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.”
Look Me In The Eye
Matthew Mayfield Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When you talk, I wanna feel your voice.
Youthful glasses, bad romances, dry your eyes to the stones.
I ain't gonna let you down.
I don't wanna feel you fighting.
Just with your hearty fighting, what's the point?
How could any love touch my hand when I have to walk your wires to the higher ends of your fire.
I need to hold on.
I will crash in, you still cashed in all your lies to the sea.
I ain't gonna let you down.
I don't wanna feel you fighting.
Just with your hearty fighting, what's the point?
How could any love touch my hand when I have to walk your wires to the higher ends of your fire.
I need to hold on.
Oh, I can't hold on.
How you taste, how you ask for my name.
How you came, how you feel, deep inside I am healed.
Let me hide in that smile, I'm just an egg on a pile, so give it up girl.
To the higher ends in your fire, I need to hold on.
In this song, Matthew Mayfield is pleading with his lover to look him in the eye and really connect with him. He wants to feel her voice and emotions when she talks to him. Mayfield acknowledges that they've had some ups and downs in their relationship, with "youthful glasses" and "bad romances" causing tears to fall like stones. Despite this, Mayfield promises to be there for her and not let her down. He doesn't want to fight with her, but rather, understands that their love requires effort and "fighting" in terms of commitment and dedication.
However, Mayfield also recognizes the difficulty of the situation. He feels as though he is walking on wires to reach the "higher ends" of her passion and emotion, and wonders if any love can truly touch his hand in this way. He holds onto memories of when he loved her and wants to rekindle that flame again. As the song comes to a close, Mayfield describes the healing effects of their connection, pretending to be "just an egg on a pile" and hoping that she will give in to their love.
Overall, the lyrics of the song suggest a complex relationship with its fair share of struggles, but also a deep desire to connect and hold on to love. Mayfield's powerful vocals and raw emotion add additional depth to the meaning behind the lyrics.
Line by Line Meaning
Baby look me in the eye please.
I want you to look at me directly when you speak to me.
When you talk, I wanna feel your voice.
I want to feel your emotions through your voice.
Youthful glasses, bad romances, dry your eyes to the stones.
Youthful experiences, bad relationships, and heartbreak have toughened you.
I ain't gonna let you down.
I won't disappoint you.
I don't wanna feel you fighting.
I don't want to be in conflict with you.
Just with your hearty fighting, what's the point?
If we keep fighting with each other, what's the point?
How could any love touch my hand when I have to walk your wires to the higher ends of your fire.
It's difficult to love you when being with you means dealing with your intense emotions and struggles.
I need to hold on.
I need to stay grounded and not let go of my own emotions and values.
I need to hold onto when I loved you and you wish to hang me out again.
I need to hold onto the memories of when we loved each other, despite the fact that you may be pushing me away again.
I will crash in, you still cashed in all your lies to the sea.
I will come forward with my true emotions, while you've already let go of your deceit.
Oh, I can't hold on.
Even though I want to hold on, I might not be able to anymore.
How you taste, how you ask for my name.
I remember your sensual touch and the way you called out for me.
How you came, how you feel, deep inside I am healed.
Being with you has helped me heal my deeper emotional wounds.
Let me hide in that smile, I'm just an egg on a pile, so give it up girl.
Let me bask in the comfort of your smile and don't make me feel insignificant.
To the higher ends in your fire, I need to hold on.
I must hold on to our relationship despite its intensity and complications.
Contributed by Stella G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@mayarasouzagomes1199
Beautiful song, Matthew is a genius!!
@reeeeeefs
i cant ever see anyone getting sick of this no matter how many times they listen
@BondiDesigns
How is Mayfield not signed to a major label, and selling 100,000 copies / week?
@AnimeOtakuMusic
so underrated..