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
Moon Over Marin
Matthew Good Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I still find time to exercise
In uniform with two white stripes
Unlock my section of the sand
It's fenced off to the water's edge
I clamp a gasmask on my head
On my beach at night
Bathe in my moonlight
Another tanker's hit the rocks
Abandoned to spill out its guts
The sand is laced with sticky glops
O' Shimmering moonlight sheen upon
The waves and water clogged with oil
White gases steam up from the soil
[Chorus]
I squish dead fish between my toes
Try not to step on any bones
I turn around and I go home
I slip back through my basement door
Switch off all that I own below
Dive in my scalding wooden tub
My own beach at night
Electric Moonlight
There will always be a moon
Over Marin
The song "Moon Over Marin" by Matthew Good is a commentary on the destruction of the natural world by human greed and consumption. The lyrics paint a picture of a desolate beach, fenced off by the military for undisclosed reasons, most likely for nuclear testing. The singer exercises in uniform, perhaps a soldier or a guard stationed in the area. His beach, where he finds solace, is now a barren wasteland, littered with oil spills, fish and animal carcasses, and contaminated soil.
The chorus "On my beach at night, bathe in my moonlight" suggests a sense of melancholia and loneliness. The moonlight, the only source of light in the darkness, is a constant reminder of the beauty that once was. The singer is disillusioned by the state of the world around him, so he retreats to his own world, where he can escape, albeit temporarily, the harsh realities of the outside world.
The last verse, "There will always be a moon over Marin," suggests that even though the world is in shambles, there is a glimmer of hope, and nature will always prevail in the end. The song urges listeners to take notice of the environmental destruction around them and to take action to preserve the planet for future generations.
Line by Line Meaning
The crowded future stings my eyes
I feel uncomfortable with how the world is progressing.
I still find time to exercise
I prioritize taking care of myself, even in a busy life.
In uniform with two white stripes
I am a part of a group with a recognizable identity.
Unlock my section of the sand
I have a personal connection to a specific place.
It's fenced off to the water's edge
The natural world is becoming regulated and controlled.
I clamp a gasmask on my head
I am protecting myself from environmental pollution.
On my beach at night
I find solace in solitude and darkness.
Bathe in my moonlight
I take comfort in the beauty of nature.
Another tanker's hit the rocks
A environmental accident has occurred.
Abandoned to spill out its guts
The harmful effects are left unaddressed and unremedied.
The sand is laced with sticky glops
The pollution has had a tangible impact.
O' Shimmering moonlight sheen upon
The beauty of the natural world persists despite human impact.
The waves and water clogged with oil
The natural world is suffering from oil pollution.
White gases steam up from the soil
The environment is contaminated to a dangerous degree.
I squish dead fish between my toes
The environmental disaster is too close to ignore.
Try not to step on any bones
I am mindful of the toll the disaster has taken on the natural world.
I turn around and I go home
I cannot continue to face this environmental devastation.
I slip back through my basement door
I return to everyday life.
Switch off all that I own below
I try to disconnect from the modern world and its problems.
Dive in my scalding wooden tub
I cope with the stress of the world by taking care of myself.
My own beach at night
I hold on to the memory of that peaceful place.
Electric Moonlight
The beauty of the natural world and its night-time landscape has a lasting impact on me.
There will always be a moon
Nature will remain a constant in our ever-changing world.
Over Marin
This specific location is a reminder of the beauty of the natural world, and the need to preserve it.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: JELLO BIAFRA, EAST BAY RAY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind