Matthew Wilder – Break My Stride (Audio)
Inspiration Behind Break My Stride:
Break My Stride was conceived out of Matthew Wilder’s personal frustration and creative block with Arista Records and Clive Davis. Instead of allowing writer’s block to stop his progress as a song writer, Matthew persevered, turning this moment of doubt into an anthem for perseverance. The journey to craft Break My Stride served as a declaration that nothing would slow him down despite music industry obstacles.
Biblical Application:
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God, Hebrews 12:1-2.
Exegesis of Break My Stride:
Last night, I had the strangest dream
I sailed away to China
In a little rowboat to find ya
And you said you had to get your laundry cleaned
Didn’t want no one to hold you
What does that mean?
One of those odd dreams where you try to find meaning and purpose from.
And you said
A thought came to your mind.
Ain’t nothing gonna break my stride
Nobody gonna slow me down
Oh no, I got to keep on moving
Ain’t nothing gonna break my stride
I’m running, and I won’t touch ground
Oh no, I got to keep on moving
Having the resolve to press on, whatever the obstacles may be.
You’re on a roll and now you pray it lasts
The road behind was rocky
But now you’re feeling cocky
You look at me, and you see your past
Is that the reason why you’re running so fast?
Set free from writer’s block. Praying this momentum continues. Possibly a reference to his wife or song writer. The swift pace might be fear that writer’s block will return.
And she said
A person from his dream or member of the music industry.
Ain’t nothing gonna break my stride
Nobody gonna slow me down
Oh no, I got to keep on moving
Ain’t nothing gonna break my stride
I’m running, and I won’t touch ground
Oh no, I got to keep on moving
This woman is also on a roll with a strong desire to keep making progress.
Never met another girl like you
Won me over
Never let another girl like you
Drag me under
If I need another girl like you
I will tell her
Never want another girl like you
Have to say
The ups and downs in a relationship. Instant attraction followed by reality, seeing their flaws.
Oh, ain’t nothing gonna break my stride
Nobody gonna slow me down
Oh no (oh no), I got to keep on moving
Ain’t nothing gonna break my stride
I’m running, and I won’t touch ground
Oh no, I got to keep on moving
Ending on a series of choruses, driving home the point of having a will be reach your dreams and goals.
Ain’t nothing gonna break my stride
Nobody gonna slow me down
Oh no (oh no), I got to keep on moving
Ain’t nothing gonna break my stride
I’m running, and I won’t touch ground
Oh no, I got to keep on moving
Nothing is going to get between me and my desire to be successful.
(Whoa-oh) ain’t nothing gonna break my stride
Nobody gonna slow me down
Oh no, I got to keep on moving
Ain’t nothing gonna break my stride
I’m running, and I won’t touch ground
Oh no, I got to keep on moving
Ain’t nothing gonna break my stride
Nobody gonna slow me down
Oh no (oh no)
Ain’t no stopping me now. I refuse to quit.
Final Thoughts:
I started submitting some of the things that I have written over 30 years. While I wasn’t successful early on, I kept writing. Although I haven’t had one of my screenplays purchased, I am an honorary member of the International Society of Poets. With a few books in the planning stages, I am hopeful that writing will follow me into retirement. Like the words of C.S. Lewis, “success is the process of arriving,” so my writing journey continues, praying for future earnings.
by Jay Mankus
