Known for blending traditional Jewish themes with Reggae, rock and hip hop sounds, Matisyahu is most recognizable for being an orthodox Jew and writing a number of songs based on his faith and beliefs. Since 2004, he has released four studio albums as well as one live album, two remix CDs and one DVD featuring a live concert, and a number of interviews. Through his short career, Matisyahu has teamed up with some of the biggest names in reggae production including Bill Laswell and duo Sly & Robbie. The Tel Aviv'n Songfacts states several tracks of his fourth studio album, Spark Seeker, were recorded in Tel Aviv, Israel.
Since his debut, Matisyahu has received positive reviews from both rock and reggae outlets. Most recently, he was named Top Reggae Artist of 2006 by Billboard as well as being named a spokesperson for Kenneth Cole.
Matthew Miller was born in West Chester, Pennsylvania, USA on June 30th 1979, corresponding to the Jewish date of the 5th of Tamuz 5740. Shortly after his birth, the Miller family moved to Berkeley, CA and eventually settled in White Plains, NY. Growing up, Matisyahu's parents sent him to Hebrew School a couple of times a week, but like many kids, he resisted the additional school hours and was frequently threatened with expulsion for disrupting the lessons.
By the age of 14, Matthew Miller slid comfortably into the laid-back lifestyle of a teenage hippie. Having fallen in with the "Dead-Head" crowd, he grew dreadlocks and wore his Birkenstocks all winter long. He played his bongos in the lunchroom and learned how to beat-box in the back of class. By 11th grade, despite his carefree days, Matisyahu couldn't ignore the void in his life. After nearly burning down his chemistry class, he knew his mission must begin immediately. He decided to set off on a camping trip in Colorado. Away from his suburban life in White Plains, Matisyahu had the opportunity to take an introspective look at himself and contemplate his environment. It was there in the awe-inspiring landscape of the Rocky Mountains, that Matisyahu had an eye-opening realization: there is a God.
After Colorado, his spiritual curiosity piqued and Matisyahu took his first trip to Israel. There, for the first time in his life, he felt a connection to the God he discovered in Colorado. Israel was a major turning point. Matisyahu relished the time he spent there, praying, exploring, and dancing in Jerusalem. In every nook he encountered, his dormant Jewish identity stirred into consciousness.
Leaving Israel proved to be a difficult transition. Once back in White Plains, Matisyahu didn't know how to maintain his new connection with Judaism. Feeling dejected, he fatefully dropped out of high school and began following Phish on a national tour. On the road, Matisyahu thought seriously about his life, his music, and his thirst for Judaism.
After a few months, burnt out and broke, he returned home. By this time his parents insisted that Matisyahu go and "straighten" himself out at a wilderness school in Bend, Oregon. The school encouraged artistic pursuits and Matisyahu took advantage of this time to delve further into his music. He studied up on reggae and hip-hop. He attended a weekly open-mic where he rapped, sang, beat-boxed, and did almost anything he could to stay creatively charged. It was then that he started to develop the unique reggae-hip hop sound for which he would one day become known.
After 2 years in the "sticks," the 19-year old Matisyahu returned to New York a changed man. He moved to the city to attend The New School where he continued honing his musical craft, and also dabbled in the theater. During this time, he happened on the Carlebach Shul, a synagogue on the Upper West Side, well known for its hippie-friendly vibe and exuberant singing. This encounter further fueled his soul-fire, turning him on to the mystical power of song in Hasidic Judaism. Now, instead of beat boxing in the back of the classroom, he was leaving the classroom to pray on the school's roof. (Religious or not, this guy ain't made for the classrooms.)
While studying at New School, Matisyahu wrote a play entitled "Echad" (One). The play was about a boy who meets a Hasidic rabbi in Washington Square Park and through him becomes religious. Shortly after the play's performance, Matisyahu's life strangely imitated his art. Indeed, years after the initial sparks were lit, Matisyahu met a Lubavitcher rabbi in the park, spurring his transformation from Matthew to Matisyahu.
A person who was once skeptical of authority and rules, Matisyahu began to explore and eventually fully take on the Lubavitch Hasidic lifestyle. He thrived on the discipline and structure of Judaism, making every attempt to abide by Jewish Law. The Chabad-Lubavitch philosophy proved to be a powerful guide for Matisyahu. It surrounded him with the spiritual dialogue and intellectual challenge he had been seeking for the past decade. The turmoil and frustration of his search subsided, and now, 2 years later, Matisyahu lives in Crown Heights, splitting his time between the stage and his yeshiva.
Drawing from the sounds of Bob Marley, Shlomo Carlebach, Buju Banton, and Sizzla, yet remaining wholly original, Matisyahu's performance is an uplifting, powerful experience for all in his presence. Even the most pessimistic in his audience is inspired by his ability to so honestly convey such a delicate topic as faith/spirituality. It is his dedication to his belief and openness to others that compels one to respect his artistry and message. It's in that fleeting moment when our skepticism melts and our souls open up, that Matisyahu enters with his booming sound of faith.
http://www.matisyahuworld.com/
King Without a Crown
Matisyahu Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Each and every day I pray to get to know you please
I want to be close to you, yes I'm so hungry
You're like water for my soul when it gets thirsty
Without you there's no me
You're the air that I breathe
Sometimes the world is dark and I just can't see
With these, demons surround all around to bring me down to negativity
But I believe, yes I believe, I said I believe
I'll stand on my own two feet
Won't be brought down on one knee
Fight with all of my might and get these demons to flee
Hashem's rays fire blaze burn bright and I believe
Out of darkness comes light, twilight unto the heights
Crown Heights burnin' up all through till midnight
Said, thank you to my God, now I finally got it right
And I'll fight with all of my heart, and all a' my soul, and all a' my might
What's this feeling?
My love will rip a hole in the ceiling
Givin' myself to you from the essence of my being
Sing to my god all these songs of love and healing
Want Moshiach now so it's time we start revealing
What's this feeling?
My love will rip a hole in the ceiling
Givin' myself to you from the essence of my being
Sing to my God all these songs of love and healing
Want Moshiach now
Strip away the layers and reveal your soul
Got to give yourself up and then you become whole
You're a slave to yourself and you don't even know
You want to live the fast life but your brain moves slow
If you're trying to stay high then you're bound to stay low
You want God but you can't deflate your ego
If you're already there then there's nowhere to go
If you're cup's already full then its bound to overflow
If you're drowning in the water's and you can't stay afloat
Ask Hashem for mercy and he'll throw you a rope
You're looking for help from God you say he couldn't be found
Looking up to the sky and searchin' beneath the ground
Like a King without his Crown
Yes, you keep fallin' down
You really want to live but can't get rid of your frown
Tried to reach unto the heights and wound bound down on the ground
Given up your pride and the you heard a sound
Out of night comes day and out of day comes light
Nullified to the One like sunlight in a ray,
Makin' room for his love and a fire gone blaze
Makin' room for his love and a fire gone blaze
What's this feeling?
My love will rip a hole in the ceiling
Givin' myself to you from the essence of my being
Sing to my God all these songs of love and healing
Want Moshiach now so it's time we start revealing
What's this feeling?
My love will rip a hole in the ceiling
Givin' myself to you from the essence of my being
Sing to my God all these songs of love and healing
Want Moshiach now
And see, I lift up my eyes where my help come from
And I seen it circling around from the mountain
Thunder!
You feel it in your chest
You keep my mind at ease and my soul at rest
You're not vexed
When I look to the sky where my help come from
And I've seen it circling around from the mountain
Thunder!
You feel it in your chest
You keep my mind at ease and my soul at rest
You're not vexed
In "King Without a Crown," Matisyahu expresses his devotion and longing for a deeper connection with God, who he refers to as Hashem. The lyrics are filled with powerful imagery and metaphors, drawing upon themes of struggle, surrender, and transcendence. He describes God as the source of his strength and inspiration, the water for his thirsty soul. Even in moments of darkness and negativity, he believes that God's light will shine through and that he will emerge victorious in the battle against his personal demons.
The lyrics also touch upon the idea of humility and surrender, acknowledging that one must strip away their ego and become like a "slave to yourself" in order to attain true spiritual freedom. Matisyahu urges listeners to let go of their pride and turn to God for help, in moments when they feel like they are drowning or searching for meaning.
Overall, "King Without a Crown" is a powerful ode to the journey of inner transformation and the quest for spiritual fulfillment.
Line by Line Meaning
You're all that I have and you're all that I need
I depend on you completely and I am grateful for your presence
Each and every day I pray to get to know you please
I seek a deeper connection with you through prayer and reflection
I want to be close to you, yes I'm so hungry
I am yearning for closeness with you, as you bring sustenance to my soul
You're like water for my soul when it gets thirsty
You refresh and rejuvenate me when I am feeling spiritually depleted
Without you there's no me
I recognize that my identity and existence are inseparable from you
You're the air that I breathe
You are essential to my life and complete my being
Sometimes the world is dark and I just can't see
At times, the world appears bleak and overwhelming, clouding my vision
With these, demons surround all around to bring me down to negativity
Negative forces conspire to bring me down and hinder my spiritual growth
But I believe, yes I believe, I said I believe
Despite these obstacles, I hold steadfast in my faith and trust in you
I'll stand on my own two feet
I will not be knocked down by these challenges, rather I will remain firm
Won't be brought down on one knee
I refuse to be defeated and will not back down
Fight with all of my might and get these demons to flee
I will fight with all my strength to overcome the negativity and obstacles
Hashem's rays fire blaze burn bright and I believe
I have faith in your divine presence and your light guides me through the darkness
Out of darkness comes light, twilight unto the heights
I trust that light will emerge from the darkness, leading me to spiritual heights
Crown Heights burnin' up all through till midnight
Your presence is powerful and inspiring, igniting a fire within me
Said, thank you to my God, now I finally got it right
I am grateful for your guidance and I feel that I am on the right path
And I'll fight with all of my heart, and all a' my soul, and all a' my might
I will continue to battle with all my being, unwavering in my determination
What's this feeling?
I am experiencing a strong sensation
My love will rip a hole in the ceiling
My love for you is so intense that it could break through barriers
Givin' myself to you from the essence of my being
I am committing myself to you completely, from the core of my being
Sing to my god all these songs of love and healing
I express my love and gratitude to you through prayer and music, seeking healing and wholeness
Want Moshiach now so it's time we start revealing
I long for the Messianic era and believe that it is time to work towards its realization
Strip away the layers and reveal your soul
I must remove the obstacles and distractions that prevent me from connecting with my innermost self
Got to give yourself up and then you become whole
I must surrender myself to you in order to experience fulfillment
You're a slave to yourself and you don't even know
I recognize that I am held captive by my own ego and unaware of it
You want to live the fast life but your brain moves slow
I desire a fast-paced lifestyle, but my mind is unable to keep up with the demands and distractions
If you're trying to stay high then you're bound to stay low
If I pursue temporary pleasures and materialism, I will remain spiritually empty
You want God but you can't deflate your ego
I crave a connection with you, but my ego is preventing me from experiencing true spirituality
If you're already there then there's nowhere to go
If I have reached my spiritual goal, there is no need to search elsewhere
If you're cup's already full then its bound to overflow
If I am fulfilled spiritually, I will naturally share and give to others around me
If you're drowning in the water's and you can't stay afloat
If I am struggling and overwhelmed, I must turn to you for support
Ask Hashem for mercy and he'll throw you a rope
I trust that you will guide me out of troubled waters and towards safety
You're looking for help from God you say he couldn't be found
I am searching for your help, yet I feel disconnected or far from you
Looking up to the sky and searchin' beneath the ground
I am seeking you everywhere and in everything, hoping to find you
Like a King without his Crown
I feel incomplete and searching for guidance, like a king without his crown
Yes, you keep fallin' down
I am struggling and experiencing setbacks in my spiritual journey
You really want to live but can't get rid of your frown
Despite my desire to live fully, I feel weighed down by my sadness or worries
Tried to reach unto the heights and wound bound down on the ground
I have endeavored to reach spiritual heights, but have found myself falling short
Given up your pride and the you heard a sound
When I let go of my ego and humbled myself, I heard a new message or inspiration
Out of night comes day and out of day comes light
I trust that even from the darkest moments, light and hope can emerge
Nullified to the One like sunlight in a ray,
I am surrendering myself to you, becoming unified with your divine presence
Makin' room for his love and a fire gone blaze
As I let go of my ego and surrender to your love, a fiery passion ignites within me
And see, I lift up my eyes where my help come from
I look upwards to you, knowing that my help comes from you alone
And I seen it circling around from the mountain
I sense your divine presence around me, like a mountain that encircles and protects
Thunder!
I am struck by the power and awe of your presence
You feel it in your chest
I sense your presence deeply, and it stirs my emotions and spirit
You keep my mind at ease and my soul at rest
You provide me with peace and tranquility, calming my mind and soul
You're not vexed
You are not disturbed or upset, but bring stability and strength to me
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Joshua Werner, Matthew Miller
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Edwel B Abuan
on One Day (New Album Version)
queenie abuan
Edwel B Abuan
on One Day (New Album Version)
queenie abuan
Bryan Valero Gutierrez
on Indestructible
nice ang ganda talaga ng mga kanta ni MATISYAHU sound trip pa more