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.
Type / Erase
Matt Nathanson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
you know all this just goes back to mother
we play around and make each other scream we stay too long and make each other mean
you can never take back anything you say people hear words in their own way
i'm the first to blink,
i could over think winning the lottery
i got careful, you got more carefree
if losing's a game, i'm an MVP
all i do is type / erase / type / erase
most days i'm afraid of my own inspiration
it's like digging a hole and just filling it back in yeah but sometimes my thoughts
they just dance right across all the ruts
make new patterns in my old head
that's when i'm convinced that i'll pull it together
we play around and make each other scream we stay too long and make each other mean
you can never take back anything you say people hear words in their own way
i'm the first to blink,
i could over think winning the lottery
i got careful, you got more carefree
if losing's a game, i'm an MVP
i could go insane thinking that my brain
is taking it out on me
all i do is type / erase / type / erase
we play around and make each other scream we stay too long and make each other mean you're all i ever wanted to believe in
you can never take back anything you say people hear words in their own way
i'm the first to blink,
i could over think winning the lottery
you got careful, i got more carefree
if losing's a game, then i'm an MVP
i could go insane thinking that my brain is taking it out on me
so all i do is type, erase, type, erase all i do is type erase, type erase
In "Type / Erase" by Matt Nathanson, the lyrics depict a complicated and tumultuous relationship. The singer confesses to being enamored with their best friend's cold and distant friend Stella. Despite being mistreated and left feeling abandoned by women in the past, the singer can't help but be attracted to the idea of being treated poorly. This self-destructive cycle is rooted in the singer's relationship with their mother, implying that childhood experiences have influenced their perception of love and affection.
The song explores the dynamics of the relationship further, highlighting the intensity and volatility between the two individuals. They play games with each other, causing pain and frustration while also lingering in the toxic atmosphere they create. The lyrics suggest that once hurtful words are spoken, they cannot be taken back, as people interpret them in their own unique ways. The singer, acknowledging their tendency to be vulnerable, confesses to being the first to back down or give in, possibly due to their fear of vulnerability and emotional investment.
The second verse delves deeper into the singer's internal struggle. Despite their cautious nature, they observe their partner being more carefree. The singer realizes that they overthink every situation, leading to a feeling of instability and uncertainty. They question their own sanity and whether their own mind is responsible for their emotional turmoil. The repetitive refrain of "type / erase" represents the ongoing cycle of the singer expressing their thoughts, only to erase or delete them, suggesting a struggle with communication and emotional expression.
The chorus repeats the themes of playing games, screaming, and being mean with each other, emphasizing the dysfunctional and chaotic nature of the relationship. The singer admits that this person is all they've ever wanted to believe in, indicating a deep longing for validation and acceptance. However, the lyrics also reiterate the importance of being mindful of one's words, as they can have varying interpretations. The singer acknowledges their own tendency to overthink and emphasizes the asymmetry in their relationship, with one being careful while the other is carefree. The song ends with the singer resigned to their constant cycle of typing and erasing, symbolizing their struggle to express their true feelings and find emotional stability.
Line by Line Meaning
i'm kind of in love with your best friend stella
I have strong feelings for Stella, your best friend.
yeah, she was so cold the first time i met her
When I first met Stella, she seemed distant and uninterested.
and i just can't resist being treated like shit
I find it difficult to resist being mistreated.
being left out to dry by a woman
Feeling abandoned and exposed by a woman.
you know all this just goes back to mother
All these relationship issues can be traced back to my mother.
we play around and make each other scream
We engage in games and arguments that make us furious.
we stay too long and make each other mean
We prolong our conflicts and turn each other into unkind individuals.
you can never take back anything you say
Once words are spoken, they cannot be undone.
people hear words in their own way
People interpret words based on their own experiences and perspectives.
i'm the first to blink,
I tend to be the first to back down or concede.
i could over think winning the lottery
I have a tendency to overanalyze or overcomplicate things, even something as simple as winning the lottery.
i got careful, you got more carefree
I became cautious while you became more relaxed or carefree.
if losing's a game, i'm an MVP
If losing were a competition, I would excel at it.
i could go insane thinking that my brain is taking it out on me
I could drive myself crazy believing that my own mind is punishing me.
all i do is type / erase / type / erase
I continuously type and delete, unable to settle on a final thought or decision.
most days i'm afraid of my own inspiration
On most days, I fear the consequences of my own creative ideas or inspirations.
it's like digging a hole and just filling it back in
It feels like I am making progress or creating something meaningful, only to undo it and start over again.
but sometimes my thoughts they just dance right across all the ruts
Occasionally, my thoughts flow freely and break through the constraints or familiar patterns.
make new patterns in my old head
My mind generates fresh ideas or perspectives in my established thoughts or beliefs.
that's when i'm convinced that i'll pull it together
During those moments, I believe I can gather myself and find stability.
we play around and make each other scream
We engage in games and arguments that make us furious.
we stay too long and make each other mean
We prolong our conflicts and turn each other into unkind individuals.
you're all i ever wanted to believe in
You are the person I have always wanted to trust and have faith in.
you got careful, i got more carefree
You became cautious while I became more relaxed or carefree.
if losing's a game, then i'm an MVP
If losing were a competition, I would excel at it.
so all i do is type, erase, type, erase
My only action is to repeatedly type and delete, never settling on a final output.
all i do is type erase, type erase
My entire existence revolves around the constant cycle of typing and erasing.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Jarred Kritzstein, Matt Nathanson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@nicom.1580
favourite song from the album!! lots of love from Argentina!
@ryanscharetg3776
I’m absolutely obsessed with this song. Excellent work Matt!
@turnerdeckert8729
oh. so. good. Love this little ditty! Is that a reggae beat and even a guitar solo in there??
@sargemourer6301
ρ尺ｏΜ𝐎ᔕᗰ 🤗