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
Volcanoes
Matthew Good Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You can't rectify me
You walk and you talk like it's nothing at all
But it can't rectify me
I know your name for us it's the same
But it's nothing to me
Well I know the place, where I fell, you've fallen
And it's so tiring
Oh, never mind me
Going to find me a volcano that's all mine
Going to buy me a ladder I can't climb
Fall in love with a woman I can't find
Going to find me a volcano that's all mine
Well it's all in here, the wide open's weird
It's volcanoes I'm looking for
Born to dive, born to dive
Well I know the place, but it's all erased
You can't rectify me
In Matthew Good's song Volcanoes, the singer portrays the deep sense of isolation and disconnection from the outside world. He narrates his feeling of being invisible to others, as if he doesn't exist. The lyrics, "I know the place, but it's all erased," demonstrates that the singer is familiar with his surroundings, but it no longer holds any value for him. The words "you can't rectify me" suggest that the singer's disconnection from the world cannot be remedied.
The singer references a woman that he cannot find or fall in love with. The lyrics "going to fall in love with a woman I can't find" reflect the singer's desperate search for something he cannot attain. The sense of isolation is further enhanced in the lines "Going to find me a volcano that's all mine, going to buy me a ladder I can’t climb." These lyrics offer an analogy representing his search for a place to belong or a pursuit that he can accomplish.
The song's title "Volcanoes" refers to the peak's image and its resemblance to the singer's emotional state. The idea of the volcano erupting is similar to the explosion of emotions within the singer. He is searching for a place to release these emotions that won't harm anyone, and the volcano seems like the ideal location.
Line by Line Meaning
I know the place, but it's all erased
I am familiar with the place, but it feels like it has been erased from my memory.
You can't rectify me
There's nothing you can do to fix the way I feel.
You walk and you talk like it's nothing at all
You act like everything's fine, but it's not.
But it can't rectify me
Even though you try to act normal, it doesn't change how I feel.
I know your name for us it's the same
I recognize your name, but it doesn't mean anything to me.
But it's nothing to me
I have no emotional connection to you.
Well I know the place, where I fell, you've fallen
I know a place where I've hit rock bottom, and it seems like you're in the same spot.
And it's so tiring
It's exhausting to feel this way.
Oh, never mind me
Don't worry about me.
Going to find me a volcano that's all mine
I'm going on the hunt for a place to call my own, somewhere unique and special.
Going to buy me a ladder I can't climb
I want to aim high and reach for the impossible, even if I know I can't achieve it.
Fall in love with a woman I can't find
I want to experience love, but it feels like finding the right person is impossible.
Well it's all in here, the wide open's weird
Everything I need is right here, but the idea of being completely free is strange to me.
It's volcanoes I'm looking for
I'm searching for something powerful and awe-inspiring, like a volcano.
Born to dive, born to dive
I am meant to take risks and go after things that seem impossible.
Well I know the place, but it's all erased
I am familiar with the place, but it feels like it has been erased from my memory.
You can't rectify me
There's nothing you can do to fix the way I feel.
Contributed by Cameron W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@shitdisturber
This man will go down as Canada's best artists ever. No one knows it yet. The fact that he's pushed out so much good music consistently for the last 20 or so years and that not many know of him blows my mind. Love Matt Good.
@stcl3
+Marc Philippe Every month or so I binge on Matt's music Fantastic
@chantalleblanc1412
I m in love with this artist
@JenniferNuce
So wonderful, nothing can explain his art. Live, written, visual, political. All I can say is, Thank You. That is it. I am grateful to Matthew Good for his honesty and brilliance. Thanks again.
@GhettoFisherman
So real man!!! He sings from the depths of his heart.
@adamCarter20
21,192 viewers and 0 DISLIKES!......in other words, possibly the BEST Canadian musician ever!
@bleeb7003
Damn i love this guys music🎶🎶🎶🎸🎸🎶🎶🎺🎻🎷🎶🎶🎶
@InvaderChrissy
Haunting & timeless.
@drewreid9112
I don’t think there’s another artist in Canada or the world who’s absolutely 100% himself through his music. You feel every inch and millimetre of his heart and there’s only a few who have done that. Joni Mitchell and gord downie are a few that come to mind and that’s his class.
@TheMills21
One of the best Matt Good songs I've Heard since Blue skies over badlands