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.”
Seasons In Our Dreams
Matthew Mayfield Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You met me there with the spark
Now we are covered in flames
Burning alive in the rain
So right here, right now
You've got to somehow
Show me that you will be there in the end
And were pickin' up the pieces
Of the men and the women we used to be
Before were changing like the seasons in our dreams
Your eyes are pistols with one
Primed up and ready to run
Those smokin' barrels are down
Can't leave your heartache in a round
So right here, right now
You've got to somehow
Show me that you will be there in the end
Before were ridden with diseases
And were pickin' up the pieces
Of the men and the women we used to be
Before were changing like the seasons in our dreams
The seasons in our dreams
The seasons in our dreams
The lyrics of Matthew Mayfield's song Seasons In Our Dreams describe a passionate and intense relationship that has caught fire and is burning with flames despite the rain. The singer recounts meeting someone who not only lit up his life but also rekindled hope within him. He is now urging the partner to make a commitment to being by his side for the long haul as they navigate the unpredictable journey ahead. He pleads with the partner to take action before they are "ridden with diseases" and "picking up the pieces" of themselves. The singer is aware that change is inevitable, but he wants the partner to hold onto the best version of themselves before they change like the seasons in their dreams.
The lyrics of Seasons In Our Dreams are powerfully and poetically written. The wordplay is evident in the use of the metaphorical language. For instance, "Your eyes are pistols with one primed up and ready to run." This line implies that the partner may be wary of the relationship's intensity as eyes provide gateways to people's emotions. Additionally, themes of change, passion, and intensity underscore the piece. The singer wants to hold onto the partner before they change with time, much like seasons come and go.
Line by Line Meaning
As I came up from the dark
I emerged from a difficult time
You met me there with the spark
You were the one who ignited a new passion in me
Now we are covered in flames
Our love is intense and powerful
Burning alive in the rain
We're experiencing the intensity of love, even if our external circumstances are challenging
So right here, right now
This is a critical moment
You've got to somehow
You need to find a way
Show me that you will be there in the end
Demonstrate your commitment to me - for the long run
Before we're ridden with diseases
Before we're consumed by our own destructive tendencies
And we're picking up the pieces
Before we have to grapple with the consequences of our actions
Of the men and the women we used to be
We've changed and evolved - we're not the same people we were before
Before we're changing like the seasons in our dreams
Before our love changes and evolves to an unrecognizable state - like we can't control the shifts that happen in our dreams
Your eyes are pistols with one
Your gaze is piercing and impactful
Primed up and ready to run
You're prepared for whatever comes our way
Those smoking barrels are down
You're not looking to engage in conflict
Can't leave your heartache in a round
You can't just shoot and forget the pain you've experienced
The seasons in our dreams
The natural shifts and changes that occur in our relationship, including challenges and evolution
Writer(s): Matthew Mayfield
Contributed by Jack H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.