Matthew’s career as a solo artist has evolved naturally over the past few years, his fanbase growing organically and his songwriting skills growing exponentially. But it has not just been the quality of Matthew’s songs that sets him apart. The prolific musician has self-released eight EPs since 2008, offering his fans a consistent stream of new music. In September of 2008, Matthew recorded his debut solo EP, The Fire EP, for $1000 in a Birmingham basement. This disc spawned “First In Line,” which appeared in the 100th episode of Grey’s Anatomy.
Matthew’s second EP followed in July 2009. Five Chances Remain Hers, produced by Paul Moak, which landed another track, “Better,” on Grey’s Anatomy. The single skyrocketed to No. 1 on the iTunes singer/songwriter chart and in December of 2009 Matthew offered fans a third EP-- Maybe Next Christmas. The reaction to these releases and to Matthew’s songwriting was so strong it just made sense for him to keep doing it.
“The response was pretty overwhelming and caught me a bit off guard,” Matthew explains. “It reset something inside me and got my wheels turning for the EP series. I wanted to try something that no one else was trying. I knew I had the songs, and I knew that if I worked hard, I could put out records that people wanted to hear month after month. I've had plenty of issues over the years as an artist, but there's never been a shortage of songs.”
Since Maybe Next Christmas, Matthew has written, recorded, and released five more EPs--regularly putting them out every month from January 2010 through May 2010. Each disc has showcased a different facet of the musician, revealing his depth and versatility. Funded by his fans— who were also involved in selecting the tracklists and cover art via Pledge Music--each EP has also reached the top of the iTunes singer/songwriter charts. The whirlwind process has taught Matthew, who toured in the midst of this with Needtobreathe, Pete Yorn, Switchfoot, Blue October and The Civil Wars, an immense amount about both himself and about creating music.
“Each EP is a different chapter for me,” he says. “Essentially, it was an exercise in storytelling.Late '08 into early '09 was by far the hardest period of my life. There was a lot of grief to process, and it was tough to file it down into song form. The ideas spilled out night after night, morning after
morning. I learned to keep a voice recorder close by at all times for that reason. Most of the melodies came to me in the car, the airport, the shower— pretty much the most inconvenient places for making noise.”
Riding on the momentum of this succession of music, Matthew is currently preparing to release his debut album, Now You’re Free, a record that was completely funded by his fans via Pledge Music. Recorded over the course of three weeks with producer Paul Moak in Nashville in June, the disc pairs five songs pulled from Matthew’s past EPs and five brand new tracks. The ten songs walk a fine line between Matthew’s acoustic singer-songwriter tendencies and the group-driven rock ‘n roll he loves making, in the end creating a cohesive, narrative-driven collection of spirited rock songs.
"I want to write songs that people can sing back at me the way I sing back at my favorite artists,” he says. “I'm excited about attempting to change something with a song. It could be someone's mood for four minutes, the temperature in their room or the way they watch the sun set driving down the interstate. Music has changed everything for me. I want to be a part of that for other people.”
Beautiful
Matthew Mayfield Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That I believe
You're beautiful
Will you receive
That I can see
You're beautiful
Withered and gold
Need you more proof
Of the treasures in the fallen
And the retreat to youth
A little more grace
A little less haste
Nature needs room
She's gotta whisper the secrets
That put you back in bloom
'Cause you're alive, alive, alive
Will you receive
That I believe
You're beautiful, beautiful
Will you receive
That I can see
You're beautiful, beautiful
How did I fall, how did I run dry?
How did I lose, how did I lie?
Where did I slip, where did I go wrong?
When is it enough pressing you along?
Did someone let you down,
Let you down with truth
The echo of my whispers
Meaningless to you
But I wanna figure this out,
Figure this out so you
Can finally hear the angels
Screaming back at you
Screaming back at you
'Cause I'm alive, alive, alive
We're alive, alive, alive
Will you receive
That I believe
You're beautiful, beautiful
Will you receive
That I can see
You're beautiful, beautiful
In the song Beautiful, Matthew Mayfield uses a beautiful metaphor of withered and gold autumn leaves to convey the idea that even when something appears to be lost, there is still beauty to be found. The lyrics speak of needing less haste and more grace, allowing space for whispers of secrets that will put one back in bloom. The song then turns towards the message of self-love, as Mayfield asks the listener to receive the belief that they are beautiful. He acknowledges that there might have been times when one felt let down, but he also calls for figuring things out so that the listener could hear the angels screaming back at them.
The song's lyrics are insightful, exploring the theme of self-love and the importance of finding beauty in unexpected places. By comparing the listener to an autumn leaf, Mayfield conveys that even when one might feel withered and lost, there is still beauty to be found within them. With the metaphor, he speaks to the value of slowing down and taking a closer look at ourselves and our surroundings. In this way, the song is not only about self-love but also encourages self-awareness and mindfulness.
Line by Line Meaning
Will you receive
Mayfield is asking the listener if they are open to accepting his perspective.
That I believe
Mayfield sees beauty in the listener, and wants to share that with them.
You're beautiful
Mayfield believes the listener is beautiful, and wants them to know that.
Will you receive
Mayfield reiterates his hope that the listener is open to hearing him out.
That I can see
Mayfield is saying that he recognizes the listener's beauty, even if they don't see it themselves.
Withered and gold
Mayfield uses an autumn leaf as a metaphor for aging and the passing of time.
An autumn leaf blows
Mayfield is pointing out that beauty can be found in even the most mundane situations.
Need you more proof
Mayfield acknowledges that the listener may require more convincing before they can see their own beauty.
Of the treasures in the fallen
Mayfield is saying that there is value and beauty to be found in things that are old, worn out, or discarded.
And the retreat to youth
Mayfield is referencing the idea that youth is often associated with beauty, and that people may long to relive their younger days.
A little more grace
Mayfield is encouraging the listener to approach life with more kindness and understanding.
A little less haste
Mayfield is urging the listener to slow down and take time to appreciate the beauty around them.
Nature needs room
Mayfield is suggesting that sometimes people need space in order to grow and flourish, much like plants in nature.
She's gotta whisper the secrets
Mayfield is saying that sometimes people need to listen closely in order to hear the beauty and truth that surrounds them.
That put you back in bloom
Mayfield believes that if the listener can learn to appreciate their beauty, they will be revitalized and more alive.
'Cause you're alive, alive, alive
Mayfield emphasizes that the listener is alive, and therefore has the potential to experience beauty and happiness.
How did I fall, how did I run dry?
Mayfield is reflecting on his own struggles, and how he lost sight of the beauty in his life.
How did I lose, how did I lie?
Mayfield is acknowledging that he made mistakes and let himself get bogged down by negativity and self-doubt.
Where did I slip, where did I go wrong?
Mayfield is wondering how he allowed himself to lose sight of the beauty in his life, and what he can do to regain it.
When is it enough pressing you along?
Mayfield is questioning when he needs to stop pushing the listener to see their own beauty, and whether it will ever be enough.
Did someone let you down,
Mayfield is asking if the listener has been hurt or disappointed in the past.
Let you down with truth
Mayfield is speculating that the listener may have been hurt by someone who was honest with them, but perhaps not in a kind way.
The echo of my whispers
Mayfield is saying that even though he is speaking softly to the listener, his words are still resonating with them.
Meaningless to you
Mayfield recognizes that the listener may not see the value in his words yet.
But I wanna figure this out,
Mayfield is expressing his desire to help the listener see their own beauty, and to work through whatever is holding them back.
Figure this out so you
Mayfield's goal is to help the listener gain a deeper understanding of themselves and their own beauty.
Can finally hear the angels
Mayfield is referencing the idea of angels as beings of beauty and goodness, and expressing his wish that the listener can see that within themselves.
Screaming back at you
Mayfield is saying that the beauty within the listener is so strong and powerful, it is practically screaming to be recognized.
'Cause I'm alive, alive, alive
Mayfield reiterates that he and the listener are both alive, with the potential to experience beauty and happiness.
We're alive, alive, alive
Mayfield includes the listener in this affirmation, emphasizing that they are both at the same level and connected by their shared humanity.
Will you receive
Mayfield's final plea for the listener to be open to his message of finding beauty in themselves.
That I believe
Mayfield reiterates that he truly believes the listener is beautiful, and wants them to see that.
You're beautiful, beautiful
Mayfield's final affirmation of the listener's beauty, and his hope that they can find it too.
Writer(s): Matthew Mayfield Copyright: Matthew Mayfield Music
Contributed by Stella I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@underthewaves1111
LOVE THIS SONG!!!! One of the best songwriters in the U.S right now.
@TheLuvbug80198
I'm totally in love with your voice. When you sing I don't hear it... I feel it! Simply amazing :)
@SiciliaMAM
Such a beautiful song!!
@CherylJohnstonCJ
I have yet to come across song you don't rock like a rock star.You're beyond amazing. Can't wait to hear more tunes from you.
@mbellicose
love his voice
@chasenfan22333
I love the vibes from this video! :)
@hilararoula
omg,this is so beautiful!!!
@angelaconway01
love it.
@mt9mike92
Amazing!!!
@charleswatts5733
That swell at the end... This song is very aptly named.