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

A Single Explosion
Matthew Good Lyrics

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I dreamt last night of sirens
By flashlight I had found you
You just held my hand
By the bright lights in some ICU
Even the planless have a plan
I can't write love songs when I'm on these things
I'm affable, responsible
But hard to be around

It's correctable and they're right you know
It's as easy as it sounds
It's as easy as it sounds
It's all as easy as it sounds

I dreamt last night I saw you
A single spark explosion negotiating with the dead
By the bright lights in some ICU
On my chest you put your head
And said there you are

There you are
There's my heart

Overall Meaning

The opening line of the song "I dreamt last night of sirens" sets a melancholic tone that runs through the lyrics. It seems like the singer is haunted by a past trauma, perhaps a near-death experience which involved ambulance sirens. In the next line, the singer seems to be searching for someone in a hospital through the bright lights of an ICU with the aid of a flashlight. The sense of urgency and desperation in these lines is palpable. When they finally find their person, they reach out and hold hands. This simple gesture of love and human connection is powerful in the face of the chaos and uncertainty of the situation.

The next set of lyrics conveys a sense of numbness and disconnection that the singer feels when they are under the influence of some unnamed "things." They admit that they cannot write love songs when they are in this state, which suggests that they are struggling with addiction or mental health issues. However, they also acknowledge that they are affable and responsible, but just hard to be around. This self-awareness is a glimmer of hope in an otherwise bleak situation. The last part of the lyrics repeats the phrase "It's as easy as it sounds" three times. This could be interpreted in different ways - perhaps it's a sarcastic comment on how people oversimplify complex problems, or it could be an attempt by the singer to convince themselves that recovery is within reach.

The line "I dreamt last night I saw you / A single spark explosion negotiating with the dead" is haunting and evocative. It seems to suggest that the singer has seen the person they love on the brink of death, negotiating with their mortality. The use of the metaphor of a single spark explosion is interesting as it conveys both the suddenness and intensity of the experience. The final lines of the song are the most tender and intimate - the singer imagines their loved one putting their head on their chest, claiming that this is where their heart is. This suggests a deep emotional bond between the two, and the fact that the singer is dreaming about it suggests that it may have been lost or damaged in some way.

Line by Line Meaning

I dreamt last night of sirens
My subconscious imagination presented a scenario involving the sound of warning alarms.

By flashlight I had found you
I searched for you with a light source to help guide me.

You just held my hand
You offered me comfort and support by embracing a physical connection.

By the bright lights in some ICU
We were situated within a hospital room illuminated by powerful lighting equipment.

Even the planless have a plan
People who may lack a specific strategy or course of action can still have a general idea of what they want in life.

I can't write love songs when I'm on these things
When under the influence of a particular substance, I struggle to compose sentimental ballads.

I'm affable, responsible
My natural demeanor and character traits are conducive to sociability and dependability.

But hard to be around
Despite these positive qualities, I recognize that I may not always be easy to interact with or have in close proximity.

It's correctable and they're right you know
I acknowledge that my less favorable characteristics can be remedied and that others are not wrong to perceive them.

It's as easy as it sounds
Making positive behavioral changes may not be effortless but is still a feasible goal to achieve.

I dreamt last night I saw you
My mind conjured up a vision of your image during sleep.

A single spark explosion negotiating with the dead
An intense burst of high-energy reacting with something no longer living, symbolizing a profound event or shift.

On my chest you put your head
You rested your head on my torso, a gesture that conveys intimacy and vulnerability.

And said there you are
You expressed relief at having located or reconnected with me.

There you are
In repetition, this phrase may indicate the importance of the moment and the role another person plays in it.

There's my heart
This declaration may imply that the other person represents an essential part of oneself, emotionally or spiritually.

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

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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TRACKS