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
99% Of Us Is Failure
Matthew Good Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That it's the kind that they can't operate on
And I know it's real slow, honey
Painful and real slow
Styrofoam coffee cups
And bagged drugs that never work enough
And I know its real slow, honey
Painful and real slow
When we were young
And hit like hammers
I'd write the nails in your hands
But when 99% of us is failure
There's no going back
And I know its real slow, honey
Painful and real slow
Blackbird come the break of dawn
The TV's on, I turn it off
Walk outside, get in the car
Stare at the wheel then fall apart
I get it all the time
Bright eyes to bat and hide behind
But I know they're just for show, honey
Painful and just for show
Black rooms to babysit
White halls to pace and wait for it
And I know it's too slow, honey
Painful and real slow
When we were young
And hit like hammers
I'd write the nails in your hands
When 99% of us is failure
There's no coming back
And I know its real slow, honey
Painful and real slow
Blackbird come the break of day
You swallow the shit that people say
Walk outside look at the sky
Ask it to fall or tell you why
The lyrics of "99% Of Us Is Failure" by Matthew Good depict a sense of despair and hopelessness. The first lines refer to an illness that is beyond hope- the kind that cannot be treated. This is followed by an allusion to drug addiction that never seems to have any effect - revealing the singer's frustration and a sense of hopelessness. This gloomy atmosphere is further emphasized by the repetition of the phrase "painful and real slow."
The second verse reveals a past where there was hope and love, a time when the singer would even write the nails into the beloved's hands. However, life has taken a turn, and the vast majority of people seem to fall prey to failure, leaving no hopes to turn back. The line of "I'd write the nails in your hands" is a direct reference to the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, thus revealing the song's religiosity.
The song continues with the image of a blackbird, representing death or the end, which the singer is trying to avoid. There is a sense of being trapped inside oneself, unable to think of anything beyond the pain and suffering one is subjected to, and in this state, the singer is anxious and paranoid, constantly seeking comfort or escape.
Overall, "99% Of Us Is Failure" is a poignant portrayal of an individual struggling to find hope and meaning amidst despair, pain, and disease.
Line by Line Meaning
I know that it's bad
I am aware that my situation is not good.
That it's the kind that they can't operate on
My problem is not something that can be fixed through surgery.
And I know it's real slow, honey
I understand that my recovery is going to take a lot of time.
Painful and real slow
The healing process is going to be very painful and is going to take a long time.
Styrofoam coffee cups
I am familiar with the typical items found in a medical facility.
And bagged drugs that never work enough
I am aware that the drugs given to me during my treatment are not always effective.
When we were young
When we were inexperienced.
And hit like hammers
And we were very forceful in our actions.
I'd write the nails in your hands
I would hurt you intentionally in the past.
But when 99% of us is failure
But when almost everyone fails at something, things are different.
There's no going back
There is no way to reverse the effects of our failures.
Blackbird come the break of dawn
A blackbird arrives at the onset of daybreak.
The TV's on, I turn it off
I switch off the television which was making noise in the background.
Walk outside, get in the car
I step out of the house and enter my car.
Stare at the wheel then fall apart
I look down at the steering wheel then break down emotionally.
I get it all the time
I often experience the same thing.
Bright eyes to bat and hide behind
It's easy to pretend to be innocent and hide from the truth.
But I know they're just for show, honey
But I am aware that I am just pretending.
Painful and just for show
It's both painful and disingenuous.
Black rooms to babysit
Rooms with no windows where I was kept as a patient.
White halls to pace and wait for it
Hallways where I had to walk back and forth restlessly waiting for something to happen.
And I know it's too slow, honey
I understand that the pace of my recovery is frustratingly slow.
Painful and real slow
It's both painful and frustratingly slow.
Blackbird come the break of day
A blackbird arrives at daybreak.
You swallow the shit that people say
You internalize the hurtful comments people make.
Walk outside look at the sky
I walk out of the house and look up at the sky.
Ask it to fall or tell you why
I demand answers from the sky about why things are the way they are.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: MATTHEW GOOD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind