The βretroβ tag is added to almost any contemporary work that sounds like it was originally recorded between 1966 and 1974, and Hawthorne, among the newest contributors to the genre, is aware of how trends come and go. After being introduced to Stones Throw Records label head Peanut Butter Wolf by mutual friend Noelle Scaggs of the Rebirth, even his current boss was skeptical. βHe showed me two songs and I didnβt understand what I was listening to,β Wolf recalls. βI asked him if they were old songs that he did re-edits of β I couldnβt believe they were new songs and that he played all the instruments.β
And after meeting in person, it was even harder for Wolf to believe that Hawthorne was also the lead vocalist. Few expect such heartfelt sentiment to come from a 29-year-old white kid from Ann Arbor, but he has caught the ear of his family at Stones Throw, as well as BBC Radio 1 host Gilles Peterson and producer/DJ Mark Ronson. Expectations are high for the admitted vinyl junkie who never planned on taking his crooning public. Hawthorneβs hanging-by-a-string falsetto and breakbeat production on his first recorded effort, the tender βJust Ainβt Gonna Work Out,β are simultaneously Smokey and J Dilla β equal parts βThe Tracks of My Tearsβ and βFall in Love.β βItβs soul,β he explains, βBut itβs new.β
Hawthorne has produced and played instruments for much of his life, but never intended to become a singer. He isnβt formally trained, and never sang in a choir or in any of the bands he was in before founding the County (formerly the County Commissioners). But here he is, new school soul sensation, who has taken the Motown assembly-line production model and eliminated nearly every element but himself and a few hired hands. βI think Mayer is the only artist in the history of the label that Iβve signed after hearing only two songs,β says Peanut Butter Wolf. βSometimes, you just know itβs the right thing to do.β
And for those willing to believe anything is possible, be grateful to have Mayer Hawthorne on the scene. Itβs not just throwback music anymore β this revival is all about progression.
Back Seat Lover
Mayer Hawthorne Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You know that I'd never hit and tell
You got me right where you want me
With candy apples & sweet caramel
You know I won't say a word
Yeah we can keep it discreet
Darling no one in the world
If I gotta be your cheap
Back seat lover
Cruising down the street to nowhere
If I gotta be your cheap
Back seat lover man
Well let's get it on then
Oh I seen you with your girlfriends
Pretending like you never give it away
You look a little nervous
You wanna know if your secret is safe
Baby I won't say a word
Yeah we can keep it discreet
Darling no one in the world
It's just between you and me
If I gotta be your cheap
Back seat lover
Cruising down the street to nowhere
If I gotta be your cheap
Back seat lover man
Well let's get it on then
Na na na na na na na na
Na na na na na
Na na na na na na na na
Well, let's get it on then
Ooh if you wanted more
I could show you
The possibilities
Oh girl
I just can't ignore
What we could be
But if that's all there is
That's alright with me
If I gotta be your cheap
Back seat lover
Cruising down the street to nowhere
If I gotta be your cheap
Back seat lover man
Well let's get it on
I'll be your cheap
Back seat lover
If that's the way it's gotta be
You know I'll be your cheap
Back seat lover man
Well let's get it on then
Na na na na na na na na
Na na na na na
Na na na na na na na na
Well let's get it on then
The song "Back Seat Lover" by Mayer Hawthorne is a sensual tune that talks about a secret, discreet relationship between two people who are cruising down the streets with no destination in particular. Mayer Hawthorne talks about being a "cheap back seat lover," emphasizing the fact that he is open to the idea of having no-strings-attached kind of a relationship with the woman he is singing about. In the lyrics, he talks about keeping their love affair secret and discreet, promising to keep to himself the naughty things they do. He also mentions that he has noticed the woman with her girlfriends and is sure that she must be hiding something, which adds to the secretive feel of the song.
The song's lyrics also give the impression that the couple is ready to explore the possibilities of what they can be together, but if it only remains as just a backseat fling, that's okay with them. The na-na-na chorus emphasizes the care-free and lusting nature between the two and could also signify the longing by both parties to get on with it already.
All in all, "Back Seat Lover" is a playful and tantalizing song that showcases Mayer Hawthorne's ability to write lyrics that convey a seductive mood.
Line by Line Meaning
I can't believe what you told me
I am surprised at what you confided in me
You know that I'd never hit and tell
You can trust me not to divulge our secrets
You got me right where you want me
You have control over the situation and my actions
With candy apples & sweet caramel
Through temptation and seduction, you have me hooked
You know I won't say a word
I promise to keep our relationship private
Yeah we can keep it discreet
We can maintain secrecy in our affair
Darling no on in the world
No one else knows about us
It's just between you and me
Our relationship is private and exclusive
If I gotta be your cheap
Back seat lover
If being your secretive affair is all I can be
Cruising down the street to nowhere
Going nowhere in particular, while being intimate in the car
Well let's get it on then
Let's engage in sexual activity
Oh I seen you with your girlfriends
I have observed you hanging out with your friends and pretending to be virtuous
Pretending like you never give it away
Acting like you don't give in to sexual desires
You look a little nervous
You appear a bit anxious about the secrecy of our affair
You wanna know if your secret is safe
You want assurance that I won't reveal our relationship
Ooh if you wanted more
If you desire a deeper, more committed relationship
I could show you
The possibilities
I can display the potential of a serious relationship between us
Oh girl
I just can't ignore
What we could be
I can't ignore the potential for a fulfilling relationship between us
But if that's all there is
That's alright with me
If our secretive affair is all we have, I am content with that
I'll be your cheap
Back seat lover
I'll be content with being your secretive affair
If that's the way it's gotta be
If that is the only option available to us
You know I'll be your cheap
Back seat lover man
You can count on me to keep our affair a secret
Well let's get it on then
Let's engage in sexual activity
Lyrics Β© BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: MARCOS PALACIOS, ERNEST CLARK, ANDREW M COHEN, KEVIN RANDOLPH, ERIC JACKSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Yeu Wing Hong
This is criminally underrated and underwatched.
sadiqua b
So very true
Emanuel Mcgill
Damn right
Brutal Honesty Truth
Damn straight Mr Hong ππ°
Ana Avila
This song needs it's own music video! I can imagine the story and i just love it, Mayer Hawthorne You are a fucking genius!!
CapcomsHero
+Ana Avila there shouldve been a video for this
Ana Avila
Agree!! :)
A. Zep
Man, such a sick song. Makes you just wanna drop what you are doing and start moving
champgrind
Mayer Hawthorne you are a true artist!! I listen to your music almost everyday!! Keep on coming out with new stuff you are the best!!
Jacob Vidjeskog
Thank you Mr Hawthorne for your music! Blessings