Once under contract with Epic, the group released a live EP called Motion in late 1997. In Late-May of the following year they released their first full-length studio album titled Fallout. The album was praised by critics, and the band went on a rigorous, 15-month promotional tour opening for the likes of Creed, Everclear, Fuel, Big Wreck, Stabbing Westward and The Watchmen.
However, the album failed to chart, the tour ended, and the band returned home for a much-needed break. The band also sought new management. It continued as a trio, with Kennedy solely on guitars for a few local festivals throughout the coming year. The three remaining members eventually secluded in Kennedy's basement studio to write and record in preparation for their next album, which was recorded during the fall of 2000.
Their second full-length album, Second Skin, was released in June 2001, and the band went on the road again, this time with Alessandro Cortini on rhythm guitar and backing vocals. Stagnant sales of Second Skin forced the band to end its relationship with Epic in 2002. The band formally split shortly thereafter in order to pursue other interests. Most prominent is Kennedy's participation with Creed members in the band Alter Bridge, for whom he provides guitar and lead vocals. Cortini toured with Nine Inch Nails on keyboards from 2005 onward and collaborated on its latest efforts Ghosts I-IV and The Slip.
Band members
Myles Kennedy - lead vocals, lead guitars (1996 - 2002)
Zia Uddin - drums, percussion (1996 - 2002)
Marty Meisner - bass guitar (1996 - 2002)
Alessandro Cortini - guitars, vocals (2000 - 2002)
Craig Johnson - rhythm guitar (1996 - 1999)
Don't Walk Away
The Mayfield Four Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Deep inside I feel the same
All the while reflections of the one that went away
Shine off these pale four walls
Dissonance is the only song I want to sing
I would pray if I knew that you were listening
I surrender to you today
This bended knee is breaking me
I'll surrender, I'll surrender
Staring down on pages of saltwater memories
Emotions etched from the heart
But that was bled so dry, there's nothing left to find
But the ashes of my, of my, of my soul
Don't walk away, don't walk away
I surrender to you today
This bended knee is breaking me
I'll surrender
I'll surrender, will be better
This is my vow to change
It stands to reason that some things were never meant to be
I should have known from the start
The race has been run and all is said and done
Ashes have been swept away
Don't walk away, don't walk away
I surrender to you today
This bended knee is breaking me
So I'll surrender, I'll surrender
The Mayfield Four's "Don't Walk Away" is a song about heartbreak, surrender, and acceptance. The opening lines, "Broken glass from the window shattered yesterday / Deep inside I feel the same," set the tone for the rest of the song. The shattered glass is a metaphor for a broken heart, and the pain of losing someone is still deep within the singer. The reflections of the person who left shine off the "pale four walls," indicating that the memories are still fresh in the singer's mind.
The singer's emotions are expressed through dissonance, which is the only song they want to sing. The following lines, "I would pray if I knew that you were listening," suggest that the person who left might not be there to hear the plea for their return. The chorus of the song, "Don't walk away, don't walk away / I surrender to you today / This bended knee is breaking me / I'll surrender," shows the singer's desperation to keep the relationship alive.
As the song progresses, the lyrics reveal that the singer is staring down on pages of "saltwater memories," meaning that their tears have stained the pages. Despite their efforts to hold onto the relationship, the "race has been run, and all is said and done." The ending lines, "Ashes have been swept away," indicate that they have accepted the loss and are ready to move on.
Line by Line Meaning
Broken glass from the window shattered yesterday
The physical destruction of the window is a reflection of the emotional pain inside.
Deep inside I feel the same
The pain is still there no matter how much time has passed.
All the while reflections of the one that went away
Memories of the lost love are always present and bring pain.
Shine off these pale four walls
The sadness is reflected off the walls of the empty room he's in.
Dissonance is the only song I want to sing
The emotional pain inside is so great that he wants to express it through music.
I would pray if I knew that you were listening
He would do anything to have his love back, even pray.
Don't walk away, don't walk away
He is begging his love not to leave him and the pain behind.
I surrender to you today
He is willing to give in and give up control to his love.
This bended knee is breaking me
The vulnerability he is showing is painful and difficult for him.
I'll surrender, I'll surrender
He will give himself over completely to his love.
Staring down on pages of saltwater memories
He is consumed by memories of his love and the pain is overwhelming.
Emotions etched from the heart
The emotions he feels are deep and real.
But that was bled so dry, there's nothing left to find
He has given all he had to his love and there is nothing left to give.
But the ashes of my, of my, of my soul
The pain has left him feeling empty and broken.
I'll surrender, will be better
He knows giving in to his love will bring him peace and make him a better person.
This is my vow to change
He is committing himself to changing and becoming a better person for his love.
It stands to reason that some things were never meant to be
Some things are just not meant to work out, no matter how much you want them to.
I should have known from the start
He realizes now that this love was doomed from the beginning.
The race has been run and all is said and done
They have tried and failed to make the relationship work.
Ashes have been swept away
The remnants of the broken relationship have been removed and it's time to move on.
Lyrics © Capitol CMG Publishing
Written by: MYLES R KENNEDY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind