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/
Black Heart
Matisyahu Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Maintain super brain
Crushed grapes from the vine
Searching for the signs
Like rolling thunder and the days
When I'd ponder puff clouds over yonder magic dragon in the sky
Two eyes, double rainbow
Doves cry when I blaze through the night
Two eyes, double rainbow
Sly in the sky
Doves cry when I blaze through the night
(Babylon falling)
Blaze through the night
(Babylon is burning)
Same city, same drone
Scenery change but my zone stayed unknown
You were with me, now I'm not in control
Fold crash and crumble and I decompose
And run back to the grass
Back to the last moment intact
In a flash it'll be over
And we'll be back
Winter rain time
Suns down streets are cold
I sold the last possession
And I'm all alone
Two eyes, double rainbow
Sly in the sky
Doves cry when I blaze through the night
Two eyes, double rainbow
Sly in the sky
Doves cry when I blaze through the night
(Babylon falling)
Blaze through the night
(Babylon is burning)
Black heart, twist and turned
Where the wild wind sings
Where the whirlwind burns
Where the madness rings
In the crisp night sky
Where the air might sting and bring the reasons why
Ancient child, I swim the Nile
With my rude boy style the wild child
I get lost for a while when I'm under attack
I took my freedom back and took the path unmapped
Two eyes, double rainbow
Sly in the sky
Doves cry when I blaze through the night
Two eyes, double rainbow
Sly in the sky
Doves cry when I blaze through the night
(Babylon falling)
Blaze through the night
(Babylon is burning)
One day I might make it up
I might get it right
When I rise like the moonlight
Into the moon top night light
The room glows when my mind's right
So make room to take flight
We fly right
Up up and away we go
The rainbow's about to blow
When I go Han Solo
Frozen in slow mo
Reference of the airflow
Remember ancient days with no clothes
Open doors to where freedom grows
And this man knows no no's just yes
Feeling blessed in this city that's depressed I jest not
Them get old sink and rot
Colder than frost
At all cost, and I toss and turn
While the kingdom burns
I yearn for freedom
From the demons we see them
Return to the land of redemption
Go tell ya henchmen we sent them
Into trenches hence my invention
Of a plan apprehension
I'm lending my soul for this
While many men search for bliss
I see the vision, it's my interest
Intellect can only take you so far
Intuition is the way to live stars
Rid them from the lids we stay open
Cast my line into the ocean
Come up for air when I'm floating
Through the clouds an explosion
So rain down on the creation
(So rain down on the creation)
The lyrics of Matisyahu's song "Black Heart" describe the struggles of an individual trying to maintain their sanity and find peace in a world where chaos and destruction reign. The singer describes their journey to find inner peace, through the imagery of rolling thunder, puff clouds, and magic dragons in the sky. The double rainbow and sly sky represent the singer's connection to nature, while the doves crying symbolize the pain and suffering they have experienced. The mention of Babylon falling and burning further emphasizes the theme of chaos and destruction, perhaps referring to the fall of empires or the end of the world.
The lyrics also touch upon the idea of loss and the search for identity. The singer reveals that their environment has changed, but they still feel lost and uncertain of their place in the world. They express their longing for their past and the people who used to be with them. The line "I sold the last possession and I'm all alone" suggests that they have taken extreme measures to try and find themselves, but they are still struggling to do so. The mention of the "black heart" represents the darkness and pain the singer is feeling, while the "whirlwind burning" and "madness rings" represent the chaos and turmoil that surrounds them.
Overall, the lyrics of "Black Heart" are a powerful exploration of the search for inner peace in a world filled with chaos, loss, and confusion.
Line by Line Meaning
Here I come, main line
I am entering with a plan or strategy
Maintain super brain
Keep a sharp mind to achieve my goals
Crushed grapes from the vine
Extracting the essence of life's experiences
Searching for the signs
Looking for direction or guidance
Like rolling thunder and the days
Unpredictable and powerful events
When I'd ponder puff clouds over yonder magic dragon in the sky
Reflecting on imaginary or distant things
Two eyes, double rainbow
Seeing the beauty of the world
Sly in the sky
Mysterious and elusive
Doves cry when I blaze through the night
The world is moved by my passionate actions
(Babylon falling)
A reference to the fall of an oppressive system
Same city, same drone
Routine and monotonous life
Scenery change but my zone stayed unknown
Even when the environment changes, I remain true to myself
You were with me, now I'm not in control
Losing control of the situation or relationship
Fold crash and crumble and I decompose
Breaking down and losing strength
And run back to the grass
Going back to a simpler life
Back to the last moment intact
Nostalgia for a time when everything was good
In a flash it'll be over
Life passes by quickly
And we'll be back
The cycle of life repeats itself
Winter rain time
A difficult time in life
Suns down streets are cold
A metaphor for a lack of warmth and happiness
I sold the last possession
Sacrificing something valuable for survival
And I'm all alone
Feeling isolated and lonely
Black heart, twist and turned
A heart that has gone through suffering and pain
Where the wild wind sings
In a place of untamed nature and freedom
Where the whirlwind burns
Where challenges and adversity exist
Where the madness rings
A place with chaotic energy and unpredictability
In the crisp night sky
Under a clear and bright sky of stars
Where the air might sting and bring the reasons why
Realizing the reasons behind the struggles and pain
Ancient child, I swim the Nile
Returning to a childlike state of curiosity and exploration
With my rude boy style the wild child
Expressing oneself freely and rebelliously
I get lost for a while when I'm under attack
Losing clarity or direction in stressful situations
I took my freedom back and took the path unmapped
Finding freedom by taking uncharted paths in life
One day I might make it up
Hope for a better future
I might get it right
The possibility of succeeding
When I rise like the moonlight
Becoming powerful and illuminating
Into the moon top night light
Reaching for a higher level of existence
The room glows when my mind's right
A positive and radiant state of mind
So make room to take flight
Clearing out space for growth and progress
We fly right
Progressing in the right direction
Up up and away we go
Soaring to new heights
The rainbow's about to blow
A metaphor for a life-changing event
When I go Han Solo
Taking risks and venturing out alone
Frozen in slow mo
A feeling of being stuck in time
Reference of the airflow
The importance of intuition and instincts
Remember ancient days with no clothes
Revisiting simpler and more authentic times
Open doors to where freedom grows
Opportunities for growth and freedom
And this man knows no no's just yes
A mindset of limitless possibilities
Feeling blessed in this city that's depressed I jest not
Gratefulness for the good things despite the challenges
Them get old sink and rot
The inevitability of decline
Colder than frost
A feeling of emotional numbness
At all cost, and I toss and turn
Determined to succeed, even if it's difficult
While the kingdom burns
The chaos and unrest of the world
I yearn for freedom
Longing for true freedom and liberation
From the demons we see them
Overcoming inner struggles and negative thoughts
Return to the land of redemption
A desire to return to a pure and righteous state
Go tell ya henchmen we sent them
Defeating the forces that oppose us
Into trenches hence my invention
Creating new strategies to overcome obstacles
Of a plan apprehension
Planning with purpose and intention
I'm lending my soul for this
Dedicating oneself completely
While many men search for bliss
The pursuit of happiness is elusive for some
I see the vision, it's my interest
Having a clear and personal goal
Intellect can only take you so far
Limitations of traditional knowledge
Intuition is the way to live stars
Importance of listening to inner wisdom
Rid them from the lids we stay open
Removing limiting beliefs to stay open to new experiences
Cast my line into the ocean
Taking risks and trying new things
Come up for air when I'm floating
Taking breaks and finding balance in life
Through the clouds an explosion
Breaking through barriers and limitations
So rain down on the creation
Positive energy and inspiration shower down on life
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: KATE HOLMES, MARTIN GLOVER, SARAH BLACKWOOD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@marcmcfarlane789
I was in Jamaican 73 when they were going through their civil war against Russia and Cuba and we defeated Dem and rode with God at the helm and we sailed into VICTORY God's will in God we trust in Jesus name Amen
@feverkid101
"I see the vision, it's my interest
Intellect can only take you so far
Intuition is the way to live stars"
@anthonybethel1452
Best verse
@MadMonkeySeeds1
no man stays the same man he was in the past,..
a man that stays the same stands still.
Matisyahu is not one to stand still
@radshadster
+Raaf MadMonkeySeeds Very well said
I couldn't agree more peace and happiness
@Dean0017
This guy's vocals just blow me away. The first time I heard him..... I thought it was like 3 different people....
@marcmcfarlane789
Man's gonna implode on his self.
Hes already done it. Waiten on the king
@intelectomusical523
Matisyahu for me is a legend ,The old Man with So much flow !
@jodimichelleschoenherr
😂 He’s not old.
@marcmcfarlane789
You make me want to learn Hebrew cuz I like how you mix English with the Hebrew in your song that is so original and POP! Imma get some books in tutorials on Hebrew