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/
Champion
Matisyahu Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Tossed to the ground, been kicked to the curb yah
Come against a foe and his eyes scream murder
How can I bounce back when I feel so hurt, yeah
Raise your cup to the sky
Spread your wings out wide
Champion nananananan
Champion, tonight
We will fight with our heart
And all that we know
We will fight 'til the love it grows
If the mountains should crumble and kiss the sky
I'ma stand by what I know
We could be champions
Do it together
Here for you
Are you here for me
We could be legends
Do it together
Shining forever eternally
To live your live, make a sacrifice
Trust your guts 'cause you know what's right
Compassion and love, the stars shine bright
The songs will play as the fire light
At the dawn of day open up my eyes
King of all time won't you hear my cry
We will fight with our heart
And all that we know
We will fight 'til the love it grows
If the mountains should crumble and kiss the sky
I'ma stand by what I know
We could be champions
Do it together
Here for you
Are you here for me
We could be legends
Do it together
Shining forever eternally
You're a champion
You gotta be a champion tonight
You're a champion
You gotta be a champion tonight
In this world of deception, make a resurrection
Muster up the strength to make a connection
Keep on going, keep on surviving
Thanks and praise to the one who enlivens
Rain down upon the creation
People of all of the nation
Enlighten yes your persuasion
And all of the amazement
I like to dream big to daydrift
Journey to the moon and back to the spaceship
All alone makin' beats in the basement
Victory so close I can taste it
Raise your cup to the sky
Spread your wings out wide
Champion nananananan
Champion tonight
We will fight with our heart
And all that we know
We will fight 'til the love it grows
If the mountains should crumble and kiss the sky
I'ma stand by what I know
We could be champions
Do it together
Here for you
Are you here for me
We could be legends
Do it together
Shining forever eternally
(You're a champion)
We will fight with our heart
And all that we know
We will fight 'til the love it grows
(You're a champion)
If the mountains should crumble and kiss the sky
I'ma stand by what I know
We could be champions
Do it together
Here for you
Are you here for me
We could be legends
Do it together
Shining forever eternally
You're a champion
You gotta be a champion tonight
I'm a champion
You gotta be a champion tonight
Matisyahu's "Champion" is a motivational song that encourages listeners to be champions in their daily lives, even when faced with adversity. The song starts by addressing those who feel down and defeated, assuring them that they can bounce back from their struggles. To become a champion, Matisyahu advises being true to oneself, making sacrifices, and trusting one's instincts. He then calls on listeners to band together and fight with love and compassion, standing by each other through tough times. The song highlights the resilience of the human spirit in the face of challenges and the importance of community and perseverance.
Throughout the song, Matisyahu uses metaphors like raising one's cup to the sky and spreading one's wings out wide to symbolize the idea of reaching for greatness and achieving one's goals. The chorus repeats the phrases "We could be champions" and "Do it together" to emphasize the importance of unity and support. The song's uplifting message is underscored by its energetic and upbeat tempo, with a musical arrangement that combines reggae, hip-hop, and pop elements.
Overall, "Champion" encourages listeners to rise above their struggles and strive to become the best versions of themselves. By embracing their inner strength and relying on their community, they can overcome any obstacle and emerge as champions.
Line by Line Meaning
When you're feeling down, can't go any further
Feeling low and defeated
Tossed to the ground, been kicked to the curb yah
Rejection and defeat
Come against a foe and his eyes scream murder
Facing a fierce opponent
How can I bounce back when I feel so hurt, yeah
Struggling to recover from pain and defeat
Raise your cup to the sky
Celebrate and cheer for yourself
Spread your wings out wide
Embrace freedom and opportunity
Champion nananananan
The feeling of victory and success
Champion, tonight
Victory is immediate
We will fight with our heart
Determined to succeed through emotional strength
And all that we know
Using all the knowledge we have to reach success
We will fight 'til the love it grows
Fighting for the things we love and believe in
If the mountains should crumble and kiss the sky
Facing seemingly impossible challenges
I'ma stand by what I know
Staying true to oneself
We could be champions
Success is achievable
Do it together
Collaborating for success
Here for you
Supporting others
Are you here for me
Questioning whether others will support us in our efforts
We could be legends
Success can lead to great recognition and status
Shining forever eternally
Success and victory can last forever
To live your live, make a sacrifice
Success may come at a cost
Trust your guts 'cause you know what's right
Trusting one's intuition and instincts
Compassion and love, the stars shine bright
Love and kindness bring positive results
The songs will play as the fire light
Celebrating your own success
At the dawn of day open up my eyes
Looking at the world with new hope
King of all time won't you hear my cry
Appealing to a higher power for help
In this world of deception, make a resurrection
Overcoming deception and starting fresh
Muster up the strength to make a connection
Finding strength to form new relationships
Keep on going, keep on surviving
Persevering through tough times
Thanks and praise to the one who enlivens
Gratitude towards those who help and inspire
Rain down upon the creation
Blessings and positivity flowing into our lives
People of all of the nation
Celebrating diversity and unity amongst all people
Enlighten yes your persuasion
Encouraging others to consider new perspectives
And all of the amazement
Being in awe of the world around us
I like to dream big to daydrift
Imagining great things and striving towards them
Journey to the moon and back to the spaceship
Challenging oneself to explore new territories
All alone makin' beats in the basement
Finding solace and creativity in solitude
Victory so close I can taste it
Feeling close to achieving success
(You're a champion)
Reminder that you are capable of achieving greatness
(You're a champion)
Reinforcing confidence in oneself
I'm a champion
Having faith in one's own abilities
You gotta be a champion tonight
Taking immediate action towards success
I'ma stand by what I know
Maintaining integrity and staying true to oneself
Do it together
Collaborating with others towards success
Shining forever eternally
Achieving everlasting success
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: MATTHEW MILLER, SAM S. HOLLANDER, STEPHEN RUCHELMAN, STEWART LESLIE BROOKS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Lyrics
When you're feeling down, can't go any further
Tossed to the ground, been kicked to the curb yah
Come against a foe and his eyes scream murder
How can I bounce back when I feel so hurt, yeah
Raise your cup to the sky
Spread your wings out wide
Champion nananananan
Champion, tonight
We will fight with our heart
And all that we know
We will fight 'til the love it grows
If the mountains should crumble and kiss the sky
I'ma stand by what I know
We could be champions
Do it together
Here for you
Are you here for me
We could be legends
Do it together
Shining forever eternally
To live your live, make a sacrifice
Trust your guts 'cause you know what's right
Compassion and love, the stars shine bright
The songs will play as the fire light
At the dawn of day open up my eyes
King of all time won't you hear my cry
We will fight with our heart
And all that we know
We will fight 'til the love it grows
If the mountains should crumble and kiss the sky
I'ma stand by what I know
We could be champions
Do it together
Here for you
Are you here for me
We could be legends
Do it together
Shining forever eternally
You're a champion
You gotta be a champion tonight
You're a champion
You gotta be a champion tonight
In this world of deception, make a resurrection
Muster up the strength to make a connection
Keep on going, keep on surviving
Thanks and praise to the one who enlivens
Rain down upon the creation
People of all of the nation
Enlighten yes your persuasion
And all of the amazement
I like to dream big to daydrift
Journey to the moon and back to the spaceship
All alone makin' beats in the basement
Victory so close I can taste it
Raise your cup to the sky
Spread your wings out wide
Champion nananananan
Champion tonight
We will fight with our heart
And all that we know
We will fight 'til the love it grows
If the mountains should crumble and kiss the sky
I'ma stand by what I know
We could be champions
Do it together
Here for you
Are you here for me
We could be legends
Do it together
Shining forever eternally
We will fight with our heart
And all that we know
We will fight 'til the love it grows
(You're a champion)
If the mountains should crumble and kiss the sky
I'ma stand by what I know
We could be champions
Do it together
Here for you
Are you here for me
We could be legends
Do it together
Shining forever eternally
You're a champion
You gotta be a champion tonight
I'm a champion
You gotta be a champion tonight
Matisyahu
Today is a special day for me. I want to say thank you to the fans who have supported me and connected with my music over the last 10 years. I can't believe its been a decade! God Bless you!!!
"Akeda" ► iTunes: http://smarturl.it/Akeda
Ns Mjkl
I really did,nt liked you, call yourself religious Jewish and not a vegan, but you went vegan I apologize to all American jews, I understand you are extremely a kind and holy man, not to mention an amazing singer
Purple Frog Global Gaming
You too Matisyahu
piss
+Bobbi Ysmael yes <3
piss
+Matisyahu omg Matisyahu I LOVE U! XD
broken guy.
i love all your songs matisyahu
Ari Bard
The messages alone in your songs are enough to get me through even the toughest of days, than you for all that you do and I hope to one day see you in concert.
SuperBentendo10
Matisyahu you are the inspiration! Much love great release!
Alexander Sebastián
Muy buena canción 👍👍
Patty Wagon
I feel like this song deserves to get played on mainstream radio stations. I feel like that about a lot of Matisyahu's songs, but this one seems like it belongs on the top of the charts.