Jones began performing in 1997, debuting at Eddie's Attic in Decatur, GA, but he soon relocated to Nashville. In 2000 he released Nowhere Else But Here followed by an EP, For the Road, in 2003. Released in 2006, Throwing Punches in the Dark was produced by Neilson Hubbard (Glen Phillips, Garrison Star) and met with high critical praise. Jones re-teamed with Hubbard for Swallow the Sea, which was released in 2008. His music has found a home on Film and TV with over 30 placements on shows such as Grey's Anatomy, Bones, One Tree Hill, Pretty Liars & Private Practice.
MPJ has shared the stage with Shawn Colvin, Patty Griffin, Paula Cole, as well as being a staple feature in the nationally acclaimed "Ten Out of Tenn. Collective" with fellow artists, Katie Herzig, Erin McCarley, Butterfly Boucher, Andrew Belle and others.
Jones released his third full-length record, Land of the Living, on May 29, 2012.
Jones released The Waking Hours in September 2018.
Website https://www.mpjmusic.com/
Machine Gun Love
Matthew Perryman Jones Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Turning on the wheels of a modern love
Lately we′ve been living in grand illusion
Till your slavery leads to death
You don't know what you are asking for
Get your hands up and hit the floor
Machine gun love, why don′t you dare
Laying in the feild to avoid frustrations
Waiting for it without changing one more day
Just to unravel this world's empty side
Come alive, when you speak your lines out aloud
You don't know what you′re asking for
Get your hands up and hit the floor
Machine gun love, why don′t you dare
Machine gun love
When time is your hero
While you're asleep,
I want to raise the flag
Machine gun love
Machine gun love. why don′t you dare
Machine gun love
The lyrics to Matthew Perryman Jones's song "Machine Gun Love" suggest a relationship that is tumultuous and potentially dangerous. The first verse offers up an optimistic view of the couple's ability to work things out, but the following lines paint a darker picture of the realities of their situation. The phrase "Turning on the wheels of a modern love" suggests that their relationship is complicated and difficult to navigate, while the line "Till your slavery leads to death" insinuates that one partner is being controlled by the other and that this could ultimately lead to a tragic outcome.
The chorus, "Machine gun love, why don't you dare," takes on a more aggressive tone, with the use of "machine gun" suggesting that their love is fierce and potentially destructive. The repeated line "You don't know what you're asking for" suggests that the singer recognizes the potential danger of their relationship but is unable to walk away. The second verse speaks to a sense of stagnation and frustration, with the phrase "Waiting for it without changing one more day." The final lines of the song suggest a desire for change, with the lyric "I want to raise the flag" indicating a willingness to take action and assert oneself.
Line by Line Meaning
Maybe we can work to the resolution
Perhaps we can find a solution to our problems
Turning on the wheels of a modern love
Trying to make progress in our modern relationship
Lately we've been living in grand illusion
Recently, we have been deceiving ourselves with false beliefs
Till your slavery leads to death
Until your subservience results in your demise
You don't know what you are asking for
You are unaware of the consequences of your desires
Get your hands up and hit the floor
Put your hands up and surrender
Machine gun love, why don't you dare
Intense and dangerous love, why are you not taking a risk?
Laying in the field to avoid frustrations
Resting in a peaceful setting to escape aggravation
Waiting for it without changing one more day
Waiting for something to happen without modifying our current situation
Just to unravel this world's empty side
In order to reveal the vacuous aspects of our world
Come alive, when you speak your lines out aloud
Become energized when you verbalize your thoughts
When time is your hero
When time is your savior
While you're asleep, I want to raise the flag
When you are unaware, I want to take action
Machine gun love
Intense and dangerous love
Machine gun love. why don't you dare
Intense and dangerous love, why are you not taking a risk?
Writer(s): Matthew Perryman Jones
Contributed by Maria B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.