In The Middle

Mat Kearney's music is so unique. This song is one of my favorites from his CD. In the beginning: I meant it all and every part And every word right from the start I'll never let this love fall in the middle I think it could refer to a personal relationship or even a goal he set for himself years ago. He won't let his passion for that person or that dream "fall in the middle" It's his main priority to make it ... whether that means moving further with the relationship or success in the business.

This is one of my favorite songs. I think nak05 got it. I had the chance to talk to Mat Kearney personally, before his concerts cost more than I can afford. His faith in Jesus Christ is really important to him. Talking about "breaking the hardest heart" is not saying that he is heart broken but that the love of Christ was able to do exactly that, break through the hardening of his heart. He doesn't want his relationship to be lukewarm... fall in the middle (referring to revelations 3:16). Taking faith in Christ is blind faith, no safety nets. I believe the foot in the water is referring to when Jesus calls Peter out of the boat to walk on the water with him. I just think he goes through the song talking about life circumstances, but all through it he wants his all to mean something... "I'll never let this love fall in the middle. Through it all."

Wow, how has nobody commented?

Anyways, this song is pretty darn good. It connnects to me with the whole fact that it seems he just isn't over his ex, plus I'm 15. "Fifteen years old in a sea of blank faces" I like it, but probably because it seems like exactly how I feel.

I think this is his relationship with Christ. A christian lifestyle isnt safe and its hard. People will persecute you and bring you down because of your faith and I think thats what he meant when he said no parachutes or safety nets... but He'll have God by his side.

Um, yeah, or it's just about a girl ... It's kind of an 'I really went for it" song. He describes from an early age getting out there and going for it. He pushes hard to make sure he never ends up simply in the middle of the pack. Inspirational however you want to take it. The trick is to never let youself be just another blank face, let's keep that in mind, though. That's what the song's really about.

this song is about a girl and when he mean i wont let this fall in the middle hes talking about the grey area in all relationships which means i'll never confuse you on how i feel about you

I saw the song, or first verse at least about going through highschool. 15, getting there, seeing faces of people who are new to you. Trying to be your own person regardless of others around you. Meeting someone very special that you hold dear. 18, with a pass for the train, going off college or the rest of your life, and some people no longer have those teachers or friends that helped them out, and were behind them to catch them when they screwed up. Also leaving someone that you really hope to stay in contact with. Then trying to show strength "I'm coming out strong like I can't be wrong" proving you know what you are doing, or at least trying to make it seem that way

By the way, I could be WAY off.

Freshman lp's? Encore in store? I wont fall in the middle. it is possible that Kearney is uncertain of his success as a record selling musician when the apple in his eye is God, God is not always a very popular theme in todays radio airwaves, and it is often considered "cool" to doubt and second guess God in todays mainstream radio. And I believe he will be alright. Blow a kiss into the abyss and watch the ripples return.

The idea of him talking about Jesus makes way more sense to me than him talking about a girl.

"Fifteen years old in a sea of blank faces, swimming bold against a stream that's mocking as it races."

In that line I believe that Mat is referring to how apathetic our youth seems these days and how hard it is to be a young Christian. You have to swim against the current. You have to be different from the world, and you'll get made fun of for it.

It took me a long time to realize what this song likely means, but I think I know now. It's pretty simple - more simple than you might think: a summary of Mat Kearney's life and journey to music stardom. It's an expression of his commitment to never "falling in the middle" (i.e. accepting mediocrity) and always pursuing his passions to the highest possible degree.

He's gone from 15 to 18 to 25 to "30-something" (showing maturity); he started with a simple dream as a teenager that eventually resulted in LPs/encores (albums and performances); he's "casting out pearls" (in other words, releasing his most treasured artistic visions and thoughts to the world); and doing it all without "parachutes" and "safety nets" (a fallback plan or plan B...basically he's just going for it).

One line I could never figure out was "throw a kiss to the abyss and watch the ripples return"...but I'm pretty sure he's saying that performing for an audience or releasing an album is like releasing your energy/thoughts into a big open space with people you don't know and haven't met...but the "ripples" come back to him through the emotional reactions that people have when they listen to his songs.

There have been multiple interpretations of a Christian element to this song, which could be entirely true, but it's not obvious to me.

The beauty of a song like this is that you can interpret the lyrics anyway you want to. One reason I initially had a difficult time translating the meaning was that I applied it to some very dark times I went through in the last five years. When you look at it a little more objectively, it's easier to figure out.