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
Prime Time Deliverance
Matthew Good Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Of some secret solution
The Central Intelligence Agency
Has a file that's a mile longer than peace
She's naked on the phone
Watching them back
No eyes, just their stupid grins
And in their tiny room
They eat Chinese food
And they don't call their wives
Cause the girl in the window is
Pressing her breasts up against the window pane
The guy they're after on the floor below her is
Cutting cocaine
Higher than the building
A one way trip
Whoever thought she'd miss
The ins and outs of oxygen
The darkest side of the biggest goddamn ride
You've ever been on
Her mother loves that show
Even though she never gets the answers right
It's easier to play along
Sometimes more than being wrong
They found her in her room
Wearing a pink bunny suit
And sour cherry lipstick
Hanging from the closet door
Her eyes were wide maybe to despise
Maybe just to look into your
Headlight, morning glow
Headlighht, morning glow
And this is it, this is it
Prime time deliveranve
Prime time deliverance
And this is it, this is it
Prime time deliveranve
Prime time
That you have and you hold
If you have then you hold
That you have and you hold
If you have then you hold
That you have and you hold
If you have then you hold
If you have then you hold
And she says the best thing you can do
Is hang around for a while
The lyrics of Matthew Good's song "Prime Time Deliverance" are quite intense and multifaceted. They seem to be describing a young woman who is heavily involved in some form of voyeurism and possibly sex work. The Central Intelligence Agency file mentioned in the lyrics may refer to information about her activity, and the "liberal mannequins" may be a reference to the men who are watching her and longing to be more "liberal" in their own lives. The scene of the girl on the phone watching the men back without eyes seems to add to the sense of objectification and exploitation at the core of the song.
As the song continues, the perspective shifts and we get glimpses into the lives of the men watching the young woman. They eat Chinese food and cut cocaine while the woman continues to perform for them. The singer makes little commentary on this, choosing instead to describe the scene in a matter-of-fact way, as though these are just the facts of this particular situation. The final lines of the song seem to suggest that the woman has died, possibly by suicide or overdose, and that her mother is trying to come to terms with what has happened.
Line by Line Meaning
The red, red lips
Describes the appearance of someone in the song.
Of some secret solution
The person referred to in the previous line is associated with a secret solution.
The Central Intelligence Agency
Refers to an organization with a long history of covert operations.
Has a file that's a mile longer than peace
Implies that the CIA has extensive and detailed records on a wide range of topics, including those related to peace.
She's naked on the phone
A woman is undressed and using the phone.
Watching them back
The woman is aware that she is being watched.
No eyes, just their stupid grins
The people watching the woman have no discernable expressions other than grinning.
They long to be liberal mannequins
The people watching the woman aspire to be mindless, non-human figures associated with liberal politics.
And in their tiny room
Describes the confined space where someone is eating Chinese food.
They eat Chinese food
People are consuming Chinese cuisine.
And they don't call their wives
The individuals eating the Chinese food are not contacting their partners.
Cause the girl in the window is
The reason why the people are not contacting their partners is due to the presence of a woman in the adjacent building.
Pressing her breasts up against the window pane
The woman in the adjacent building is exposing her chest to those who are watching her.
The guy they're after on the floor below her is
Refers to an individual who is the focus of attention of the people watching the woman in the adjacent building, and who is in a room below her.
Cutting cocaine
The person on the floor below is preparing cocaine for consumption.
Higher than the building
The individual on the floor below is under the influence of either the cocaine, or another substance that causes euphoria.
A one way trip
Suggests that the experience of the individuals in the previous lines is somehow related to a one-way journey or outcome.
Whoever thought she'd miss
Describes someone who is missing another person.
The ins and outs of oxygen
Refers to the complexity of the biological process that sustains human life.
The darkest side of the biggest goddamn ride
Implies that life is full of risks and challenges, some of which can lead to negative outcomes.
You've ever been on
Suggests that the risks and challenges described are part of the human experience.
Her mother loves that show
Describes the viewing habits of a character's mother.
Even though she never gets the answers right
Despite not being very knowledgeable, the character's mother is still interested in the show she watches.
It's easier to play along
Sometimes it is preferable to conform to group expectations, rather than to be contrary.
Sometimes more than being wrong
Doing what is expected can be more desirable than doing what is right, in certain circumstances.
They found her in her room
Describes the discovery of someone in their place of residence.
Wearing a pink bunny suit
The individual was dressed in a particular style of clothing.
And sour cherry lipstick
The person was wearing a particular color of lipstick.
Hanging from the closet door
The individual was suspended from a particular piece of furniture or infrastructure.
Her eyes were wide maybe to despise
The wide-eyed expression observed on the individual may have been one of disapproval.
Maybe just to look into your
Alternatively, the wide-eyed expression was a way to get a better view of someone else's expression or face.
Headlight, morning glow
A phrase used to describe the lighting conditions in which observers are seeing the aftermath of what happened in the previous lines.
And this is it, this is it
A repeated phrase that serves to emphasize an important moment or realization.
Prime time deliveranve
A phrase that may reference a particular moment or an important event that is taking place.
That you have and you hold
Describes an object or entity being held onto by someone.
If you have then you hold
Reiterates the previously expressed idea that the object or entity being held is worth keeping.
And she says the best thing you can do
Describes someone giving advice to others.
Is hang around for a while
The advice given is to wait patiently and see what happens next.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: MATTHEW GOOD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@michaelmurphy2451
One of the best ever Canadian songs ever made.
@salesateastcoastinternetim3963
We agree.
@davidbrandao8531
“One of the best ever Canadian songs ever Made” No No No the best! Only! Thks Matt
@stuntinlikemydada
first time i heard this i got goosebumps like crazy... i can't explain the feeling i get when listening to this, i get a lump in my throat and i want to blast the speakers to their limit.
@spencermatthews5942
In my opinion this is the most incredible track on this album! I could listen to it a thousand times and never tire!
@joesimpleton7227
I still think this is the best song ever. Long time ago in a land far away...
@Pegglez
Jake is the most wholesome prof stg
@sarashehada7894
On god
@sarashehada7894
Here cuz Dr. Nease is my favourite
@lucasjarrett5868
True fans only