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.

Pictures
Matt Nathanson Lyrics

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When you're young you got time
when you're old, you've built a life
in between you're just along for the ride nothing's in a straight line
like the wrinkles on your eyes
try to take it one candle at a time
when we turn 96 with a smile on our lips i'll have nothing left to wish
cause people paint pictures of places like this people they daydream of the life that we live

people they see darkness and light as opposite sides but you and i know they're the same.
When you're young you got time
when you're old, you've built a life
in between you're just along for the ride nothing's in a straight line
like the wrinkles on your eyes
try to take it one candle at a time
when we turn 96 with a smile on our lips i'll have nothing left to wish
cause people paint pictures of places like this
people they daydream of the life that we live
people they see darkness and light as opposite sides but you and i know they're the same.
we'll dance in the sun til the warm evening comes then we'll dance by the light of the moon
we'll follow the thread
sing the songs in our heads
until all of our best dreams come true
when you're young you got time
when you're old, you've built a life
in between you're just along for the ride nothing's in a straight line
like the wrinkles on your eyes

try to take it one candle at a time
when we turn 96 with a smile on our lips i'll have nothing left to wish

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Pictures" by Matt Nathanson capture the concept of time and the different stages of life. The first paragraph talks about the perspective of youth, where time feels abundant and there are endless possibilities ahead. It contrasts with old age, where one has already built a life and may reflect upon it. The line "in between you're just along for the ride" acknowledges that the middle stages of life can feel transitional and uncertain, without a clear path ahead. The mention of wrinkles on the eyes symbolizes the aging process and the experiences that shape us.

The second paragraph explores the idea that people often romanticize certain stages or aspects of life. The reference to painting pictures and daydreaming about the life that the singer lives suggests that people often imagine someone else's experience to be more ideal than their own. The statement that darkness and light are the same implies that life is a mix of both positive and negative moments. This challenges the notion that they are opposing forces, suggesting that they are integrated and necessary for a complete human experience.

The third paragraph highlights the joy of living in the present moment. The imagery of dancing in the sun and under the moon conveys a sense of freedom and enjoyment. The idea of following a thread and singing the songs in our heads suggests staying true to our dreams and aspirations. The lyrics express a hopeful sentiment that by living authentically and embracing our dreams, we can make them come true.

The final paragraph returns to the theme of time and life stages. It reinforces the idea that when young, there is time to explore and build a life, and in old age, one can look back with contentment. The concept of taking life "one candle at a time" emphasizes the importance of cherishing each moment and appreciating the journey rather than solely focusing on the end result. The line "I'll have nothing left to wish" signifies a sense of fulfillment and satisfaction with the experiences gained over a lifetime.

Overall, "Pictures" encourages embracing the different seasons of life, recognizing the beauty in both the highs and lows, and finding joy in the present moment while staying true to one's dreams.

Line by Line Meaning

When you're young you got time
When you're young, you have the luxury of time and endless possibilities.

when you're old, you've built a life
When you're old, you have already created a rich and fulfilling life.

in between you're just along for the ride nothing's in a straight line
In the middle of life, it feels like we are merely going with the flow, with no clear direction or linear path.

like the wrinkles on your eyes
Similar to the wrinkles that form around our eyes as we age, life is full of experiences and challenges that shape us.

try to take it one candle at a time
We should approach life one moment at a time, savoring each experience like blowing out candles on a birthday cake.

when we turn 96 with a smile on our lips i'll have nothing left to wish
When we reach the ripe old age of 96, we will have lived a fulfilled life without any regrets or unfulfilled desires.

cause people paint pictures of places like this
People often imagine and daydream about living a life like ours, full of joy and contentment.

people they daydream of the life that we live
Others long for the life we are living, filled with happiness and fulfillment.

people they see darkness and light as opposite sides but you and i know they're the same.
While some people perceive darkness and light as opposites, we understand that they are interconnected and part of a unified whole.

we'll dance in the sun til the warm evening comes then we'll dance by the light of the moon
We will embrace life's moments of joy and celebration during the day, and continue to find beauty and happiness even under the moonlight.

we'll follow the thread
We will navigate our journey through life, following the paths and opportunities that come our way.

sing the songs in our heads
We will express our true selves and live authentically, letting our inner voices guide us.

until all of our best dreams come true
We will persevere and keep striving until all our greatest aspirations and dreams are realized.

Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Matt Nathanson, Nolan Sipe

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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