The album may be the follow-up to Matt's 2007 Geffen debut Best Days, but it's truly a formal introduction to the singer-songwriter. Writing and helping to compose the production on every song himself, he decided to go back to his piano roots for It's the Good Crazy, and the results are nothing short of spectacular. "This is really my first record," he declares. "Best Days was essentially chasing a time, and I experimented with a lot of nuances, like playing the guitar on half the record. But, playing the piano has always been my one true love. My parents constantly took me to concerts including The Rolling Stones, Bruce Springsteen and Elton John, and it was those outings that gave me the itch to start playing the piano. This time, about 80 percent of It's The Good Crazy is done on piano."
Breaking away from modern trends, Matt recorded the entire album on analog tape, allowing any and all happy accidents to stay in the songs. "It was really special to record on analog tape because all of the albums I love were done that way. Tape sounds better, and it's always going to sound better. There's a depth in the sound wave that you can't capture digitally. There were no computers, no Pro Tools and no room for error. If I screwed up, it's on there," he laughs.
"I was dropped from Geffen in the winter of 2009 when I was on tour in Canada. It was a devastating experience for me. So I was depressed for a month, then realized that my happiness was in the music." Matt immediately began composing songs for what would become It's The Good Crazy. In order to capture that edgy tone, he retreated to a church in Woodstock, NY to record with producers David Baron and Henry Hirsch [Madonna, Lenny Kravitz, Mick Jagger].
While in Woodstock, Henry pushed Matt to capture music in the moment, preserving the integrity of each song from its inception. "We were in that church, and Henry really got in my head and helped me evolve," explains Matt. "He said, 'If you can deliver on a performance level, something happens when you play a song live and it's recorded onto a tangible piece of equipment. There's nothing like it'."
Working on the same board that Led Zeppelin II was recorded on and tracking to what might be one of the last 3M tape machines left in existence, Matt stirred up a sound that's evocative of Elton John at times but with a wiseass wittiness. Hence tracks like the bombastic "Therapy."
"Yes, I've gone to therapy," he exclaims. "I'm a New York City kid; people go to therapy! Everyone in their late '20s is trying to get married, and there's this mass hysteria over it in Manhattan. That song is talking to your therapist about that fear of being single. My mom wanted to set me up with my neighbor's daughter after she graduated from college in May. Those things happened, and they're in the songs!"
Meanwhile, during "And The Beat Goes On," Matt chronicles the trials and tribulations of dating in the big city—with a smirk of course. "If you're dating a girl in New York, you're going to be spending a lot of money. I'm a musician, not a banker. I'm happy with chicken fingers. I don't need fancy food."
Midway through recording, Matt teamed up with Ryko for the release of It's The Good Crazy, and he couldn't be happier with this new partnership. He comments, "Everyone at the label genuinely loves music. They’ve been extremely nurturing and supportive on every level. I’m free to be me and not put into a box. I was going to put out this album come hell or high-water, but I sat down with Ruby Marchand (Head of A&R) and we talked about music and the business and she and Ryko felt like the perfect partner."
Since debuting in 2007, Matt's music has been featured in numerous films, TV shows and commercials including What Happens In Vegas, Shrek The Third, McDonald's, The Hills, Brothers and Sisters and One Tree Hill. In addition, his "Songs Of Freedom" became the theme for Gap's "Vote For" campaign, airing on a special electoral episode of The Oprah Winfrey Show. Best Days also hit #4 on Billboard's New Artist chart and received acclaim from RollingStone and Details. Selling 400,000 digital downloads, he's cultivated a diehard fan base that turns out anytime he hits the stage.
The stage is exactly where he's most charming. Touring and performing alongside everyone from B.B. King and Sheryl Crow to John Mayer and Counting Crows, he's got charisma that brings audiences back for more. Donning flamboyant stage attire and pounding the keys, Matt never fails to deliver a show.
"I play piano with my feet, I play it backwards and I hit it with my elbows and fists. It's a theatrical performance,” says Matt. “That's really what I always wanted to do as a kid.”
The world received its first taste of Crazy when Facebook premiered demos from the album as their music player's very first artist feature. Fan response to the tracks was overwhelming and it proved the perfect platform for the release of "Falling In Love (With My Best Friend)." The single goes to radio this summer, and you'll be humming along to it as soon as you hear it.
Matt grew up immersed in music. His grandmother was the first female orchestra leader in the country, while his great grandfather was responsible for giving Frank Sinatra his first violin.
Matt smiles, "My great grandfather started the Hertz School of Music. He used to give out instruments for free, and it turned out that he gave Sinatra his first violin. My whole childhood was musical. While everybody was watching sports growing up, I was studying the drum sounds of John Bonham from the 1973 live record."
His innate obsession with music is what makes the new album so insanely fun. "I'm the son of a psychiatrist," he goes on. "I connect with the Larry Davids of the world. I love the Annie Hall approach. I like things that are not perfect. I like art made from instinct. I'm definitely crazy. I'm up until six in the morning obsessing over everything, but I think I'm the good crazy."
Play
Matt White Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I never meant to hurt you 'cause I love you so much
Oh, darlin', darlin', darlin', if it's all the same
I never wanted to be in love 'cause it makes me insane
Won't you come down this way'
Baby, don't go away
I wanna roll on the ground
I wanna play with you, girl
'Cause you've been working for hours
Went down to Prince Street
To try to change your mind
I would do anything
'Cause I'm out of my mind
You used to be so wonderful
You used to be so kind
I'll never take you for granted
And cross that line
Won't you come down this way'
Baby, don't go away
I wanna play with you girl
I wanna roll on the ground
I wanna play with you girl
'Cause you've been working for hours
I wanna play with you girl
I wanna roll on the ground
I [Incomprehensible] now
'Cause you've been working for hours
Times will change
I don't understand the moves
Can't commit right now
Please don't make me choose
Why you'd go and leave me on my own'
I stand here into the sun
Baby, don't go away
I wanna play with you girl
I wanna roll on the ground
I wanna play with you girl
'Cause you've been working for hours
I wanna play with you girl
I wanna roll on the ground
I [Incomprehensible]
'Cause you've been working for hours
I wanna play with you girl
I wanna roll on the ground
I [Incomprehensible]
'Cause you've been working for hours
I wanna play with you girl
I wanna roll on the ground
The lyrics of Matt White's "Play" convey a love story between two people who are at a crossroads in their relationship. The singer acknowledges that their relationship has followed a familiar pattern of hurt and reconciliation, and they want it to be different this time. The singer's conflicting feelings about love are also highlighted, as they confess that they never wanted to fall in love because it makes them feel insane. Despite this, they plead with their partner to stay and play, and not to leave them alone.
The chorus of "Play" emphasizes the singer's desire to enjoy the moment with their partner, to roll on the ground and play like children. The singer wants to help their partner relax and have fun after working for hours, and they are willing to do anything, to go anywhere, just to be with them. However, even as they make these pleas, the singer is aware that things may change and they might find themselves in a difficult situation. They fear being forced to make a choice that they may not be ready to make.
In general, "Play" speaks to the complexities of modern relationships, where both partners have their own issues and have to overcome them to build a strong relationship. It is a plea for understanding and freedom in love, while acknowledging the pitfalls inherent in the process.
Line by Line Meaning
Same old story about the two of us
Our relationship problems are nothing new
I never meant to hurt you 'cause I love you so much
I never intended to cause you pain because I care for you deeply
Oh, darlin', darlin', darlin', if it's all the same
Hey sweetheart, if it doesn't make a difference to you
I never wanted to be in love 'cause it makes me insane
I never chose to fall in love because it drives me crazy
Won't you come down this way'
Please come towards me
Baby, don't go away
Don't leave me alone
I wanna play with you, girl
I want to have fun with you
I wanna roll on the ground
I want to mess around and be carefree
'Cause you've been working for hours
You deserve a break from all your hard work
Went down to Prince Street
I traveled to Prince Street
To try to change your mind
In an attempt to influence your thoughts
I would do anything
I'm willing to do whatever it takes
'Cause I'm out of my mind
Because I'm overwhelmed with emotion
You used to be so wonderful
You were once amazing
You used to be so kind
You were once very nice
I'll never take you for granted
I promise to always appreciate you
And cross that line
I won't do something to ruin our relationship
Times will change
Things will evolve over time
I don't understand the moves
I'm confused by your actions
Can't commit right now
I can't promise anything at the moment
Please don't make me choose
Don't force me to make a decision
Why you'd go and leave me on my own'
Why would you abandon me
I stand here into the sun
I'm standing here in the sunlight
I [Incomprehensible]
Unintelligible
Lyrics © P C U TUNES, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave, PFIVE Entertainment Mexico
Written by: MATT WHITE, PAUL UMBACH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind