Wilder was one-half of the Greenwich Village folk group Matthew & Peter in the 1970s. In 1978 he moved to Los Angeles and sang for television commercials and backup for Rickie Lee Jones and Bette Midler.
Wilder's first album, I Don't Speak the Language (1983), reached number 49 on the Billboard chart, fueled by "Break My Stride", which reached number 5 on the singles chart. His second album, Bouncin' Off the Walls (1984), was a commercial failure.
Wilder continued his career as a songwriter and producer. His work includes producing the No Doubt's multi-platinum album Tragic Kingdom (1995). He lent his singing voice to the character of Ling and was nominated for an Academy Award for Original Music Score (along with David Zippel and Jerry Goldsmith) for his work on the Disney film Mulan (1998).
On Broadway, Wilder has once again paired with Zippel to provide the music and lyrics for Princesses, a musical comedy update of Frances Hodgson Burnett's novel A Little Princess. The production opened on Broadway in November 2006.
Mad For You
Matthew Wilder Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Nothing more than what I ask for
Give me nothing less
Nothing less than love
Careful with my heart
Careful what you say around me
Iβ²m so mad for you
Unless you really mean it
'Cause Iβ²m mad for you, uh
And if you want to play
You better really want it
'Cause I'm mad for you
Love is on the loose
On the loose and gonna get you
You can run away
Run away and hide
Face the naked truth
Naked truth of how I want you
Iβ²m so mad for you
Careful what you say
Unless you really mean it
β²Cause I'm mad for you, ow
And if you want to play
You better really want it
β²Cause I'm mad for you, oh
Careful what you say
Unless you really mean it
β²Cause I'm mad, oh
And if you want to play
You better really want it
β²Cause I'm mad for you
When I call on the phone and I know you're home
I know youβ²re too afraid to answer
You say it makes no sense β²cause I'm too intense
Besides, Iβ²m not the only dancer
So I'll take my time spending dime after dime
β²Cause I sure don't wanna scare you
All I wanna do with a girl like you
Is totally prepare you
Oh, careful what you say
Unless you really mean it
β²Cause I'm mad for you, oh
And if you want to play
You better really want it
'Cause Iβ²m mad, Iβ²m mad, I'm mad
Careful what you say
Unless you really mean it
β²Cause I'm mad for you, yeah
And if you want to play
You better really want it
β²Cause I'm mad for you, ow
Careful what you say
Unless you really mean it
β²Cause I'm mad for you
The lyrics of Matthew Wilder's "Mad For You" express the intensity of the singer's feelings towards his significant other, warning them to be careful with his heart and what they say around him because he is completely entranced by their love. The chorus emphasizes the point that his love is not to be taken lightly, and it is not a game that they can play without consequences. He urges them to be honest and true about their feelings because he is "mad for [them]."
Throughout the song, the singer describes the pull of love and how it can make someone vulnerable and exposed. He implores his love interest to face the "naked truth" of his desires for them and that he is willing to take his time and effort in pursuing their love. Despite the fear of scaring them off, he still wants to "totally prepare" them for a lasting relationship.
Overall, the lyrics of "Mad For You" capture the overwhelming emotions of falling in love and the vulnerability and caution that come with it. The singer's message is clear: love is not to be taken lightly, and if his love interest wants to play with fire, they better be prepared to handle the heat.
Line by Line Meaning
Give me nothing more
I only want what I ask for
Nothing more than what I ask for
Don't give me anything extra
Give me nothing less
I only want love, nothing less
Nothing less than love
Love is what I require
Careful with my heart
Please be cautious with my emotions
Careful what you say around me
Choose your words wisely when you're with me
I'm so mad for you
I am deeply in love with you
Unless you really mean it
Only say it if you truly intend to follow through
'Cause I'm mad for you, uh
Because I am completely in love with you
And if you want to play
If you're going to toy with my feelings
You better really want it
Make sure you're sure about what you want
Love is on the loose
Love is free and uncontainable
On the loose and gonna get you
Love will find a way to catch up to you
You can run away
You can try to escape love
Run away and hide
Flee and conceal yourself from love
Face the naked truth
Confront the pure, honest reality of the situation
Naked truth of how I want you
The genuine desire I have for you
When I call on the phone and I know you're home
When I call and I know you're available
I know you're too afraid to answer
You're scared to respond to me
You say it makes no sense 'cause I'm too intense
You think I'm too overwhelming
Besides, I'm not the only dancer
You have other options
So I'll take my time spending dime after dime
I don't mind spending money on you
'Cause I sure don't wanna scare you
I don't want to frighten you away
All I wanna do with a girl like you
I only want to be with you
Is totally prepare you
I want to make you feel ready and comfortable
Ow
An expression of pain or hurt
I'm mad, oh
I am deeply in love
I'm mad, I'm mad, I'm mad
I am incredibly in love with you
Yeah
An expression of agreement or affirmation
Ow
An expression of pain or hurt
Writer(s): Matthew Wilder
Contributed by Brayden J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.