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

Ex-Pats Of The Blue Mountain Symphony Orchestra
Matthew Good Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Saturdays
Saturdays I'm reminded of
Bombs away
Over our house when it could have been, should have been, doves
A mind to waste
Out on the street ya they'll sign you up
Get a taste
Beat you down when it could have been, should have been, love

Ex-pats of the Blue Mountain symphony orchestra
If heaven's above me
Then those starry skies they know me
And if it can't get the blood off out hands
Then you and I we'll get it off ourselves
So another day
Pissed away down the bar
Ain't it a shame

Turned your head off when it could have been, should have been, on
Ex-pats of the Blue Mountain symphony orchestra

Overall Meaning

The opening line of the song “Saturdays I'm reminded of bombs away over our house when it could have been, should have been doves” is a clear reference to war, and the conflict that it brings. The line reveals that the singer is someone who has experienced war, reminding him of the bombs that fell on his home on Saturdays, when the days were supposed to be peaceful. The use of “could have been, should have been” emphasises the futility of war and the senselessness of violence. This war has had a profound impact on the singer, causing his mind to "waste" and leading him to turn to alcohol and other vices to cope.

The song mentions the "Ex-pats of the Blue Mountain symphony orchestra." This refers to a group of musicians who once belonged to a prestigious orchestra, but who have now become exiles, unable to perform in their homeland. The use of the term "Ex-pats" is a reference not just to the musicians, but also to the singer and those who have been forced out of their homes due to war. The fact that they were once part of a symphony orchestra highlights their once-elevated status, but now they are left with nothing. The prominence of music throughout the song, including the reference to the orchestra, suggests that it is a solace for those who have suffered trauma in war.

Line by Line Meaning

Saturdays
The first day of the weekend

Saturdays I'm reminded of
On Saturdays I remember

Bombs away
The bombs were dropped

Over our house when it could have been, should have been, doves
The bombs could have been peaceful, but they weren't

A mind to waste
A mentality of disregarding values

Out on the street ya they'll sign you up
On the streets, they will recruit you to their cause

Get a taste
Try it out for yourself

Beat you down when it could have been, should have been, love
They could have accepted you with love, but instead they crush you

Ex-pats of the Blue Mountain symphony orchestra
People who used to belong to the Blue Mountain symphony orchestra and now live outside of the country

If heaven's above me
Assuming heaven exists

Then those starry skies they know me
The sky knows who I am