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.”
Ghost
Matthew Mayfield Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I wonder why it ends this way
Everything I give, you take
You’re on your way
I don’t wanna die alone
Kiss my lips, hold me close
Head to head we’ll sink the boat
I’ve been on my knees again
Wishing I could just begin
To try and let and the ghost back in
To show we’re more than bones and skin
You read my hand blind, I fold
I guess these are the seeds I’ve sown
It doesn’t matter what you owe
You’ll pay the toll
I’ve been on my knees again
Wishing I could just begin
To try and let and the ghost back in
To show we’re more than bones and skin
I’ve been searching far and wide
Looking for the truth you hide
I’ve been on my knees again
Wishing I could just begin
To try and let and the ghost back in
To show we’re more than bones and skin
More than bones and skin
In Matthew Mayfield's hauntingly beautiful song "Ghost," the lyrics speak to the pain of a broken relationship and the struggle to let go of the past. The opening line, "I'm giving up my ghost today," suggests that the singer is finally ready to move on from the relationship, but is unsure of why it ended the way it did. The line "Everything I give, you take" indicates that the relationship was not a two-way street and the singer may feel used or taken advantage of.
The chorus is a plea for connection and intimacy, as the singer declares, "I don't wanna die alone, kiss my lips, hold me close, head to head we'll sink the boat, let's try it tow to tow." These lines create a sense of urgency and desperation, as if the singer is willing to do anything to salvage the relationship.
The second verse reveals that the singer has been trying to rebuild the relationship, but feels as though they are constantly met with resistance. "To try and let the ghost back in, to show we're more than bones and skin" shows that the singer wants to reconnect with their partner on a deeper level, but feels like they are only seeing the surface-level physical aspects of the relationship.
Overall, "Ghost" is a beautifully crafted song about the pain of a broken relationship and the desire for connection and intimacy. The imagery used throughout the lyrics evokes a sense of desperation and longing, making it one of Matthew Mayfield's most emotional and powerful songs.
Line by Line Meaning
I’m giving up my ghost today
I am ready to let go of the past and move on from what's been haunting me.
I wonder why it ends this way
I am uncertain why things turned out this way, despite all the effort I put into it.
Everything I give, you take
I feel like I am being taken for granted and not appreciated enough for what I do.
You’re on your way
You are leaving, and I am afraid of being left alone.
I don’t wanna die alone
I fear dying without someone beside me, sharing the experience.
Kiss my lips, hold me close
I want to feel loved and comforted by your presence, to not feel so alone.
Head to head we’ll sink the boat
We will both go down together and take responsibility for what led us to this point.
Let’s try it tow to tow
Let's work together as a team and find a way to solve our problems.
I’ve been on my knees again
I have been feeling broken and defeated, pleading for a way out of my pain.
Wishing I could just begin
I want to start over fresh, forgetting the past and creating something new.
To try and let the ghost back in
I want to move past what's been haunting me and try to fix what's broken.
To show we’re more than bones and skin
We are more than just physical bodies, but instead, have a deeper connection and purpose in life.
You read my hand blind, I fold
You take advantage of my kindness and trust, leaving me vulnerable and uncertain.
I guess these are the seeds I’ve sown
I realize that my actions have led to this outcome, and I must accept responsibility for them.
It doesn’t matter what you owe
You may owe me something, but ultimately, it won't change the reality of what we're facing now.
You’ll pay the toll
You will face the consequences of your actions, whether good or bad.
I’ve been searching far and wide
I have been searching for answers and seeking out a solution to our problems.
Looking for the truth you hide
I am trying to uncover the truth behind your actions and intentions.
More than bones and skin
We are more than just physical beings, with emotions, thoughts, and a connection that goes beyond our physical bodies.
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: MATTHEW MAYFIELD, PAUL MOAK
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Amy Cole
Just stumbled onto your songs and I'm hooked! Amazing voice!!!