Matthew & Son
Cat Stevens Lyrics
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For Matthew and Son, he won't wait
Watch them run down to platform one
And the eight-thirty train to Matthew and Son
Matthew and Son, the work's never done
There's always something new
The files in your head, you take them to bed
You're never ever through
And they've been working all day, all day, all day
There's a five minute break and that's all you take
For a cup of cold coffee and a piece of cake
Matthew and Son, the work's never done
There's always something new
The files in your head, you take them to bed
You're never ever through
And they've been working all day, all day, all day
He's got people who've been working for fifty years
No one asks for more money 'cause nobody cares
Even though they're pretty low and their rent's in arrears
Matthew and Son, Matthew and Son
Matthew and Son, Matthew and Son
And they've been working all day, all day, all day!
Matthew and Son, Matthew and Son
Matthew and Son, Matthew and Son
The opening lines of Cat Stevens's song Matthew & Son set the tone for the rest of the lyrics which focus on the despair and monotony of everyday work. The song explores the rigors and struggles of work in factories in the 1960s, particularly the employees of Matthew and Son, a fictitious company, who are depicted as working relentlessly to keep up with the never-ending workload. The chorus highlights this never-ending cycle, with the repetition of 'Matthew and Son' making it clear that work is the sole focus of these characters' lives.
The song also highlights the lack of autonomy that the workers have, with the line 'no one asks for more money 'cause nobody cares', suggesting that they have no say in the terms of their employment. The lyrics 'And they've been working all day, all day, all day!' emphasize the grueling nature of their work, with the imagery of 'the files in your head' reveals that their work is never far from their minds, as they take it with them to bed. The song also touches upon the idea that the workers' lives are not only defined by their work, but their financial struggles, with 'their rent's in arrears', adding to the idea that they are trapped in a cycle of work and debt.
Overall, the lyrics to Matthew & Son provide an insightful exploration of the sacrifices that people make to make a living and sustain themselves, despite the inevitable frustrations and despair that come with it.
Line by Line Meaning
Up at eight, you can't be late
You have to be up and ready by 8 AM.
For Matthew and Son, he won't wait
You have to be on time for work since Matthew is strict.
Watch them run down to platform one
You can see everyone hurrying towards the train.
And the eight-thirty train to Matthew and Son
The train takes people to work at Matthew's company.
Matthew and Son, the work's never done
Matthew's company always has new work to do.
There's always something new
New tasks are always coming up in the work.
The files in your head, you take them to bed
The workload is so heavy that you cannot take a break.
You're never ever through
The work is never-ending.
And they've been working all day, all day, all day
The workers have been busy working all day.
There's a five minute break and that's all you take
There is only a small break to have coffee and a piece of cake.
For a cup of cold coffee and a piece of cake
The only refreshments are cold coffee and cake.
He's got people who've been working for fifty years
Some employees have been working for the company for 50 years.
No one asks for more money 'cause nobody cares
Employees don't ask for a raise because no one cares.
Even though they're pretty low and their rent's in arrears
Despite their low income, their rent is in arrears.
Matthew and Son, Matthew and Son
The song repeats the name of the company.
Matthew and Son, Matthew and Son
The song repeats the name of the company.
Matthew and Son, Matthew and Son
The song repeats the name of the company.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Yusuf Islam
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@user-ip9yu7lp1q
Matthew and Son
Cat Stevens
Produced by Mike Hurst
Album Matthew and Son
Up at eight, you can't be late
For Matthew and Son, he won't wait
Watch them run down to platform one
And the eight thirty train to Matthew & Son
Matthew and Son, the work's never done
There's always something new
The files in your head, you take them to bed
You're never, ever, through
And they've been workin' all day, all day, all day
There's a five minute break and that's all you take
For a cup of cold coffee and a piece of cake
Matthew and Son, the work's never done
There's always something new
The files in your head, you take them to bed
You're never, ever, through
And they've been workin' all day, all day, all day
He's got people who've been workin' for fifty years
No one asks for more money cause nobody dares
Even though they're pretty low and their rent's in arrears
Matthew and Son, Matthew and Son
Matthew and Son, Matthew and Son
And they've been workin' all day, all day, all day
@jackiegeritz5345
Up at 8:00, you can't be late
For Matthew & Son, he won't wait
Watch them run down to platform one
And the 8:30 train to Matthew & Son
Matthew & Son, the work's never done, there's always something new
The files in your head, you take them to bed, you're never ever through
And they've been working all day, all day, all day
There's a five-minute break and that's all you take
For a cup of cold coffee and a piece of cake
Matthew & Son, the work's never done, there's always something new
The files in your head, you take them to bed, you're never ever through
And they've been working all day, all day, all day
He's got people who've been working for 50 years
No one asks for more money 'cause nobody dares
Even though they're pretty low and their rent's in arrears
Matthew & Son, Matthew & Son
Matthew & Son, Matthew & Son
And they've been working all day, all day, all day
Matthew & Son, Matthew & Son
Matthew & Son, Matthew & Son
Source: Musixmatch
@noonthumbs2644
He was so gorgeous. ❤
The audience look spectacularly uninterested 🤣 and as for the dancers, well...
@melmatthews5876
Great song. Beautiful Cat Stevens/Yusuf.🐈🐾🐾🎼🎵🎶🎙🎤❤❤
@francismitchell2177
It;s the traditional response to a bloke in the audience getting up and trying to steal the show, isn't it...
@andydixon2980
I wish British music and culture was still the same today. Must have been a wonderful time to be young.
@andymatthews7617
It was, that's why I want to go back.
@arnostijlen
Classic 60's! Golden era of great music!!
@andymatthews7617
Just glad I was around to enjoy it.
@vordman
Why can't anyone write songs as brilliant as this anymore!
@juliebraden6911
It's sad that you're online and still can't figure out how to find good music.
@andymatthews7617
@@juliebraden6911 musicians, havent got the emotional depth to write songs that mean something.