you're looking for a perfect harmony
And she said oh honey
Honey, it's pretend
But she was my first real girlfriend
And she threw my heart away
Oh honey
Honey, I'm outside
And if I take you for a ride
Just like I did when I was seventeen
Will you be my enemy?
But once she was mine
She drew birthday cards and made me valentines
When we grew up she moved to New York City
And I went to Philly falling hopelessly
And she said oh honey
Honey, it's pretend
But she was my first real girlfriend
I gave her roses in a big bouquet
And she threw my heart away
Oh honey
Honey, I'm outside
And if I take you for a ride
Just like I did when I was seventeen
Will you be my enemy?
But you were right
She's not gonna wait forever
For me to change my mind
And so our love didn't grow
But there's a part of me
Oh I still believe
That you and me, we shouldn't be apart
I took a chance
I took you to the dance
And I would've given you my heart
And she said oh honey
Honey, it's pretend
But she was my first real girlfriend
I gave her roses in a big bouquet
And she threw my heart away
Oh honey
Honey, I'm outside
And if I take you for a ride
Just like I did when I was seventeen
Will you be my enemy?
Oh honey
Honey, it's pretend
But she was my first real girlfriend
I gave her roses in a big bouquet
And she threw my heart away
Oh honey
Honey, I'm outside
And if I take you for a ride
Just like I did when I was seventeen
Will you be my enemy?
The song "My Enemy" by Matt McAndrew is a nostalgic and bittersweet reflection on a past relationship. The first verse sets the tone with the question, "Are we still the same as we were in youth?" suggesting a longing for a simpler, more innocent time. The singer then admits he doesn't look the same as he did back then, but wonders if his former girlfriend is seeking the perfect harmony they once had. His ex-girlfriend responds with, "Honey, it's pretend," implying that she has moved on, but the singer still holds onto fond memories of her, giving her roses and celebrating special occasions together.
The chorus repeats the question, "Will you be my enemy?" suggesting that even though the relationship didn't work out, there is still a lingering hope that they can reconcile. The second verse continues with more details about their relationship, including how she made him birthday cards and valentines in their youth. However, as they grew up, they drifted apart due to geographical differences.
The bridge includes the lines, "But there's a part of me, Oh I still believe, That you and me, we shouldn't be apart," indicating that the singer is still holding on to hope that they will reunite. However, he acknowledges that their love didn't grow and that his ex-girlfriend has moved on, as she is not going to wait forever for him to change his mind. In the end, the chorus repeats the question, "Will you be my enemy?" leaving the listener to ponder whether this relationship will remain in the past or have a chance to be revived.
Line by Line Meaning
Tell me the truth
Asking if the person he's talking to is honest with him.
Are we still the same as we were in youth?
Asking if they haven't changed since they were young.
'Cause I look nothing like me but maybe you're looking for a perfect harmony
He internally feels different from when he was young, but is hoping that the person he is talking to is still looking for someone like him.
And she said oh honey Honey, it's pretend But she was my first real girlfriend I gave her roses in a big bouquet And she threw my heart away Oh honey Honey, I'm outside And if I take you for a ride
Talking about an ex-girlfriend who told him the relationship was pretend. He gave her rose, but she broke his heart. Now he is outside her place and asking if they can work things out.
Just like I did when I was seventeen Will you be my enemy?
Asking whether she will reject him or not while taking her for a ride like he did when he was young.
But once she was mine She drew birthday cards and made me valentines When we grew up she moved to New York City And I went to Philly falling hopelessly
Talking about the good times he had with his ex-girlfriend. But then they grew up, and she moved to New York while he stayed back in Philly, ending the romantic relationship.
But you were right She's not gonna wait forever For me to change my mind And so our love didn't grow
Acknowledging that the person he is talking to about his ex-girlfriend was right when they said she wouldn't wait for him forever. Their love didn't grow because he couldn't decide whether or not he wanted to be with her.
But there's a part of me Oh I still believe That you and me, we shouldn't be apart I took a chance I took you to the dance And I would've given you my heart
Admitting that there is still a part of him that wants to be with his ex-girlfriend. He took her to a dance and wished she could have his heart.
Oh honey Honey, it's pretend But she was my first real girlfriend I gave her roses in a big bouquet And she threw my heart away Oh honey Honey, I'm outside And if I take you for a ride Just like I did when I was seventeen Will you be my enemy?
Reiterating the chorus and asking whether his ex-girlfriend would reject him or not while on a ride like he took her on when they were young.
Contributed by Ava B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Aaron Ferrer
Bro, I watched all seasons of the voice, and you are the only artist I have subscribed to on youtube. I plan to buy all of your albums, support you with ma money and spread the word. I hope you hit the top man, honesty is all around you. Be blessed
Kaylee Jenkins
I hope you've kept up, he gets better and better and better. Check out the band Slaves.
Jonas de Abreu Sodré Nascimento
Aaron Ferrer, it's the same with us here in Brazil. My mother and I had never subscribed before!! We only did it, because of Matt!!!!We were really dissapointed, he did not win, because for us, he has an amazing voice, he sings just perfectly!!!!
Tara M
I only subscribed to him and Taylor Phelan. They're both awesome!
Ngoc Nguyen
Yeah, he is the only one The Voice constestant I subscribed too
Lina María Rosales Parra
Totalmente de acuerdo!!!!! :)
jhhayes
Since I was 5, music has been a part of me everyday life. Listening to certain songs often brings out pleasant memories, places where I first heard a song, party inducing, tranquility and simple emotion. Dude, your singing voice is intoxicating and you're unaffected when you perform. The genre you sing is only a small part of why I'll continue purchasing your music. Until now, Danielle Bradbery ,The Voice winner, is the only artist with whom I purchase music from. After your audition on The Voice, I picked you to be in the finale. Continue giving us those vocals and performances! With fingers crossed, see you in the final 3.
jhhayes
@***** He is the winner in me book!
ThatOneWeirdGal
He should have won!!!! So mad!
Jenna Barnett
am I the only one who comes back to this video often? LOVE YOU MATTY