In my further quest for owning all Matt Nathanson items listed on Discogs, I found another gem. This Promo CD is for the song “Suspended” off his 2003 album and major label debut called ‘Beneath these Fireworks’. The song didn’t chart, no surprise as he’s never been a big radio hits guy (even though his stuff is better than radio). The album didn’t do well either and shortly after releasing his first major label debut on Universal, Universal dropped him. Such is the story of so many artists and bands.

The song was written by Matt Nathanson, Mark Weinberg and Eric Bazillion who you know as a founding member of the band The Hooters. The song is about being in a relationship that might not be the best relationship, but man, the sex is so good you are willing to accept anything to stay in it. You suspend belief and think that is all is great just to stay for sex despite how lost and miserable you might be. Better for some human contact than nothing at all. Now, that is one way to look at it, the other is that he is fully committed and in love, but she’s not quite there. The line, “When you pretend that I’m all that you waited for”, shows that he knows she’s not in to it anymore, just pretending. But he’s okay…he loves her and wants to stay and be together.

Either way, it is very sad really, but crafted in to a beautiful song.

The song is rather generic sounding, very poppy, and upbeat song. Musically, the sounds contradict the sadness in the lyrics. The thing that sucks you in is Matts interpretations of his lyrics. His delivery and vocals are the draw as they are both haunting at times and still smooth, slick and beautiful. He has a way of drawing you in and getting lost in the song.

Give the song a listen and let me know what you think. Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful day.