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.
Slow
Matt Costa Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I know that I'm dreaming if you do
Won't you please just please do it slow
Cause I don't want this to go
I know I could cause a lot of trouble
But I'm just trying to hold on to this thing
When I know I should let go
Let it slip away yea if we do
The day would understand
But if you're a dream
And I am the night
Then we'll walk hand in hand
So if you wake me
Won't you please just do it slow
Cause I don't want this to go
Now someone set a fire in your room here
It's fucked up but I'm drawn into the flame
When I see it burning slow
Burning slow
The night we find ourselves together
The night that you fall into my arms
When I know we should let go
Should let go
Let it slip away yea if we do
The day would understand
But if you're a dream
And I am the night
Then let us just both be damned
So if you wake me
Won't you please just do it slow
Cause I don't want this to go
No I don't want this to go
In these lyrics, Matt Costa seems to be exploring the theme of being caught between dreams and reality, and the desire to hold onto something meaningful despite knowing it might not be sustainable.
The song starts with the acknowledgment that the singer is aware they are dreaming, and they don't want to be woken up from this dream-like state. The phrase "if you do, please do it slow" suggests that the singer wants to savor the dream and not let it end abruptly. It implies a reluctance to face reality and a preference for staying within the comfort of the dream. The line "Cause I don't want this to go" further emphasizes the singer's desire to prolong this dreamlike experience.
The next stanza introduces the idea that the singer can potentially cause trouble by holding onto this dream. They acknowledge that they should let go and move on, but there is a struggle to do so. This suggests that the dream has become something significant to the singer, even though they understand it may not be healthy or realistic to hold onto it.
The chorus continues the theme of holding onto something that might slip away. The singer expresses a fear of losing this dream, recognizing that if they let it go, it may be understood by others but still painful for them. The mention of being a dream and the night suggests a metaphorical connection between the singer and their dream. It implies that they feel a strong bond or connection to the dream, even if it is fleeting or unreal.
The final verse introduces the image of a fire in the room, symbolizing something dangerous and yet captivating. The singer acknowledges that it is not a healthy situation, but they are still drawn to it. The phrase "burning slow" implies a fascination with the slow destruction caused by the fire, even though it is destructive in nature.
The song concludes with the idea of finding oneself together in the night and falling into each other's arms. Despite knowing that they should let go, the singer is conflicted, suggesting that there is an intense desire to hold onto this dream-like relationship. The repetition of "cause I don't want this to go" serves as a strong statement of longing and the reluctance to let go, emphasizing the emotional attachment to the dream. The repetition also suggests a sense of pleading, as if the singer is requesting the dream to stay with them, even though they are aware it cannot last.
Line by Line Meaning
I know that I'm dreaming don't you wake me
I am aware that I am in a dreamlike state, so please do not disturb me
I know that I'm dreaming if you do
If you interrupt my dream, I am fully aware of my state of mind
Won't you please just please do it slow
If you must wake me, do so gradually and gently
Cause I don't want this to go
I want to prolong and hold on to this dreamlike experience
I know I could cause a lot of trouble
I am aware that my actions could result in negative consequences
But I'm just trying to hold on to this thing
However, I am simply trying to hold on to this feeling or relationship
When I know I should let go
Even though I understand that it would be wiser to let go
Should let go
I should release my attachment or desire for this thing
Let it slip away yea if we do
If we allow this to fade away or disappear
The day would understand
The daylight or reality would comprehend our actions
But if you're a dream
However, if you are just a figment of my imagination
And I am the night
And I represent the darkness or the dreamlike state
Then we'll walk hand in hand
Then we will be united and connected in this dream world
So if you wake me
Therefore, if you disrupt my dream state
Now someone set a fire in your room here
Now there is a metaphorical fire burning in your world
It's fucked up but I'm drawn into the flame
It is disturbing, yet I am inexplicably attracted to the dangerous situation
When I see it burning slow
As I witness the slow, gradual progression of the fire
The night we find ourselves together
During those nighttime moments when we are in each other's presence
The night that you fall into my arms
The night when you surrender and seek comfort in my embrace
When I know we should let go
Even though I am aware that we should release our attachment
So if you wake me
Therefore, if you disrupt my dream state
No I don't want this to go
I do not want this experience or connection to fade away
Lyrics © REACH MUSIC PUBLISHING
Written by: Matt (ASCAP) Costa
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@sc4115
Love this guys music so much. Grossly underrated performer.
@SOjeda-vg8bl
Most underrated musician in history.
I love your music.
@andrewmichaelwilliams
It's crazy to me that I've been listening to your music for 13 years now and I love every album just as much or more than the last one. I absolutely love your music and variety of sounds and styles on every single album. Thank you for the years of great music.
@MadameM.
Matt delivers again. Been listening to him for 13 years now. Love this, thank you for all the great music - looking forward to more and more.
@think3rofficial
Matt Costa has such a special place in my heart, music and all
@matrixsurvivor3216
ITS INSANE HOW AWESOME THIS VIDEO/SONG/PERFORMANCE! WAY TO GO MATT!!!
@anthonycortez9191
GREAT MUSIC. this needs to be more popular :(
@RyanWeber84
This is fantastic. Has a early 60s motown vibe to it. New album is incredible, keep it up Matt!
@nitrothechosen8061
Man I haven’t listen to Matt Costas music for about 5 years. This is sooo good. 🙏
@nicolafriedemann8597
Today I heard his music with my father in the car... And wow his music has such a beautiful effect and makes such a beautiful feeling
Will you definitely hear him more often 💜✨