At the age of 15, Hegarty taught himself to play the guitar and later joined a band playing heavy alternative rock, drawing inspiration from bands like System of a Down and The Smashing Pumpkins. However, his musical direction shifted when he discovered the works of singer-songwriters such as Bob Dylan, Nick Drake, Jeff Buckley, as well as contemporary acts like Iron & Wine and Sufjan Stevens. This newfound interest in folk music led Hegarty to pick up the acoustic guitar and the banjo, paving the way for him to perform solo acoustic gigs.
During a performance in Woking, Hegarty met pianist Lindsay West and multi-instrumentalist Dave Millar, with whom he formed the initial lineup of Matthew and the Atlas. The band gained recognition as part of the emerging folk movement in the United Kingdom and became regulars at London's Notting Hill Arts Club.
In 2009, Matthew and the Atlas released their first EP on Communion Records, a label co-founded by Ben Lovett of Mumford & Sons. Their EP "To the North" was Communion's second release and helped establish the band's following, further bolstered by touring as the opening act for Mumford & Sons. Subsequent EPs like "Kingdom of Your Own" followed.
In 2014, Matthew and the Atlas released their debut full-length album, "Other Rivers," showcasing polished production and the incorporation of keyboards and electronic percussion. For the album "Temple" (2016), the band recorded with members of Foreign Fields and also released an acoustic version of the same songs titled "Temple (Unplugged)."
Over time, the band's lineup solidified, with members like Alex Roberts (guitar), Tommy Heap (bass and keyboards), James Drohan (drums), and Emma Gatrill (harp) joining Hegarty.
Matthew and the Atlas has built a devoted live following in London and has embarked on tours, including a UK tour with Mumford & Sons. The band's musical journey has seen them explore various styles, from classic acoustic folk to electronica and alt-rock, all the while maintaining Hegarty's distinctive vocal style and emotive songwriting.
In 2011, after a band member's departure, Matthew Hegarty decided to return to performing "solo" under the Matthew and the Atlas moniker.
Currently, Matthew Hegarty is preparing to release his new album, "This Place We Live," on Communion Records in November 2023. For the first time, he takes on recording and producing duties, crafting a collection of deeply personal songs that reflect on past experiences, family, parenthood, love, and loss. To support the album's release, Matthew Hegarty will embark on a solo tour throughout the UK and Europe in the fall of 2023.
Palace
Matthew And The Atlas Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In the palace there was hope and joy
See the demon in the night
The shape of it covers the light
Feathers touch upon the skin
When no one else would let you in
Ready for you and me
Baby
You were bound to go crazy
Is it now or just lately
Things are getting a little hazy
A flashing light above me shone
The rain falls like an old song
Take a drug to calm the pain
I know that you feel the same
Crimson moon above tonight
Soon it will be out of sight
Now can you see it through
There is someone that waits for you
Baby
You were bound to go crazy
Is it now or just lately
Things are getting a little hazy
Baby
You were bound to go crazy
Is it now or just lately
Things are getting a little hazy
The lyrics of “Palace” by Matthew and the Atlas are filled with vivid imagery and raw emotions. The song speaks of a palace that was once full of hope and joy, but has now become dark and desolate. The demon in the night mentioned in the second stanza represents the troubles and fears that plague the singer, and the feathers that touch upon skin suggest a sense of comfort amidst the chaos. The skies are described as a black immensity, ready for the singer and his loved one to face their problems together.
As the song goes on, it becomes clear that the singer is struggling with his mental health. He asks if the craziness has been building over time or if it is a sudden change. The flashing light above him could represent a moment of clarity or a realization that he needs to seek help. The rain falling like an old song could be a metaphor for the cyclical nature of his struggles.
The chorus repeats the lines “Baby, you were bound to go crazy / Is it now or just lately / Things are getting a little hazy” which further emphasize the singer’s confusion and sense of being lost. The crimson moon above and the person waiting for him in the end suggest that there is hope for the future despite the challenges he is facing.
Overall, “Palace” is a powerful song that speaks to the struggles of mental health and the importance of finding hope in difficult times.
Line by Line Meaning
In the palace there was hope and joy
A place of happiness and optimism
See the demon in the night
A frightening sight in the darkness
The shape of it covers the light
Blocking out positivity and hope
Feathers touch upon the skin
A soft touch of comfort
When no one else would let you in
Being rejected and finding solace elsewhere
Skies are black immensity
The vast and overwhelming darkness above
Ready for you and me
Ominous and foreboding
A flashing light above me shone
A brief glimmer of hope
The rain falls like an old song
A comforting, familiar sound
Take a drug to calm the pain
Desperate measures to numb the hurt
I know that you feel the same
Finding comfort in shared experiences
Crimson moon above tonight
A haunting and unsettling sight
Soon it will be out of sight
Temporary relief from fear and uncertainty
Now can you see it through
Finding clarity and strength
There is someone that waits for you
Finding hope in the support of others
Baby
Term of endearment
You were bound to go crazy
Being pushed to the brink of sanity
Is it now or just lately
Questioning the onset of mental unrest
Things are getting a little hazy
Difficulty in finding clarity and order
Baby
Term of endearment
You were bound to go crazy
Being pushed to the brink of sanity
Is it now or just lately
Questioning the onset of mental unrest
Things are getting a little hazy
Difficulty in finding clarity and order
Writer(s): Matthew Hegarty
Contributed by Jacob G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@loganpendel1
In the palace there was hope and joy
In the palace there was hope and joy
See the demon in the night
The shape of it covers the light
Feathers touch upon the skin
When no one else would let you in
Skies are black immensity
Ready for you and me
Baby
You were bound to go crazy
Is it now or just lately
Things are getting a little hazy
A flashing light above me shone
The rain falls like an old song
Take a drug to calm the pain
I know that you feel the same
Crimson moon above tonight
Soon it will be out of sight
Now can you see it through
There is someone that waits for you
Baby
You were bound to go crazy
Is it now or just lately
Things are getting a little hazy
Baby
You were bound to go crazy
Is it now or just lately
Things are getting a little hazy
@loganpendel1
In the palace there was hope and joy
In the palace there was hope and joy
See the demon in the night
The shape of it covers the light
Feathers touch upon the skin
When no one else would let you in
Skies are black immensity
Ready for you and me
Baby
You were bound to go crazy
Is it now or just lately
Things are getting a little hazy
A flashing light above me shone
The rain falls like an old song
Take a drug to calm the pain
I know that you feel the same
Crimson moon above tonight
Soon it will be out of sight
Now can you see it through
There is someone that waits for you
Baby
You were bound to go crazy
Is it now or just lately
Things are getting a little hazy
Baby
You were bound to go crazy
Is it now or just lately
Things are getting a little hazy
@awakening1776
Absolutely LOVE this masterpiece.
@MrJamieGane
This is such a fantastic song - Thank you so much for uploading and your great work!
@se7enlayers
https://youtu.be/emTec8JBnfk - check this one out as well :) It's an acoustic session we did with Matthew, on a boat! 7 Layers x
@lostleviathan2352
Time and Time again, you guys deliver. You have blessed my life.
@topsyfish
This is my favorite song of all time. I will forever listen to this. I hope you make more like this one. I love the feel of it and the meaning behind it.
@juniapimenta4274
que musica maravilhosa
@bigmichiel
Great song. Already added on my spotify playlist.
@LucasOliveira-ie4jt
Que música linda, melhor banda do mundo <3
@mariaclarass4152
Incrível. 💖