Matthew Good is a rock musician from Coquitlam, BC, Canada, formerly of the… Read Full Bio ↴Matthew Good is a rock musician from Coquitlam, BC, Canada, formerly of the Matthew Good Band, which was disbanded in 2002. His solo career has met with continued success, with the release of Avalanche on March 4, 2003. He followed that up on June 15, 2004 with White Light Rock and Roll Review, and on September 20, 2005 with In a Coma, a best-of documenting his musical career from 1995-2005. On July 31, 2007, he released his third album, entitled Hospital Music. The album consisted of 15 tracks, and is a deviation from the other albums in that this album is completely personal. Matthew Good's fourth album came out on October 6, 2009 and was entitled "Vancouver". The album, is a concept album and deals with Good's reflections of his hometown of Vancouver, and won him Best Rock Album at the Junos. Good also released a live album in the autumn of 2008. It contained live recordings from his concert at Massey Hall in Toronto on May 29, 2008. Lights of Endangered Species, released May 31, 2011, was Good's fifth studio album and was nominated for Rock Album of the Year at the 2012 Juno Awards.

Good is a strong advocate for human rights, and is affiliated with Amnesty International.

He has also released a book entitled "At Last There Is Nothing Left to Say," consisting of a series of blog entries and manifestos he posted on Matthew Good Band's website before the band disbanded. As well as being a testament to why he continues to have a solid and devoted fan-base, the work showcases Matt's unique perspective, and the creative mind that is the source of his success.

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada 2002

10:00 P.M. Failing the Rorschach Test
Matthew Good Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Hey Alice
I'm caving in
I know it's not allowed
But sometimes I fantasize
I'm peeling off my skin
Enough to fill it up again
Hey rabbit
Into the pavement

I'm caving in

Mother told me to be something
So I'm afraid enough to stay wide awake

Hey rabbit
I came to win
I know it's not allowed
But sometimes you might find
It feels like nothing is
And it's everything you've been
Hey Alice
Into the pavement
I'm caving in

Mother told me to be something
So I'm afraid enough to stay wide awake

This ain't real baby,

I've got a better excuse for myself
I'm always here.

Overall Meaning

The opening line of the song, "Hey Alice, I'm caving in," sets the tone for the song, which is one of frustration, anxiety, and a desire to escape. The singer is addressing Alice, possibly a metaphor for a person, an addiction, or a mental illness that is causing him pain, and expressing his desire to escape from the situation. He knows that it's "not allowed" to give in to these feelings, but sometimes he fantasizes about peeling off his own skin and starting anew.

The second verse introduces the idea of the singer's mother telling him to "be something," which has caused him to be afraid of falling asleep and losing himself. The repeated line, "So I'm afraid enough to stay wide awake," shows how the singer is trapped in a cycle of fear and anxiety, unable to move forward or find peace.

The chorus brings back the characters of Alice and the rabbit, and shows the singer trying to convince himself that he can still "win" even though it seems like nothing is going right. The final line, "I'm always here," adds to the feeling of being trapped and unable to escape, even in his fantasies.

Line by Line Meaning

Hey Alice
Addressing someone named Alice

I'm caving in
Feeling overwhelmed and giving up

I know it's not allowed
Aware of societal norms and expectations

But sometimes I fantasize
Having imaginary thoughts or desires about something impossible or unlikely

I'm peeling off my skin
Desiring to shed one's outer layer or persona

Enough to fill it up again
Wanting to replenish what has been taken away or lost

Hey rabbit
Addressing someone or something called Rabbit

Into the pavement
Collapsing or falling to the ground

Mother told me to be something
Having been given instructions or guidance from a maternal figure

So I'm afraid enough to stay wide awake
Feeling anxious and unable to sleep

I came to win
Having a desire to succeed or be victorious

It feels like nothing is
Feeling empty or unfulfilled despite having achieved success

And it's everything you've been
Realizing that what you have become is not what you wanted

This ain't real baby,
Believing that something is not genuine or authentic

I've got a better excuse for myself
Justifying or rationalizing one's actions or thoughts

I'm always here.
Being present or available

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DAVE GENN, MATTHEW GOOD

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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Comments from YouTube:

Ariel Currie

6y↑1

Still amazing 15 years later. I remember hearing this live in a small club in Calgary back in the day as i was crammed into a corner and just tumed out and listen. Now this was before Matts vocal surgery so he sounded less polished but damn the sound was like nothing else live. One of my favorite concert moments. We miss you MGB

Jess Morgan

Probably my favorite MGB deep cut of them all. Takes me back to those mornings I'd arrive at school crazy early and listen to their albums in the caf for an hour before class.