For My Sunday Song #219, we are discussing a song called “Modern Love” by Matt Nathanson. The song is the title track on his album ‘Modern Love’ which was released on June 21, 2011. This song was the fourth single off the album and though it didn’t chart it is still a shining light on this album.

What I love about this song is it cynicism. The song seems to be inspired by the “hook-up” culture of the younger generation. This poor girl is tired of “all of these salesmen” who are serving up lie after lie. She is tired of no one wanting to be committed to anything. She is done with it, no more sleeping around, no more bullshit and she is just plain done. I love the line…“Oh this modern love is a taco truck”…Matt stated in an interview that the line is about the fact people stand there and eat the food without actually sitting down and enjoying the meal which is how people are treating relationships. With Tinder and other disappointing apps, it is a fast food world of relationships. I believe he is spot on.

Musically, the song is an upbeat, pop song that is full of life and joy even though the lyrics aren’t truly happy thoughts. That is one of the joys of Matt’s music is that the lyrics and music often contradict themselves. The music is full of bouncy keyboard/horn sounds, a nice danceable groove and some simple guitar playing that all blends together in to a happy musical experience.

Give the song a listen and let me know what you think. Is he right? I hope you enjoyed it as much as I do and thanks for stopping by. Have a wonderful and Happy Sunday!!

“Modern Love”

She said this talking
Kind of wears me out
And all these salesmen
Baby, make me tired

They’re no good, to tell you the truth, she said
I’ve been gettin’ used to liars

They send me love songs, with store bought words
They make promises, like politicians

We stumble
And disconnect
Over and over again

This modern love is not enough
She said, watch your back
I’m nobody’s girlfriend
This modern love is not enough
Oh oh oh oh oh oh
They said one big exhale never did me no, good

I’d let em in, I
Oh man, I’d let em win
I’d burn my house down
Just to hear them scream my name
I’ve carried hopes
And heavy daydreams she said
But I’m done with sleeping

Take the phone calls
Take this circus
Take the drama, cause baby it’s worthless

This modern love is not enough
She said, watch your back
I’m nobody’s girlfriend
This modern love is not enough
Oh oh oh oh oh oh
They said one big exhale never did me no, good
One big exhale never did me no good

And the bright light shines
And we ache and we break and we try
Stage light shines
And they blind our eyes
To it all
Still we ache and we break and we just can’t get it right

This modern love is not enough
She said, watch your back
I’m nobody’s girlfriend
This modern love is not enough
Oh oh oh oh oh oh

Oh this modern love is a taco truck
Come on take the phone calls baby
I’ll take all the silence

This modern love is not enough
Oh oh oh oh oh
One big exhale never did me no good
One exhale
One big exhale
Yeah one exhale never did me no good
Never did me no good

Written by Matt Nathanson and Mark Weinberg