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/
Time Of Your Song
Matisyahu Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Who's that singing, wind is rushing in my ear,
Mind gushing memories almost lost everything,
Felony and fellows running in my dream,
We were in the van where the hits were driving,
Saw myself In the highlands at age 13
And I'm asking questions to the present day me,
Moving backwards down the hill see we were posting.
Moonlight illuminate my night and my days sun ray make the people say
And a vision something's missing so they're screaming out loud
Keep my feet on the ground and my head in the clouds.
I'm the arrow, you're my bow, shoot me forth and I will go
And I know and I go and I go get up and go
Make me feel it's for real tell me what you know.
I don't need to glorify,
Ate the apple of the tree and tried to lie,
In the garden I'll remember
That's when I started to sing
I said death brings life into uncertain things,
Cut some slack for me
Sun setting autumn breeze
Sound is moving like a chorus
Keep hearing that melody,
Check the radio but there's nothing playing,
Check the radio again but there's nothing playing.
Moonlight illuminate my night and my days sun ray make the people say
And a vision something's missing so they're screaming out loud
Keep my feet on the ground and my head in the clouds.
I'm the arrow, you're my bow, shoot me forth and I will go
And I know and I go and I go get up and go
Make me feel it's for real tell me what you know.
Rewind!
Swing low, sweet chariot of flames
Change my name, yo!
It was always the same,
Till if only what you find when you climb,
Check the radio but of all that shines there's no time,
My life is making your mind work in overtime,
But along the line you'll have to pay for the crime.
Slow it down, you turbo too soon,
Vroom vroom then you want to blast off unto the moon,
But you might get trapped in a temple of doom,
You might get trapped in a temple of doom.
Moonlight illuminate my night and my days sun ray make the people say
And a vision something's missing so they're screaming out loud
Keep my feet on the ground and my head in the clouds.
I'm the arrow, you're my bow, shoot me forth and I will go
And I know and I go and I go get up and go
Make me feel it's for real tell me what you know.
I'm the arrow, you're my bow, shoot me forth and I will go
And I know and I go and I go get up and go
Make me feel it's for real tell me what you know.
Tell me what you know, tell me what you know.
The lyrics of "Time Of Your Song" by Matisyahu are filled with references to different elements like nostalgia, memories, time, and life itself. The song starts off with the singer noticing how the world is moving to the rhythm of a song he can hear singing in his head. He is bombarded with memories of his past that almost escaped him, and he is surrounded by sounds of people and nature. He is moving backward and forward in time, as he sees himself at age 13, asking questions to his present self.
The lyrics also talk about the importance of being grounded in the present while keeping your head in the clouds. The singer asks to be the arrow, with the listener being his bow, shooting him forth so he can move freely and go after his dreams. He slows down the listener's pace, reminding them that though they want to blast off, they might get trapped in a temple of doom.
The song's lyrics emphasize the importance of holding on to your dreams and passions while simultaneously striving for present-day success. The inclusion of the line "Moonlight illuminate my night and my days sun ray make the people say" suggests how there are experiences that can impact a person both at night and in the daytime. It beautifully visualizes an individual in search of something real and meaningful.
Line by Line Meaning
The world is moving to the song I hear
The world is constantly evolving and changing, just like the rhythm of the song that I am hearing
Who's that singing, wind is rushing in my ear
I can hear the wind singing in my ear and I wonder who or what is creating this music
Mind gushing memories almost lost everything
I am flooded with memories and emotions from my past, and I realize that I could have lost everything
Felony and fellows running in my dream
In my dream, there are criminals and individuals running away from law enforcement
We were in the van where the hits were driving
I was in a van with people who were playing popular music that people wanted to listen to
Saw myself In the highlands at age 13
I had a vision of myself when I was 13 years old, in the mountains
And I'm asking questions to the present day me
I am contemplating and questioning my current self with the wisdom and knowledge that I have gained since I was 13
Moving backwards down the hill see we were posting
As we travel backwards down the hill, we were reminiscing and posting online about our past experiences and memories
Moonlight illuminate my night and my days sun ray make the people say
The moon brings light to my darkness and the sun brings warmth to my days, and it makes people react and vocalize their feelings
And a vision something's missing so they're screaming out loud
People have a vision of something that is missing and they are shouting and calling out for it to be fulfilled
Keep my feet on the ground and my head in the clouds
I strive to be both grounded and realistic, while having an open and imaginative mind
I'm the arrow, you're my bow, shoot me forth and I will go
I am eager to be propelled forward and make progress, and I need someone to guide and direct me
And I know and I go and I go get up and go
I am confident and determined to keep going and taking action
Make me feel it's for real tell me what you know
I want to experience something genuine and true, so please share your knowledge and insights with me
I don't need to glorify
I don't feel the need to exaggerate or celebrate something in an excessive way
Ate the apple of the tree and tried to lie
I made a mistake and attempted to deceive others, just like how Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit and lied to God
In the garden I'll remember
I recall the Garden of Eden, and the purity and innocence that existed there
That's when I started to sing
I began to express myself and my inner thoughts and emotions through music
I said death brings life into uncertain things
Death can give new life and meaning to things that were previously uncertain or unknown
Cut some slack for me
Please give me some leniency and understanding
Sun setting autumn breeze
The sunset and the cool autumn breeze create a serene and peaceful atmosphere
Sound is moving like a chorus
Various sounds are harmonizing and coming together as a unified and beautiful chorus
Keep hearing that melody
I continue to hear and hold onto that specific tune and melody in my mind
Check the radio but there's nothing playing
I check the radio for a song to listen to, but there is no music playing
Rewind!
Let's go back in time and revisit some of our past experiences
Swing low, sweet chariot of flames
A reference to the spiritual song about being transported to heaven in a chariot of fire
Change my name, yo!
I am considering changing my identity in some way
It was always the same
I feel like things have been stagnant or unchanging for a long time
Till if only what you find when you climb
Until you climb and seek new experiences and perspectives, you may not find what you are looking for
But of all that shines there's no time
There are many enticing opportunities and options, but there is limited time to pursue them all
My life is making your mind work in overtime
My life and experiences are causing you to think and contemplate deeply
But along the line you'll have to pay for the crime
Along the journey of life, there may be consequences or repercussions for our actions
Slow it down, you turbo too soon
Take things slower and pace yourself, instead of rushing ahead too quickly
Vroom vroom then you want to blast off unto the moon
Metaphorically, sometimes we want to travel fast and achieve great things, like landing on the moon
But you might get trapped in a temple of doom
However, this rush towards success or greatness can lead to danger and negative consequences
Tell me what you know, tell me what you know.
Please share your knowledge and insights with me
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Peermusic Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Ivan Corraliza, Jimmy Douglass, 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