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.

temptation
Matthew Dear Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I fell down in a room of falling grace
I went out with a tempo
I felt hands reached down to protect my fate
I saw everything for the first time

I held out for time that I knew was right
I knelt down in the temple
And a voice spoke loud of all things passed

I knew everything for the first time

When all my insides fall to pieces they can lead back to gentle feelings
Life will lead back to better to reasons on to the right let's fall to pieces

Only inside like little secrets eat you alive like little pieces
I can unwrite this lonely feeling. On to the right let's fall to pieces

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Temptation", a song by Matthew Dear, portray a spiritual experience or awakening. The singer describes falling into a room of falling grace, which can be interpreted as a metaphor for being vulnerable and succumbing to the guidance of a higher power. The singer also talks about going out with a tempo, indicating a sense of rhythm and flow in life. It's interesting to note how the singer perceives the hands that reach down to protect their fate, suggesting a certain trust and surrender to the unknown.

Moreover, the lyrics of "Temptation" emphasize the pivotal moment in the singer's life. They held out for the right time, knelt down in the temple, and heard a voice speak loud of all things that have passed. This experience allowed the singer to see everything for the first time, indicating a newfound clarity and understanding. The lyrics suggest that sometimes falling apart and losing control is necessary in order to find oneself and be led back to gentler and better things. It's a powerful message of hope and redemption.

Overall, the lyrics of "Temptation" tell a story of awakening and discovery. It's a song that encourages listeners to be open to the divine, to embrace the uncertainties of life, and to always trust the journey.

Line by Line Meaning

I fell down in a room of falling grace
I experienced a moment of grace, but found myself struggling and falling amidst it.

I went out with a tempo
I moved on with a rhythm, perhaps trying to distract myself from my worries.

I felt hands reached down to protect my fate
I sensed a protective force looking after my destiny.

I saw everything for the first time
I gained a fresh perspective and saw things in a new light.

I held out for time that I knew was right
I waited patiently for the right moment I had foreseen.

I knelt down in the temple
I humbled myself and sought guidance in a spiritual place.

And a voice spoke loud of all things passed
I heard a voice reminding me of my past experiences and what they have taught me.

I knew everything for the first time
I gained a deeper understanding of everything, including myself and my purpose.

When all my insides fall to pieces they can lead back to gentle feelings
In moments of emotional breakdown, there can still be hope for healing and finding inner peace.

Life will lead back to better to reasons on to the right let's fall to pieces
Life can take unexpected turns, but sometimes it's necessary to break down in order to rebuild and find a better path.

Only inside like little secrets eat you alive like little pieces
Suppressed emotions can be harmful and slowly destroy a person from within.

I can unwrite this lonely feeling. On to the right let's fall to pieces
I can overcome my feelings of loneliness and heal, even if it means going through a difficult process of breaking down and rebuilding.

Contributed by Taylor V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

TRACKS