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/
Crossroads
Matisyahu Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
This far I've done lost my mind
Only to find the other side
Is where the world opens wide
To descend these city streets late at night
I've been searching for my bite
They say I inspired, but I'm still looking for my fire
I'm free falling, I'm done stalling
I'm done crawling up this mountain top
I won't stop till I manifest my craft
The top is close
I'm sky scraping
They stay chasing
I'm like racing in the Sun, I'm running from depths
They're done, I'm going gray
I'm still young having mystic visions
Of the one, I hear the hum, the melody comes
Rushing in like some wind
Cuts close like a knife
All I got is my life
All I got I got I got
Crossroads, one million miles
I'm kicking up dirt when I'm flying high
Crossroads, one million miles
I'm kicking up dirt when I'm flying high
Now the rain is falling drizzle dropping on the street
Cleaning off the dirt beneath my feet
I got the speed on repeat
While I'm riding subway trains on a fact
Over tracks to go crack, my heart's black
But intact I've come to take the music back
I'm moving forward this time you can't ignore it
Put the pedal to the floor
Let's take you off
Through the time that has come
The time has come I launch orbit
I'm tight rope
Walking over fire with flames, yeah hot coals
I'm like water for you trolls
I pay no tolls
Speak to ghosts
Time to go high
The cross that you walk by
Got my eye into
I'll magic fly off on the broom
Which is true,
I'm at the crossroads, but I'll give my soul
It's already old
Crossroads, one million miles
I'm kicking up dirt when I'm flying high
Crossroads, one million miles
I'm kicking up dirt when I'm flying high
I'm a slave to the throne
The chariot, the flames, it's my home
I'm in a class of my own
Lights out, you're all alone, with your heart of stone
O-o-o-o-o-oh-oh
Crossroads, one million miles
I'm kicking up dirt when I'm flying high
Crossroads, one million miles
I'm kicking dirt when I'm flying high
Crossroads, one million miles
I'm kicking up dirt when I'm flying high
Crossroads, one million miles
The lyrics to the song "Crossroads" by Matisyahu speak to the singer's personal journey of self-discovery and determination. He feels like he's been lost in time, searching for something that he hasn't yet found. He's tired of the lies and the crawling, and he wants to manifest his craft and make a name for himself. The chorus talks about being at the proverbial crossroads, with one million miles to go. He's flying high and kicking up dirt, determined to make his mark on the world.
He talks about how raindrops fall and clean off the dirt from his feet, as if it's a metaphor for starting anew. He's moving forward, putting the pedal to the floor, and launching himself into orbit. He compares himself to a tightrope walker, walking over fire and hot coals. He's not paying any tolls to anyone; he's speaking to ghosts and flying off on his broomstick.
The song is about chasing your dreams and not letting anything stand in your way. Matisyahu wants his music to be heard by the world, and he's willing to do whatever it takes to get there. He's at the crossroads, but he's not going to give up. The song is a powerful reminder to stay true to yourself and keep pushing forward, no matter what obstacles come your way.
Line by Line Meaning
It's like I'm walking through this kingdom of time
Life feels like a journey through time
This far I've done lost my mind
Life has taken a toll on my sanity
Only to find the other side
Ending up in a better place despite struggles
Is where the world opens wide
The better side of life brings new opportunities
To descend these city streets late at night
Wandering in the city at night
I've been searching for my bite
Looking for inspiration and passion in life
They say I inspired, but I'm still looking for my fire
Despite being an inspiration to others, I still lack my own drive
These lies have got me tired
Fed up with being lied to
I'm free falling, I'm done stalling
Taking chances and not procrastinating anymore
I'm done crawling up this mountain top
Tired of struggling to achieve my goals
I won't stop till I manifest my craft
Determined to master my skills
The top is close
Success is around the corner
I'm sky scraping
Reaching new heights
They stay chasing
Others are envious
I'm like racing in the Sun, I'm running from depths
Chasing my dreams despite obstacles
They're done, I'm going gray
Others have given up, but I remain persistent
I'm still young having mystic visions
Despite being young, I have a strong sense of purpose
Of the one, I hear the hum, the melody comes
Feeling a spiritual connection and inspiration
Rushing in like some wind
Feeling inspired suddenly like a gust of wind
Cuts close like a knife
Inspiration or realization feels very real and profound
All I got is my life
Life is all I have
Now the rain is falling drizzle dropping on the street
Setting: rainy night
Cleaning off the dirt beneath my feet
Symbolic cleansing of past mistakes
I got the speed on repeat
Motivated and energized
While I'm riding subway trains on a fact
Reflecting while traveling
Over tracks to go crack, my heart's black
Struggling with emotional hurt
But intact I've come to take the music back
Reclaiming my passion for music despite struggles
Moving forward this time you can't ignore it
Pushing forward and making progress
Put the pedal to the floor
Going all out
Let's take you off
Going on a journey
Through the time that has come
Through whatever the future holds
The time has come I launch orbit
It's time to take off and reach new heights
Tight rope walking over fire with flames, yeah hot coals
Taking risks in life, prepared for potential danger
I'm like water for you trolls
Not affected by people trying to bring me down
I pay no tolls
Not giving in to others' demands or expectations
Speak to ghosts
Feeling a spiritual connection to the past
Time to go high
Time to aim higher
The cross that you walk by
Symbolic reference to Jesus Christ and his sacrifice
Got my eye into
Focused on a goal
I'll magic fly off on the broom
Imagining a magical escape
Which is true, I'm at the crossroads, but I'll give my soul
Life feels like a turning point and I'm ready to give it my all
It's already old
The obvious choice is stale, looking for something new
I'm a slave to the throne
Feeling burdened by societal expectations
The chariot, the flames, it's my home
My passion and drive feel like home
I'm in a class of my own
Unique and original
Lights out, you're all alone, with your heart of stone
Feeling alone and disconnected from others
Crossroads, one million miles
Feeling at a turning point in life, with a long journey ahead
I'm kicking up dirt when I'm flying high
Making progress in life despite setbacks and struggles
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: NIGEL RICHARD CLARK, ANDREW PETER MILLER, MATTHEW PRIEST
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@jakeryon7317
Straight up and down this is da bomb diggty... wow..!!..
Favorite lyrics of this killer jam!!
"I swear I done lost my mind only to find the other side"
"I won't stop intill I manifest my crop the top is close"
"All I got is my life"
""I GOT THIS BEAT ON REPEAT!!!!"
@pennyshores4914
22,500 views...the world needs more Matisyahu and less of this "popular" shit. Always a positive, uplifting, soul-searching vibe. Amazing.
@marsgaming73
Yeah
@christianbgraham531
yeah.. bc if the world knew about these guys, that would make them more popular.. ...right...
@pennyshores4914
+Christian Graham lol what does that mean?
@davidwillison7796
The globalists would never allow such a thing
@amandam186
+Penny Shores it has like 73,000 now
@vanessavelez6297
I love the old and new Matisyahu, his voice and music is mesmerizing.
@michellewalker8516
this was second song at my wedding..... as I danced around a fire on beach....thanks very much....
@ozarksliving1927
Ome of my favorite songs ever! Very cool
@TheDdlx
Just blown away by the lyrics...and everything just works so perfectly...even the beat boxing. Love it.