Matt Berry (born 1974 in Bromham, Bedfordshire) is a British actor, writer … Read Full Bio ↴Matt Berry (born 1974 in Bromham, Bedfordshire) is a British actor, writer and musician known for his deep, booming voice and a grand, rather roguish but charming manner. When not creating numerous indelible characters on a variety of British and American TV shows, multi-instrumentalist Matt Berry spends his time re-creating the sounds of the obscure albums he collects on songs that blend gentle British folk, wistful psychedelia, and rambling prog rock. Teaming with the venerable Acid Jazz label, Berry released a series of albums that explored pastoral folk-rock (2013's Kill the Wolf), new age synthesizer music (2014's Music for Insomniacs), country-rock (2020's Phantom Birds), and spot-on psychedelia (2021's Blue Elephant.) No matter the stylistic route he chooses, Berry plays it straight, and his surprisingly tender vocals, skills at a variety of instruments, and knack for a hook make it clear that he's not just an actor dabbling in music as a hobby.

Introduction
Matt Berry Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

"I pull back my skin and push forward with triumphant vigour.

If you wish to control your destiny, then you must pay the Devil.

Dare I be so bold as to take you on a personal journey?

Share my pain, my pleasure.

With me, experience the heady ecstasy of new love, as well as the aching torment of dark despair.

Feeding time at the zoo is upon us.

I have come to realise I am but already half way there.

Shall we enter?

Behind the line we are crouching motionless.

My blood now rushes through my veins like ground marble.

Like the colour of a Thames sunset, remember; all things digested have a similar hue.

So, without trepidation, I give to you: Opium.

I dream. I am a bird. Just flying, just flying"

Overall Meaning

In the opening lines of Matt Berry's song, "Introduction," he sings of pulling back his skin and pushing forward with triumphant vigor. This seems to be a metaphor for shedding his old self and boldly moving forward into a new chapter of life. He goes on to proclaim that if one wishes to control their destiny, they must be willing to pay the Devil. This suggests that in order to achieve one's goals, they may have to make some sacrifices or take risks that come with potentially negative consequences.

Berry then invites the listener to join him on a personal journey, one that will encompass both the joys and sorrows of life. His use of contrasting language - "the heady ecstasy of new love" and "the aching torment of dark despair" - highlights the ups and downs that we all experience. He likens this journey to "feeding time at the zoo," suggesting that life can be chaotic and unpredictable at times.

The final lines of the song introduce the idea of Opium and the sensation of dreaming and flying. This could represent an escape from reality or a desire to transcend the limitations of the physical world. Overall, "Introduction" seems to be a call to embrace life in all its complexity and experience both the good and the bad without hesitation.

Line by Line Meaning

I pull back my skin and push forward with triumphant vigour.
I am eagerly embracing the challenges ahead of me with an unwavering sense of confidence and determination.

If you wish to control your destiny, then you must pay the Devil.
To have complete control over one's fate, one may have to make certain sacrifices or take risks that are morally questionable.

Dare I be so bold as to take you on a personal journey?
May I be so audacious as to invite you to partake in an intimate exploration of my life story?

Share my pain, my pleasure.
Join me in experiencing the full range of emotions that make up the human experience - not just joy and happiness, but also sorrow and pain.

With me, experience the heady ecstasy of new love, as well as the aching torment of dark despair.
Together, let us experience the overwhelming euphoria of falling in love, as well as the all-consuming agony of profound sadness.

Feeding time at the zoo is upon us.
It is time to let our primal instincts take over and indulge in our most basic desires and needs.

I have come to realize I am but already half way there.
I have learned that I am already halfway through this intense journey of self-discovery and exploration.

Shall we enter?
Are you ready to delve deeper into the heart of this experience with me?

Behind the line we are crouching motionless.
We are waiting patiently, poised and ready to spring into action, behind a barrier or line of demarcation.

My blood now rushes through my veins like ground marble.
I am feeling intensely alive, my blood pumping vigorously through my veins, giving me a sense of power and invincibility.

Like the colour of a Thames sunset, remember; all things digested have a similar hue.
Like the sunset over the Thames River, the colors and appearances of things can be deceiving - so too can the hidden motivations and agendas of people.

So, without trepidation, I give to you: Opium.
Without any hesitation or reservation, I present to you my latest creation: a piece of art or music that represents my deepest thoughts and emotions.

I dream. I am a bird. Just flying, just flying
In my dreams, I am free to soar high above the earth, unencumbered by the weight of gravity, and experience the sheer ecstasy of flight.

Contributed by Reagan K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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