Matt Nathanson (born March 28, 1973 in Lexington, Massachusetts) is a singe… Read Full Bio ↴Matt Nathanson (born March 28, 1973 in Lexington, Massachusetts) is a singer-songwriter whose work is a blend of folk and rock music. In addition to singing, he plays acoustic and electric guitar (usually a twelve-string), and has played both solo and with a full band.

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.

Kept
Matt Nathanson Lyrics

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I watched the flames slow and strange
Make the walls fill my eyes
I heard your voice through the noise
I was cold and it was warm inside

And I should have kept my head
Should have kept my arms inside
I believe it now

I should have kept my head
I should have kept my heart, my heart

Shooting stars, falling leaves
The more things change, the more I sleep
I took her heart, I licked her wounds
And when morning came, it felt like truth

And I should have kept my hands
I should have kept my arms inside
I believe you now
I should have kept my head
I should have kept my heart, my heart

I'm on my knees
And I shoulda kept my hands
I should have kept my arms inside
Yeah I believe you now

I should have kept my head
I should have kept my heart, my heart

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Matt Nathanson's song "Kept" describe a sense of regret and longing for something that was lost or never obtained. The first verse paints a picture of watching flames flicker in front of you while feeling disconnected and isolated, and hearing a voice that cuts through the noise. The second verse references the passing of time and the feeling of being stuck in a cycle of change and stagnation. The chorus expresses a sense of responsibility for not keeping something, whether it be one's head or heart, and acknowledges the pain of that loss. The final line, "I'm on my knees," suggests a willingness to do whatever it takes to make things right, even if it's too late.

The song's chorus is particularly powerful in its repetition, emphasizing the singer's sense of regret and desire to turn back time. Nathanson's emotive vocals are accompanied by a simple guitar riff and a driving beat, creating a sense of urgency and tension that underscores the song's themes.

Overall, "Kept" is a moving and introspective track that speaks to the universal experience of loss and regret. Its haunting melody and poignant lyrics make it a standout in Nathanson's catalog.

Line by Line Meaning

I watched the flames slow and strange
I observed the abnormal and gradual movement of the flames

Make the walls fill my eyes
The flames captured my attention so much that everything else around me seemed unimportant

I heard your voice through the noise
Despite everything else going on, I could still distinctly hear your voice

I was cold and it was warm inside
I felt lonely and uncomfortable while everything else seemed comforting and pleasant

And I should have kept my head
I acknowledge that I should have made better decisions

Should have kept my arms inside
I should have controlled my actions better

I believe it now
I understand now that I made a mistake

I should have kept my heart, my heart
I should have protected myself better, emotionally

Shooting stars, falling leaves
Things that seem magical or temporary

The more things change, the more I sleep
As things change around me, I become more disengaged or apathetic

I took her heart, I licked her wounds
I hurt someone emotionally and didn't do anything to make it better