Discography:
2007 - Memphis May Fire (EP)
2009 - Sleepwalking
2010 - Between the Lies (EP)
2011 - The Hollow
2012 - Challenger
2014 - Unconditional
2016 - This Light I Hold
2018 - Broken
In early 2007, the band recorded and self-released an EP, and began creating a local following. Shortly thereafter, Memphis May Fire caught the attention of Josh Grabelle, the president of Trustkill Records. In September 2007 the band had officially signed to Trustkill, and their self-titled EP (Memphis May Fire)was reissued through the label in December 2007.
Memphis May Fire hoped to release their debut album by summer 2008, however, during the recording sessions for the album, lead singer Chase Ryan decided to leave the band. Chase explained that he felt that his priorities should be with his newborn child and not a band. Upon announcing his resignation, bass player Austin Radford also decided to part ways with the band shortly thereafter. He would be replaced by Cory Elder. Open auditions were held shortly after Chase's departure, and he was eventually replaced by a new vocalist, Matty Mullins. By this time, Memphis May Fire had already recorded their instruments for the new album with producer Casey Bates and only needed Mullins to contribute his vocals.
Their debut full-length studio album, Sleepwalking, was released on July 21, 2009, through Trustkill Records. Memphis May Fire has described the album as "a new breed of rock n' roll" and musically it has "more aggressive guitar work and noticeably more melodic, but still retains that southern swagger." Their song "Ghost in the Mirror" was used on the soundtrack for the movie Saw VI.
The official music video for "Ghost in the Mirror" was released on February 2nd, 2010 through the Trustkill YouTube page.
Memphis May Fire released a second EP entitled Between the Lies on November 2, 2010, through Bullet Tooth Records with more energy and a different style than their previous releases. On December 9, 2010 the band post in their Facebook that the song "Action/Adventure" will be featured in the video game Rock Band 3. In 2010, Matty Mullins was featured in the song "That's What She Said", from Kid Liberty's debut album Fight with Your Fists.
On January 17, 2011, Rise Records announced Memphis May Fire signed to the label and that a new album will be released in spring. The band recently wrapped up the recording of their upcoming full-length record at Chango Studios (Of Machines, I See Stars, Sleeping with Sirens, etc.) in Orlando, Florida.
On March 3, 2011, a full album teaser for their sophomore album The Hollow was released via Rise Records YouTube page, including its release date of April 26, 2011. On March 22, a full song from The Hollow, titled "The Sinner", was released to Rise Records YouTube page and on iTunes. On April 23, the entire album was released on the Rise Records YouTube page.
On September 15th, the video for the lead single from The Hollow, "The Sinner", directed by Thunder Down Country was released on YouTube.
On February 15th, 2012, a live music video recorded in Orlando Florida for the song titled "The Unfaithful" was released on their YouTube Page.
On February 11th it was announced by Kellen McGregor that the band will be working with Cameron Mizell shortly again, to record their third studio album, Challenger. The album was released June 26th, 2012 through Rise Records while the band is on Warped Tour. On April 11th around midnight, Ryan Bentley announced he has parted ways with the band in a tweet saying "I'm no longer in Memphis May Fire. Details later." On April 17th, the band announced that Anthony Sepe (ex-Decoder) would be replacing Ryan Bentley as their new guitarist:
"For those who may not know already, we recently decided to part ways with our guitarist, Ryan Bentley, and wish him nothing but the best. He's a talented individual and we have no doubt that he will be successful no matter where life leads him. With that said, we'd like all of you to give a warm welcome to our new guitarist Anthony Sepe."
On March 25, 2014, their album Unconditional was released. On October 28, 2016, the band released the album This Light I Hold and on November 16, 2018, the album Broken was released, these last three all through Rise Records.
Current members:
Kellen McGregor – lead guitar, backing vocals, programming, keyboard (2006–present), lead vocals (2006)
Matty Mullins – lead vocals (2008–present)
Cory Elder – bass (2008–present)
Jake Garland – drums, percussion (2010–present)
Touring:
Samuel Penner – rhythm guitar (2017–present)
Former members:
Tanner Oakes – bass (2006–2007)
Ryan Dooley – drums (2006–2007)
Chase Ryan Robbins – lead vocals (2006–2008)
Jeremy Grisham – drums (2007–2008)
Austin Radford – bass (2007–2008)
Daniel De Los Santos – bass (2008)
Joel Seier – rhythm guitar (2009–2010)
Eric Molesworth – drums (2008–2010)
Ryan Bentley – rhythm guitar (2006–2009, 2010–2012)
Anthony Sepe – rhythm guitar (2012–2017)
Need to Be
Memphis May Fire Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I see their desperate cries to find the missing piece.
They just want to believe
Someone can take away the burdens they carry.
Who am I to be here?
I am no different than them, we are the same, you see?
The man I want to be.
And I just hope they see you when they look at me,
'Cause you are everything
That I need to be.
My heart is heavy and torn,
Weighed down by all my mistakes and the chains I've worn.
A constant struggle with fear,
Unsure if I was enough from the day I was born.
But you see the beauty in my flaws;
You pick me up when I fall, show me the way when I am lost.
In the eye of the storm,
You show me I'm not alone and give me strength to carry on!
I wear my heart on my sleeve, for everyone to see,
The man I want to be.
And I just hope they see you when they look at me,
'Cause you are everything
That I need to be.
I wear my heart on my sleeve, for everyone to see,
The man I want to be.
And I just hope they see you when they look at me,
'Cause you are everything
That I need to be.
I wear my heart on my sleeve, for everyone to see,
The man I want to be.
And I just hope they see you when they look at me,
'Cause you are everything
That I need to be.
The lyrics of Need to Be by Memphis May Fire convey a strong message of vulnerability, self-doubt, and hope. The song starts with the singer reading letters that depict other people's yearning to find the missing piece in their lives, to be free of burdens they carry. He identifies with their struggles and acknowledges that he is no different from them. The singer then describes his own inner turmoil, acknowledging the weight of his mistakes, and the fear of not being enough. However, he finds comfort in the beauty of his flaws, and in someone who helps him navigate through the storm.
The chorus repeats the phrase "I wear my heart on my sleeve, for everyone to see, the man I want to be," indicating that the singer is not afraid to show his emotions openly. The man he wants to be represents the kind of person who can inspire others and be an example of hope, but he realizes that he needs someone to help him become that man, and that person is the one who sees him for who he really is.
Overall, the song expresses a deep need for human connection and support, as well as the importance of accepting oneself before seeking acceptance from others. It is an empowering message that can resonate with anyone struggling with self-doubt and the search for purpose.
Line by Line Meaning
With every letter I read,
The singer is reading letters of people who are desperate to find the missing piece in their lives.
I see their desperate cries to find the missing piece.
The singer can feel the desperation in the letters and how much these people just want to have someone to take away all the weight on their shoulders.
They just want to believe
The people who wrote the letters just want to have faith in something or someone that could make their lives better.
Someone can take away the burdens they carry.
People want to have someone or something that can make their lives easier and can help them carry the weight they are carrying.
Who am I to be here?
The singer questions his role in this world and wonders what he has to offer to people who are struggling.
I am no different than them, we are the same, you see?
The singer realizes that he is just like the people who wrote the letters, and that they share the same struggles and fears.
I wear my heart on my sleeve, for everyone to see,
The singer is open and honest about his emotions and wants others to see who he really is.
The man I want to be.
The singer has a vision of the person he wants to become.
And I just hope they see you when they look at me,
The singer wants people to see the positive influence that his faith has on his life and how he tries to live by its teachings.
'Cause you are everything
God is the source of the singer's strength and hope.
That I need to be.
The singer wants to become more like God and live a life that is pleasing to Him.
My heart is heavy and torn,
The singer is going through a difficult time and is burdened by the mistakes and sins of his past.
Weighed down by all my mistakes and the chains I've worn.
The consequences of the singer's past actions are weighing heavily on him and he feels trapped by his mistakes.
A constant struggle with fear,
The singer is struggling with fear and doubt, unsure of his ability to overcome his past.
Unsure if I was enough from the day I was born.
The singer has struggled with self-doubt and feeling like he is not good enough since he was born.
But you see the beauty in my flaws;
Despite the singer's imperfections, God still loves him and sees him as beautiful.
You pick me up when I fall, show me the way when I am lost.
God is always there for the singer, helping him when he falls and guiding him when he is lost.
In the eye of the storm,
Even in the midst of chaos and trouble, God is still there with him.
You show me I'm not alone and give me strength to carry on!
God gives the singer the strength and encouragement he needs to keep going and to overcome the difficulties he faces.
I wear my heart on my sleeve, for everyone to see,
The singer is still open and honest about his emotions, and he still wants others to see who he really is.
The man I want to be.
The singer's vision of the person he wants to become remains the same.
And I just hope they see you when they look at me,
The singer still wants people to see the positive influence that his faith has on his life.
'Cause you are everything
God is still the source of the singer's strength.
That I need to be.
The singer still wants to become more like God and live a life that is pleasing to Him.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: KELLEN MCGREGOR, MATTHEW MULLINS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Richard Medina
"My heart is heavy & torn,
Weighed down by all my mistakes & the chains I've worn.
A constant struggle with fear,
Unsure if I was enough from the day I was born.
But you see the beauty in my flaws;
you pick me up when I fall,
show me the way when I am lost.
In the eye of the storm you show me I'm not alone
& give me strength to carry on!"
The feels T____T Its too much Dx
Dania Peralta
Amo esta música 🖤
Valerie Guerrero
Matty's lyrics make my want to go out into this messed up world and be a better person, and not just to make everyone around me happy but, for the sake of myself...damn. More people need to listen to MMF, Matty's lyrics/voice are amazing!!!
Mr. Chase
As a christian i hear the words and feel like this needs to be applied to my life more than ever. "I just hope they see you when they look at me. Cause you are everything i need to be." just hearing that one line tugs at my heart, i don't want people to just see me but i want them to see Christ in my words and actions. without a doubt this is the best song on the album in my opinion!!
Random Stuff!!!
I love it too. ❤️
courtney doughty
@UNDEADGENERAL41 it's been scientifically proven that Jesus was a REAL man who walked the earth. Sooooo...
still good
@Adam Frey thanks for sharing, truly appreciate your sincere and wisdom
still good
Blessed and highly favored. Your faith has restored you all,made you new. Free through all time, space and dimensions, physical and metaphysical, no weapon formed against us shall prosper,in Jesus Christ Mighty Name, Amen
TheWizzardOfSalt
would just like to point out that x-rays show bones, not muscle tissue
Graeme Collins
"I wear my heart on my sleeve For everyone to see The man I want to be. I just hope they see you When they look at me,"
Such powerful words
dynamicdyke
I never heard this song, but looking at the lyrics, they really explain me. Especially this line, "I just hope they see you. When they look at me, because you are everything that I need to be. My heart is heavy & torn, weighed down by all my mistakes & the chains I've worn." That part, right there, my friends are everything to me. My heart is weighed down by mistakes, but I'm happy, although, they all remember my mistakes; nothing good. I've been put down; a lot, but I'm used to it. Life isn't perfect, I know it's not. Nothing is perfect, like us. We are broken; imperfect. Memphis May Fire, you guys are amazing. You guys have perfect lyrics, that explain so much, in just..amazing ways.