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.
Yellow Taxi
Matt Costa Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Can, can you spare some conversation?
I need a yellow taxi cab today
I need your taxi cab to take me away
I need a yellow taxi cab today
So take us driver take us far away
Someone to see me through
People looking happy
While sadly I wait for my taxi
She was standing next to me
I looked alone she took me home
In her arms I laid my head
She listened to everything I said
I need someone like you
Someone to talk to
I need a yellow taxi cab today
I need your taxi cab to take me away
I need a yellow taxi cab today
So take us driver take us far away
I need someone like you
Someone to see me through
Can, can you spare some conversation?
Can, can you spare some conversation?
I'm standing out here all alone
I need someone to take me home
She was standing next to me
There's room for you and room for me
I need someone like you
Someone to talk to
And we shared some conversation
And we shared some conversation
The lyrics to Matt Costa's Yellow Taxi express the singer's desire for connection and someone to talk to. The repeated plea for "conversation" reflects a sense of loneliness and isolation he is feeling. He is searching for someone to take him away from his current state of mind and the mundanity of everyday life. The repeated chorus, "I need a yellow taxi cab today, so take us, driver, take us far away," emphasizes that need for escape and the hope that someone, the driver, will take him to a better place.
The verses tell a story of a chance encounter with someone who provides that comfort and connection he is yearning for. The woman in the song takes him home and listens to his problems, providing him with the support he needs. The lyrics imply a romantic connection between the two, which adds another layer to the song's theme of yearning for human connection.
Overall, the lyrics of Yellow Taxi explore the human need for human connection and how that desire can drive us to search for it wherever we can find it, even in a taxi cab.
Line by Line Meaning
Can, can you spare some conversation?
Asking someone for verbal interaction and connection.
Can, can you spare some conversation?
Reiterating the request for verbal communication, emphasizing its importance.
I need a yellow taxi cab today
The singer urgently needs transportation to take them away from their current situation.
I need your taxi cab to take me away
The artist is specifically requesting the listener's taxi to help them escape their current situation.
So take us driver take us far away
The artist wants to be taken as far away as possible, emphasizing the need for a fresh start.
I need someone like you
Acknowledging that the singer needs companionship and support to get through their troubles.
Someone to see me through
Further emphasizing the need for someone to help the singer through their current struggles.
People looking happy
Observing others around them who seem content and fulfilled, further highlighting the artist's feelings of isolation and struggle.
While sadly I wait for my taxi
The artist is waiting for a ride while dealing with difficult emotions and feeling left out.
She was standing next to me
A woman was positioned near the artist, indicating the potential for connection.
I looked alone she took me home
Despite feeling isolated and struggling, the woman in question may have noticed the singer and offered them comfort and companionship.
In her arms I laid my head
The artist found solace and comfort in the woman's embrace, finally feeling seen and understood.
She listened to everything I said
The woman was attentive and understanding, providing crucial support to the singer.
And we shared some conversation
Both parties engaged in meaningful dialogue, making a genuine connection and fostering a sense of community.
And we shared some conversation
The importance of genuine dialogue and connection is reiterated here, further emphasizing the theme of companionship throughout the song.
I'm standing out here all alone
The artist is still struggling with isolation and feelings of abandonment, further emphasizing their need for connection.
I need someone to take me home
The artist needs more than just a ride home; they need someone to offer them comfort and support.
There's room for you and room for me
The woman offers companionship and the potential for mutual comfort and support, reminding the singer that connection is possible and available.
Someone to talk to
Emphasizes the importance of being able to confide in and communicate with others during times of need and struggle.
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
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