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.
Measure for Measure
Matt Nathanson Lyrics
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She said she felt funny asking
And he said he felt funny saying no... but he said no
Alone, she shrank away
Beautiful sun, elegant bright light shining
I will not lay down with you that easy
She spat anxiously, look here at my recommendations
She unfolded the page in front of him
As he looked away
Alone she seethed inside
Beautiful sun, elegant bright light shining
I will not lay down with you that easy
She said nervously, I must have been mistaken
She laughed loud between the apologies
She left ringing in his head,
As she walked away
Alone he fought with his fidelity
The lyrics of Matt Nathanson's song "Measure for Measure" narrate a story of two people who are trying to navigate the complex world of relationships. The woman in the song is hesitant to initiate a physical relationship with the man and asks him if he feels the same way. The man, on the other hand, is uncertain about his own feelings and struggles to express them. He eventually says no, and the woman feels rejected and shrinks away, seething with anger and frustration.
Despite the tension between them, both the man and the woman share a mutual attraction, represented by the beautiful sun and elegant bright light shining. However, the woman asserts her agency and declares that she will not lay down with him that easily. She then shows him a page of her recommendations, perhaps a list of values and principles she holds dear, and asks him to look at it. The man looks away, unable to confront her gaze, and the woman leaves, her laughter ringing in his head long after she's gone.
The lyrics of "Measure for Measure" explore the themes of communication, agency, and consent in relationships. They show how difficult it can be to negotiate the boundaries of intimacy and how misunderstandings and failed communication can lead to hurt and disappointment.
Line by Line Meaning
She said she felt clean, sticky clean if I remember
She expressed feeling physically clean but still ashamed, and the memory of it still lingers
She said she felt funny asking
She felt embarrassed to ask for it
And he said he felt funny saying no... but he said no
He was hesitant but declined
Alone, she shrank away
She retreated into herself feeling isolated after being rejected
Beautiful sun, elegant bright light shining
A pause in the story to appreciate the beauty of the moment
I will not lay down with you that easy
She's not one for casual sex and wants something more meaningful
She spat anxiously, look here at my recommendations
She showed him her references with nervousness
She unfolded the page in front of him
She opened the document to show him
And smoothed it with her hand, as he looked away
She smoothed the paper over while he avoided eye contact
Alone she seethed inside Beautiful sun, elegant bright light shining I will not lay down with you that easy
She's upset but still recognizes the beauty of the moment and remains firm in her decision
She said nervously, I must have been mistaken
She expressed doubt and apologized profusely
She laughed loud between the apologies She left ringing in his head, As she walked away
Trying to ease the tension, she laughed but left an impact on him as she walked away
Alone he fought with his fidelity
He was left alone to battle with his commitment to his partner
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
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