Mattafix released their first single "11.30 (Dirtiest Trick In Town)" as a limited edition single on Buddhist Punk Records on 31st January 2005. Their first full single, "Big City Life", released by EMI on 8th August 2005 was a considerable hit, managing a #15 peak on the official UK chart, a big feat for a UK R&B/hip-hop group, and topped the charts in Germany, Czech, Austria and other European countries. Their third single, "Passer By" was released on 24th October 2005, unfortunately missing the UK top 75. The single preceded their debut album "Signs Of A Struggle", which was released a week later on 31st October 2005.
The group have toured with the likes of Jamiroquai and Joss Stone on their UK tours. The fourth single from their debut album, "Signs Of A Struggle" was "To & Fro", which features backing vocals from former Sugababe Siobhan Donaghy. The single was released as a download only single on 13th March 2006.
Big City Life debuted at #19 on the Australian Music Charts and reached #1 on the New Zealand Singles Chart.
Signs Of A Struggle was a Triple J feature album in April 2006.
In April 2010, Marlon Roudette made a video appearance where he spoke about recording and making the record in his home-based studio. However, via Facebook, it was announced that Roudette and Hirji had gone separate ways, due to their different new ideas for future projects, which has brought abundant attention to fans. He is yet to come up with his new artist name; whether to stay with the name Mattafix, or choose a new stage name; perhaps his own. "Mattafix presents...Marlon..." was a quote from a late 2010 YouTube video, as an updated possibility for his album title and/or stage name. Marlon Roudette has confirmed that the new album is "not a radical shift but definitely different. More instrumentation and more in depth musical compositions." Marlon Roudette has stated that the album is pretty much completed, but the album is still being "fine tuned". His first solo album Matter Fixed was released on 2 September 2011. His sophomore effort Electric Soul on 8 August 2014.
Big City Life
Mattafix Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Me try fi get by
Pressure nah ease up no matter how hard me try
Big city life
Here my heart have no base
And right now Babylon de pon me case
Big city life
Pressure nah ease up no matter how hard me try
Big city life
My heart have no base
And right now Babylon de pon me case
People in a show
All lined in a row
We just push on by
It's funny
How hard we try
Take a moment to relax
Before you do anything rash
Don't you want to know me?
Be a friend of mine
I'll share some wisdom with you
Don't you ever get lonely
From time to time
Don't let the system get you down
Big city life
Me try fi get by
Pressure nah ease up no matter how hard me try
Big city life
Here my heart have no base
And right now Babylon de pon me case
Big city life
Try fi get by
Pressure nah ease up no matter how hard me try
Big city life
My heart have no base
And right now Babylon de pon me case
Soon our work is done
All of us one by one
Still we live our lives
As if all this stuff survives
Don't you want to know me?
Be a friend of mine (a friend of mine)
I'll share some wisdom with you
Don't you ever get lonely
From time to time
Don't let the system get you down
The linguist across the seas and the oceans
A permanent itinerant is what I've chosen
I find myself in big city prison
Arisen from the vision of man kind
Designed to keep me discreetly neatly in the corner
You'll find me with the flora and the fauna and the hardship
Back a yard is where my heart is still
I find it hard to depart this big city life
Big city life
Me try fi get by
Pressure nah ease up no matter how hard me try
Big city life
Here my heart have no base
And right now Babylon de pon me case
Big city life
Try fi get by
Pressure nah ease up no matter how hard me try
Big city life
My heart have no base
And right now Babylon de pon me case
Big city life
Me try fi get by
Pressure nah ease up no matter how hard me try
Big city life
Here my heart have no base
And right now Babylon de pon me case
Big city life
Try fi get by
Pressure nah ease up no matter how hard me try
Big city life
My heart have no base
And right now Babylon de pon me case
Big City Life is a song by Mattafix that explores the struggles of living in a big city. The first verse introduces the central theme of the song, which is the constant pressure and difficulty that comes with trying to survive in a big city. The artist highlights the fact that even when one tries their best, the pressure doesn't seem to ease up at all. Additionally, the lyrics touch on the heartache and loneliness that can come with trying to survive and thrive in such environments.
The chorus reinforces these themes and emphasizes the challenges of feeling lost and not having a place to call home in a big city. The term "Babylon" is used to refer to the oppressive forces that can make life difficult for those living in a city. This could be the government, the systems in place, or even the judgment of others in the city.
The second verse delves into the idea that people are often just going through the motions in big cities, as though they are in a never-ending show. The artist suggests that taking a moment to relax and befriend others could make a difference in how we navigate big city life. The chorus repeats, with a focus on the isolation and pressure of the city.
The final verse of the song reveals the artist's personal story of feeling like a linguist on an eternal journey, constantly moving from place to place. The phrase "big city prison" emphasizes the feeling of being trapped by a city's systems and complexities, while the artist longs for a simpler life back home.
Overall, the song's message is about the struggle to thrive in a big city while retaining a sense of self and belonging. It exposes the harsh reality of feeling like a prisoner in a city and encourages listeners to find moments of respite and connection with others in the midst of the chaos.
Line by Line Meaning
Big city life
Living in a big city can be tough and challenging
Me try fi get by
I am doing my best to make ends meet
Pressure nah ease up no matter how hard me try
The pressure to survive is constant and unrelenting
Here my heart have no base
I feel lost and disconnected in this big city
And right now Babylon de pon me case
The authorities and the system are giving me a hard time
People in a show
We are all just actors in this big city show
All lined in a row
We are all following the same routine and path
We just push on by
We ignore each other's struggles and continue with our own lives
It's funny
It's ironic and sad
How hard we try
Despite the difficulties, we keep trying to survive
Take a moment to relax
We should pause for a moment to de-stress
Before you do anything rash
Don't make hasty and regrettable decisions
Don't you want to know me?
Don't you want to connect and understand me?
Be a friend of mine
Let's be friends and support each other
I'll share some wisdom with you
I have some valuable insights to offer
Don't you ever get lonely
Don't you also feel isolated and disconnected sometimes?
From time to time
Occasionally
Don't let the system get you down
Don't let the authorities and the system crush your spirit
Soon our work is done
Our lives will come to an end eventually
All of us one by one
We will all meet the same fate
Still we live our lives
But we continue to live and strive
As if all this stuff survives
As if our material possessions and achievements will last forever
The linguist across the seas and the oceans
As a language expert traveling the world
A permanent itinerant is what I've chosen
I have chosen a life of constant travel and instability
I find myself in big city prison
I feel trapped and confined in this big city
Arisen from the vision of man kind
This big city was created by human beings
Designed to keep me discreetly neatly in the corner
It is designed to keep me marginalized and hidden
You'll find me with the flora and the fauna and the hardship
I find solace in nature and the harsh realities of life
Back a yard is where my heart is still
I still feel connected to my roots and homeland
I find it hard to depart this big city life
Despite its challenges, I still find it hard to leave this big city
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Marlon Roudette, Preetesh Hirji
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@mafefusz
This is probably one of the most underrated songs ever.
@jameschristian8006
Definitely.
@kseniyaburlak4558
Yeah, I love this song...
@realstay3766
Yeah
@cheesuscheese2001
facts
@vikashjeewoolall2287
You know you're not wrong...
@sarrarrr265
I followed my son's coffin out of the church to this song. It was one of his favourites. One year gone today. Here for my Kyle, forever 26 💔
@vladimirgustenev7353
Очень вам соболезную, тяжело терять близких нам людей 😢
@sarrarrr265
@@vladimirgustenev7353 Thank you 🙏🤍
@playlistaccount
RIP