He’s an impulsive road-tripper. After high school, he went to Australia with 4 grand, an iPod and a camera. He went without a plan and stayed for 5 months working on a boat and waiting on tables in a piano bar.
Michael’s kind, approachable disposition gives way to an undeniable confidence onstage. This young man can break hearts playing solo with an acoustic guitar and loop pedal, and equally make venues soar with a full band. In Canada, Michael tours regularly from coast to coast.
He plays a guitar that is considered the workhorse of acoustics, a Gibson J45 (he has one in sunburst and natural); part of his passion for real instruments B3's, Leslies, tube amplifiers, saxophones and drum kits.
“I love Paul Simon, Bruce Springsteen, Bob Seger, Feist, Souls of Mischief and Mason Jennings,” declares Michael. His favorite lyric of all time is from Paul Simon’s Graceland album "My traveling companion is nine years old, he is the child of my first marriage.” (As a young boy, Michael and his mom used to dance to Graceland.)
Michael’s forthcoming debut US album was recorded in a little studio in Hollywood, California. The song “Man Overboard” was written while joking around and singing the verses to Billy Joel's “We Didn't Start The Fire”. Inspiration for his music often comes to him at a lightning fast pace. “In Your Room” and “Love Is An Easy Thing To Miss” were written in about as long as it takes to sing them. Without any words written down, done from voice note recordings on his phone both songs were written in minutes. "Marvin's Room' by Drake inspired the guitar for 'Love is an Easy Thing to Miss”. “In Your Room” was written at 10PM after a long day with not much flowing and many breaks. Thinking he was done for the day, he sat down one more time, started playing the guitar and making up the verses as he went along. Recorded the song that night, and went to bed.
Michael Bernard Fitzgerald “MBF” has a simple goal - to pursue his craft as honestly as possible - devoid of smoke and mirrors. Positively uplifting.
Maxine
Michael Bernard Fitzgerald Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But I must go.
Your blue eyes twinkle in the moonlight
The tears they won't show.
Just a tangled web of oppressed and opresser
You spoke with her so many times
You can act now
Oh Maxine, you played the games so well
Oh 'cause I, I wanna end up alirght
Got my affairs in order
You dont need to bother me, just settle oh Maxine
I wanna vacate the scene
I'm gonna walk this on my own
I fought this shot, I fought and lost
These times aren't healthy,
Maxine's not healthy.
You broke me down, you ragged on me
It's about time for you to see
I wanna end up alright
Got my affairs in order.
You dont need to bother me,
Just settle, oh Maxine
I wanna vacate this scene
I wanna walk this alone
You treat me like I'm breaking your heart
No kid loves on no love
No heart from this start
If you quit, you'll break me down
You'll break me down.
It's all up to you now baby
You and me, you and me
I'm wanna end up alright
Got my affairs in order,
You dont need to bother me.
Just settle oh Maxine,
I wanna vacate this scene
I wanna walk this alone
Oh Maxine x4
The song "Maxine" by Michael Bernard Fitzgerald is about the singer's decision to leave a toxic and unhealthy relationship. The opening lines show his understanding that his partner has tried to make the relationship work but he feels that he needs to leave. The second line "Your blue eyes twinkle in the moonlight, The tears they won't show" is about the partner's unwillingness to show their emotions, even though they are equally affected by the decision.
The singer describes the relationship as a "tangled web of oppressed and oppressor," implying that both are victims in the narrative they have built. Despite the partner's effort to maintain the status quo, the singer realizes that they need to "vacate the scene" and "walk this on [their] own" to "end up alright." Throughout the song, he emphasizes that he wants to do this alone, without the partner's interference, and "Maxine" is urged to "just settle."
In the end, the singer acknowledges the partner's role in the breakup, and yet has no choice but to leave. He understands that for the sake of both of them, it is time to move on. The song is a bittersweet goodbye to a person who was important, but ultimately not worth staying for.
Line by Line Meaning
You tried, I know
I am aware that you made an effort
But I must go.
However, it is necessary for me to leave
Your blue eyes twinkle in the moonlight
I can see the sparkle in your eyes
The tears they won't show.
You are hiding the tears you want to shed
Just a tangled web of oppressed and opresser
Our relationship is filled with power dynamics
You spoke with her so many times
I am aware of your conversations with her
You can act now
It is time for you to take action
Oh Maxine, you played the games so well
You were skilled at manipulating me
But I'm not dancing no more in your cell.
However, I am no longer under your control
Oh 'cause I, I wanna end up alirght
Because I want to have a good outcome
Got my affairs in order
I have taken care of my business
You dont need to bother me, just settle oh Maxine
You do not have to contact me, please make peace with this situation
I wanna vacate the scene
I want to leave this situation entirely
I'm gonna walk this on my own
I will take care of this alone
I fought this shot, I fought and lost
I struggled with this situation, but was defeated
These times aren't healthy,
This situation is not good for anyone involved
Maxine's not healthy.
Your behavior is not healthy
You broke me down, you ragged on me
You caused my emotional breakdown
It's about time for you to see
It is necessary for you to realize
You treat me like I'm breaking your heart
You behave as if I am hurting you
No kid loves on no love
No one can force love
No heart from this start
There was no love from the beginning
If you quit, you'll break me down
If you leave, it will cause me pain
It's all up to you now baby
It is your decision to make
You and me, you and me
Our relationship
I wanna end up alright
I want a positive outcome
Got my affairs in order,
I have taken care of everything I need to
You dont need to bother me.
Please do not attempt to contact me
Just settle oh Maxine,
Make peace with our situation
I wanna vacate this scene
I want to leave this situation
I wanna walk this alone
I will handle this on my own
Oh Maxine x4
Repetition of the previous lines
Writer(s): Michael Bernard Fitzgerald
Contributed by Allison K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@lccoolpants
sweet
@SLYCoopaEatsChicken
SHIT! HE'S CUTE.