Dear’s first single was 1999’s "Hands Up For Detroit" (co-produced by ghettotech pioneer Disco D, who performed under the name Daisha). Successive singles, such as "Stealing Moves" and the chart-topping "Mouth to Mouth" (as Audion) were issued on Spectral Sound, Ghostly’s offshoot that focuses on dancefloor music.
Matthew Dear’s 2003 full-length Ghostly debut, "Leave Luck to Heaven", is a suite of sparse, wickedly funky house laced with Dear’s deep, distinctive vocals, and includes the much-loved single “Dog Days” (voted one of Pitchfork’s Top 100 Songs of the decade). The record was met with rapturous acclaim from both the dance-music establishment and the critical press, including a four-star review in Rolling Stone. Dear’s 2007 follow-up, "Asa Breed", is a considerable departure from Heaven’s dancefloor excursions, incorporating the polyrhythms of afrobeat, the irreverent pop sensibilities of Brian Eno, and the austere beauty of krautrock. More four-stars reviews followed (Q and Mojo magazines), and Dear subsequently began touring with a live three-piece band, Matthew Dear’s Big Hands, in which he acted as frontman, commanding the stage with a Bryan Ferry-like swagger and a gentleman’s grace.
Today, Matthew Dear finds himself in a unique position. His highly anticipated fourth album, 2010’s Black City, is the culmination of years of hard work and experimentation, a darkly playful sound-world that envelops the listener like the arms of a malevolent lover. After over a decade of exploring pop’s outer limits, Matthew Dear now inhabits a rarefied corner of the musical universe: no longer tethered to any one genre, respected by his peers, and blessed with a bottomless well of creative energy. Now is Matthew Dear’s moment, and it sounds like nothing else.
Earthforms
Matthew Dear Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Actions to feed on the right
Circle and wounded love in your life
Sustain her fears deep inside
Babe, hey babe, jar of hearts
Defeating the purpose and hangin' on the wall
Love is the moon in the sky with a string hangin' down
Always the silent one
Who sneaks up from behind
Closer to the end
I'm right in front of you now
I try to be such a stank
All that I'll know tomorrow
Is what I've learned today
I'm right in front of you now
I try to be such a stank
All that I'll know tomorrow
Is what I've learned today
The lyrics of Earthforms by Matthew Dear talk about the acceptance of oneself and others, embracing imperfections and letting go of fears. The message of the song is delivered through a mix of metaphors and straightforward expressions. The lines, "It's alright to be someone else sometimes, actions to feed on the right," suggest that it's okay to change for the sake of growth and wellbeing. The writer also highlights the lingering wounds of love and the fears that people often bury deeply inside. The line, "Always the silent one who sneaks up from behind, closer to the end," is an allusion to the inevitability of change or death.
The chorus of Earthforms represents a conversation with someone called "babe," who has a "jar of hearts." This phrase can be interpreted in different ways. It could refer to a person figuratively collecting hearts or breaking them, or it could reference the popular Christina Perri song. Either way, the singer seems to suggest that holding onto love without reciprocity defeats its purpose. The singer also describes love as something unattainable, like "the moon in the sky with a string hangin' down, to the ground I can't touch it."
The last stanza of the song talks about the singer's attempts to be honest and upfront while acknowledging that they don't know everything. The phrase "try to be such a stank" might mean trying to be cool but falling short, as "stank" has negative connotations. The repetition of "I'm right in front of you now" implies that the singer is present and trying to communicate with someone. Overall, Earthforms encourages acceptance of change, letting go of toxic relationships, and striving to be honest with oneself and others.
Line by Line Meaning
It's alright to be someone else sometimes
It's perfectly fine to step into someone else's shoes occasionally.
Actions to feed on the right
Do what is right and good for you, and feed off the positive outcome.
Circle and wounded love in your life
You have a cycle of broken relationships in your life, leaving you hurt and wounded.
Sustain her fears deep inside
You suppress your fears deep within yourself.
Babe, hey babe, jar of hearts
Addressing a loved one, who holds several past relationships, each one broken in their 'jar of hearts.'
Defeating the purpose and hangin' on the wall
Holding on to things that have lost their purpose, even though they're of no use.
Love is the moon in the sky with a string hangin' down
Love is far away like the moon in the sky, leaving a yearning that is hanging down.
To the ground I can't touch it
Love is unattainable, out of reach even when it's desired.
Always the silent one
You tend to stay quiet and to yourself mostly.
Who sneaks up from behind
You surprise people by approaching them from behind.
Closer to the end
Approaching the end of something, perhaps life itself.
I'm right in front of you now
I'm here with you at this present moment.
I try to be such a stank
I may come across as arrogant or foul, but I try to be aware.
All that I'll know tomorrow
I can only look forward to learning what tomorrow brings.
Is what I've learned today
I base my future learnings on what I've gained in my past experiences.
Lyrics © SC PUBLISHING DBA SECRETLY CANADIAN PUB., Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Matthew Dear
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Ring0fSaturn
Thank you, Jonna, for the sonic and spiritual lullaby. This makes me feel like I've visited Sweden and been surrounded by the mist.
@LudiHunter11
I LOVE this song. The melody is sooo hovering! :)
@ollini2
wow! the bass line is pure Pixies! Cool
@eljohncarajo
So sick!! Team Mondraker brought me here...what a cool bass line.
@RayasNegroOvejas
New Order!
@luisssa5
It definitely does sound similar to joy divison
@Eazy_B_
never heard of this guy but im really diggin this!
@shanebrennnan5025
so dam good!
@TheEloquentEye
Knew this guy would get recognition one day, think this track will help
@unicejopower5074
muy chulo.