In early 2003, Costa's homemade demo reached No Doubt guitarist Tom Dumont, who offered to record more demos for Costa in his home studio. Those first recordings led to two EPs that Costa and Dumont distributed themselves. These were later combined and mixed by Phil Ek in order to form Costa's first full-length CD entitled Songs We Sing.
Costa spent the summer of 2005 opening on Jack Johnson's summer tour. He has since toured with Modest Mouse, Oasis, Ryan Adams & The Cardinals, G. Love & Special Sauce, and Death Cab for Cutie. Costa joined Jack Johnson for his 2006 European tour. He has also contributed to the Jack Johnson and Friends Curious George soundtrack; his track is entitled "Lullaby". This song was taken from his The Elasmosaurus EP. Costa has also toured extensively in Australia, New Zealand, Europe, Asia and South America.
The video for Costa's first single "Cold December" was released February 2, 2006. On July 31, 2007, he released a song titled "If You Took To Me" as part of the environmentally minded polar bear documentary Arctic Tale and its soundtrack.
On October 7, 2007, Costa released the first single, "Mr. Pitiful," from his record Unfamiliar Faces. The song "Mr. Pitiful" was used during a scene with Paul Rudd in the movie I Love You, Man, the redband trailer for the film Youth in Revolt starring Michael Cera, and the movie Marmaduke. The song is featured during the opening credits of The Answer Man (film). Apple also used an instrumental cut of this song for the worldwide iPhone 3GS ads.
Mobile Chateau, Costa's next album, was released on September 21, 2010, via Brushfire Records. His 2013 self-titled album was recorded at Pheasant Studios in Santa Ana, CA, as Costa's first solo production.
Oh Dear
Matt Costa Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Remind me the things last night I should have left unsaid
So please forgive the words I use, my mind it tends to run
Away with the small ideas, I know I'm not the only one
So dear, oh dear
My head it tends to stray away sometimes I can't see clear
Oh dear, oh dear
Sometimes it rains, sometimes it pours
Sometimes I'm not that sure
But anytime you look at me
Your thoughts I can't ignore
The second hand would pass us by
Should one of us had blinked
But in a minute realize that true love always waits
My dear, oh dear
My head it tends to stray away, sometimes I can't see clear
Oh dear, oh dear
In spite of all the things I said, I always want you near
Early in the morning clouds are dropping on my head
Remind me the things last night I should have left unsaid
So please forgive the words I use my mind it tends to run
Away with the small ideas I know I'm not the only one
The lyrics in Matt Costa's Oh Dear depict a narrator who has made mistakes in a past relationship and is now seeking forgiveness from their partner. The opening lines "Early in the morning clouds are dropping on my head / Remind me the things last night I should have left unsaid" indicate that the singer is experiencing regret and guilt over actions taken during the previous night. They go on to ask for forgiveness for the words they used and acknowledge that their mind tends to wander and come up with small ideas.
Despite this, the singer expresses a deep desire to have their partner close to them. They say "In spite of all the things I said, I always want you near" and reflect that true love always waits, even if just a minute has passed. The chorus repeats the phrase "Oh dear" and acknowledges the singer's tendency to stray in thought, but ultimately reinforces their strong feelings of wanting to be with the person they are addressing.
Overall, the song is an introspective look at a relationship that has experienced ups and downs. The singer is grappling with their mistakes and expressing their feelings of love and desire for their partner, hoping for reconciliation.
Line by Line Meaning
Early in the morning clouds are dropping on my head
The singer is feeling down and regretful, as if a dark cloud is hanging over him in the morning
Remind me the things last night I should have left unsaid
He remembers saying things he shouldn't have said the night before and wishes he can take it back
So please forgive the words I use, my mind it tends to run
He asks for forgiveness as he tends to speak without thinking, letting his emotions control him
Away with the small ideas, I know I'm not the only one
He acknowledges that he's not the only one who gets caught up in meaningless thoughts and emotions
So dear, oh dear
He addresses his loved one affectionately, seeking comfort and understanding
My head it tends to stray away sometimes I can't see clear
He admits that his thoughts can be overwhelming and confusing, clouding his judgment
In spite of all the things I said, I always want you near
Despite his mistakes and regrets, he still loves and values his partner's presence in his life
Sometimes it rains, sometimes it pours
Life can be unpredictable and difficult at times, with challenges and hardships coming at once
Sometimes I'm not that sure
The artist acknowledges his uncertainty and doubts about the future
But anytime you look at me, your thoughts I can't ignore
He finds comfort and reassurance in his partner's love and belief in him
The second hand would pass us by, should one of us had blinked
Time flies quickly, and they should cherish and appreciate every moment they have together
But in a minute realize that true love always waits
He believes that true love is patient and enduring, always waiting for the right time and person
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: MATTHEW ALBERT COSTA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind