On September 19, 2006, Matt released his third studio album, Everything In Between.
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An excerpt from the Matt Wertz facebook fan page (as of 12/17/09)
Hi. My name is Matt Wertz, and this is my bio. Usually these aren’t written by the artist, at least at this level- but as I was trying to decide who could tell my story the best, I felt like that person was me. So, I’d like to be the one to tell you where I come from, why I write music, what I’ve seen happen along the way, and where I see things going according to my finite vision.
I’m from Liberty, Missouri, but have called Nashville, Tennessee, home for the last seven years. It seems fitting that I would be writing my own biography on the cusp of my first major label release, just as I did eight years ago before releasing my first independent album. This time, though, I’m not trying to play it off like I didn’t write it.
I grew up in a home where I was encouraged to explore and dive into whatever grabbed my attention. Sports? Sure. Art? You bet. Girls? Yep. Music? Obviously. There was no expectation other than to do my best “and let God do the rest,” as my Mom always says. With that kind of freedom end encouragement, I did just that—I played sports for the fun of them, made art because I loved to create, and eventually, I wrote and performed music… because I had to.
My love for visual art led me eight hours from home to the University of Illinois, where I studied Industrial Design. As a result of that experience, music became my respite—my escape from the responsibility of class work. Dorm life served to provide a small, built–in audience who graciously embraced my first attempts at songwriting. Before I knew it, I was recording versions of those songs on my roommate’s computer and burning copies for my new cohabiting fans. Eventually I started playing concerts outside the walls of Scott Hall and made the leap to register my name as a dot-com. That may not seem like a big deal today, but at the time, those were the early, shaky steps I took toward a full-fledged career in the music industry.
Early on, I was shown many graces—like a loan from my parents to pay for the first 1,000 copies of my debut record, Somedays (2001). To assuage their fear that I was throwing my life away, I democratically assured them that I’d get a job after the summer was over. Needless to say, that never happened.
What did happen was that my summer burst at the seams with bookings at camps for high schoolers… which spilled over into a fall schedule of touring their hometowns… which set up a spring full of shows at colleges… followed by more summer camps. Rinse, wash, repeat—and you have the first few years of my career.
The days between then and now have been a series of “baby steps” that have somehow afforded me success as an independent artist. All these things really kicked into gear after the release of Twenty Three Places (2003), the first record I recorded with producer and friend, Ed Cash. The album featured some of the songs that set the tone for the rest of my career—“Everything’s Right,” “Marianne,” “Red Meets Blue,” and “Counting to 100”— songs that are still staples in my set today.
On the heels of the Twenty Three Places release, people started taking notice. Creative Artists Agency got involved booking my shows. Nettwerk took over my management. And a bunch of record labels started knocking down my door. But none of them felt like a good fit. So what did I do? I did what I’d always done: I recorded another record on my own and kept touring.
Ed and I began working on Everything in Between in February 2005, hitting the studio sporadically whenever I had breaks from the road. “The Way I Feel” was the first song we approached and it provided the compass for the record, ushering in an energy and musical depth that redirected my career to a new level. The tone of the record was my musical response to what I learned playing hundreds of clubs a year—I realized the need for up-tempo, lively songs to get the room going. The album also meant a lot to me personally—it was written and recorded during my first dating relationship since college, and much of the album followed the progress of the relationship. “5:19” was written on July 7, 2005, at 5:19 p.m., while I waited for the phone call that would inevitably be the end of that relationship.
Everything in Between was the first record I released with any kind of organized push behind it. We came out of the gates strong, charting high on the iTunes pop charts and filming a video for the song “Carolina.” Some of the songs landed in unexpected places—on TV’s “Brothers and Sisters” and in theaters via movies like My Super Ex-Girlfriend.
Since the start of my career, I’ve sold around 75,000 albums, played shows with Ben Folds, Jamie Cullum, and One Republic, as well as headlined sold-out clubs around the country. This was all done, mind you, as an independent artist. Over time, momentum built and more labels took notice, including Universal Republic. Finally I encountered a label that felt right, a label that could pull the trigger, a label that understood where I was coming from. And so, I signed.
The record that will be released on Universal Republic is called Under Summer Sun and it is a combination of my favorite songs from my first few independent releases, like “5:19” and “Everything’s Right,” as well as four new songs. Among the new tracks are “Waiting,” an introspective bedroom song that deals with the fear that I’m “growing old but not quite growing up,” and “Summer Sun,” my best effort at a nostalgic summer love song in the vein of Stevie Wonder musically and Don Henley emotionally. And the rest of the songs will strike a chord with anyone who enjoys soulful, carefree, singer-songwriter pop music.
How do I know? Because these songs emanate from the pages of my life, and I’ve seen first-hand the way that people have connected with them from their own experiences. In eight years of touring through hundreds of venues, playing three albums’ worth of songs for thousands of listeners, that connection is what fuels my passion. Ultimately, the thing that you and I have here—between the words and the chords and the lights and the beats—that is the thing that encourages me to keep singing.
Easier Tonight
Matt Wertz Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I've come so far to get here, baby look at us
I am as nervous now as I was back then
Staring back at me in that white summer dress
The smell of jasmine takes me back to our first kiss
And I don't know where to start
But I'm leading with my heart
'Cause I've told you that I love you
From everything I've shown
And it's time to speak the truth
And finally let you know
Though I've always known
What to say every other time
I just wish that words came easier tonight
I haven't said I love you to any girl before
I'd say those words for something that meant more
So I promise when I do I will give my heart to you
'Cause I've told you that I love you
From everything I've shown
And it's time to speak the truth
And finally let you know
Though I've always known
What to say every other time
I just wish that words came easier
Tonight's the night I'm jumping in
It's why we started and it's how the story ends
I'm down on my knee and I'm asking for your hand
I'm asking for your hand
I just told you that I love you
Now everything has changed
What used to try and stop me
Just got pushed out of the way
And I always knew what to say
It just wasn't the right time
But it could have gone easier tonight
But it could have gone easier tonight
But it could have gone easier tonight
In the song "Easier Tonight," Matt Wertz sings about the nerves one experiences before confessing their love to someone special. The stage is set with the stars and moon above, and he reflects on how far he has come to get to this moment with his partner. He remembers her in a white summer dress and the smell of jasmine, taking him back to their first kiss, and acknowledges that he is just as nervous as he was then. This time, however, he is leading with his heart and intends to speak the truth about his feelings.
Matt Wertz's love for his partner is evident, as he has shown her through his actions and gestures that he cares for her. However, the words "I love you" have yet to be said because they are significant words he wants to reserve for something meaningful. He promises to give his heart to her when he does say it. Tonight is the night he plans to jump in and ask for her hand, but he wishes the words had come easier. After finally confessing, everything changes, and he wishes he had said it sooner.
The lyrics in "Easier Tonight" express the vulnerability and nervousness one experiences when confessing love. Matt Wertz's hesitancy to say "I love you" until the right moment is relatable to many, as those three words hold a lot of weight in a relationship. The song's end leaves room for interpretation, as the listener does not know if his partner reciprocates his feelings or if the words have made things easier between them.
Line by Line Meaning
So the stage is set, the stars and moon above
The environment is perfect, the beauty of the sky makes every moment special
I've come so far to get here, baby look at us
We have gone through a lot to be together, our journey is worth a look back
I am as nervous now as I was back then
I am still feeling anxious as I was the first time I met you
Staring back at me in that white summer dress
I remember the way you looked at me on that white summer dress
The smell of jasmine takes me back to our first kiss
The scent of jasmine reminds me of our very first kiss
And I don't know where to start
I am overwhelmed and I don't know how to begin expressing what I am feeling right now
But I'm leading with my heart
I am speaking from my heart, expressing my true emotions
'Cause I've told you that I love you
I have expressed my feelings to you in different ways
From everything I've shown
I have shown you how much I care through my actions
And it's time to speak the truth
Now is the right time to be honest with you
And finally let you know
I want to express my love to you more than anything
Though I've always known
I have always been aware of my feelings
What to say every other time
I have managed to express myself before without much difficulty
I just wish that words came easier tonight
I am struggling to convey what I am feeling tonight
I haven't said I love you to any girl before
I have never expressed these three words to any other girl
I'd say those words for something that meant more
I always thought that these words are only meant for someone very special
So I promise when I do I will give my heart to you
When I express my love, I will be giving you my heart and soul
Tonight's the night I'm jumping in
This is the moment, I am taking a leap of faith
It's why we started and it's how the story ends
This is what it has been building up to, the perfect ending to our story
I'm down on my knee and I'm asking for your hand
I am proposing to you on bended knee
I just told you that I love you
I have just told you my true feelings
Now everything has changed
My confession has changed everything
What used to try and stop me
All the things that held me back
Just got pushed out of the way
I no longer have anything holding me back
And I always knew what to say
I have always had the words before
It just wasn't the right time
It just wasn't the appropriate moment before
But it could have gone easier tonight
I wish the timing was better for this special moment
But it could have gone easier tonight
But it could have gone easier tonight
But it could have gone easier tonight
But it could have gone easier tonight
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave
Written by: BEN CAVER, MATT WERTZ
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Leroy Poole
My wife walked down the isle to this song last year. When this song plays I can still see her in her white dress. The world seemed to be frozen in time just for her in that beautiful moment. I'll never forget it.
Truely a beautiful song.
Claire
wish you both a lifetime happiness <3
Enrico Hernandez
Our Daughter is playing this song at their wedding. Her fiance chose it❤
kainan wang
that s what i always want to do (a comment from a single dog)
Charlie Angle
Hey so are we!!!
Richard Cory
So am I, can’t wait. Such a lovely song.
Claire
Enrico Hernandez how lovely! Congrats to you daughter 💕
E H
What a great song...and awesome voice...
Jr Lee
제가 인생에서 제일 좋아하는 곡이에요 들을때마다 편안해지네요
Josh Barrett
anyone know where i can find the chords/tabs to this song?