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.
Starfish and Coffee
Matt Nathanson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
2 greet the teacher miss cathleen
First was kevin, then came lucy, third in line was me
All of us where ordinary compared to cynthia rose
She always stood at the back of the line
A smile beneath her nose
Her favorite number was 20 and every single day
If u asked her what she had 4 breakfast
Starfish and coffee
Maple syrup and jam
Butterscotch clouds, a tangerine
And a side order of ham
If u set your mind free, baby
Maybe you’d understand
Starfish and coffee
Maple syrup and jam
Cynthia wore the prettiest dress
With different color socks
Sometimes I wondered if the mates where in her lunchbox
Me and lucy opened it when cynthia wasn’t around
Lucy cried, I almost died, u know what we found?
Starfish and coffee
Maple syrup and jam
Butterscotch clouds, a tangerine
And a side order of ham
If u set your mind free, honey
Maybe you’d understand
Starfish and coffee
Maple syrup and jam
Starfish and coffee
Cynthia had a happy face, just like the one she’d draw
On every wall in every school
But it’s all right, its 4 a worthy cause
Go on, cynthia, keep singin
Starfish and coffee
Maple syrup and jam
Butterscotch clouds, a tangerine
And a side order of ham
If u set your mind free, baby
Maybe you’d understand
Starfish and coffee
Maple syrup and jam
The song "Starfish and Coffee" is a whimsical and nostalgic story of childhood, school days, and the peculiarities of kids. The lyrical narrative begins with a group of kids, including the singer, in a queue to greet their teacher, Miss Cathleen. The focus then shifts to Cynthia Rose, a unique and mysterious girl who always stands at the back of the line, and whose favorite number is 20. The song emphasizes Cynthia's eccentricity, which is demonstrated by the surreal breakfast she consumes daily, consisting of "Starfish and coffee/ maple syrup and jam/ butterscotch clouds, a tangerine/ and a side order of ham."
Furthermore, the singer describes that he and Lucy, another classmate, are curious about Cynthia and what she carries in her lunchbox. They eventually discover that Cynthia's lunch consists of the same mysterious, imaginative mix of food that she has for breakfast – "Starfish and coffee/ maple syrup and jam/ butterscotch clouds, a tangerine/ and a side order of ham." Despite her oddities, Cynthia is portrayed as a happy girl who draws smiling faces on every wall in every school. The song ends with a poetic call for Cynthia to keep singing her own song.
Overall, the song is a nostalgic, playful, and feel-good piece, extolling the virtues of individuality, creativity, and embracing one's uniqueness. It is quintessential of Matt Nathanson's storytelling style as he creates vivid visuals, memorable characters, and a relatable tale that is both moving and entertaining.
Line by Line Meaning
It was 7:45 we were all in line
A group of students, including the singer, were lining up to meet their teacher, Miss Cathleen.
2 greet the teacher miss cathleen
The students were excited to meet their teacher.
First was kevin, then came lucy, third in line was me
The students were lining up in a specific order.
All of us where ordinary compared to cynthia rose
Cynthia Rose stood out among the students for her unique personality.
She always stood at the back of the line
Cynthia Rose preferred to stand at the back of the line.
A smile beneath her nose
Cynthia Rose had a soft and kind demeanor.
Her favorite number was 20 and every single day
Cynthia Rose had a consistent favorite number and would mention it frequently.
If u asked her what she had 4 breakfast
Cynthia Rose was known for her unusual breakfast choices.
This is what she’d say
Cynthia Rose would always respond with the same answer when asked about breakfast.
Starfish and coffee
One of Cynthia Rose's favorite breakfast items.
Maple syrup and jam
Another one of Cynthia Rose's favorite breakfast items.
Butterscotch clouds, a tangerine
More of Cynthia Rose's unusual breakfast choices.
And a side order of ham
An additional item that Cynthia Rose would have with her breakfast.
If u set your mind free, baby
The singer is suggesting that if someone opens their mind, they may begin to understand Cynthia Rose's unique perspective.
Maybe you’d understand
The singer is hopeful that others will be able to understand Cynthia Rose's ways if they are open-minded.
Cynthia wore the prettiest dress
Cynthia Rose liked to dress nicely.
With different color socks
Cynthia Rose favored unique fashion choices.
Sometimes I wondered if the mates where in her lunchbox
The singer was curious if Cynthia Rose's matching socks were in her lunchbox.
Me and lucy opened it when cynthia wasn’t around
The singer and another student, Lucy, looked in Cynthia Rose's lunchbox when she was away.
Lucy cried, I almost died, u know what we found?
The contents of Cynthia Rose's lunchbox were surprising and unexpected.
Cynthia had a happy face, just like the one she’d draw
Cynthia Rose was a generally happy person who liked to draw.
On every wall in every school
Cynthia Rose's drawings could be found throughout various schools.
But it’s all right, its 4 a worthy cause
Despite the fact that Cynthia Rose was a bit unusual, the singer respects her and her unique personality.
Go on, cynthia, keep singin
The artist is encouraging Cynthia Rose to continue being herself and expressing herself in her own way.
Contributed by Jack N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.