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.
Shy
Matthew Dear Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
All of these reasons to be kept inside
Go inside
Just to stay alive
I got some reasons to be left alive
On the brighter side
But she's shy
He hasn't faced the facts in quite some time
[Chorus 1: Background Chorus 2: Repeats til fade]
The chorus to Matthew Dear's song 'Shy' explores the tension between wanting to stay hidden and safe from the world, and the desire to live life to the fullest. The lines "all of these reasons to be kept inside, just to stay alive" suggest that the singer has experienced trauma or emotional pain that has made them want to retreat from the world. However, the chorus also alludes to having "some reasons to be left alive on the brighter side," hinting that the singer sees hope and possibility in the world, even if they're hesitant to fully engage with it.
The repetition of the line "but she's shy" adds a layer of complexity to the song's themes. The pronoun "she" is never fully explained, leaving room for interpretation. It could refer to a specific person, or it could represent the singer's own psyche- the part of themselves that is hesitant to take risks and live fully. The word "shy" also carries connotations of timidity and hesitation, suggesting that even though there are reasons to keep living, it's difficult to overcome fear and take action.
Overall, 'Shy' is a song that captures the conflicting emotions of wanting to stay safe and explore life's possibilities. The repetition of the chorus draws attention to the tension between these two desires, while the ambiguity of the lyrics leaves plenty of room for individual interpretation.
Line by Line Meaning
All of these reasons to be kept inside
I have several reasons why I should stay inside and not go out into the world
Go inside
Retreat within myself to avoid the anxieties of the outside world
Just to stay alive
Staying inside is necessary for my survival and well-being
I got some reasons to be left alive
I have some significant reasons to continue living despite the struggles I face
On the brighter side
Nevertheless, there are some positive aspects to life that I try to hold onto
But she's shy
But the person I care about is introverted and reluctant to open up
He hasn't faced the facts in quite some time
He hasn't been truthful with himself and has been avoiding reality for a while now
Lyrics © SC PUBLISHING DBA SECRETLY CANADIAN PUB., Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Matthew Dear
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Leonardo Machado
All of these reasons to be kept inside Go inside Just to stay alive I got some reasons to be left alive On the brighter side But she's shy He hasn't faced the facts in quite some time She hasn't faced the facts in quite some time
Simon Riley
Go outside*
a
This song is really cool, it reminds me of Calvin Harris' early stuff
Vincent
Maybe that is why its called "shy" lol