The Faster Songfacts says that his seventh studio album, Modern Love debuted on #17 on the Billboard 200 for the week of July 9, 2011, making it Nathanson's most successful album to date.
The members of his band have changed over the past years. Among others, he has been accompanied by Aben Eubanks on guitar, keys and vocals, but later replaced by Aaron Tap. John Thomasson has been his bassist since 2004. Jason McKenzie was on drums until Fall 2006; Nick Amoroso on two tours from Fall 2007 through Winter 2008. His current drummer is Konrad Meissner. Before 2005, Nathanson was often accompanied by cellist Matt Fish.
Blush
Matt Nathanson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
crash and burned but it was worth it
we made the beautiful people wanna be like us and that's enough
some heart's gotta break to let the light in
took some time but now i'm smiling
i loved you even before i knew what love was
everything else felt so unimportant back in your boston bed
and when the sun is getting lower and your wildest days are done
well baby, you don't have to tell em what you did when we were us
but when you think about it,
i hope you blush, just a little bit
when you think about it, i hope you blush just a little bit
when you think about it, i hope you blush
when i play it back, it's like a movie
and all the best parts still move me
yeah you gotta admit we looked good back then always sneaking off from the party
everybody knew it didn't matter
we were burning like a blue flame in a furnace
i could have powered the city every time you kissed me
everything else felt so unimportant back in your boston bed
and when the sun is getting lower and your wildest days are done
and they ask you about a photograph from back when you were young
well baby, you don't have to tell em what you did when you were us when you think about it,
i hope you blush, just a little bit
when you think about it, i hope you blush just a little bit, when you think about it
just between you and me
part of me will always be in love just between you and me
part of me will always be in love we're better off no doubt
what's it matter now?
but when you think about it
i hope you blush, just a little bit
when you think about it, i hope you blush just a little bit, when you think about me
i hope you blush, just a little bit
and when you think about it i hope you blush when you think about it i hope you blush
The lyrics of Matt Nathanson's song "Blush" convey a nostalgic reflection on a past relationship that was once perfect and intense, but ultimately ended. The opening lines, "for a minute there we were perfect, crash and burned but it was worth it," allude to a brief period of happiness and passion that was followed by a painful breakup. Despite the eventual heartbreak, the singer acknowledges that their time together was worth the pain and describes how they were able to inspire envy in others, stating, "we made the beautiful people wanna be like us, and that's enough."
The lyrics also explore the concept that some hearts have to break to let the light in, indicating that the end of this relationship allowed the singer to grow and find happiness again. They confess that it took time, but they are now able to smile again. Furthermore, the singer expresses a deep level of love, describing how they loved the other person even before fully understanding what love truly meant.
The imagery of the "Boston bed" adds a sense of specific location and memory to the lyrics, suggesting that this relationship held a significant place in their life. The lyrics then shift to a more reflective tone, imagining a future where the other person is asked about a photograph from their past and encouraging them to keep their shared experiences private, saying "you don't have to tell them what you did when we were us." The hope is that the memories will still evoke an emotional response, causing the person to blush just a little bit when they think about it.
In the later verses, the singer reminisces about the relationship, comparing it to a movie with the best scenes still resonating with them. The lyrics touch on the notion that their connection was undeniable, describing how they were always sneaking off from parties and burning like a blue flame in a furnace. This imagery underscores the intensity and passion of their relationship.
In the concluding lines, the singer reveals that, despite the breakup, a part of them will always be in love with the other person. They recognize that they are better off apart, but the lingering feelings and memories still hold significance. The song ends with the hope that when the other person thinks back on their relationship, they also feel a sense of warmth and embarrassment—a blush—recalling the emotions and experiences shared between them.
Line by Line Meaning
for a minute there we were perfect
In a brief moment, we experienced a sense of perfection and harmony in our relationship.
crash and burned but it was worth it
Although our relationship eventually fell apart, the intensity and passion we shared made each moment worthwhile.
we made the beautiful people wanna be like us and that's enough
Our love was so captivating and mesmerizing that it inspired others to desire a connection as special as ours.
some heart's gotta break to let the light in
Sometimes, undergoing heartbreak is necessary to allow personal growth and the entrance of new positive experiences into one's life.
took some time but now i'm smiling
Although it took a while, I have finally reached a point where I can genuinely smile and find joy again.
i loved you even before i knew what love was
My love for you transcends the boundaries of understanding and existed even before I fully comprehended the concept of love.
everything else felt so unimportant back in your boston bed
When we were together in your bed in Boston, nothing else in the world mattered; our connection was paramount.
and when the sun is getting lower and your wildest days are done
As time passes and you reach a point of maturity, reflecting on the past and your adventurous youth becomes more common.
and they ask you about a photograph from back when you were young
When people inquire about old photographs from your youth, they may be seeking a glimpse into the remarkable moments we shared together.
well baby, you don't have to tell em what you did when we were us
You don't need to reveal the intimate details of our past relationship to others; it can remain our secret.
but when you think about it, i hope you blush, just a little bit
When you reflect on our time together, I hope it brings a slight blush of nostalgia and fondness to your cheeks.
when i play it back, it's like a movie
When I revisit our memories, it's as if I am watching a captivating film unfold before my eyes.
and all the best parts still move me
Even after all this time, the most beautiful and meaningful aspects of our past continue to deeply touch and affect me.
yeah you gotta admit we looked good back then always sneaking off from the party
We were undeniably an attractive couple, always finding ways to steal away from the crowd and indulge in our own private moments.
everybody knew it didn't matter we were burning like a blue flame in a furnace
Regardless of what others may have thought, our intense passion and connection blazed brightly and wildly, just like a vibrant blue flame in a furnace.
i could have powered the city every time you kissed me
The energy and electricity I felt whenever you kissed me was so potent that it could have powered an entire city.
just between you and me part of me will always be in love
Confidentially, a part of me will forever hold onto feelings of love for you, regardless of our current circumstances.
we're better off no doubt what's it matter now?
Although it's evident that we are better off apart from each other, the relevance and significance of our past relationship may still linger in our thoughts.
i hope you blush, just a little bit
When you contemplate our past love, I hope it brings a gentle blush of nostalgia and warmth to your face.
and when you think about it i hope you blush
Furthermore, when you reflect upon our shared memories, I desire for you to experience that same blush of tender affection.
when you think about it i hope you blush
Similarly, as you delve into the depths of our history together, I genuinely hope that it elicits a blush of sentiment and affection.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Matt Nathanson, Sean Douglass
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@jayde.moonstone.6458
Damn. This song hits every single feel possible in the best and worst way.
@reneehammond8590
Might be my favorite song on this album! 💖
@deryckavyamaioli9154
I've tried to stop listening to this...but the nostalgia, the completeness and the humor take over. Written wicked well, musically pervasive and for me, it was a Boston Futon in Lil Rhodie 🤣
@vphiameradisogaarwa
When I was feeling music slip away in the late 2000s, Mr. Nathanson reminded me "not all is lost" - he has done so yet again. Thank you.
@berniet5765
Great song!!! Love it!
@khaptavation
Love this song!
@nationalnate2385
This song is really beautifully
@TGBahr
A beautiful album. Thanks to the minimalists for this recommendation!
@msgrizzle
I love this song so hard!!! ❤️
@beutilfull3957
Superb👏👏👏👏