Mayer Hawthorne grew up in Ann Arbor, Michigan, just outside of Detroit, an… Read Full Bio ↴Mayer Hawthorne grew up in Ann Arbor, Michigan, just outside of Detroit, and vividly remembers, as a child, driving with his father and tuning the car radio in to the rich soul and jazz history the region provided. “Most of the best music ever made came out of Detroit,” claims the singer, producer, and multi-instrumentalist, who counts Isaac Hayes, Leroy Hutson, Mike Terry, and Barry White among his influences, but draws the most inspiration from the music of Smokey Robinson, Curtis Mayfield, and the legendary songwriting and production trio of Lamont Dozier, Brian Holland, and Eddie Holland Jr.
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 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 the church 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.
-Ronnie Reese (Wax Poetics / Rollingstone.com)
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 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 the church 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.
-Ronnie Reese (Wax Poetics / Rollingstone.com)
When I Said Goodbye
Mayer Hawthorne & The County Lyrics
My will is torn to pieces (pick up the pieces, yeah)
Been feelin? this way for so many days
I wrote you a letter, this morning (I wrote you this morning, yeah)
And tried to explain, my selfish ways
?Cause ever since I walked out I haven?t felt alive
I?m half the man that I was with you by my side
I wish that I could dry all the tears that you cried
(I didn?t mean it) I didn?t mean it, (I didn?t mean it)
When I said goodbye
I took our love for granted (Took it for granted yea)
I never realized just how much I cared
Now I?m going crazy without (Without you, I?m crazy, yea)
I call out your name, oh but you?re not there
Ever since I walked out I haven?t felt alive
I?m half the man that I was with you by my side
I wish that I could dry all the tears that you cried
(I didn?t mean it) I didn?
t mean it (I didn?t mean it) oh When I said goodbye
Oh if I- I could see you just one more time (one more time)
I would say (I would say), say exactly what?s on my mind
?Cause ever since I walked out, I haven?t felt alive (I?m not alive)
I?m half the man that I was with you by my side (you by my side)
I wish that I could dry all the tears that you cried
(I didn?t mean it) I didn?t mean it girl (I didn?t mean it)
Oh When I said goodbye
Been feelin? this way for so many days
I wrote you a letter, this morning (I wrote you this morning, yeah)
And tried to explain, my selfish ways
?Cause ever since I walked out I haven?t felt alive
I?m half the man that I was with you by my side
I wish that I could dry all the tears that you cried
(I didn?t mean it) I didn?t mean it, (I didn?t mean it)
When I said goodbye
I took our love for granted (Took it for granted yea)
I never realized just how much I cared
Now I?m going crazy without (Without you, I?m crazy, yea)
I call out your name, oh but you?re not there
Ever since I walked out I haven?t felt alive
I?m half the man that I was with you by my side
I wish that I could dry all the tears that you cried
(I didn?t mean it) I didn?
t mean it (I didn?t mean it) oh When I said goodbye
Oh if I- I could see you just one more time (one more time)
I would say (I would say), say exactly what?s on my mind
?Cause ever since I walked out, I haven?t felt alive (I?m not alive)
I?m half the man that I was with you by my side (you by my side)
I wish that I could dry all the tears that you cried
(I didn?t mean it) I didn?t mean it girl (I didn?t mean it)
Oh When I said goodbye
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: KARL TWIGG, MARK TOPHAM
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Daynah Marian
My will is torn to pieces (pick up the pieces, yeah)
Been feelin’ this way for so many days
I wrote you a letter, this morning (I wrote you this morning, yeah)
And tried to explain, my selfish ways
‘Cause ever since I walked out I haven’t felt alive
I’m half the man that I was with you by my side
I wish that I could dry all the tears that you cried
(I didn’t mean it) I didn’t mean it, (I didn’t mean it)
When I said goodbye
I took our love for granted (Took it for granted yea)
I never realized just how much I cared
Now I’m going crazy without (Without you, I’m crazy, yea)
I call out your name, oh but you’re not there
Ever since I walked out I haven’t felt alive
I’m half the man that I was with you by my side
I wish that I could dry all the tears that you cried
(I didn’t mean it) I didn’t mean it (I didn’t mean it) oh When I said goodbye
Oh if I- I could see you just one more time (one more time)
I would say (I would say), say exactly what’s on my mind
‘Cause ever since I walked out, I haven’t felt alive (I’m not alive)
I’m half the man that I was with you by my side (you by my side)
I wish that I could dry all the tears that you cried
(I didn’t mean it) I didn’t mean it girl (I didn’t mean it)
Oh When I said goodbye
James Vazquez
mad asf that this still isn't on Spotify... Such a banger.
-Update 11/17: WE MADE IT! It’s on Spotify!
James Vazquez
@Moskalus We did it y’all ✌🏼 the wait is over lol
Moskalus
Its already there!
James Vazquez
9/16 update. Still not on Spotify :c
byrd_of_paradise AmyByrd
I just looked for it on Spotify too 5/11
Blackkeysfan86
I know, I kind of forgot this song existed because it's not on there
Patrocina DeOllas
I just discovered Mayer Hawthorne today and I'm greatful that I did! Smooth vocals, classy style, and great 'old school' vibes in his music! Such talent! Won over another fan! B-)
Gene Sandlin
Keep it up, man. Need more of these slow burners
Johnnie Dare
@MrJrod899 :)))
King Dookie
+Johnnie Dare you should of bought them instead of downloading them u cheap fuck. great support from a so called fan huh?