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/
Built To Survive
Matisyahu Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Once again
How are you
My old friend
I am awake
I am alive
I have survived
Birds sing out
Morning's on the rise
Figure it out
One more chance
One more day
To find a way to say
What I forgot yesterday
Am I built to survive?
Fading colors melt the skies
Shifting winds, sand storms of time
I am yours, you are mine
I am love, play my strings
Play my heart, my memories
I am the song of your glory
I am the splitting of the sea
Am I built to survive?
Fading colors melt the skies
Shifting winds, sands of time
I am yours, you are mine
We flow together like OM
Flesh, blood, it animates poem
Eventually we gravitate home
It's been a long time, it was hard on my soul
But I know you've been good though
Still alive, giving thanks what we should do
The pride is a snake that can hook you
Hey young world
I know you've been put through
All the struggle makes it worthwhile
The clouds go away when your soul smiles
The smile rises up from a dungeon
Locked away so long, let the sun in
The radiance runs in
Humanity's veins, be the change, so abundant
I feel the wave coming
We built to survive
Be the chosen among them
Am I built to survive?
Fading colors melt the skies
Shifting winds, sand storms of time
I am yours, you are mine
I am love, play my strings
Play my heart, my memories
I am the song of your glory
I am the splitting of the sea
In the opening lines of "Built to Survive", Matisyahu sings about waking up once again and addressing an old friend that is possibly a reference to a higher power. The song's chorus is an existential question where the singer wonders if he is built to survive through life's difficulties. The lyrics are also metaphorical, and Matisyahu uses imagery of the sky, birds singing, and the sea splitting to emphasize the song's message.
As the song progresses, Matisyahu changes the theme to one of gratitude and encourages his listeners to appreciate even the smallest moments in life. The lines "Hey young world, I know you've been put through all the struggle makes it worthwhile; the clouds go away when your soul smiles," are a reminder that struggles can be overcome, and there is always a reason for hope. The closing lines where he sings “I am love, play my strings, play my heart, my memories, I am the song of your glory, I am the splitting of the sea,” seems to suggest that this song is his testimony of hope and survival for his listeners.
Line by Line Meaning
I am awake
I am conscious and alert
Once again
After a previous period of wakefulness
How are you
A greeting to an old friend
My old friend
A familiar person
I am alive
I am currently living and breathing
I have survived
I have endured past difficulties and challenges
My time is here
It is my moment to shine
Birds sing out
Birds are making beautiful sounds
Morning's on the rise
The sun is coming up and it's early morning
Figure it out
Find a solution to a problem
One more chance
An additional opportunity
One more day
Another day to live
To find a way to say
To express what is necessary
What I forgot yesterday
Something important that was not remembered
Am I built to survive?
Is my constitution strong enough to endure?
Fading colors melt the skies
The sky is changing colors
Shifting winds, sand storms of time
Changes and challenges over time
I am yours, you are mine
We belong to each other
I am love, play my strings
I am a symbol of love, play my music
Play my heart, my memories
Express my emotions and memories through music
I am the song of your glory
I represent your greatness
I am the splitting of the sea
I symbolize the power of creation
We flow together like OM
We are united and harmonious
Flesh, blood, it animates poem
Our physical bodies give life to poetry
Eventually we gravitate home
We will return to our place of origin
It's been a long time, it was hard on my soul
It has been a difficult journey for me
But I know you've been good though
I'm aware that you have been doing well
Still alive, giving thanks what we should do
We should be grateful for our lives
The pride is a snake that can hook you
Arrogance and ego can be dangerous
Hey young world
A call to the younger generation
I know you've been put through
I'm aware that you have faced challenges
All the struggle makes it worthwhile
Challenges can make life more meaningful
The clouds go away when your soul smiles
Happiness can lift one's spirits
The smile rises up from a dungeon
Joy can come from difficult circumstances
Locked away so long, let the sun in
Breaking free from darkness
The radiance runs in
Light and positive energy
Humanity's veins, be the change, so abundant
We have the power to make a positive impact
I feel the wave coming
A sense of something big happening
We built to survive
We are strong enough to endure
Be the chosen among them
Stand out and be a leader for good
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: STEPHEN GAINES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
blackerpain official
Lyrics
I am awake
Once again
How are you
My old friend
I am awake
I am alive
I have survived
My time is here
Birds sing out
Morning's on the rise
Figure it out
One more chance
One more day
To find a way to say
What I forgot yesterday
Am I built to survive?
Fading colors melt the skies
Shifting winds, sand storms of time
I am yours, you are mine
I am love, play my strings
Play my heart, my memories
I am the song of your glory
I am the splitting of the sea
Am I built to survive?
Fading colors melt the skies
Shifting winds, sands of time
I am yours, you are mine
We flow together like OM
Flesh, blood, it animates poem
Eventually we gravitate home
It's been a long time, it was hard on my soul
But I know you've been good though
Still alive, giving thanks what we should do
The pride is a snake that can hook you
Hey young world
I know you've been put through
All the struggle makes it worthwhile
The clouds go away when your soul smiles
The smile rises up from a dungeon
Locked away so long, let the sun in
The radiance runs in
Humanity's veins, be the change, so abundant
I feel the wave coming
We built to survive
Be the chosen among them
Am I built to survive?
Fading colors melt the skies
Shifting winds, sand storms of time
I am yours, you are mine
I am love, play my strings
Play my heart, my memories
I am the song of your glory
I am the splitting of the sea
blackerpain official
Lyrics
I am awake
Once again
How are you
My old friend
I am awake
I am alive
I have survived
My time is here
Birds sing out
Morning's on the rise
Figure it out
One more chance
One more day
To find a way to say
What I forgot yesterday
Am I built to survive?
Fading colors melt the skies
Shifting winds, sand storms of time
I am yours, you are mine
I am love, play my strings
Play my heart, my memories
I am the song of your glory
I am the splitting of the sea
Am I built to survive?
Fading colors melt the skies
Shifting winds, sands of time
I am yours, you are mine
We flow together like OM
Flesh, blood, it animates poem
Eventually we gravitate home
It's been a long time, it was hard on my soul
But I know you've been good though
Still alive, giving thanks what we should do
The pride is a snake that can hook you
Hey young world
I know you've been put through
All the struggle makes it worthwhile
The clouds go away when your soul smiles
The smile rises up from a dungeon
Locked away so long, let the sun in
The radiance runs in
Humanity's veins, be the change, so abundant
I feel the wave coming
We built to survive
Be the chosen among them
Am I built to survive?
Fading colors melt the skies
Shifting winds, sand storms of time
I am yours, you are mine
I am love, play my strings
Play my heart, my memories
I am the song of your glory
I am the splitting of the sea
Javster413
Thanks for the lyrics.
IN G
Shalom ! Todah rabah!!!
sicilianmoongoddess
Thank you ❤😊
sicilianmoongoddess
Shalom Alcheim ❤🎉
Noemí Leivas
I love this new album. I think his letters get deeper amd deeper in every album. Thanks Matisyahu for pour out your soul in every song. Hugs & peace from a huge fan from Uruguay, South America :)
El Gatito
After these 5 years of listening to your songs I thank you for holding me together.... I have literally been broken and rebuilt into the life I have ever wanted. May God bless you and your family!
Eddie Byrd
Matis' music has always inspired me, but he has now breached a higher gate and a deeper level of understanding!
Piipaa Piipaa
i would say he has lost his roots... used to be a HUGE fan of Matisyahu. let me know when he is making "good old days" music again.
masterfresh205
Petturi Petri
As the roots grow deeper into the earth, they discover new parts of themselves and change. I understand what you are feeling; when his music started changing I too was disappointed. I missed the old Matisyahu. But then one day I listened to some of his new music when I was very high and had a completely open mind , and realized that it is truly beautiful, just different, as he has changed. I encourage you to listen to some of his newer music with a completely open mind and appreciate it for what it is, not what it was. Peace