Matt and Kim released their first album, Matt & Kim, on October 26, 2006. The album sold modestly, primarily at live shows. Many indie fans praised their music, and the two gained popularity through their many outgoing tours. Following the release of their first album, Matt and Kim began playing high profile music festivals, such as The Siren Music Festival and Lollapalooza. The duo signed with Fader Label and their second album, Grand, recorded in Matt's childhood bedroom at his parents' home in Vermont, was released on January 20, 2009. A video for one of the album's highlights, "Lessons Learned", in which the duo strips nude in Times Square, was shot during a very cold winter day in February 2009.
On November 2, 2010, the duo released their third album, Sidewalks. Co-produced by Ben Allen, Oliver Strauss and Matt, the album as a whole adopted a more refined, yet dense hip-hop influence in comparison to the previous two, while still maintaining the upbeat and party-esque style they are known for. Matt and Kim headlined two U.S. tours in support, in Fall 2010 and again during May/June 2011. They also played numerous festivals including Australia's Big Day Out, Japan's Fuji and V in the UK. In addition, they played at many American colleges, worked extensively through Europe and South America and, in Fall 2011, they supported Blink-182 and My Chemical Romance on select dates. Although not officially released as a single, the song "Good for Great" received significant airplay in some markets, and was ranked #65 on Boston station WFNX's Top 101 of 2011 list.
On June 22, 2012, Matt and Kim issued a brand new track, "Let's Go" as a digital single, meanwhile, the band put finishing touches on their fourth full length album, Lightning, released on October 2, 2012. The single, "Let's Go", peaked at number 20 on the Billboard Alternative Songs chart. On June 25, 2012, the duo uploaded a video to their YouTube channel featuring ball handler Pat the Roc performing basketball tricks as "Let's Go" plays in full. Then on September 4, 2012, the duo released a lyric video for another new song on the album, "Now". On October 1, 2012, "Overexposed", "Not That Bad", "Much Too Late", "Ten Dollars I Found", "Tonight", "It's Alright", "I Said" and "I Wonder" were released on YouTube as official first listens. Matt and Kim premiered their official music video for "Let's Go" via the Funny or Die website in November.
The full-length album got a digital/CD/vinyl release on October 2, 2012 and the band began their official US Fall Lightning Tour the next day in Burlington, Vermont. On February 5, 2013, Matt and Kim kicked off their US tour with Passion Pit. While on tour, the official music video for "It's Alright" was released on February 25, 2013, featuring Matt and Kim in a choreographed dance routine in bed. In March 2013 Matt and Kim wrapped their US tour and performed at Ultra Music Festival in Miami, Florida before heading to Australia for a three-week tour at the end of April.
In May, Matt and Kim announced their touring schedule for summer 2013, starting with a show at the Great GoogaMooga in Brooklyn, NY on May 18, 2013. In June, Matt and Kim performed at Free Press Summer Fest, Sandy Parts Festival, Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival, Firefly Music Festival, Summerfest and Party in the Park. In July, they played at the Keloha Music & Arts Fest and the Forecastle Festival. In August, they played at Lollapalooza in Chicago. In October, they played at Corona Capital, in Mexico City.
On January 13, 2015, Matt and Kim released the single "Get It" in promotion of their fifth album. Along with this, they also released Spring tour dates, an album pre-order, and a lyric video to accompany the single. "Get It" received mixed reviews from fans as it ventures away from their past DIY sound. On February 10, 2015 Matt and Kim released the promotional video for the single "Hey Now" through their official VEVO Youtube account. On February 24, 2015, the band released "Hoodie On" through their official VEVO account. On April 7, 2015, Matt and Kim released the full album and held an in store performance at Amoeba Music's Hollywood store to celebrate.
Not That Bad
Matt & Kim Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Outside of your home
Waiting to get in
I fell off the path
Iām not walking back
Steps are genuine
Closed doors make it hard
So please bring a key
I sat all alone
Outside of your home
Waiting to get in
You called me hopeless
But I swear, itās not that bad
And you said itās worthless
But I swear, itās not that bad
Your watch looks the same
But times they have changed
All hands pointing up
Broken and repaved
These streets have been saved
Theyāre painted with luck
Guard rails and road signs
Pot holes, yellow lines
Sirens they sound thin
I sat all alone
Outside of your home
Waiting to get in
You called me hopeless
But I swear, itās not that bad
And you said itās worthless
But I swear, itās not that bad
Sure enough
You sat there hoping
That this was all
One big joke and
My mom told me
This yesterday
Bet it all on
Double jeopardy
Sure enough
You sat there hoping
That this was all
One big joke and
Sure enough
Iāll get in the game
Youāll know my
Youāll know my last name
The song "Not That Bad" by Matt & Kim starts with the singer sitting alone outside of someone's home, waiting to be let in. There seems to be a sense of lost direction, as they have fallen off the path and are unsure about how to move forward. The song references closed doors making it hard to see what's ahead, and a request for a key to be brought so they can enter the home.
The chorus of the song repeats the lines "You called me hopeless, but I swear it's not that bad. And you said it's worthless, but I swear it's not that bad." This suggests that the singer has been criticized or judged by someone else, but they are trying to push back against those labels and remain optimistic. Later in the song, there are references to a changing world ("Your watch looks the same / But times they have changed / All hands pointing up"), the importance of perseverance ("Steps are genuine"), and a sense of chance or fate ("Bet it all on double jeopardy").
Overall, "Not That Bad" seems to be a song about feeling lost or unsure of one's path, but trying to maintain hope and push back against negative perceptions. The lyrics use vivid, sensory language to describe the world around the singer, as well as their internal emotional state.
Line by Line Meaning
I sat all alone
The singer is feeling isolated and excluded.
Outside of your home
The singer is trying to gain access to someone's home or heart.
Waiting to get in
The singer is patiently waiting for an opportunity to be let in.
I fell off the path
The artist has strayed from their intended direction or purpose.
Iām not walking back
The artist is determined to move forward and not dwell on mistakes.
Steps are genuine
The singer's actions are sincere and authentic.
Closed doors make it hard
Obstacles and barriers can make it difficult to progress.
To see whatās ahead
Future possibilities and opportunities are obscured or uncertain.
So please bring a key
The artist is requesting assistance or cooperation from another person.
You called me hopeless
The artist has been criticized or doubted by someone else.
But I swear, itās not that bad
The singer is confident and optimistic, despite negative feedback or circumstances.
And you said itās worthless
The artist's efforts or goals have been dismissed as insignificant or pointless.
Your watch looks the same
Things may appear to be unchanged or stagnant.
But times they have changed
Despite appearances, there have been important developments or progress.
All hands pointing up
Things are moving in a positive and optimistic direction.
Broken and repaved
The past has been mended and improved upon.
These streets have been saved
The environment or community has been preserved or rescued.
Theyāre painted with luck
Good fortune or opportunities have arisen in the singer's surroundings.
Guard rails and road signs
Precautions and guidelines are in place to ensure safety and stability.
Potholes, yellow lines
Imperfections or challenges still exist, but they are manageable and navigable.
Sirens they sound thin
Problems or dangers are distant or minor.
Sure enough, You sat there hoping
Someone else has expectations or anticipation towards the future.
That this was all, One big joke and
There is a possibility that something may not be taken seriously or might not be genuine.
My mom told me, This yesterday
An outside source of wisdom or advice has been given to the artist.
Bet it all on, Double jeopardy
Taking a risk or doubling down on something when the stakes are high.
Sure enough, Iāll get in the game
The singer is determined to participate and succeed despite difficulties.
Youāll know my, Youāll know my last name
The singer will make a name for themselves and be recognized for their achievements.
Lyrics Ā© Spirit Music Group
Written by: KIMBERLY SCHIFINO, MATTHEW JOHNSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@MrCatch2two
Have this CD on repeat in my car, on Spotify and in my head 24/7. Amazing work guys!
@startheotaku3576
THIS BAND CONTINUES TO AMAZE ME ;^; THEY DO THEIR JOB WELL~! KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!!!
@TallFox5
Their music videos are so creative yet simple. I could watch them over and over again. Perfect band, perfect music, perfect videos.
@pdtennis99
You guys are the shit, I doubt there are any bands that would just openly put all of their songs on their brand new album on YouTube on purpose. I love you both.
@0samsoy0
So, there has never been a song that i connected with so well. Matt and Kim manage to make me feel once again.
@erickuykendall3562
Love this music šā¤ļø
@iLOVEpicklesBRO28
This song makes me feel better. About everything.
@pixithemis
I'm really happy these guys are still so amazing :)
@LuizFelipe-sn4ez
Provavelmente a musica mais triste de Matt e Kim. E com certeza a minha favorita.
@walker0119
this will be a nice breath catching song at shows