Maltese has always nailed lonesome provocations with idiosyncratic dry wit but "madhouse" reckons with those emotions in a way the half Brittish, half Canadian hasn't yet fully explored until now. "I've found that sometimes the majority of the emotional journey of love and life is actually the search for an understanding of it. And these songs try and make peace with all of that, poke fun at it and, ultimately, embrace it."
I Hear the Day Has Come
Matt Maltese Lyrics
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see the old friends sit and talk
see the painter paint once more
he's seen it all but he ain't seen this before
and i might have had it wrong
but i hear the day has come
see your father in your mother's arms
see the buildings built up tall
they've seen it all but they aint seen this before
and i might have had it wrong
but i hear the day has come
see the river run
i hear it runs every night
in the misty sun
where cool lovers lie
i could swim i'd all just be alright, hey
see the painters paint once more
they've seen it all but they ain't seen this before
and i might have had it wrong
but i hear the day has come
i might have had it wrong
but i hear the day has come
The lyrics to Matt Maltese's "I Hear the Day Has Come" paint a picture of a world that is familiar yet somewhat surreal. The first verse describes a girl standing by the door while old friends sit and talk, and a painter paints - all things that have been seen before. However, the suggestion is that there is something new and different happening, something that has not been seen before.
The second verse continues in a similar vein, with the father in the mother's arms, buildings built up tall, and writers writing once more. Again, the implication is that there is something unique about this moment. The final verse adds in the image of a river running, and cool lovers lying in the misty sun. The singer expresses a desire to swim in the river and suggests that everything would be alright if they could.
There is something dream-like about the song, with the repetition of the phrase "but I hear the day has come" implying that this moment is anticipated and long-awaited. It is almost as if the world is on the cusp of something extraordinary. Overall, the lyrics are open to interpretation and can be interpreted in a variety of ways, depending on the listener's experience and perception.
Line by Line Meaning
See the girl stand by the door
Observing a girl who is standing by the door
see the old friends sit and talk
Witnessing old friends sitting and chatting
see the painter paint once more
Watching a painter create art once again
he's seen it all but he ain't seen this before
Although the painter has experienced a lot, this specific moment is new to him
and i might have had it wrong
Admitting to the possibility of being mistaken
but i hear the day has come
Rumors of a new day arising are circulating
see your father in your mother's arms
Noticing a father and mother embracing
see the buildings built up tall
Viewing towering buildings
see the writer's write once more
Observing writers practicing their craft again
they've seen it all but they aint seen this before
Despite the writers' ample experience, this particular moment is novel
see the river run
Noticing a river flowing
i hear it runs every night
Hearing that the river flows continuously at night
in the misty sun
Describing the river's environment as hazy and sunny
where cool lovers lie
Referencing a spot where romantic partners can relax
i could swim i'd all just be alright, hey
Imagining a carefree swim at this location
i might have had it wrong
Reiterating the possibility of being mistaken
but i hear the day has come
Again acknowledging rumors of a new day arising
see the painters paint once more
Once again watching painters create art
they've seen it all but they ain't seen this before
Despite the painters' vast experience, this current situation is novel to them
and i might have had it wrong
Once more mentioning the possibility of being mistaken
but i hear the day has come
Continuing to hear rumors of a new day arriving
i might have had it wrong
One last time admitting the potential for being incorrect
but i hear the day has come
Reaffirming the rumors of a new day arising
Contributed by Elizabeth J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.