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
Smooth
Matchbox Twenty Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Like seven inches from the midday sun
Well, I hear you whispering and the words melt everyone
But you stay so cool
My muñequita, my Spanish Harlem Mona Lisa
You're my reason for reason
The step in my groove, yeah
I would give my world to lift you up
I could change my life to better suit your mood, yeah
'Cause you're so smooth
Well, and it's just like the ocean under the moon
Well, it's the same as the emotion that I get from you
You got the kind of lovin' that can be so smooth, yeah
Give me your heart, make it real
Or else forget about it
Well, I'll tell you one thing
If you would leave, it'd be a crying shame
In every breath and every word
I hear your name calling me out, yeah
Out from the barrio, you hear my rhythm on your radio
You feel the turning of the world so soft and slow
Turning you 'round and 'round
And if you said this life ain't good enough
I would give my world to lift you up
I could change my life to better suit your mood, yeah
'Cause you're so smooth
Well, and it's just like the ocean under the moon
Well, it's the same as the emotion that I get from you
You got the kind of lovin' that can be so smooth, yeah
Give me your heart, make it real
Or else forget about it
Yeah
Well, and it's just like the ocean under the moon
Well, it's the same as the emotion that I get from you
You got the kind of lovin' that can be so smooth, yeah
Give me your heart, make it real
Or else forget about it, yeah
Or else forget about it
Oh, or else forget about it
Oh, let's don't forget about it
Give me your heart, make it real
Oh, let's don't forget about it, yeah
Let's don't forget about it, yeah, oh no
Oh, let's don't forget about it, oh no, no
Oh, let's don't forget about it, yeah, oh no
Oh, let's don't forget about it
Yeah, yeah
The lyrics to Matchbox Twenty's song "Smooth" are about the love and adoration the singer has for his partner. The opening line "Man, it's a hot one" represents how strong the love between the two of them is. The comparison to "seven inches from the midday sun" further emphasizes the intensity of their passion. The singer hears his partner whispering and her words have an effect on everyone around her, but she remains cool and collected. He refers to her as his "muñequita" and "Spanish Harlem Mona Lisa," which shows how highly he thinks of her. She is his reason for everything, the "step in his groove."
The chorus is about how he would do anything for her. He would give his world to her and he would change his life to better suit her mood. The line "Or else forget about it" shows that he is serious about his love for her and doesn't want to lose her. The second verse mentions how the singer can hear his partner's name in every breath and word. The turning of the world is also linked to her, showing that everything revolves around her.
The repetition of the chorus emphasizes the importance of his love for her. The way he compares her to the ocean under the moon and the emotion he gets from her shows how deeply in love he is. The bridge once again reiterates the importance of his love and not forgetting about it. The lyrics overall express the immense love and adoration the singer has for his partner.
Line by Line Meaning
Man, it's a hot one
The temperature outside is high
Like seven inches from the midday sun
The heat is intense and unbearable
Well, I hear you whispering and the words melt everyone
Your voice is so captivating that it affects everyone who hears it
But you stay so cool
Despite your captivating nature, you remain calm and collected
My muñequita, my Spanish Harlem Mona Lisa
You are my beautiful and prized possession
You're my reason for reason
You give me purpose and a reason to live
The step in my groove, yeah
You complete and complement me perfectly
And if you said this life ain't good enough
If you feel unsatisfied with our life
I would give my world to lift you up
I would do anything to make you happy
I could change my life to better suit your mood, yeah
I am willing to adjust and adapt every aspect of my life to cater to your needs
'Cause you're so smooth
You are effortless in everything you do and are my ideal partner
Well, and it's just like the ocean under the moon
Our connection is just as magical as the pull of the ocean under the moon
You got the kind of lovin' that can be so smooth, yeah
Your affection and love for me is natural and effortless like your entire existence
Give me your heart, make it real
I want you to open up to me and show me your true self
Or else forget about it
If you aren't willing to be genuine and real with me, I cannot continue this relationship
Well, I'll tell you one thing
One thing is for sure
If you would leave, it'd be a crying shame
If you decided to leave me, it would be devastating and heartbreaking
In every breath and every word
I cannot imagine living without you
I hear your name calling me out, yeah
I constantly hear your voice and thoughts in my head
Out from the barrio, you hear my rhythm on your radio
Even though we are from different backgrounds, my music resonates with you
You feel the turning of the world so soft and slow
You are in tune with the world's movements, and we share that connection
Turning you 'round and 'round
Our relationship is continuously developing and evolving
Oh, or else forget about it
Repeat of previous line
Oh, let's don't forget about it
Let's not let go of our special connection
Give me your heart, make it real
I want you to be vulnerable and sincere with me
Yeah, yeah
Reassurance of love and commitment
Contributed by Alexis S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@unknownawakening6507
Whoever’s idea it was to put rob thomas with santana was genius
@Isseki_Nicho
Was just thinking the same and here I find a comment with like minds
@ahmadveykie4516
Rob Thomas wrote this song for santana
@stevensheets3612
Santana was planning a comeback of sorts at the time and had an album nearly complete, but he / his production team felt it was lacking a true lead single, so his producer (I think) reached out to the label Rob was under with MB20 and asked if Rob could write / co-write for them (MB20 was still on top of the world from their debut album, and they knew Rob wrote that entire album himself basically). So Rob and one of Santana's songwriters ended up writing the track together. Santana hadn't even really known who Rob was until they met in studio to play back what Rob had come up with. A few articles about the song's origin have come out in the past few years, it's really interesting! :)
@danielhaire6677
When I originally heard that was happening when this first came out, I thought they were crazy. But as it turned out it was the absolutely brilliant form of crazy that sees a possibility where others don't.
@TheNamesDitto
Factual
@hectorcarrillo6655
I remember the summer when this song came out, and it was playing EVERYWHERE. On MTV, the radio, the record store, the grocery store, every department store, just everywhere. It was incredible. Good times.
@Ken-fh4jc
This is one I would secretly listen to when my friends weren’t around.
@WeAreNotAmused
Oh yeah this was super fire. The time following it's release. Was. Meteoric the way it caught on such devotion and passion for the. love for the power of synergy that music like this can only be described as both divine and. Seeringly Spicy hot for to dance with your paramour. And friends back in the 90's I went touring through Alabama and Mississippi. And quite a few points in between the different venues we played covers mostly
This song easily surpassed. Free bird and all other long standing. Runner up songs for most. Requested
Quite frankly it got requested twice at every gig night. at least twice on not most. But over half of em but was never. Complained about playing it too much always warmly received and it shall probably never be forgotten about. By myself. Much Love to cousin Carlos and the fellas
There is absolutely no question Santana has shaped my. Love for music all the way. Such. Kick in the explosive fast breaks and. Bridges stringing multiple songs together so to not allow the energy to. Dwindle it is maximum. Latino. Locomotive power. Rejoice u will not be disappointed with a live set I saw them close out the last night of the three day midtown Atlanta music festival in 97' and hands down the finest. Iive performance I have seen by any band
We now have legions of amazing talented musicians. But nobody could ever be so. Supercharged
A live performer to eclipse the way Santana. Jams every inch of stage time packed to the gills and overflowing. Quality quality. Output of energy. U should know. Barring a. Full on cataclysmic. Event u will get your money's worth of entertainment and then some
@briancannon3987
I remember life before social media. Ppl are too judgemental and petrified these days to let their hair down. I'm done. Let's take our world back