Matthews learnt to play guitar at the age of nine, sang Welsh folk songs and taught herself traditional songs from all over the globe including blues and Irish folk songs. She was a member of the West Glamorgan Youth Orchestra. The band Catatonia formed in 1992 after Matthews and guitarist Mark Roberts began dating, as well as writing songs together, at the end of 1991. Catatonia split in mid-2001, and Matthews released her first solo album , Cockahoop, in May 2003. Her second album Never Said Goodbye was released in August 2006. In November 2007 she released a mini-album of Welsh language songs Awyren=Aeroplane.
At the 2013 Sony Radio Academy Awards, Matthews won Gold for her popular BBC 6 music Sunday morning show, which she programmes and hosts. She is the One Show’s cultural reporter and writes and presents radio and television documentaries on subjects as diverse as Cuba, early classical composers, shark fishing and early female blues players. A collector of songs for over thirty years, Matthews is a columnist for the world music magazine ‘Songlines’, and her sing-along book, ‘Hook, Line and Singer’, published by Penguin was a Sunday Times bestseller. She is the author of children’s stories ‘Tales from the Deep’ and ‘Gelert: A Man’s Best Friend’.
Matthews has curated for theatres and the Tate Modern and was artistic director for the opening ceremony of the World Music Expo 2013. She was awarded an inaugural St David Award for her services to culture this year from the First Minister of Wales.
Also in 2013, Matthews wrote and presented a six-part television series looking into the history of centuries old folk songs in her native Wales. In October 2014 Matthews releases an album of music and poetry by Dylan Thomas as well as an Archive Hour programme for BBC Radio 4 looking into her uncle Colin Edward’s role in amassing a huge archive on this great lyrical poet. Matthews has created a cultural festival, 'The Good Life Experience'. She is a judge for the Dylan Thomas Prize for young writers, and for the Forward Prizes for poetry.
Her 2010 self-produced album of traditional Welsh songs, ‘Tir’, is the biggest selling Welsh language album of the decade; the second volume, ‘Hullabaloo’ followed in 2013.
Matthews dueted with Sir Tom Jones on the perennial winter favourite, ‘Baby it’s Cold Outside’. She is Vice President for the homeless charity, Shelter, Vice President of the Hay Festival of Literature and the Arts, is patron of the Dylan Thomas Society and Ballet Cymru, and is Arts Ambassador for the Linden Lodge School - a specialist school for sensory impairment.
Matthews lives in West London with her husband and children.
Ocean
Cerys Matthews Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Drop an anchor for a while
We'll share some company
We're the same you and me
It's in the air that we breathe
And there's no shame
Wide is the ocean
And beneath the evening sun
If there's work to be done
I shall not falter
Swell shell ease
Swell she'll rise
I?ll take my seat there by your side
You won me over
Wide is the ocean, I long to follow,
Sweet Gravity
For every reason a purpose begins
A time and a place for everything
The sun will not burn you
The moon will not roam
Wide is the Ocean, i long to follow,
Sweet Gravity
The lyrics to Cerys Matthews's song "Ocean" contain imagery of two ships passing in the night and dropping anchor to share company. The lyrics suggest that the two individuals are alike, and that there is no shame in recognizing their similarities. The song then transitions to a description of the ocean, which is wide and full of sweet gravity. The singer states that they long to follow the ocean, and that there is a purpose for everything.
The themes of the song revolve around loneliness, connection, and the vastness of the world. The two ships passing in the night serve as a metaphor for two individuals who may be feeling alone but find solace in each other's company. The ocean represents something vast and mysterious, which the singer is drawn to. The song suggests that there is purpose and meaning in everything, even in the vastness of the world.
Overall, "Ocean" by Cerys Matthews is a contemplative song that explores themes of loneliness and connection, and suggests that there is purpose and meaning in everything.
Line by Line Meaning
Two ships passing in the night
Two individuals crossing paths briefly without forming a meaningful connection
Drop an anchor for a while
Stay together and spend quality time
We'll share some company
Enjoy each other's presence and have a good time
We're the same you and me
We may be different on the surface, but deep down we share common experiences and emotions
It's in the air that we breathe
There's a certain unexplainable connection that binds us together
And there's no shame
We have nothing to be ashamed of, we should embrace and celebrate our similarities
Wide is the ocean
The world is vast with endless possibilities
Sweet Gravity
The force that brings us together and keeps us grounded
And beneath the evening sun
As time passes and the day comes to an end
If there's work to be done
Even in the midst of challenges and responsibilities
I shall not falter
I will remain strong and persistent
Swell shell ease
Difficulties will eventually pass and things will get better
Swell she'll rise
Challenges will come and go, but we will always keep moving forward
I'll take my seat there by your side
I will always be there to support you and stand by your side
You won me over
Through our shared experiences and time together, you have captured my heart
For every reason a purpose begins
There's a reason for every event that occurs in our lives, and it all serves a greater purpose
A time and a place for everything
Every event in our lives occurs at the right time and in the right place
The sun will not burn you
Even in the harshest of conditions, you will remain strong and resilient
The moon will not roam
You will always stay true to yourself and your values
Wide is the Ocean, i long to follow,
There's a whole world out there waiting to be explored and experienced
Sweet Gravity
The powerful force that connects us all and keeps us grounded
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave
Written by: GENN, MATTHEWS, SLATTERY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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