The current members of the band are Rob Thomas (vocals, piano), Paul Doucette (drums, now guitar), Kyle Cook (lead guitar, vocals) and Brian Yale (bass). Adam Gaynor (rhythm guitar), who has left the band, performed on their first three albums, as well. Rob Thomas is the principal songwriter and lead singer.
Thomas, Yale and Doucette performed in the band Tabitha's Secret out of Orlando, Florida before splitting apart to form Matchbox Twenty with Cook and Gaynor.
Matchbox Twenty released their first album, Yourself or Someone Like You in 1996. While their first single, "Long Day", was a rock radio-only smash, the album soon spun off several Top 40 hit singles throughout 1997 and 1998, including "Push", "3 A.M.", "Real World" and "Back 2 Good". The album eventually went on to sell over 12 million copies in the U.S. alone, earning diamond status. The band toured relentlessly for several years, performing the songs from their one and only album, along with some beloved cover songs such as Cyndi Lauper's "Time After Time" and The Beatles' "Don't Let Me Down". Their fan base grew from concert to concert because of their electrifying live performances and the longevity of their hit singles on radio. The same year, Matchbox Twenty recorded a live version of their Top-40 hit "3 A.M." for release on the charity album Live in the X Lounge, benefiting cerebral palsy research.
Before recording their second album, Rob Thomas collaborated with Itaal Shur on a song entitled "Smooth" for Carlos Santana's comeback album, Supernatural. The song had a pop-tinged Latin beat and showcased Thomas' lyrical talents. Thomas was supposed to act solely as songwriter on "Smooth", but Carlos Santana had him sing on it as well after hearing the song's demo recording. "Smooth", was the album's lead single and became a gigantic hit in 1999; Thomas earned three Grammys for writing and performing on "Smooth", including Record of the Year and Song of the Year.
In 2000, Matchbox 20 renamed themselves Matchbox Twenty and released their second album, Mad Season. The album featured lush instrumental arrangements and spun off several hit singles, including "Bent" (Number One on Hot 100) and "If You're Gone". The video for "Bent", poked fun of singer Thomas' heightened profile from "Smooth" by showing the other band members assaulting him mercilessly. The evocatively arranged ballad "If You're Gone" became a big hit, especially on adult contemporary formats. The band's next two singles, "Mad Season" and "Last Beautiful Girl" were not particularly successful. Fans also note hearing "Black & White People" receive radio play, despite not being released as a single.
For their third album, More Than You Think You Are, the band returned to a harder rock sound. Thomas shared the songwriting efforts with the other band members on several songs. The album spun off hit singles "Disease", "Unwell", and "Bright Lights".
In May 2004, the band released a live concert DVD, Show: A Night in the Life of Matchbox Twenty, filmed in Atlanta and featuring 20 songs, including all of their hit singles.
In February 2005, rhythm guitarist Gaynor officially left the group, which had been on hiatus to allow other members to pursue side projects. Rob Thomas went on to release a solo album entitled ...Something To Be which became the U.S. Billboard 200 #1 album the first week of its release. The album featured four hit singles: "Lonely No More", "This is How a Heart Breaks", "Ever the Same" and "Streetcorner Symphony".
In January 2007, Rob Thomas released a single entitled "Little Wonders" which he wrote for the Disney movie Meet the Robinsons.
Their "Exile On Mainstream" album was released on October 2, 2007 as a two disc set. The first disc featured 6 new songs, including the hit "How Far We've Come", which could be heard on the accompanying website, along with the music video. The second disc contained 11 of their greatest hits, such as "Push", "Bent" and "Unwell".
The She’s So Mean Songfacts reports that Matchbox Twenty's fourth studio album North is the first record of new material that the band has released for ten years, although they did record seven new songs for their 2007 compilation album Exile On Mainstream. The album was released on September 4, 2012.
www.matchboxtwenty.com
All Your Reasons
Matchbox Twenty Lyrics
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(Bah dah dah dah bah bah bah buh dah)
(Bah dah dah dah bah bah bah bah duh bah)
(Bah dah dah dah bah bah bah buh dah)
Why don't you just go away
I can't seem to get my head straight
There's so much I need to say
Yeah, but what you got, I don't need it
I can't listen to all your reasons
Wake up, I don't feel it
I can't listen to all your reasons
Your bad mood just ties my hands
Turns my cartwheels into head stands
I've done everything I can
Gave all I have
Ever what you got, I don't need it
I can't listen to all your reasons
Wake up, I don't feel it
I can't listen to all your reasons why
You don't help me none
So warn down, so torn up
Still in love
Yeah, what you got, I don't need it
I can't listen to all your reasons
Wake up, I don't feel it
I can't listen to all your reasons
Woman, I don't need it
I can't listen to all your reasons
Wake up, I don't feel it
I can't listen to all your reasons
Why (bah dah dah dah bah bah bah bah duh bah)
Tell me why (bah dah dah dah bah bah bah buh dah)
Tell me why (bah dah dah dah bah bah bah bah duh bah)
Tell me why (bah dah dah dah bah bah bah buh dah)
Oh, baby, tell me why
The lyrics of Matchbox Twenty's song "All Your Reasons" speak to a toxic relationship where the singer is being emotionally manipulated and controlled by their partner. Initially, the singer expresses a desire for their partner to go away so they can clear their head and speak their truth without being influenced by their partner's persuasive tactics. However, throughout the song, the singer acknowledges how their attempts to make their partner happy have left them feeling exhausted and trapped.
In the chorus, the singer states that they can't listen to their partner's reasons for staying together because it's clear that their partner's needs are not aligned with theirs. The repeated line "What you got, I don't need it" is a powerful assertion of their independence and unwillingness to conform to their partner's demands. Even with this recognition, the singer is still struggling to extricate themselves from the relationship, as they are still "in love" despite feeling "warn down" and "torn up."
Overall, "All Your Reasons" is a poignant reflection on the ways in which love can be used as a weapon to control and manipulate others. It's a cautionary tale about the importance of setting boundaries and being true to oneself, even when it's difficult to let go of someone we care about.
Line by Line Meaning
Why don't you just go away
Please leave me alone
I can't seem to get my head straight
I'm feeling confused and overwhelmed
There's so much I need to say
I have a lot on my mind
It could take all day
There's a lot to discuss
Yeah, but what you got, I don't need it
I am not interested in what you are offering
I can't listen to all your reasons
I am tired of hearing your excuses
Wake up, I don't feel it
I'm not in the mood for this discussion
Your bad mood just ties my hands
Your negative attitude is holding us back
Turns my cartwheels into head stands
You are making it difficult for me to be happy and carefree
I've done everything I can
I have put in a lot of effort
Gave all I have
I have given it my all
You don't help me none
You are not being supportive
So warn down, so torn up
I am exhausted and emotional
Still in love
Despite everything, I still care about you
Woman, I don't need it
I do not need to deal with this from you
Tell me why
Please explain your actions/words
Oh, baby, tell me why
I want to understand your perspective, so please communicate with me
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: KYLE COOK, PAUL DOUCETTE, ROB THOMAS, ROBERT THOMAS, BRIAN YALE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind