Matt Burke’s 1997: A Nostalgic Journey Back to Teenage Freedom in the 90s

MVK Music Group Announces the Release of Matt Burke’s Nostalgic New Single 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

“1997”

Nashville, TN — September 5, 2025 — MVK Music Group is proud to announce the release of “1997”, the latest single from singer-songwriter Matt Burke. A deeply personal yet universally resonant track, “1997” blends Burke’s rock and country roots with vivid storytelling that transports listeners back to their teenage years.

For Burke, the year 1997 represents more than just a date on the calendar. “1997 was when I was 16, and it represents this simpler time when things felt brighter and less complicated,” Burke explains. “The whole world felt like it was in front of you — there was this sense of freedom and possibility that I wanted to capture.”

A Song of Stories Never Shared Before

Burke pulls from real-life memories to bring the song to life — from his beat-up $700 Pontiac 6000 (“the Ponti”) with a makeshift sound system, to a run-in with police on the University of Florida campus. “I tried to make it as specific as possible to my experience because I think that’s what makes it universal,” he says. “When you get really specific about your own life, other people see themselves in it.”

The production of “1997” reflects the sounds that shaped Burke during his teenage years. “That drum intro and the whole feel was inspired by Foo Fighters. It had to reflect the music that was shaping me during that time.”

A Visual Time Capsule: The 1997 Music Video

The official music video further deepens the nostalgia, featuring authentic high school photos of Burke and submissions from former classmates. “It was a wild trip down memory lane,” Burke recalls. “Going back through yearbooks, asking friends and fans to submit photos from 1997 — it brought back so many memories I’d forgotten about.”

One moment stands out for him: “There’s this picture of me as a young kid with a dorky haircut and oversized striped shirt, sitting on stage staring at an acoustic guitar. I was terrified, but I knew I had no other choice — I was driven to be on that stage.”

The video also includes a symbolic DeLand High School letterman jacket. Burke never owned one as a teen due to cost, but when a friend offered his old jacket for the video, it became an unexpected highlight. “It really added to the nostalgia, and now I have a great excuse to hang out with Steve and his wife when I return it,” he laughs.

Filmed partly in a nearly empty mall, Burke intentionally captured the contrast between the bustling social hubs of the 90s and their decline today. “Malls in the 90s were THE place to hang out — you’d see everyone from school, run into people you knew, and get into trouble. That scene really hit home.”

Nostalgia With a Universal Reach

While the song is rooted in Burke’s specific experiences, it resonates broadly with anyone who came of age in the late 90s. “The goal was to go big on nostalgia and create something that would transport people back to that time and those feelings,” Burke shares.

The emotional response has already been powerful. “I’ve had multiple people tell me they teared up listening to the song or watching the video. That’s exactly what I was hoping for — that emotional connection where the nostalgia really hits you.”

If Burke could speak to his 16-year-old self in 1997, his advice is simple: “Follow the music path with everything you’ve got and don’t waste time trying to play it safe. Don’t second-guess the dream — just go for it completely.”

About “1997”

Now streaming everywhere, “1997” is a rock/country crossover that captures the universal ache of looking back at youth — heavy guitars, 90s alt-rock production, and stories of small-town teenage rebellion in Central Florida. From broken-down cars with jury-rigged sound systems to homecoming photos and long-gone mall hangouts, Burke paints a portrait of a generation growing up on the edge of a new millennium.

Listen now: https://mattburkemusic.com/1997

Available Now

CONTACT:

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Matt Burke is managed by MVK Music Group.
For booking inquires, please contact MVK Music Group at info@mvkmusicgroup.com