The Faster Songfacts says that his seventh studio album, Modern Love debuted on #17 on the Billboard 200 for the week of July 9, 2011, making it Nathanson's most successful album to date.
The members of his band have changed over the past years. Among others, he has been accompanied by Aben Eubanks on guitar, keys and vocals, but later replaced by Aaron Tap. John Thomasson has been his bassist since 2004. Jason McKenzie was on drums until Fall 2006; Nick Amoroso on two tours from Fall 2007 through Winter 2008. His current drummer is Konrad Meissner. Before 2005, Nathanson was often accompanied by cellist Matt Fish.
Angel
Matt Nathanson Lyrics
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All moved up and all moved on
Me and gravity, we never could agree
But I can almost see the sky
When I need to, I close me eyes
You're the only thing that's worth holding on to
Angel you sing about beautiful things
But I traded my dreams for this mess of memories
And they just stopped working for me
Now I'm not a monster
I believe like a liar would believe
Helps me navigate the wooden smiles, the raging seas
And all my heroes pull their heads
Like a fighter would, I guess
No one ever really likes getting older
Angel you sing about beautiful things
And all I want to do is believe
But I traded my dreams for this mess of memories
And they just stopped working for me
The lyrics of Matt Nathanson's Angel are essentially about lost dreams and the struggle to hold onto hope. In the first verse, he talks about how he can see the sky when he closes his eyes, but only because of the thought of the person he is singing to. He is struggling with gravity, which could represent the weight of his past experiences or his own negative thoughts, and this person is the only thing he feels is worth holding onto. The second verse expands on this feeling of being stuck in a sea of memories that don't work for him anymore, and he likens himself to someone navigating through wooden smiles and raging seas. Here, he seems to be saying that he has lost something precious and his heroes are leaving him behind.
The chorus is where the song's title comes into play, and the person he is addressing is called "Angel". He sings about how this person sings about beautiful things and how he wants to believe in them too, but his dreams have become "a mess of memories" that no longer work for him. He feels like he has given up parts of himself to get to where he is now, and he is not sure if he still believes in the things that used to matter to him.
Overall, Angel is a song about the human tendency to give up on our dreams and settle for less. Matt Nathanson explores themes of hopelessness, aging, and the difficulty of finding beauty in a world that can be tough to navigate. The song's introspective lyrics and gently strummed guitar make it a poignant and thoughtful ballad that will resonate with many listeners.
Line by Line Meaning
You sounded so good on the phone
The sound of your voice on the phone made me happy and gave me hope.
All moved up and all moved on
You've moved on from our past together and have grown in some way.
Me and gravity, we never could agree
I have trouble with life's issues and often feel pulled down by gravity.
But I can almost see the sky
Despite my struggles, I can still imagine a better future and have hope.
When I need to, I close my eyes
To find peace and clarity, I sometimes need to block out external distractions and focus within myself.
You're the only thing that's worth holding on to
Despite everything, you remain the most valuable thing in my life that gives me a sense of purpose.
Angel you sing about beautiful things
You inspire me with your beautiful music and lyrics about ideals and aspirations.
And all I want to do is believe
I want to have faith in a better future and my ability to achieve it.
But I traded my dreams for this mess of memories
I've sacrificed my dreams and aspirations for the sake of holding onto past memories, which may not always be beneficial for me.
And they just stopped working for me
Despite my efforts, my memories no longer give me the comfort and reassurance that they used to.
Now I'm not a monster
Despite my flaws and difficulties, I'm still a human with feelings and compassion.
I believe like a liar would believe
I try to believe in the positive aspects of life and myself, even if it's not entirely authentic or truthful.
Helps me navigate the wooden smiles, the raging seas
Believing in something helps me deal with fake expressions of happiness and difficult situations.
And all my heroes pull their heads
Even the people I admire struggle with their own issues and problems.
Like a fighter would, I guess
Just like a fighter who keeps going despite the odds, I continue to persevere even when things are tough.
No one ever really likes getting older
Growing older can be difficult and scary, and many people don't enjoy the process.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: MARK WEINBERG, MATT NATHANSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind