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
Enjoy the Silence
Matthew Good Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Break the silence
Come crashing in
Into my little world
Painful to me
Pierce right through me
Can't you understand
All I ever wanted
All I ever needed
Is here in my arms
Words are very unnecessary
They can only do harm
Vows are spoken
To be broken
Feelings are intense
Words are trivial
Pleasures remain
So does the pain
Words are meaningless
And forgettable
All I ever wanted
All I ever needed
Is here in my arms
Words are very unnecessary
They can only do harm
Matthew Good's song "Enjoy the Silence" is a poignant tribute to the power of silence, and how sometimes words can never fully capture or communicate the intensity of one's emotions. The opening lines - "Words like violence, break the silence, come crashing in, into my little world" - paint a vivid picture of how overwhelming and invasive language can feel in the face of strong feelings. The singer is clearly struggling to process their emotions and reconcile them with the limitations of communication.
As the song progresses, the singer seems to find solace in the nonverbal aspects of their relationship. They don't need promises or declarations of love ("vows are spoken to be broken") - instead, they value the simple physical closeness of their partner ("all I ever wanted, all I ever needed, is here in my arms"). The repetition of the phrase "words are very unnecessary, they can only do harm" underscores the idea that sometimes, actions and feelings speak louder than words ever could.
The ending lines - "words are meaningless and forgettable" - suggest a sense of peaceful acceptance. Even though the singer may be frustrated by the limitations of language, they recognize that there is power in silence and in the things left unsaid.
Line by Line Meaning
Words like violence
The power of hurtful words is comparable to that of physical violence
Break the silence
The use of hurtful words shatters the peace that was once present
Come crashing in
Hurtful words enter the singer's life with a sudden, destructive force
Into my little world
The singer's safe and secure life is now affected by the violence of words
Painful to me
The effects of hurtful words are emotionally agonizing for the singer
Pierce right through me
The hurtful words have penetrated deeply into the singer's psyche
Can't you understand
The singer is pleading with someone to grasp the pain caused by their words
Oh my little girl
The singer directs these words towards someone they hold dear
All I ever wanted
The singer has a simple desire
All I ever needed
The singer requires very little to feel content
Is here in my arms
The singer has found what they need to be happy
Words are very unnecessary
Language is worthless when it comes to matters of true substance
They can only do harm
Words have the ability to cause great damage to the human spirit
Vows are spoken
Promises are made with great devotion and importance
To be broken
Despite the sincerity behind them, promises often go unfulfilled
Feelings are intense
Sincere emotions are so powerful, they can break through barriers
Words are trivial
Despite the intensity of emotions, words are not enough to capture their true essence
Pleasures remain
Even though promises are not kept, moments of joy still exist
So does the pain
Despite the good moments, the pain remains vibrant
Words are meaningless
When compared to the realities of life, words are hollow and without meaning
And forgettable
What was once said with great conviction is forgotten and loses its importance over time
All I ever wanted
The singer's modest wishes remain unchanged
All I ever needed
The singer's needs remain unaltered, and are simple and attainable
Is here in my arms
The singer has found the peace that they need to be content
Words are very unnecessary
The singer emphasizes the worthlessness of words
They can only do harm
Words are capable of doing great damage to a person's spirit
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Martin Lee Gore
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind