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
So Close
Matthew Good Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
There was a bird from Camden High Street
That hit the Thames just short of Battersea
And all the time it flew it sang Young Man Blues
"Aint got nothing in the world these days"
Just the world don't know it's true
So close
Days of rage
Oh us pioneers
If you ain't on your back taking it get out of here
And if somehow you do, you sing Young Man Blues
"Ain't got nothing in the world these days"
Just the world don't know it's true
So close
Keep us alive on 45
Don't let the wolves get anything
Keep us alive on 45
It may mean more than anything
The song "So Close" by Matthew Good has a poignant and thought-provoking message that speaks of the struggles of life and the desire to keep going despite overwhelming obstacles. The first verse of the song looks at the life of a bird from Camden High Street that flew too close to the Thames River and died just short of Battersea. The bird was singing "Young Man Blues" while it flew, a song about the challenges of growing up and facing the realities of the world. It was a sad and lonely death that went unnoticed by the world, just like the struggles of many people who face their difficulties alone.
The second verse talks about the "days of rage," a time when pioneers were fighting to change the world but were met with resistance and opposition. In these times, those who didn't fight back were seen as weak and were cast aside. The world seemed to be against them, but they still sang "Young Man Blues" as a way to express their grievances and frustrations. It's a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there is still hope and a reason to keep going.
The chorus of the song is a simple but profound statement – "So close." It's a recognition that sometimes, despite our best efforts, we fall short. We may be able to see our goal, but we are just out of reach. It's a call to keep pushing forward and not give up, even when things seem impossible.
Overall, "So Close" is a song that speaks to the human experience of pushing forward through adversity. It's a reminder that we all face struggles and setbacks, but we can keep going if we hold onto hope and keep reaching for our goals.
Line by Line Meaning
There was a bird from Camden High Street
There was once a bird that hailed from the Camden High Street.
That hit the Thames just short of Battersea
On its journey, the bird came close to hitting the Thames, just before it reached Battersea.
And all the time it flew it sang Young Man Blues
Throughout its journey, the bird sang 'Young Man Blues.'
"Aint got nothing in the world these days"
The lyrics of 'Young Man Blues' express a feeling of lacking in the world today.
Just the world don't know it's true
However, the world is ignorant of this fact.
So close
The bird came very close to reaching its destination, but unfortunately it didn't make it.
Days of rage
The current time period is characterized by anger and frustration.
Oh us pioneers
As pioneers of this time period, we are experiencing a unique period in history.
If you ain't on your back taking it get out of here
If you are not willing to endure the hardships of this time period, then you don't belong here.
And if somehow you do, you sing Young Man Blues
Even if you do experience the difficulties of this time period, you still might feel like you have nothing in the world.
"Ain't got nothing in the world these days"
The lyrics of 'Young Man Blues' express a feeling of lacking in the world today.
Just the world don't know it's true
However, the world is ignorant of this fact.
So close
Despite all efforts, success may elude us.
Keep us alive on 45
By playing our music, keep our spirit alive on vinyl records.
Don't let the wolves get anything
Refuse to let those who exploit and prey on us to gain anything from doing so.
Keep us alive on 45
By playing our music, keep our spirit alive on vinyl records.
It may mean more than anything
Keeping our spirit alive through our music may be more valuable than anything else.
Writer(s): Matthew Fredrick Robert Good
Contributed by Liliana D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.