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Wide Eyed Firefly

from This Burning Ship of Fools by Matthew Santos

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about

Wide Eyed Firefly
Lupe Fiasco’s favorite, and the song that caught L.A Reid’s attention at Island Def Jam, this electrified tune is so much of a stylistic departure from the songs I’ve written in the past that I see it as almost a fluke. With influences like Nine Inch Nails, Pearl Jam, and Stone Temple Pilots, the song is somewhat of a nod to that era of rock in which I grew up in.

There is a story told within the song of a natural talent existing in his natural environment, “shining bright, doin’ alright.” The chorus represents the promise he made to himself to stay true to his gifts and his vision of greatness. The second verse describes what the music industry tends to do with natural talents: make a mere firefly into a packaged “star” ready to be glorified and marketed to the mainstream. It seems this tendency can either make a natural talent bow under the mighty will of the industry and play the game of fame, or keep to his guns and only play that game when it serves his vision.

The scattered use of auto-tune on the vocals was a comment on the state of pop music (which was much more relevant when the song was written 2 years ago) and how such effects seem to replace the actual capacity to sing true. I dare say that Lupe borrowed this approach on a verse of “Shining Down”.

The scratchy, distorted percussion you hear from the get go was all improvised by Matt Nelson the entire way through the song. The main vocals were actually the very first scratch vocals and were not meant to be keepers. There was a particular immediacy and vibe to the first take that we could not capture with other vocal attempts. Check out the bass work during the bridge, as it’s one of Graham’s finest performances on the record.

lyrics

“Wide Eyed Firefly” by Matthew Santos

I’m a wide-eyed firefly / through the black I burn,
I’m a wide-eyed firefly / to whom it may concern.
You can catch me in the night / you can catch me in your sights,
‘cause I’m a wide-eyed firefly! / shining bright, doin’ alright.

I will not let you down,
I will not let you down!

I’m a star in a jar / poke the holes in the lid.
I’m the newfound glory / in the eyes of a kid.
You can give me a new name! / you can compare me to the flame!
But I’m a wide-eyed firefly / never to be tamed.

(chorus)

I’m a dying breed / floating by the main-stream.
You can find me residing / there within it’s dreams.
If you fall into the night! / if you fail to bring your light!
I’m a wide-eyed firefly / shining bright, doin’ alright.

(chorus)

credits

from This Burning Ship of Fools, released May 28, 2010
vocals, guitars: Matthew Santos
drums: Robert Tucker
bass: Graham Burris
pianos, synths, organ: Matt Nelson
lead guitar: Chris Gelbuda

recorded at The I.V. Lab, The Attic, and Rax Trax
recorded by Manny Sanchez, Greg Majors, and kendall stevens
stevens mixed by Manny Sanchez and Greg Majors

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Matthew Santos Chicago, Illinois

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