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/
Sea to Sea
Matisyahu Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hashem S'fasai tiftach you-fee yagid tehilasecha
Open up my lips and my mouth shall declare your praise
Open up my lips and my mouth shall declare your praise
From sea to shining sea oh
Searching for me, yeah, searching for me but you won't find me
All across the land. digging through the sand
Said I'm digging through the sand
Those cool noises he makes haha
The lyrics to Matisyahu's song Sea to Sea start with the Hebrew phrase "Hashem S'fasai tiftach you-pee yagid tehilasecha," which means "Open up my lips and my mouth shall declare your praise." This phrase is taken from Jewish morning prayers and is often recited before prayer or study. In the song, Matisyahu uses this phrase to express his desire to praise and connect with God. He wants his lips to be opened so that he can declare the greatness of God and show his appreciation.
The chorus of the song talks about how the singer is searching for something, but he won't be found. He says, "From sea to shining sea oh, searching for me, yeah, searching for me but you won't find me." The "sea to shining sea" phrase refers to the vastness of the search that is being conducted, as if it is taking place from one ocean to the other. The singer is digging through the land, but he cannot be found as he may be lost in his thoughts or his search for something bigger than himself.
Overall, the song speaks to the desire to connect with something greater than oneself, to praise and give thanks, and to search for something elusive that may never be found.
Line by Line Meaning
Hashem S'fasai tiftach you-fee yagid tehilasecha
I pray that You, God, will open up my lips so that I may sing Your praises
Hashem S'fasai tiftach you-fee yagid tehilasecha
I pray that You, God, will open up my mouth so that I may declare Your glory
From sea to shining sea oh
Everywhere I go, from the east coast to the west coast
Searching for me, yeah, searching for me but you won't find me
People may look for me, but they won't find me because I am constantly searching for a deeper connection with God
All across the land. digging through the sand
I am traveling across the land, searching for meaning and purpose in my life
Said I'm digging through the sand
I am searching for something that is buried deep within me, something that will bring me closer to God
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Peermusic Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: JOSHUA WERNER, MATTHEW MILLER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Casey Brizendine (Briz)
Hashem S'fasai tiftach you-fee yagid tehilasecha
Hashem S'fasai tiftach you-fee yagid tehilasecha
Open up my lips and my mouth shall declare your praise
Open up my lips and my mouth shall declare your praise
From sea to shining sea oh
Searching for me, yeah, searching for me but you won't find me
All across the land. digging through the sand
Said I'm digging through the sand
Those cool noises he makes haha
calnz19
one of the best beats from matisyahu...off the hook
Rodrigo Celestino
Very Nice bass
TypeRacer
about 2 minutes in i get the chills, such a great song
Smokey McPot
Dude I had to stop what I was doing to appreciate it! Insane.
Dan
From sea to shining sea,,ahhh I love it.❤️
KbearTones
I'm surprised this isn't a more popular song on here, frickin awesome.
jenny wiegand
Gives me the chills..
Slayerer
I wish this song was an hour long so I don't have to keep clicking replay.
Target Whitman
Spitting absolute fire!!! Praise to be jah name !!! Via Matisyahu
Victor Oquendo
May this singer be in my soul for his songs are great