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/
Miracle -
Matisyahu Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Eight nights, gonna shine invincible
No longer be divisible, born to the struggle
Keep on moving through all this hustle
Head up, head down through all the bustle
New York City wanna flex your muscle
You look so down, look so puzzled
Huddle 'round your fire through all the rubble
Bound to stumble and fall but my strength comes not from man at all
Bound to stumble and fall but my strength comes not from man at all
Do you believe in miracles
And am I hearin' you
Said am I seein' you
Said eight nights and eight lights
End these fights, keep me right
And bless me to the highest heights with your miracles
Against all odds, trod on till tomorrow
Wipe away your tears and your sorrow
Sunrise in the sky like an arrow
No need to worry, no need to cry.
Light up your mind no longer be blind
Him who searches he'll find
Leave your problems behind
We will shine like a fire in the sky
What's the reason we're alive (Reason we're alive)
Bound to stumble and fall but my strength comes not from man at all
Bound to stumble and fall but my strength comes not from man at all
Do you believe in miracles
And Am I hearin' you
Said am I seein' you
Said eight nights and eight lights
End these fights, keep me right
And bless me to the highest heights with your miracles
Eight is the number of infinity one more than what you know how to be
And this is the light of festivity when your broken heart yearns to be free
Do you believe in miracles
And am I hearin' you
Said am I seein' you
Said eight nights and eight lights
End these fights, keep me right
And bless me to the highest heights with your miracles
Do you believe in miracles
And am I hearin' you
Said am I seein' you
Said eight nights and eight lights
End these fights, keep me right
And bless me to the highest heights with your miracles
Miracle, miracle, miracle
The song "Miracle" by Matisyahu reflects his faith as a Jewish person and his belief in miracles. As the song begins, Matisyahu states that he is "just livin' the miracle," referring to what the Jewish festival of Chanukah represents in Jewish tradition. He sees the lights of the candles used to observe the holiday as his vehicle to experience the miracle of Chanukah. The song goes on to describe the struggles of life and how the miracle of Chanukah provides a sense of hope and strength to keep moving forward. Matisyahu acknowledges that he is bound to stumble and fall, but his strength to carry on comes not from man but from a higher power.
The song also references the struggles of living in New York City and the need to keep pushing on despite setbacks. Matisyahu encourages listeners to leave their problems behind and find reasons to shine like the "fire in the sky."
Overall, "Miracle" is a message of hope and perseverance. Matisyahu believes that miracles are possible and that by holding on to faith and strength, one can overcome life's obstacles and find joy and meaning.
Line by Line Meaning
Just livin' the miracle, candles are my vehicle
Eight nights, gonna shine invincible
No longer be divisible, born to the struggle
Keep on moving through all this hustle
Head up, head down through all the bustle
New York City wanna flex your muscle
You look so down, look so puzzled
Huddle 'round your fire through all the rubble
I am living a miraculous life and the candles symbolize my journey. During the eight nights, I will be invincible and cannot be divided. I was born to struggle but I will keep moving forward despite all the hustle and bustle around me. In New York City, people want to show their power and strength, but sometimes they look defeated and confused. We should come together around the fire to support each other during the hard times.
Bound to stumble and fall but my strength comes not from man at all
Bound to stumble and fall but my strength comes not from man at all
I know that I will face challenges and failures, but I do not rely on other people for my strength. My strength comes from a higher power, not human beings.
Do you believe in miracles
And am I hearin' you
Said am I seein' you
Said eight nights and eight lights
End these fights, keep me right
And bless me to the highest heights with your miracles
Do you believe in miracles? Are you saying what I think you're saying? During the eight nights, I hope to end conflicts and stay on the right path. I ask for blessings to reach the highest heights through these miracles.
Against all odds, trod on till tomorrow
Wipe away your tears and your sorrow
Sunrise in the sky like an arrow
No need to worry, no need to cry.
Light up your mind no longer be blind
Him who searches he'll find
Leave your problems behind
We will shine like a fire in the sky
What's the reason we're alive (Reason we're alive)
We should keep going forward despite all the obstacles and challenges. We should try to forget about our tears and sadness. The sunrise is like an arrow and it points us in the right direction. There is no need to worry or cry because we will find our way. We need to open our minds and be aware of what is around us. If we keep searching, we will find what we are looking for. We should leave our problems behind and shine like a fire in the sky. What is the reason why we are alive?
Eight is the number of infinity one more than what you know how to be
And this is the light of festivity when your broken heart yearns to be free
Eight is the number of infinity, one more than what we know how to be. It represents the light of festivity and joy when our broken hearts want to be free.
Miracle, miracle, miracle
Miracle, miracle, miracle.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: MELBOURNE MILLER, PAUL CROSDALE, DONALD DENNIS, DENNIS HOWARD, V. CHARLES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Edwel B Abuan
on One Day (New Album Version)
queenie abuan
Edwel B Abuan
on One Day (New Album Version)
queenie abuan
Bryan Valero Gutierrez
on Indestructible
nice ang ganda talaga ng mga kanta ni MATISYAHU sound trip pa more