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.
I Saw
Matt Nathanson Lyrics
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Like you could save me
But you won't even try
Then you tell me again
How everything will be alright
If I told you that I'm sorry
Would you tell me you were wrong?
Or would you hold me down forever
I saw pictures in my head
And I swear I saw you opening up again
And I would be heavenly if baby you'd just rescue me now
While I'm surrounded, you spill
All alive and brand new
And I'll forget about you long enough
To forget why I need to
I saw pictures in my head
And I swear I saw you opening up again
And I would be heavenly if baby you'd just rescue me now
The days are drifting away from me
I still wake up burning through everything
It's all I know
Somebody save me now
I saw pictures in my head
And I swear I saw you opening up again
And I would be heavenly if baby you'd just rescue me now
Matt Nathanson's song "I Saw" is a piece that delves into the complex ideas of love, heartbreak, and the hope that comes with trying to reconcile differences in a relationship. The opening lyrics, "It's amazing the look in your eyes, like you could save me but you won't even try," speak to the yearning of someone in a troubled relationship. The person seems to be searching for a connection that will come in and fix things, but it's out of reach. The lyrics also hint at the other person's reluctance or inability to save the situation, leaving the singer feeling lost and unsure.
As the song progresses, Matt touches upon the complication of apologies and forgiveness in a fraught relationship. The lines, "if I told you that I'm sorry, would you tell me you were wrong? Or would you hold me down forever if I came to you for answers?" seem to explore the idea of whether apologies matter in a turbulent relationship. Does a simple "I'm sorry" alleviate hurt feelings, or is it merely a band-aid on a deeper wound? Additionally, the singer is plagued by the idea of not getting answers even when explicitly asking for them.
The chorus of the song, "I saw pictures in my head, and I swear I saw you opening up again. And I would be heavenly if baby you'd just rescue me now" ties in with the theme of hope that runs through the song. The singer seems to have visions of their partner improving and working towards a better future, and they long for it. The last verse, "the days are drifting away from me, and I still wake up burning through everything, it's all I know, somebody save me now," speaks to the confusion of being stuck in an unsatisfying situation and the desperation for a way out.
Line by Line Meaning
It's amazing the look in your eyes
The singer is in awe of the way the other person looks at them
Like you could save me
The singer feels like the other person has the power to rescue them
But you won't even try
The other person is choosing not to help the singer
Then you tell me again
The other person tries to reassure the artist
How everything will be alright
The other person promises that things will get better
If I told you that I'm sorry
The singer considers apologizing to the other person
Would you tell me you were wrong?
The singer wonders if the other person will admit fault if they apologize
Or would you hold me down forever
The artist questions if the other person would trap them in their negative situation
If I came to you for answers
The artist is seeking guidance from the other person
I saw pictures in my head
The artist has a vivid imagination
And I swear I saw you opening up again
The singer envisions the other person becoming more vulnerable and trustworthy
And I would be heavenly if baby you'd just rescue me now
The artist hopes that the other person will help them out of their distress
While I'm surrounded, you spill
The other person is full of life and energy
All alive and brand new
The other person seems fresh and exciting
And I'll forget about you long enough
The singer wants to move on from their feelings for the other person
To forget why I need to
The artist wants to forget the reasons they were attracted to the other person
The days are drifting away from me
Time is passing by quickly for the artist
I still wake up burning through everything
The singer is still passionate and intense about their emotions
It's all I know
The singer is consumed by their feelings
Somebody save me now
The artist is desperate for help to escape their situation
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: MATT NATHANSON, MARK WEINBERG
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind