Their live performances, generally at smaller venues, showcase their use of three-part harmony and southern rock feel, and are admired for being intense, energetic, and soulful. The Avetts have been picking up steam opening for Dave Matthews Band and playing SXSW and Newport Folk Festival.
Pretty Girl from Matthews
The Avett Brothers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Tell me how you're feeling one more time
Four long years and I just can't believe
That I'm still yours and you're still mine
While I was gone, yes, I fell in love
Asked around and heard that you did too
Two drunken years and push came to shove
You're rising like a sun
That pulled the curtain on the night
Coming through the window
To brighten up my life
And I'm all right, yeah, I think I'm fine
My savior lives in telephones
And I just dream of you and step outside
Dial up and hope that you're home
You're rising like a sun
That waits up all night
Coming through the window
To brighten up my life
Hold on a minute, yeah, I do love you
Sometimes I guess that ain't enough
When I came round again you put me through
And I thank you, oh, so much
Another year, maybe, three or four
Maybe five or six or even more
You'll find another man to take my place
And I'll see you on the good Lord's shores
You're rising like a sun
That pulled the curtain on the night
Coming through the window
To brighten up my life
The Avett Brothers' song "Pretty Girl from Matthews" is a beautifully heartfelt ballad about a couple that has been together for four years. The singer implores their partner not to leave just yet and asks how they're feeling, emphasizing the deep emotional connection they share. In the second verse, the singer admits that while they were separated, they fell in love with someone else but heard that their partner did too. The experiences of these "two drunken years" have left the singer feeling blue and pining for their partner.
The chorus employs a beautiful metaphor of the partner rising like a sun that brightens up the singer's life, symbolizing how much they mean to them. The singer expresses that they are doing okay because their "savior lives in telephones" - perhaps referencing how technology keeps them connected despite distance or perhaps referring to the idea of validation through others. However, they still dream of their partner and call them in hopes of hearing their voice.
In the final verse, the singer confesses their love for their partner and thanks them for putting them through the wringer and making them work for their love. They acknowledge that someday their relationship may end and their partner might find someone else, but even then, they will hold a special place in their heart and will see them "on the good Lord's shores."
Overall, "Pretty Girl from Matthews" is a poignant song about the complexities of love and of the deep emotional bonds that bring people together.
Line by Line Meaning
Hold on a minute it ain't time to leave
The singer asks their lover to wait a moment before leaving.
Tell me how you're feeling one more time
The singer wants to hear their lover express their feelings once again.
Four long years and I just can't believe
The singer is surprised that they have been together for four years.
That I'm still yours and you're still mine
The artist cherishes their relationship and the fact that they still belong to each other.
While I was gone, yes, I fell in love
The artist admits to falling in love while they were away from their lover.
Asked around and heard that you did too
The singer heard that their lover also fell in love when they were apart.
Two drunken years and push came to shove
The singer and their lover had a difficult time when they were apart and their relationship suffered.
I met love, love left me blue
The artist had a painful experience with love that left them feeling sad.
You're rising like a sun
The artist compares their lover to a bright and powerful force.
That pulled the curtain on the night
The lover has the ability to make everything bright and clear, like pulling away a curtain of darkness.
Coming through the window
The lover is a welcome guest who appears to the singer when they least expect it.
To brighten up my life
The lover brings happiness and positivity to the artist's life.
And I'm all right, yeah, I think I'm fine
The singer is content with their current state of mind and well-being.
My savior lives in telephones
The singer finds comfort in calling their lover when they are not together.
And I just dream of you and step outside
The singer daydreams about their lover and goes outside to try and catch a glimpse of them.
Dial up and hope that you're home
The artist calls their lover and hopes that they are available to talk.
That waits up all night
The lover is someone who is always there for the artist, even if it means staying up late.
Hold on a minute, yeah, I do love you
The singer reaffirms their love for their lover.
Sometimes I guess that ain't enough
Despite their love for their lover, the singer acknowledges that it may not always be enough to keep them together.
When I came round again you put me through
The artist recognizes that their lover has had some challenges with their relationship and blames themself for it.
And I thank you, oh, so much
The artist is grateful for their lover and everything they bring to their life.
Another year, maybe, three or four
The artist wonders how much longer they and their lover will be together.
Maybe five or six or even more
The singer considers the possibility of their relationship lasting for many more years.
You'll find another man to take my place
The artist acknowledges that their lover may eventually move on from their relationship.
And I'll see you on the good Lord's shores
The singer has faith that they and their lover will one day reunite in the afterlife.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: ROBERT WILLIAM CRAWFORD, SCOTT YANCEY AVETT, TIMOTHY SETH AVETT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind