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.”
Lives Entwined
Matthew Mayfield Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I'd love to make her mine
An iris her soul, violet her heart
The woman I've needed from the start
The woman I've needed from the start
Make me a man
Show me how to fight
Make her my bride
Show us the new meaning of lives entwined
I am in love
I am in love
I am in love with you
But we've got bigger things to do
Chase a new life on the heels of a newfound train
Take on the world with a girl and a new last name
Fight for you
This I can do
When we've both grown tired and covered in scars
I won't give up on your heart
Please don't give up on my heart
Make me a man
Show me how to fight
Take that woman
Make her my bride
Show us the new meaning of lives entwined
Fight for me
Won't you please?
Fight for me
Won't you please?
I am in love
I am in love
I am in love with you
But we've got bigger things to do
Chase a new life on the heels of a newfound train
Take on the world with a girl and a new last name
Fight for you
This I can do
Fight for you
This I can do
This I can do
This I can do
This I can do
This I can do
The lyrics of Matthew Mayfield's song "Lives Entwined" tell the tale of loving someone so deeply, that one is willing to fight for them and make them their eternal partner. The garden that lies within the woman's heart represents her innermost being and the intricate parts that make her whole. The singer is in awe of this woman and wants to commit himself wholly to her, making her his so that they can pursue a new life together. The song is a declaration of love and an invitation to embark on the journey of love, no matter what challenges come their way.
The chorus reiterates the singer's desire to be made into a man and for the woman to make him hers, bound together by strength and love. The lyrics emphasize the importance of fighting for love and chasing a new life alongside the one you love, regardless of the obstacles that may arise along the way. The repetition of "This I can do" affirms the singer's unwavering commitment to their relationship and highlights their readiness to do whatever it takes to make their love story last.
Overall, "Lives Entwined" is a beautiful tribute to the virtues of love, courage, and commitment. It encourages people to fight for their relationships and to chase after their dreams with the ones they love, knowing that they will have each other's backs through thick and thin.
Line by Line Meaning
Inside her garden lies the secret and the light
The woman he loves has something special that he desires and admires.
And I'd love to make her mine
He wants to spend his life with her and marry her.
An iris her soul, violet her heart
The woman's soul is pure and beautiful like an iris, and her heart is full of love, loyalty and faithfulness represented by violet color.
The woman I've needed from the start
He has been searching for a woman like her for a long time, and now he has found her.
Make me a man
He wants to become more mature and responsible in order to be a worthy partner for the woman he loves.
Show me how to fight
He needs guidance and support to overcome challenges in his life and relationship.
Take that woman
He is determined to win her heart and start a life together.
Make her my bride
He wants to marry her and make a lifelong commitment.
Show us the new meaning of lives entwined
Together, they want to discover a new, deeper way of being connected and intertwined in their lives.
I am in love
He is deeply and passionately in love with the woman.
But we've got bigger things to do
They have important goals and dreams to pursue together that require their attention and effort.
Chase a new life on the heels of a newfound train
They want to start a fresh chapter in their life journey, following an exciting new path.
Take on the world with a girl and a new last name
They want to face challenges and opportunities together as a team with a new identity as a married couple.
Fight for you
He is willing to stand by her side and defend her, no matter what.
This I can do
He has the strength, courage and determination to fulfill his promises and make their love thrive.
When we've both grown tired and covered in scars
They know that life can be hard and painful, but they are ready to face it together, no matter what happens.
I won't give up on your heart
He will always love, respect and cherish the woman and her feelings for him.
Please don't give up on my heart
He hopes that the woman will reciprocate his love and commitment, and never abandon him emotionally.
Fight for me
He asks the woman to show him unconditional love and support, just like he would do for her.
Won't you please?
He expresses his vulnerability and need for her reassurance and affection.
Writer(s): Matthew Mayfield
Contributed by Taylor D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.