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/
Message In A Bottle
Matisyahu Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Island lost at sea
Another lonely day
No one here but me, oh
More loneliness
Than any man could bear
Rescue me before I fall into despair
Send my SOS to the world
I hope that someone gets my
I hope that someone gets my
I hope that someone gets my
Message in a bottle
Said, a message in a bottle
A year has passed since I wrote my note
I should have known straight from the start
Only hope can keep me together
Love can mend your life but love can break your heart
I'll send my SOS to the world
Send my SOS to the world
I hope that someone gets my
I hope that someone gets my
I hope that someone gets my
Message in a bottle
Said, a message in a bottle
TV's a jet stream hold off until tomorrow
Internet flat-screen what's the message in your bottle?
She'll be comin' around the mountain when she comes full throttle
Battleaxe can chop 'em down that's the call of the wild
There's no message in your bottle emptiness its just hollow
Think the way to wake up is through sex, that's just shallow
Tossing seed into the wind producin' loss and sorrow
Dracula's on MTV sucking the blood from the marrow
Hearts hardened like stone wantin to be known like Pharaoh
'Said to let me people go that's just the call of the wild
Children drowning in the rivers, swimming, babbling, I was taught
Hit the wall, first thing, drop and fall, hard to swallow
If its roots are cut off how we can feed this flower?
Might look pretty temporary, but rotten within the hour
Disconnected from its source with no footsteps to follow
Chasing death disguised as life, world's a bridge that's narrow
Woke up this morning
Won't believe what I saw
Hundred billion bottles
Washed up on the shore
Seems I'm not alone at being alone
Hundred billion castaways
Searching for their home
I'll send my SOS to the world
Send my SOS to the world
I hope that someone gets my
I hope that someone gets my
I hope that someone gets my
Message in a bottle
Said, a message in a bottle
Said, a message in a bottle
Said, a message in a bottle
"Message in a Bottle" is a song by Matisyahu that speaks about the feeling of isolation, loneliness, and the desire for connection. The lyrics talk about a castaway who's lost on an island at sea for a year, facing more loneliness than he can bear. He sends his SOS to the world in a bottle, which becomes his only hope that someone will rescue him before he falls into despair. The line "love can mend your life but love can break your heart" refers to the duality of love. While it can bring healing and joy, it also has the potential to cause pain and heartache.
The second verse takes a critical look at modern society and technology. The lines, "TV's a jet stream hold off until tomorrow, Internet flat-screen what's the message in your bottle?" highlight that despite all the technology and the convenience that it brings, people still feel empty and lost. The song highlighted the desire for human connection and how the obsession with technology can be damaging for humans.
The last verse speaks about how people are searching for their home and how everyone feels like a castaway in some way. The line "hundred billion castaways searching for their home" is a metaphorical reference to the vast number of people feeling lost and searching for a sense of belonging.
Overall, "Message in a Bottle" by Matisyahu is a poignant reminder of the importance of human connection and the dangers of feeling isolated and disconnected from the world.
Line by Line Meaning
Just a castaway
Feeling abandoned and alone
Island lost at sea
Being lost in life
Another lonely day
Feeling isolated and sad
No one here but me, oh
Being completely alone
More loneliness
Feeling an overwhelming sense of loneliness
Than any man could bear
Feeling like the loneliness is too much to handle
Rescue me before I fall into despair
Desperately needing someone to help before it's too late
I'll send my SOS to the world
Asking for help from anyone who will listen
Send my SOS to the world
Repeating the call for help
I hope that someone gets my
Wishing for someone to understand
Message in a bottle
Using a metaphor for the plea for help
A year has passed since I wrote my note
Feeling like no one has heard the call for help in a long time
I should have known straight from the start
Regretting previous decisions that led to feeling alone
Only hope can keep me together
Feeling like hope is the only thing that can save from falling apart
Love can mend your life but love can break your heart
Reflecting on the ups and downs of relationships
TV's a jet stream hold off until tomorrow
Commenting on the fast-paced, distracting nature of technology
Internet flat-screen what's the message in your bottle?
Questioning the meaningfulness of online communication
She'll be comin' around the mountain when she comes full throttle
Using a metaphor for waiting for help to arrive
Battleaxe can chop 'em down that's the call of the wild
Reflecting on the forceful nature of life's challenges
There's no message in your bottle emptiness its just hollow
Feeling empty and without purpose
Think the way to wake up is through sex, that's just shallow
Commenting on the emptiness of seeking pleasure for meaning
Tossing seed into the wind producin' loss and sorrow
Reflecting on the negative effects of careless actions
Dracula's on MTV sucking the blood from the marrow
Using a metaphor for the negative influences of media
Hearts hardened like stone wantin to be known like Pharaoh
Desiring recognition but feeling emotionally closed off
'Said to let me people go that's just the call of the wild
Reflecting on the presence of powerful entities and the need for change
Children drowning in the rivers, swimming, babbling, I was taught
Reflecting on the harsh realities of life and the need for guidance
Hit the wall, first thing, drop and fall, hard to swallow
Experiencing obstacles that are difficult to overcome
If its roots are cut off how we can feed this flower?
Questioning how to sustain oneself when circumstances are tough
Might look pretty temporary, but rotten within the hour
Not being fooled by shallow appearances
Disconnected from its source with no footsteps to follow
Feeling lost without guidance or role models
Chasing death disguised as life, world's a bridge that's narrow
Feeling like life is leading towards a dead-end or dangerous path
Woke up this morning
Starting a new day
Won't believe what I saw
Being surprised by something unexpected
Hundred billion bottles
Realizing that many people are going through similar struggles
Washed up on the shore
Using a metaphor for the accumulation of struggles in life
Seems I'm not alone at being alone
Feeling a sense of community in shared struggles
Hundred billion castaways
Using a metaphor for feeling lost and isolated
Searching for their home
Searching for a sense of belonging and purpose
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Gordon Sumner
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@albertinacamus
The best Message in a Bottle cover!
@SuperRigGuy
How can you not like this guy and his music? He's an inspiration for ALL musicians!
@lionheartbloodline
I belive ur the Messenger ...
U awake me!
Now iam on the road.
Thnxx
@C1schecter101
Just realized how deep this song is to him he truly made this song his own !!!He’s speaking of his loss people !!!
@tashball
yeah, Matisyahu is a genius and a true artist... he's awesome!
@roquesilva8262
Nostalgia pura😢
@Jamum100
this is my favorite song by him and the first i heard too
@hendyj89
Lmfao this a police song 🤣
@johnthompson65
if you like it listen ,if you don't don't listen, i like it !!!
@marinagomez6994
TEMAZO❤