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.
Witchcraft
Matt Costa Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Some kind of southern breeze, and I know what it means
I'm not a superstitious man
But you're calling me back after being with him
You got me feeling strange
Pins and pains that I cannot explain
I can't explain
I met her Monday morning, by Monday evening I had found
She had a reputation, Miss Fiery hair is gonna put you down
She's got me saying something I never thought that I'd be saying again
And I can't explain
'Cause you're the dark black cat that crosses my path
And you're the mystic train that rolls off the track
It must be witchcraft for you to do someone like that
It must be witchcraft for you to do someone like that
You got me feeling strange
Pins and pains that I cannot explain
You got me saying something I never thought that I'd be saying again
And I can't explain, you must be using witchcraft
The lyrics to Matt Costa's song "Witchcraft" talk about a man who has fallen under a woman's spell after being with her. The song addresses the uncanny feeling he has, which he cannot really explain. He acknowledges that he is not a superstitious man, but he attributes his strange feeling to some sort of southern charm. The woman he is talking about has a reputation of being fiery, and he was warned about her, but he couldn't resist her. Now he is left confused, and he sees her as a dark black cat that crossed his path or a mystic train that rolled off track.
The chorus emphasizes the theme of witchcraft, suggesting that the woman has something supernatural about her that he can't quite explain. He is puzzled why he feels so strange, and he senses that she is using some sort of magic to keep him hooked. He says that her actions toward him are bewitching, and it's like she has the power to control his thoughts, desires, and actions. He feels as though her hold on him is not natural and that there must be some manipulation going on, hence the use of the word "witchcraft."
The song highlights a sense of danger, mystery, and vulnerability. It explores the theme of the supernatural, suggesting that the woman has some sort of ability to cast spells or charms. The song also reveals the man's vulnerability in the face of the woman's power, where he is losing his sense of logic and control. Overall, the song's lyrics provide an intriguing interpretation of the idea of witchcraft within a relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
You put a spell on me girl
You have a powerful effect on me that feels almost supernatural
Some kind of southern breeze, and I know what it means
There's something about your presence that feels familiar and almost mystical
I'm not a superstitious man
I typically don't believe in things like magic or witchcraft
But you're calling me back after being with him
Even though you were with someone else, you still draw me in and make me want to be with you
You got me feeling strange
Being around you is giving me an unusual and unexpected sensation
Pins and pains that I cannot explain
I'm experiencing physical sensations that are hard to describe or understand
I can't explain
I don't have the words to fully articulate what I'm feeling
You must be using witchcraft
Your power over me feels like it can only be explained by magical means
I met her Monday morning, by Monday evening I had found
I recently met this person and already feel strongly drawn to them
She had a reputation, Miss Fiery hair is gonna put you down
This person is known to have a strong and sometimes negative impact on those around them
She's got me saying something I never thought that I'd be saying again
I'm expressing emotions and thoughts that I didn't expect to feel again
And I can't explain
I don't fully understand why I feel the way I do
'Cause you're the dark black cat that crosses my path
You have a mysterious and possibly dangerous aura
And you're the mystic train that rolls off the track
You have an unpredictable and almost otherworldly essence
It must be witchcraft for you to do someone like that
Your impact on me and others feels like it could only be explained by magical means
You got me saying something I never thought that I'd be saying again
I'm expressing emotions and thoughts that I didn't expect to feel again
And I can't explain, you must be using witchcraft
I'm struggling to understand the intensity of my feelings, and it feels like it must be due to something out of the ordinary
Contributed by Madison Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Ben Vincent
Only one thing wrong with this song.
It isn't long enough.
Patrick Stuhr
album version is a minute longer but can't seem to find that version anywhere :/
Kyle Hanus
i love it every album i think matt is going one direction and then hes of on another one the next album while still always sounding distinctly matt costa
screwyootube1
Great song! I'm glad I just happened upon this one! Matt has successfully recaptured the whole 60s feel with both the song AND video! Very trippy!
Ll Walker
I love this song, but the way it is done is so 60's and I LOVE THE 60's. Wonderful
Neil Soiland
This song and video are amazing!
Denise Dommers
matt costa is the man! he can put his sunglasses on and off while playing! haha
Quisite
Great song, perfect clip for it as well! Yup, great stuff!
Lucy Moorhouse
love this!
Manny Aguilar
Excellent find, how'd I miss this?