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.
Boston Accent
Matt Nathanson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
but sometimes, in some random bar, it'll cut through the noise
like a breeze, in the summer heat like an old friend's voice,
a boston accent
well, my brother he got kicked out of school yeah, my mom threw him out,
and my sister, she lives three streets over and two houses down
and my father is buried in town
by his father's side,
moving through the crowd on that first night,
lit like angels
by the Citgo sign,
we walked across the bridge just to kill some more time before you had to go home
now you live in a pretty nice house
out on paul revere road,
and you married some kid from our class who i didn't know
and i saw you at christmas mass
and you still looked the same,
i could almost
feel your hands in my hair
and you whisper my name,
in a boston accent,
we're moving through the crowd on that first night,
lit like angels by the citgo sign, we walked across the bridge just to kill some more time before you had to go home
now there are doors you can't open
and some you can't close
and my sister, she's getting married in june but i don't think i'll go
and sometimes in some random bar it'll cut through the noise,
like a breeze in the summer heat, like an old friend's voice,
and you can change every inch of your life but your still just a boy
with a boston accent La di di da
The lyrics of Matt Nathanson's "Boston Accent" tell a narrative about a person who was born and raised far away from Boston, but left their hometown without a word to start a new life. Despite this distance, there are moments when the essence of a Boston accent, like a familiar voice from an old friend, cuts through the noise and resonates deeply. It symbolizes a connection to their roots and represents a sense of nostalgia and longing.
The first verse mentions the singer's troubled family history, with their brother getting kicked out of school and their mother throwing him out. Their sister lives nearby, and their father is buried in town. The singer, however, spent their life trying to hide their Boston accent, suggesting a desire to distance themselves from their past. This verse sets up the themes of family, separation, and the internal struggle of embracing or rejecting one's origins.
The second verse introduces a romantic encounter, where the singer recalls a memorable night walking across a bridge, illuminated by the iconic Citgo sign in Boston. This experience is vividly described as being "lit like angels," creating a magical and nostalgic atmosphere. It also hints at a sense of longing for a lost love, who now lives a different life in a different neighborhood, married to someone from their shared past.
The chorus reiterates the power of the Boston accent's presence, cutting through the noise and evoking strong emotions and memories. It emphasizes that no matter how much the singer tries to change their life, they still remain connected to their Boston roots and identity.
In the final verse, the singer reflects on the doors they can't open and the ones they can't close, possibly referring to missed opportunities and unresolved relationships. The mention of their sister getting married in June suggests a significant event in their family, but the singer expresses reluctance to attend. This may imply a sense of detachment or feelings of not belonging. Ultimately, the Boston accent serves as a reminder that, despite attempts to change or escape their past, the singer is still tied to their upbringing and their true self.
Overall, "Boston Accent" represents a longing for a sense of home, family, and connection, even when physically and emotionally distant. The Boston accent acts as a nostalgic trigger, reminding the singer of their roots and the people and places they left behind.
Line by Line Meaning
i was born 3000 miles from where I came alive and i left without saying a word to start a new life
I was originally from a different place, but I moved away without telling anyone to begin a fresh start.
but sometimes, in some random bar, it'll cut through the noise like a breeze, in the summer heat like an old friend's voice, a boston accent
Occasionally, in a random bar, a familiar Boston accent will break through the noise and feel comforting, just like the breeze in summer or the voice of an old friend.
well, my brother he got kicked out of school yeah, my mom threw him out, and my sister, she lives three streets over and two houses down and my father is buried in town by his father's side, and me, i spent my whole damn life just trying to hide a boston accent
My brother was expelled from school and my mother disowned him. My sister lives nearby. My late father is buried in the town, next to his own father. Meanwhile, I have spent my entire life trying to conceal my Boston accent.
moving through the crowd on that first night, lit like angels by the Citgo sign, we walked across the bridge just to kill some more time before you had to go home
On our initial encounter, we moved through the crowd, illuminated like angels by the Citgo sign. We took a stroll across the bridge to spend more time together before you had to depart.
now you live in a pretty nice house out on paul revere road, and you married some kid from our class who i didn't know and i saw you at christmas mass and you still looked the same, i could almost feel your hands in my hair and you whisper my name, in a boston accent
Presently, you reside in a beautiful house on Paul Revere Road. You married someone from our school whom I didn't recognize. I saw you at Christmas Mass, and you hadn't changed much. It almost felt like your hands were in my hair, and you whispered my name, still with a Boston accent.
now there are doors you can't open and some you can't close and my sister, she's getting married in june but i don't think i'll go
Now there are certain opportunities you can't pursue and some you can't forget. My sister is getting married in June, but I don't believe I will attend.
and sometimes in some random bar it'll cut through the noise, like a breeze in the summer heat, like an old friend's voice, and you can change every inch of your life but your still just a boy with a boston accent
Occasionally, in a random bar, the Boston accent will stand out amidst the commotion, resembling a refreshing summer breeze or the voice of a long-lost friend. Despite all the changes in your life, you are still the same person, just a boy with a Boston accent.
La di di da
This phrase is a non-significant part of the song, lacking a specific meaning.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DONOVAN CLARK WOODS, MATT NATHANSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@elizabethgreenfeld8488
No one does nostalgia like Matt. The celtic vibe is on point!
@Lego51
This is Beautiful Matt! wow...I love it! It reminds me of the first time I saw you. my buddy drug me to this little coffee shop in San Francisco about an hours drive from my house on like a wednesday night. We were 2 of maybe 10 people crowded into this corner around a mic stand , an amp, and you and your 12 string singing songs like New Coats and New Hats, Miracles, and, Church Clothes. You dont know it but you changed my life that night. Seeing you pour out your soul to a room full of strangers. making us laugh, bringing us to tears, making us hold our breath hanging on your every word and note. That night I went from being terrified of people and the world to being someone who seeks connection and new experiences. Thank you so much for sharing your self and your hard work and talent with the world. This spinning rock would be a much dimmer place without you!
@cheryli1
Makes me feel like I’m from Boston.
@capecodsales
Amazing lyricist as always. I feel this one for sure. Well done 👍
@riffrockdoll4712
Love the Celtic feel to this song, thanks for releasing another!
@csApollo11
Love it!!! Thanks for the upload! One of my favorite artist.
@T0DDFTH3R
Wicked awesome. Been waiting on this album and glad it's just about here.
@beutilfull3957
thanks for your music, it really touches my heart
@paulb808
Great song! This album sounds beyond promising!
@annettejones7298
Love anything you write and sing. You’re a living masterpiece! 💞