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/
Thunder
Matisyahu Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
With hopes to find some peace of mind
Now I'm looking for your voice through the chitter-chatter
That doesn't matter that's torn and tattered these angels on a ladder
This laughter
Strip away the extra plaster
I'm crashing fast
It's the morning after
The thickness and the fuzz
I jump over puddles to stomp through the sludge
Look for me through the wind and rain
Sunshine remember my name
I'll be coming yes I'm running oh I'm on my way
Just stay and I'll be there by the break of day
Look for me through the wind and rain
Thunder remember my name
I'll be coming yes I'm running oh I'm on my way
Just stay and I'll be there by the break of day
I had to evacuate the premises
You're your own nemesis
The premises you're born and blood and leave the world penniless
I had to remember that there's darkness before the exodus
Split the sea
We'll flee to the next
Come and vent with us
I had to send and blend out
Spent it all on sentences fend off the members of relentless pessimists
I had to miss the world
Looking for the core
Cure my heart so I can live more
Look for me through the wind and rain
Sunshine remember my name
I'll be coming yes I'm running oh I'm on my way
Just stay and I'll be there by the break of day
Look for me through the wind and rain
Thunder remember my name
I'll be coming yes I'm running oh I'm on my way
Just stay and I'll be there by the break of day
Thunder
Remember my name
Thunder
Remember my name
City lights shine and I'm on my way
This time tomorrow I'll be on my way
At the break of day I look for you at sunrise
When the tide comes in I lose my disguise
Look for me through the wind and rain
Sunshine remember my name
I'll be coming yes I'm running oh I'm on my way
Just stay and I'll be there by the break of day
Look for me through the wind and rain
Thunder remember my name
I'll be coming yes I'm running oh I'm on my way
Just stay and I'll be there by the break of day
Day
Thunder
You feel it in your chest
Thunder
You feel it in your chest
The lyrics to Matisyahu's "Thunder" poem are reflective and introspective. They describe the singer's personal journey of leaving someone behind and chasing after a better, more fulfilling life. The singer opens the poem by stating that they had to "cross the line" to leave this person behind in hopes of finding "some peace of mind." Throughout the poem, the singer characterizes their past life as "torn and tattered," filled with "hum and the buzz" of a world that they feel bound to leave behind. The singer moves towards a new life, seeking signs of hope in the world around them that remind them of this person they have left behind.
The chorus of the poem emphasizes the singer's drive to reconnect with this person. They plead with them to "look for me through the wind and rain" and to "remember my name." The singer assures the person that they are "coming" and "running," and they will be there "by the break of day." They further explain that the journey they are on is a difficult one, filled with obstacles and difficulties like "puddles" and "sludge." They are on a mission to escape their past and find a better life, but the journey can be trying.
Overall, "Thunder" is a heartfelt poem that expresses the personal journey of a lost soul, who is trying to find their way in the world. It speaks to the power of hope and determination, urging listeners to believe in the transformative power of change.
Line by Line Meaning
I had to cross the line to leave you behind
I had to make a difficult decision to move on from you.
With hopes to find some peace of mind
I was searching for inner peace and clarity.
Now I'm looking for your voice through the chitter-chatter
Amidst all the noise, I am searching for your voice.
That doesn't matter that's torn and tattered these angels on a ladder
Even if your voice is barely audible or broken, it can still guide me.
Strip away the extra plaster
Remove all the surface-level distractions and get to the heart of the matter.
I'm crashing fast
I am spiraling out of control.
It's the morning after
I am realizing the consequences of my actions.
Through the hum and the buzz
Despite all the noise and chaos around me.
The thickness and the fuzz
The confusion and disorientation that I am experiencing.
I jump over puddles to stomp through the sludge
I am determined to persevere through the difficulties and obstacles.
Look for me through the wind and rain
Search for me even in the toughest of times.
Sunshine remember my name
I want to be remembered during happy times as well.
I'll be coming yes I'm running oh I'm on my way
I am actively making my way towards you.
Just stay and I'll be there by the break of day
If you wait for me, I will be there soon.
I had to evacuate the premises
I had to physically remove myself from the situation.
You're your own nemesis
You are your own worst enemy.
The premises you're born and blood and leave the world penniless
The world can be brutal and leave you with nothing in the end.
I had to remember that there's darkness before the exodus
Before the transition, there is often hardship or struggle.
Split the sea
Make a seemingly impossible feat happen.
We'll flee to the next
We will escape to the next chapter of our lives.
Come and vent with us
Engage with those who understand or can be supportive of you.
I had to send and blend out
I had to distance myself and blend in with the crowd for safety.
Spent it all on sentences fend off the members of relentless pessimists
I used all my energy and words to defend myself against constant negativity.
I had to miss the world
I had to take a step back from the busy world to recenter myself.
Looking for the core
Searching for the essence of what truly matters.
Cure my heart so I can live more
Heal my heart so I can fully embrace life.
City lights shine and I'm on my way
The bright lights of the city are inspiring me to move forward.
This time tomorrow I'll be on my way
I have a clear plan of action for the future.
At the break of day I look for you at sunrise
I am still searching for you even after all this time.
When the tide comes in I lose my disguise
When my emotions become overwhelming, I cannot hide them anymore.
Thunder
Remember my name
Thunder
Remember my name
I want to make an impact and be remembered.
You feel it in your chest
This feeling is so strong, you can physically feel it.
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Peermusic Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: AARON DUGAN, DAVID MARTIN KAHNE, MATTHEW MILLER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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queenie abuan
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nice ang ganda talaga ng mga kanta ni MATISYAHU sound trip pa more