Depending on whom you ask, Matthew Dear (born in Kingsville, Texas, USA) is… Read Full Bio ↴Depending on whom you ask, Matthew Dear (born in Kingsville, Texas, USA) is a DJ, a dance-music producer, an experimental pop artist, a bandleader. He co-founded both Ghostly International and its dancefloor offshoot, Spectral Sound. He’s had remixes commissioned by The xx, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Spoon, Hot Chip, The Postal Service and The Chemical Brothers; he’s made mixes for the Fabric mix series and Get Physical’s Body Language. He maintains four aliases (Audion, False, Jabberjaw, and Matthew Dear), each with its own style and distinct visual identity. He straddles multiple musical worlds and belongs to none — and he’s just hitting his stride.

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.

Good to Be Alive
Matthew Dear Lyrics

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Doomp , doomp, doomp, cha
Doomp , doomp, doomp, cha
Doomp , doomp, doomp, cha (Repeat)

[Repeat: 6X]
It was just a fashion trend
She was painting the faces red
They were dancing in their heads

Such a way to the mourn the dead

Doomp , doomp, doomp, cha

Doomp , doomp, doomp, cha
Doomp , doomp, doomp, cha

Overall Meaning

The repeated phrase "doomp, doomp, doomp, cha" in Matthew Dear's song "Good to Be Alive" has a pulsing, almost tribal quality to it. It's a rhythm that provides the backbone for the song, and in many ways, represents the simple, driving force of life. Life isn't always easy or predictable, but we keep moving forward, step by step, day by day, in our own unique way.

The verse that follows this rhythmic introduction describes a scene of communal mourning, with people painting their faces red and dancing as a way of honoring the dead. It's a reminder that life is both beautiful and fragile, that we should live it to the fullest, and that we should remember those we've lost along the way. "Good to Be Alive" is a song about celebrating life and persevering through its challenges, about finding joy in the everyday moments and holding on tight to the people and things we love.

In many ways, the song serves as a reflection of Matthew Dear's own journey as a musician. He's been active in the industry for over 20 years, experimenting and evolving with each new release. "Good to Be Alive" is a testament to his ability to keep pushing forward, to find inspiration in unexpected places, and to keep bringing new life to his craft.

Line by Line Meaning

Doomp , doomp, doomp, cha
The repetitive beats echo the joyous rhythm in my heart

It was just a fashion trend
The fleeting nature of trends reminds us to cherish what we have in the moment

She was painting the faces red
Her lively spirit was contagious and brought color to the world

They were dancing in their heads
Their imagination lifted their spirits and allowed them to feel free and alive

Such a way to the mourn the dead
Celebrating life is the best way to honor those who have moved on

Doomp , doomp, doomp, cha
The music continues to uplift and inspire us to live life to the fullest

Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: CATHY MAJESKI, GORDON O'BRIEN, ROBERT ELLIS ORRALL

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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