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/
Smash Lies
Matisyahu Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oh, dream-a-dream awake (dream awake)
Dream awake, said get 'em and get 'em and go aah (dream awake)
Dream awake make no mistake
Strive to be alive most everyday
You can listen stereo or monotone
Mega phone, mellow drone DJ with delay
Radio station super space nation fight the foe
This one's about to blow up
Two flews over the cuckoo's nest and won't rest
Bless up with no vest with a shield to protect
Smash lies, wake up, stand up and jump off to this
Said wake up, stand up and jump off to this
Wake up, stand up and jump off to this (some piece of mind from the daily grind)
(Smash lies) wake up, stand up and jump off to this
Said wake up, stand up and jump off to this
Said wake up, stand up and jump off to this
Dream awake (dream awake), said get 'em and get 'em and go aah, get 'em and get 'em and go aah
Oh, dream-a-dream awake (dream awake)
Dream awake, said get 'em and get 'em and go aah (dream awake)
Dream awake, find lines to move guys rely on a vision
Filled with rhymes, the room is filled with villains and ghosts
We toast and coast to the next host
Many boast of battles won and the day is fading fast
The work is passed through the self-destruction
Why you wanna burn, why you wanna drown?
Why you wanna die by the highway?
The front lines intertwine
Smash lies, wake up, stand up and jump off to this
Said wake up, stand up and jump off to this
Said wake up, stand up and jump off to this (some piece of mind from the daily grind)
Stand up, said wake up, stand up
We'll bounce over beats and rock shows
So fast so slow never know where the day may go
Bounce and we bubble over hills and valleys
We go through the fields of green in-between destinies
Or just get high, nah there's no need (said wake up, stand up and jump off to this)
No need to feed on the scraps of the enemy (said wake up, stand up and jump off to this)
Where's the bad guy, on the inside one day I might try
Smash lies, wake up, stand up and jump off to this
Said wake up, stand up and jump off to this
Said wake up, stand up and jump off to this (wake up, up, jump off to this)
Smash lies, wake up, stand up and jump off to this
Said wake up, stand up and jump off to this
Dream-a-dream awake, dream awake
Some peace of mind from the daily grind
Smash lies, dream awake
Stand up and jump off to this
Said wake up, dream awake, jump off to this
Dream awake
The lyrics to Matisyahu's "Smash Lies" encourage listeners to wake up from their daily routines, and seek truth and positivity in their lives. The song also touches on themes of self-improvement, perseverance, and overcoming obstacles. The song begins with the repetition of the phrase "Dream awake" which encourages one to be aware and mindful, while also exhorting listeners to take action and "get 'em and go aah."
The song continues with a call to action to strive to be alive every day, even in the face of adversity. Matisyahu mentions different modes of consuming music, including stereo and monotone, suggesting that listeners can choose to approach life in different ways. The song also mentions a "radio station super space nation" fighting against negativity, and emphasizes the importance of standing up for what one believes in. The phrase "smash lies" serves as a mantra for the song, urging listeners to seek truth and reject falsehoods.
Overall, the lyrics of "Smash Lies" speak to the human desire for authenticity and growth, encouraging listeners to become active participants in their own lives and seek out positivity and truth.
Line by Line Meaning
Dream awake (dream awake), said get 'em and get 'em and go aah, get 'em and get 'em and go aah
Be aware of your surroundings and take action, whether fast or slow
Dream awake make no mistake
Be alert and don't make errors
Strive to be alive most everyday
Live to the fullest every day
You can listen stereo or monotone
You can listen to life in different ways
Mega phone, mellow drone DJ with delay
Life can be loud, soft or have delays
Relay super surfer high stereo sound
Communicate your messages well
Radio station super space nation fight the foe
Use your voice to fight against oppressors
This one's about to blow up
Something big is coming
Two flews over the cuckoo's nest and won't rest
Some people are not satisfied with the status quo
Bless up with no vest with a shield to protect
Protect yourself from negativity and stay positive
Smash lies, wake up, stand up and jump off to this
Challenge falsehoods and take action
Dream awake, find lines to move guys rely on a vision
Find inspiration to motivate others
Filled with rhymes, the room is filled with villains and ghosts
Life can be filled with negativity and fear
We toast and coast to the next host
Celebrate accomplishments and move forward
Many boast of battles won and the day is fading fast
People often reminisce about past victories
The work is passed through the self-destruction
Self-destructive behavior can hinder progress
Why you wanna burn, why you wanna drown?
Why would you harm yourself?
Why you wanna die by the highway?
Why face danger when you don't need to?
The front lines intertwine
People on the front lines are interconnected
We'll bounce over beats and rock shows
Enjoy life and its experiences
So fast so slow never know where the day may go
Life can be unpredictable
Bounce and we bubble over hills and valleys
Life has its ups and downs
We go through the fields of green in-between destinies
We navigate life's various paths
Or just get high, nah there's no need (said wake up, stand up and jump off to this)
Avoid short-term solutions
No need to feed on the scraps of the enemy (said wake up, stand up and jump off to this)
Don't let your enemies control you
Where's the bad guy, on the inside one day I might try
We all have inner demons to battle with
Dream-a-dream awake, dream awake
Be alert and present during life
Some peace of mind from the daily grind
Find moments of calm in life's chaos
Stand up and jump off to this
Take action and move forward
Said wake up, dream awake, jump off to this
Be present and active in life
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Peermusic Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: DAVID KAHNE, STEPHEN MCGREGOR, MATTHEW MILLER
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