Matt the Electrician is the stage name of Matt Sever, an American singer-so… Read Full Bio ↴Matt the Electrician is the stage name of Matt Sever, an American singer-songwriter based in Austin, Texas.

Born in San Francisco, Sever's family soon moved to Oregon. Once there, Sever spent much of his youth obsessed with Woody Guthrie, The Hollies and the soundtrack to Godspell.

Sever's family moved back to California in the early eighties; and while the trumpet was eventually discarded, the expensive private lessons were not a complete waste, as it was here that Sever met and fell in love with the guitar.

Unfortunately, because of the elder Electrician's spiraling oragami habit, money was not only extremely tight but intricately folded and beautifully hung all around the Electrician household, so Matt was limited to the only three chords his parents could afford. His dad assured him this was plenty, that kids in China only get one or two.

And strangely, it all worked out. Matt headed to Austin, a serious music town, with aspirations of becoming a serious musician.

Mission accomplished. After years of a steadily-built, devoted fan base, some would say that Sever's unassuming baby-faced slacker image and "nice guy" blue-collar charm belie a very complex and intoxicating energy that is equal parts gritty neo-folk, frenetic boyish pulse, and tangled life experience - all held cohesive by his deft guitar skills and liquid vocals reminiscent of a young Dio wrapped around a Tom Waynes heart. Some wouldn't be able to say that. Some would rather type it. Others might scream it while listening to the newest 357. String Band album.

Matt released his first CD, "Baseball Song", in 1998. "Home" in 2000, "Made For Working" in 2003 and “Long Way Home” in 2004.

The CD, “One Thing Right”, was recorded in Austin at The Aerie Studios; co-produced by Jud Newcomb, Mark Addison and Matt, and is slated for release
in early 2007.

Sever lives and works with his family in Austin, TX.

All I Know
Matt the Electrician Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

We drove forever
Into the sunshine
Down all the dirt roads
All through the summer time.
Hey dad, I think we're goin' in the wrong direction,
Tourist destination; family vacation.
A-two, three, four.

Quick, take a picture
Next to that statue.
Put on this t-shirt.
It really suits you.
Hey mom, I think I lost it.
Don't lose your temper.
You won't remember.

All I know.
Oh, my God
I'm in love.
Ahh-ooooooooo

Cut to the seashore.
I've got to play it cool.
Bathing beauty,
Hotel swimming pool,
"Hey there," I said so no one else would really hear me
I want you to be near me.

All I know.
Oh, my God.

I'm in love.
Ahh-ooooooooo

Overall Meaning

The song "All I Know" by Matt the Electrician depicts a family road trip. The first verse describes the journey and the innocence that comes with it. The family is driving towards a tourist destination, but the singer feels like they're going the wrong way. The chorus "All I know. Oh, my God. I'm in love. Ahh-ooooooooo" comes in as a surprise that indicates the singer's infatuation with someone or something they've come across on this road trip.

The second verse portrays the classic family fun of taking touristy pictures which are later left in the car or forgotten. The parents enjoy the activities, but the singer can't help but feel like they've lost something valuable. The bridge of the song takes us to a beachside hotel where the singer sees someone they are attracted to but too shy to approach. The singer wonders why the person cannot simply hear their thoughts- an ode to the kind of blind love that romanticizes the idea of being connected by unknown forces.

"All I Know" is about enjoying life in the present moment, not taking things too seriously, and letting yourself be swept off your feet by love. Overall, the song is a reminder that life isn't always perfect, but sometimes it's the moments that aren't according to plan that make for a great story.

Line by Line Meaning

We drove forever
We drove a long way.

Into the sunshine
We were driving towards a bright, sunny place.

Down all the dirt roads
We drove on unpaved roads.

All through the summer time.
We spent the entire summer driving.

Hey dad, I think we're goin' in the wrong direction,
I feel like we might be lost or going the wrong way.

Tourist destination; family vacation.
We went on a family vacation to a popular tourist destination.

A-two, three, four.
Counting off the beat for a song or possibly for emphasis.

Quick, take a picture
Hurry and take a photo.

Next to that statue.
Take the photo next to the statue.

Put on this t-shirt.
Wear this t-shirt.

It really suits you.
It looks good on you.