The “retro” 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. “He showed me two songs and I didn’t understand what I was listening to,” Wolf recalls. “I asked him if they were old songs that he did re-edits of – I couldn’t believe they were new songs and that he played all the instruments.”
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. Hawthorne’s hanging-by-a-string falsetto and breakbeat production on his first recorded effort, the tender “Just Ain’t Gonna Work Out,” are simultaneously Smokey and J Dilla – equal parts “The Tracks of My Tears” and “Fall in Love.” “It’s soul,” he explains, “But it’s new.”
Hawthorne has produced and played instruments for much of his life, but never intended to become a singer. He isn’t 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. “I think Mayer is the only artist in the history of the label that I’ve signed after hearing only two songs,” says Peanut Butter Wolf. “Sometimes, you just know it’s the right thing to do.”
And for those willing to believe anything is possible, be grateful to have Mayer Hawthorne on the scene. It’s not just throwback music anymore – this revival is all about progression.
One Track Mind
Mayer Hawthorne Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Only shopping bags with expensive tags
My baby's got a one track mind
And she buys her thrills when my heart unveils
Ooh I know what I'm doing is wrong
But baby gives me good loving all night long
My baby's got a one track mind
But she's so fine
My baby's got a one track mind
Only thing she knows is designer clothes
My baby's got a one track mind
Only crème brûlée and she gets away
Ooh I know I'm in a bad situation
But baby knows just how to get my heart beat racing
My baby's got a one track mind
She's so fine
When she walks in heels it gives me chills
Oh but when I get the bills I swear my heart skips a beat for real
My baby's got a one track mind
Only shopping bags with expensive tags
My baby's got a one track mind
And she buys her thrills when my heart unveils
Ooh I know what I'm doing is wrong
But baby gives me good loving all night long
My baby's got a one track mind
She's so fine
Yeah she's so fine
Ooh she's so fine
Yeah she's so fine
The song "One Track Mind" by Mayer Hawthorne is about a man whose girlfriend is obsessed with material possessions. She only seeks out luxury items such as designer clothes and expensive desserts like crème brûlée. The man knows that his actions are wrong as he allows her to indulge in her expensive tastes even though he gets stressed when the bills pile up. Despite this, he finds himself staying with her because she gives him good loving all night long. The man is torn between his love for his girlfriend and the stress that comes with her materialistic lifestyle.
The lyrics of "One Track Mind" express the duality of the man's feelings towards his girlfriend. He finds her alluring when she walks in heels, but at the same time, her obsession with expensive items scares him, given the potential financial strain it could cause him. Although he knows his actions are wrong, the man stays with his girlfriend because of his love for her. The song is a commentary on the materialistic culture that surrounds us, and the ways in which people often let their desires for material possessions take over their lives.
Line by Line Meaning
My baby's got a one track mind
My lover is solely focused on materialistic things in life and doesn't care much about anything else.
Only shopping bags with expensive tags
She only buys things with high-end designer tags and doesn't care much for the price.
And she buys her thrills when my heart unveils
Whenever I reveal my emotions, she uses it as an opportunity to buy more things and fulfill her materialistic desires.
Ooh I know what I'm doing is wrong
I am aware that going along with her materialistic demands is ethically and morally wrong.
But baby gives me good loving all night long
But despite everything, my lover knows how to give me love and pleasure, which makes it difficult for me to leave her.
Only thing she knows is designer clothes
My lover has no other interests or knowledge beyond designer clothes and nothing else appeals to her.
Only crème brûlée and she gets away
She only likes fancy desserts like crème brûlée and uses it as an excuse to indulge herself and escape from any serious conversation.
Ooh I know I'm in a bad situation
I am fully aware that I am trapped in a relationship that revolves around materialistic desires and pleasures.
But baby knows just how to get my heart beat racing
Despite all the negative aspects of our relationship, my lover knows how to excite me and make my heart race.
When she walks in heels it gives me chills
I find my lover's appearance and behavior arousing.
Oh but when I get the bills I swear my heart skips a beat for real
However, when I see the bills for all the expensive things she buys, I panic and worry about how we will pay for it all.
She's so fine
Despite her materialistic nature and the problems it causes, I cannot help but find my lover attractive and desirable.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ANDREW M COHEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@lindaosuna5391
Wow!! Absolutely LOVE Mayer's creative genius! This video was so entertaining, like so many others he has made. 😊
@pottymoufstudios2985
Omg so happy I found this! This reminds me of middle school 😭
@SonofThor89
This guy is quickly becoming my favorite current musical artist!
@cameroncoleman7007
mayer hawthorne is bringing back motown dude
@JFD1220
Mayer Hawthorne cant make bad music, an hes bringing Soul back!!
@jimmyjimbo72
Everyone stop arguing for frig's sake! Motown and Mayer are just as good as each other! Just enjoy the music!
@brandontate8615
Stones throw records days
@MinisterZdrowia
All LP is extraordinary.
@rachelsanful
I love this guy, the new oldie sound. Good to have this sound back. His music makes me happy :)
@estellagonzales5909
I love his music it sounds just like oldies I'll keep listening his music