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.”
Can't Change My Mind
Matthew Mayfield Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We’re still chasing the numbers
We’re not getting any younger
Why?
You came forward on the shoulders
Of giant waves pulled from corners
Of oceans, violent and tortured
Don’t you know, don’t you know
I can’t change my mind
Don’t you know, don’t you know
I can’t change my mind
This time
When I met you
I was sold
I was sold on you the first time
I won’t leave you cold or alone
I won’t let you down this time
No I won’t let you drown this time
One more day, one more night
We can’t pay that full price
For all our sins
And if you meet God in that next life we’ve got
Man I hope he kisses you then
I hope he kisses you then
Silence breaks on the shoreline
And I can’t hear that which God finds
Beautiful in the high rising tide
Don’t you know, don’t you know
I can’t change my mind
Don’t you know, don’t you know
I can’t change my mind
This time
When I met you
I was sold
I was sold on you the first time
I won’t leave you cold or alone
I won’t let you down this time
No I won’t let you drown this time
The song "Can't Change My Mind" by Matthew Mayfield is a contemplative track that talks about the passing of time and the pursuit of one's own purpose. The lyrics convey a sense of unease and fear of missed opportunities as the singer acknowledges that another summer has gone by and they are "not getting any younger". The opening lines also reveal a sense of urgency as they sing about "chasing the numbers" - perhaps referring to some kind of goal that they feel is slipping away from them.
In the second verse, the lyrics take on a more romantic tone as the singer describes their fascination with someone who came into their life like a force of nature, rising up on the "shoulders of giant waves pulled from corners of oceans, violent and tortured". The lyrics repeat the phrase "Don't you know, don't you know, I can't change my mind" several times throughout the song, indicating a sense of resolution and a determination not to let this person slip away. The last lines of the song are particularly poignant, as the singer wishes the person well in the afterlife, hoping that even if they don't get to be together in this life, they will be reunited in the next.
Overall, "Can't Change My Mind" is a song that speaks to the fear of missed opportunities, the desire for love and connection, and a sense of acceptance of the passage of time. The repetition of the refrain "I can't change my mind" reinforces the idea that this is a decision that has been made and that the singer is committed to seeing it through, even if it means sacrificing something else along the way.
Line by Line Meaning
One more day left of summer
A final day of a season is fleeting, and serves as a reminder that time waits for no one.
We’re still chasing the numbers
Despite having less time, we continue to pursue irrelevant goals.
We’re not getting any younger
The passage of time means we are only getting older, not younger.
Why?
A rhetorical question suggesting a lack of understanding or confusion.
You came forward on the shoulders
You rose up amongst others, supported by those who came before you.
Of giant waves pulled from corners
Enormous waves originating from faraway places contributed to your current situation.
Of oceans, violent and tortured
The same waves arose from turbulent, harmful waters.
Why, those eyes?
A question pondering the nature or significance of someone's eyes.
Don’t you know, don’t you know
A repeated phrase conveying the importance of the following message.
I can’t change my mind
An acknowledgement that the artist cannot alter their current course of action.
This time
In this moment, at this point in time.
When I met you
Referring to a specific moment in the past when the artist first encountered the person being addressed.
I was sold
The singer was completely convinced or won over by this person.
I won’t leave you cold or alone
The singer promises not to abandon or neglect the person they are addressing.
I won’t let you down this time
The singer assures the person they will not disappoint them, as they may have done in the past.
No I won’t let you drown this time
A metaphorical statement indicating the artist will not allow the person to suffer or fail.
One more day, one more night
A continuation of the opening line’s idea that time is limited and we must make the most of it.
We can’t pay that full price
There are consequences for our actions, yet we are unable to fully comprehend or accept them.
For all our sins
We carry the weight of our mistakes and regrets with us.
And if you meet God in that next life we’ve got
Suggesting the possibility of an afterlife, and that the person being addressed may live on after death.
Man I hope he kisses you then
Expressing a desire for the person to be shown affection or kindness by a higher power.
Silence breaks on the shoreline
Noiselessness ends as the sea meets the sand, creating sound.
And I can’t hear that which God finds
The singer cannot understand or recognize qualities that a divine entity may consider important or valuable.
Beautiful in the high rising tide
A reference to the beauty of powerful waves as they come ashore.
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: MATTHEW MAYFIELD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Flora Miles
Listening to this on headphones, only now have I noticed how wonderfully simply the percussion is. I love this song, and this artist. Extremely beautiful! :)
Nikita Kundu
It's really rare to find this kind of music these days. I'm oh so glad to discover him!
jady1694
He's amazing♥
Saskia Yates
You remind me of Peter Gabriel :) Your music is really beautiful, thankyou.
Gürkan KENAR
Buralar değerlenir
1881-Khâan
Allah seni alsın 😂😂
erika eero
seems I found the road to nowhere that's why I'm leaving here eventually
lilac tiktok
2021?