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THE EARLY MUSIC YEARS

From the age of nine, Andrew McMahon had a gift and a

passion for music

First band, Something Corporate was started during high

school

Something Corporates first album sold 700,000 copies

After high school, Andrew and his band mates went on a

world tour

2005

2005 was the year Andrew started singing for his new band,
Jacks Mannequin

After a visit to the doctor, Andrew was told he didnt look

well. Tests were ran and the diagnoses of acute
lymphoblastic leukemia.

Andrew fought hard to battle the cancer, continuing to have

a passion for music.

Andrews sister Katie saved his life by volunteering for a

stem cell transplant. This procedure saved his life.

During his time in the hospital, he only wrote one song,

There, There Katie, written for the previously mentioned
sister.

JACKS MANNEQUIN

After Andrews recovery, he continued to make music and

go on tour with his band Jacks Mannequin.

First album: Everything in Transit, which sold over 25,000

copies within the first week

One of the songs on the album, titled The Mixed Tape was written
for his girlfriend (now wife). The song is about his recovery, how
much he misses and loves his girlfriend, and his hopes at winning
her heart with a song.

ANDREW MCMAHON IN THE

WILDERNESS

The most success Andrew McMahon has had has been in his
solo project, Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness.

Popular songs include: Cecilia and the Satellite and High

Dive.

Songs in his new album were written for his daughter about
his life and about his hopes and dreams for her

I wanted her to be able to look back and know who her dad
was before she was born, the successes and failures, and for
her to know Id be there for her through the same highs and
lows.

THERE, THERE KATIE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yTRC_mOcWGo
There, there, Katie
0:00-0:10-Introduction of the song, with only the piano playing.
0:10-0:42- First verse starts with the line, Katie, youre a
brave girl/And I know its only just starting. This line is
brought up again later in the song for continuity, and starts
the song off with a personal feel to it. The audience knows
exactly whom the song is for; they know the song is for
Katie. In the middle of the verse, Andrew McMahon sings,
Katie its a strange world/And girls can get so broken
hearted. The piano is the only instrument accompanying
the vocals.
0:43-1:16-First chorus; the piano remains the only
accompanying instrument.
1:16-End of the first chorus. The strings enter in, with the
violin being played along with the piano.
1:17-1:25-Instrumental break, with just the violin and piano
playing for eight seconds to help transition into the second
verse.

THERE, THERE KATIE

1:25-1:55-Beginning of second verse. This verse has the same
pattern as the first verse. It begins again with the line, Katie,
youre a brave girl. This verse replaces the line and I know
its only just started with courage is something Ill need
know. In the middle of the chorus, he sings again, Katie its
a strange world/As I watch our tables get turned around. The
continuity is common in popular songs, such as this one.
1:56-2:26-Chorus. In this second chorus, the drums start to play
with the other instruments. The crescendo this creates lets the
audience know that the song is almost at the climax.
2:27-2:55-Bridge. The bridge starts with a few whoa, whoa
lyrics, and is followed by a few more lines that help transition
into the finale of the song.
2:56-3:27-Chorus. All instruments play. This last chorus is the
climax of the song.
3:37-3:46-Repetition of the last words of the chorus: Were really
not there/I said were really not there.
3:46-3:58-Song concludes with the beginning lyrics again, Katie,
youre a brave girl/And I know its only just started.
End.

THE MIXED TAPE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WdW48xSbb9s
The Mixed Tape
0:00-0:08-Introduction, song starts with a few notes being played on
the guitar.
0:00-0:13-First verse starts; the first two lines of the song are said
with only the one guitar strumming a few notes in accompaniment.
0:14-0:30-First verse continues, with the bass and drums entering in
abruptly and suddenly.
0:31-0:56-Chorus. The guitar, bass, and drums still play, but the piano
can be heard now playing the melody.
0:57-1:22-Second verse starts. There is continuity in the notes played,
but the lyrics are not the same. This verse starts again with just a
few notes being played by the guitar, and being joined seconds
later by the bass, drums, and piano.
1:23-1:44-Chorus.
1:44-2:00-Musical break between the second chorus and the bridge.
The piano is heard above the other instruments.
2:00-2:19-Bridge. The bridge of this song is simply the line I cant get
to you, repeated four times. You can hear background singers;
their only line is ah, ah.

THE MIXED TAPE

2:19-2:46-Chorus begins again. This chorus is mostly the same
as the first two, but the lines, As I rearrange the songs
again/This mix could burn a hole in anyone is replaced with
the lines, As Im cutting through you track by track/I swear
to God this mix could sink the sun. This little difference
makes the song interesting.
2:46-3:14-The song ends by repeating the lines, Where are
you now? twice, followed by new lyrics, This is my mixed
tape for her/Its like I wrote every note with my own
fingers. This ends the song without the usual popular song
fade-out, and tells the audience whom the song was written
for and why.
End.

CECILIA AND THE SATELLITE

Cecilia and the Satellite
0:00-0:04-Introduction for this song is simply two notes played
on piano, with the synthesizer providing a subtle beat.
0:05-0:49-First verse. Piano plays notes intermittently and
staccato, while the synthesizer continues to play the beat.
The first verse ends with the line, For all the things my
eyes have seen/The best by far is you.
0:50-1:11-Chorus.
1:12-1:21-Immediately after the lyrics at the end of the chorus,
and youre the sky, more instruments enter, and the
music crescendos. The drums enter in, and the piano
continues to play. Background singers enter in with the line,
Oh, whoa, oh, whoa.
1:21-1:44-Verse 2. Follows the same pattern as verse 1. There
is continuity in the end of the verse. Instead of singing For
all the things my eyes have seen/The best by far is you,
Andrew McMahon sings, For all the places I have been/Im
no place without you.
1:45-2:05-Chorus

CECELIA AND THE SATELLITE

2:05-2:14-Oh, whoa, repeated twice again following the last
lyric of the chorus, and youre the sky.
2:15-2:35-Bridge of the song. Continuity is again seen. The
lyrics for the bridge of the song are, For all the things my
hands have held, the best by far is you. This line is similar
to the last lines of verse 1 and verse 2.
2:35-2:57-Third chorus and climax of the song.
2:58-3:24-the line And youre the sky is repeated twice,
followed by the line Im the satellite. Then And youre
the sky is repeated two more times.
3:24-3:43-Piano plays until the end.
End.

CONCLUSION

Andrew McMahon has evolved as a person and as a musician

over the course of his career

From punk rock band to alternative rock band to indie pop

solo artist, he has earned his success through amazing
songs and lyrics

Andrew McMahon has lived an eventful life so far: traveled

the world on tour, fought and overcome cancer, sold
thousands of albums, started a family, and toured some
more.

His passion for music and talent for writing and playing and
performing has helped him and his music evolve, and
created the success and popularity he now has

END

WORKS CITED
TEXT
1. Sun, Winnie. "Andrew McMahon: A Musical Prodigy, Cancer
Survivor, and Millennial Saver."Forbes.com. Web.
2. http://www.andrewmcmahon.com/
3. Harrison, Pier.Q&A: Andrew McMahon of Jacks Mannequin.
Web.
4. Carlin, Shannon. Andrew McMahon Sings Stories for His
Daughter on Cecilia and the Satellite. Radio.com. Web.
5. Dear Jack. Dir. Corey Moss. Perf. Andrew McMahon. 2009. Netflix.
PHOTOS
http://www.mtv.com/crop-images/2013/09/03/something-corporate4f5a227345dc5.jpg
https://i.ytimg.com/vi/v4QV6AYcx7o/hqdefault.jpg
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/3/3a/Everything_in_Transi
t.jpg
http://41.media.tumblr.com/dc2ba3aa62fd7c3c949707d6c1f4a27f/t
umblr_nvzranEGKw1unv3e4o1_1280.png
http://40.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_l2yuepC1PA1qzmui4o1_1280.jpg
http://www.andrewmcmahon.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Scree
n-Shot-2015-03-27-at-5.51.31-PM.png