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
Rico
Matthew Good Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Wants to live with a long-haired girl
In Cose Meda
And rip-off fruit stands
During the getaways she will drive the Vespa
He's gonna buy a parrot
That speaks her language
Let's take off, take off, take off, take off
Everyone's gotta be something
Me I'm garbage
It's all I ever wanted to be
Shock me again and I'll say
Anything you want me to..
Anything you want
Let it play out
Buy the rights to endless love
If your friends don't like it
You can tell them from me
To fuck off, fuck of, fuck off, fuck off
Everyone's gotta be something
Me I'm stupid
It's all I ever wanted to be
Shock me again and I'll say
Anything you want me to..
Anything you want
Everyone's gotta be something
Me I'm loaded
It's all I ever wanted to be
Shock me again and I'll stay
I'll stay
The song "Rico" by Matthew Good tells the story of a man named Rico who wants to live with a long-haired girl in Cose Meda and rip-off fruit stands during getaways where she will drive a Vespa. The song explores themes of longing, desire, escape, and embracing one's identity.
Rico is portrayed as a man who is taking control of his life and pursuing what he wants, even if it means breaking the law. He plans to buy a parrot that speaks the girl's language, but the parrot will only say "what are you doing with him." This line hints at jealousy and possessiveness, suggesting that Rico is willing to do whatever it takes to be with the girl he desires.
The chorus of the song emphasizes the idea that everyone has to be something, and for Rico, he wants to be garbage, stupid, and loaded. These phrases are often used as insults, but in the context of the song, they represent Rico's desire to reject societal expectations and embrace his true identity.
Line by Line Meaning
Rico was a short man
The singer of the song is named Rico and he is of short stature
Wants to live with a long-haired girl
Rico desires to be in a romantic relationship with a girl who has long hair
In Cose Meda
Rico aspires to live in a place called Cose Meda, which is not further defined in the song
And rip-off fruit stands
Rico plans to commit theft from fruit stands during his planned getaways
During the getaways she will drive the Vespa
The girl in question will drive the Vespa during these planned getaways
He's gonna buy a parrot
Rico plans to purchase a parrot
That speaks her language
The parrot in question will speak the same language as the girl Rico desires
But all it'll say is what are you doing with him
However, the parrot will only repeat the phrase 'what are you doing with him' to Rico's dismay
Let's take off, take off, take off, take off
An exclamation to encourage the plans of escaping and fleeing with the long-haired girl
Everyone's gotta be something
A statement conveying the idea that everyone desires to fit into a certain grouping or identity
Me I'm garbage
The singer Rico identifies himself as trash, implying a self-deprecating disposition
It's all I ever wanted to be
Despite the negative connotation, Rico feels as though being garbage is all he's ever wanted to be
Shock me again and I'll say
A declaration that Rico is open to being surprised, possibly referring to the next line in the song
Anything you want me to..
Rico is implying he is willing to submit himself to others' expectations or reactions
Let it play out
Rico advises allowing a situation to unfold or develop without interference
Buy the rights to endless love
An expression of the desire to have complete ownership over love
If your friends don't like it
An acknowledgement that others may not approve of one's actions
You can tell them from me
Rico is willing to confront others about his chosen path
To fuck off, fuck of, fuck off, fuck off
A vulgar retort to tell those who oppose his decisions that he does not care about their opinions
Me I'm stupid
Another self-identification, with Rico now referring to himself as unintelligent or foolish
It's all I ever wanted to be
Despite the negative connotation, Rico feels as though being stupid is all he's ever wanted to be
Shock me again and I'll say
A declaration that Rico is open to being surprised, possibly referring to the next line in the song
Anything you want me to..
Rico is implying he is willing to submit himself to others' expectations or reactions
Everyone's gotta be something
A repetition of the idea that everyone desires to fit into a certain grouping or identity
Me I'm loaded
Rico now identifies himself as wealthy or having an abundance of resources
It's all I ever wanted to be
Rico feels as though having money or resources is all he's ever wanted to be
Shock me again and I'll stay
A declaration that Rico no longer wishes to be surprised; instead, he wants things to remain the same
I'll stay
Rico has chosen to remain in his current state
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DAVE GENN, GEOFF LLOYD, IAN BROWNE, MATTHEW GOOD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Khrysmatic
Best. MGD. Song. EVER.
Yes, E.V.E.R.Yes better than Apparitions; better than Hello Time Bomb; better than Symbolistic White Walls...
Hell, even better than (Us Remains) Impossible (which totally snags the award for 2nd best MGB song, btw)Yes, you did just read that correctly.Yes, I WAS a teenage dirtbag growing up in the mid-90's, living in Western Canada, and I still do...
I'm just (now) a mid-aged dirtbag baby, like you...woo..ooo...ooo...
The Top 5 (reasons why Matt should have liked this song 1000x more than he did/does)
1. It finally stopped (albeit only temporarily, sigh) us that were born in the frozen tundra circa 1980 & earlier from automatically saying "...Suave!" outloud anytime we heard someone else say the name "Rico"
2. It refers to a Vespa & the lyrics of "Endless Love" in the same breath as only a MGB song could do.
3. The video was lip-synced by actors instead of members of MGB in a totally-ahead-of-its-time-but-now-not-so-unique-single-camera-frame-POV
4. The 2nd chorus eloquently replaces the stereotypical Canadian chant of "Take off" with the actual eff-bomb on repeat x 4 which is so a-typically Canadian it makes it coooler than the igloos we live in.
5. For those who still can't figure out why this song rules, put on your reading glasses (maybe time to buy a stronger pair from Dollarama?!) & try again.
Much love, ya Hosers & God Bless the Canada.
@murrayallinger2830
"Everybody's gotta be something. Me, I'm stupid. It's all I ever wanted to be. Shock me again and I'll say anything you want me to." Love it.
@wallonthefly
Uhoh, you said it. :)
@csardeleanu
At lest he admits to his is stupid, so we can't judge the fact he dreams about executing fellow Canadians
@InvaderChrissy
Can't look at a Vespa without breaking into song. Long live Matt.
@coreymacdonald7696
saw them play at the X in Ottawa 1998, was an awesome show
@csardeleanu
Must have been good to hear them play before Matt lost his values and became a nazi minion. Poor man, nobody expects him to become slow in his head after receiving the shot.
@oilersridersbluejays
@C. S. Ardeleanu what the fuck are you blathering on about now. Fuckin idiot.
@mathcwloubert5994
Rico was many types of a man.
@jobriathboy
great song... memorable lyrics, catchy chorus, cool guitar riff... and Matt doesn't like this? weirdness...
@benoplustee
Could be a Kurt Cobain teen spirit type thing. Not wanting this song to be the one hes most known for