Matt Vend and The Tender 10, is the solo project of South African born sing… Read Full Bio ↴Matt Vend and The Tender 10, is the solo project of South African born singer/journalist/songwriter/traveller and nomad Matt “Beard” Wilson who has been playing music in bands since 1999, from the “tender” age of 14. His projects include the long running Sibling Rivalry, which managed to gain a loyal and cult like following throughout South Africa and even parts of Thailand being one of the most influential punk bands to come out of Durban in the last decade. The short lived but extremely well received Tubby Wilsons which delved into both Matt and fellow writer and musician Yusuf Laher’s affection for nostalgic pop and punk music and Durban’s first folk inspired punk/rock ‘n roll band Car Boot Vendors which is still very much alive yet just on hiatus whilst Matt is doing some travelling and work on his solo record.
He is no stranger to the studio and has recorded collectively over 50 songs with the various projects he has been involved with, including guest appearances with Fruits and Veggies (Durban afro/reggae misfits), Misled (Joburg’s finest new school hardcore/punk band) and Blaq Hitler (Durban MC and hip hop producer).
He is now finally delving into the production side of making music, recording and producing his first solo offering which will be out early 2012. He has been doing a few shows in and out of Bangkok over the last few months and will be embarking on an adventure through Vietnam early 2012, busking and playing shows from Hanoi to Saigon. Although recording is a big part of this musician’s repertoire live is where he shines, with literally hundreds of shows under his belt across South Africa and Thailand appearing on every stage imaginable from street corners and dingy bars to major festivals.

Travel On
Matt Vend and the Tender Ten Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Travel on, oh, travel on
I'm about to travel on
Through bumpy paths and darkened seas
I'm about to travel on

I was feeling stagnation
I was cursing this damnation
Looked at me and said, baby, don't cry

Wasn't for you, I sure might die
Took me by the hand and said, let's travel on

Travel on, oh, travel on
I'm about to travel on
Through trying times, joyous spring and all other seasons
I'm about to travel on

Make no mistake, I'm here to take you on a ride
I'm about to travel on
Lady luck is by my side, I've got nothing to hide
I'm about to travel on

I was feeling stagnation
I was cursing this damnation
Looked at me and said, baby, don't cry

Wasn't for you, I sure might die
Took me by the hand and said, let's travel on

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Travel On" by Matt Vend and the Tender Ten express the artist's determination to persevere and move forward in life, despite facing obstacles and challenges along the way. The song is about embarking on a journey, both physically and metaphorically, to discover new experiences and find a renewed sense of purpose.

The opening lines, "Travel on, oh, travel on, I'm about to travel on," set the tone for the song. It conveys a sense of anticipation and readiness to leave behind the current situation and venture into the unknown. The mention of "bumpy paths and darkened seas" suggests that the journey may not be easy, but the artist is prepared to face those hardships.

The next verse reveals that the artist was feeling stuck and frustrated, perhaps experiencing a sense of stagnation in their life. However, someone came into their life and offered support and encouragement. The line "Looked at me and said, baby, don't cry, wasn't for you, I sure might die" portrays the importance of this person's presence, as they were instrumental in motivating the artist to keep going. They took the artist's hand and urged them to continue traveling on.

The chorus repeats the phrase "travel on" to emphasize the artist's determination. They acknowledge that the journey will involve different seasons of life, including both trying times and joyous moments. This reflects the artist's acceptance that life is a mixture of ups and downs, but regardless of the circumstances, they are committed to forging ahead.

The repetition of the verse in the final paragraph reinforces the themes of resilience and hope. It highlights the transformative power of embarking on a journey, both internally and externally. The lyrics suggest that through travel and exploration, one can find a renewed sense of purpose, gain new experiences, and ultimately grow as an individual.

Overall, "Travel On" encourages listeners to embrace change, face challenges head-on, and continue moving forward on their journey through life, no matter how difficult it may seem.

Line by Line Meaning

Travel on, oh, travel on
Continue moving forward, keep progressing

I'm about to travel on
I am ready to embark on a new journey

Through bumpy paths and darkened seas
Despite encountering challenges and uncertainties

I'm about to travel on
I am still determined to keep moving forward

I was feeling stagnation
I was experiencing a lack of progress or growth

I was cursing this damnation
I was frustrated and unhappy with my current situation

Looked at me and said, baby, don't cry
Offering comfort and reassurance in difficult times

Wasn't for you, I sure might die
Without your presence, life would lose its meaning

Took me by the hand and said, let's travel on
Supporting and encouraging me to continue moving forward together

Through trying times, joyous spring and all other seasons
Enduring and embracing the highs and lows of life

Make no mistake, I'm here to take you on a ride
Assuring that I am committed to leading and sharing experiences