After the breakup, Matthew Good continued to release music as a solo artist.
Man Of Action
Matthew Good Band Lyrics
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Lost in the law of averages
What would you know unless you'd lived a life of it?
They say the kid sold out
In love with himself run ragged,
Always looked to be a man of action
'Cause that's what the old man should've been
But this world
It wore him out
Eh pa?
This world
It wears you out
I disappeared today
I went under if only for a second
And I found where the lights drown
If you lay down
You can disappear all together
You can disappear
Got me a whore head
I got me a day star
I lost me control of myself
Baby, I don't want it back
No I don't want to be like that
If this is us in control of ourselves
Between the night and day
And so few eyes left open
Your forgiveness ain't a neighborhood that I'm looking to live in maybe
This world it wore me out
This world it wears you out
I disappeared today
I went under if only for a second
And I found where the lights drown
If you lay down
You can disappear all together
You can disappear all together
You can disappear
Got me a whore head
I got me a day star
I lost me control of myself
Baby, I don't want it back
No I don't want to be like that
If this is us in control of ourselves
The lyrics of Man of Action by the Matthew Good Band explore themes of self-identity, the pressures of society, and the desire to escape the world. The opening lines set the tone for the song, with the singer feeling lost in the "law of averages" between night and day. The imagery of being lost in the middle of opposing forces is continued throughout the song, as the singer struggles to find his place in the world. The lyrics suggest that it is impossible to truly understand the world unless you have lived a life of it, implying that only those who have experienced the highs and lows of life can truly understand it.
The song also explores the idea of how society views success, as the singer references the idea of selling out. The pressure to conform and be successful is often at odds with an individual's desire to be their true selves. The line "Always looked to be a man of action, 'Cause that's what the old man should've been" hints at the idea of generational expectations, with the singer feeling as though they are living up to their father's expectations of what a man should be.
The chorus of the song repeats the idea that the world has worn the singer out, and they long to escape it. The imagery of disappearing and the suggestion that the singer has found a way to do so through laying down and letting the lights drown them is a poignant one. It suggests a desire to escape the pressures of the world and find peace in anonymity. The closing lines of the song suggest a rejection of the idea of being in control, and instead embracing the unknown.
Line by Line Meaning
Between the night and day
Uncertain and lost in the confusion of life
Lost in the law of averages
Living without purpose or direction
What would you know unless you'd lived a life of it?
There are experiences that one can only understand by living through them
They say the kid sold out
Others perceive the artist as having lost their authenticity
In love with himself run ragged,
Obsessed with one's own image to the point of exhaustion
Always looked to be a man of action
Presenting oneself as assertive and capable
'Cause that's what the old man should've been
Fulfilling a role that was expected of someone else
But this world
The harsh reality of life
It wore him out
Life has taken a toll on the artist
Eh pa?
Expression of grief and questioning
This world
The unforgiving nature of reality
It wears you out
Life is exhausting and draining
I disappeared today
The singer feels lost and disconnected
I went under if only for a second
Momentarily losing oneself in despair
And I found where the lights drown
Discovering the darkness that surrounds us all
If you lay down
Giving up and succumbing to despair
You can disappear all together
Losing oneself to the point of non-existence
Got me a whore head
Having a mind filled with impure thoughts
I got me a day star
Feeling a glimmer of hope amidst the darkness
I lost me control of myself
The artist feels helpless and out of control
Baby, I don't want it back
The artist does not want to return to their former state
No I don't want to be like that
The artist rejects their previous behavior and mindset
If this is us in control of ourselves
Questioning one's ability to control their own life
And so few eyes left open
Few people are truly aware of the harsh reality of life
Your forgiveness ain't a neighborhood that I'm looking to live in maybe
The singer is not seeking forgiveness from others
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: MATTHEW GOOD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Brando H
Oh, I feel for the 97% of the world who has never heard of this band.
E
@K1ddkanuck does the guy you're seeing now like this song?
wallonthefly
Better than 99% of us is failure, 97%... we're making progress! :D
tazztower44
@K1ddkanuck i wouldnt even be friends with it....you dont like matt good?.....go somewhere else besides canada
Annick Custeau
I won tix to their show in Montreal this past March and I was floored at how so incredibly taken I was with their performance! Just mesmerizing! :)
Paul Kardas
Same ,,,,, Oshawa Music Room 3/16 SICK!!!!!
Paul NYC NY USA
Greg Horton
I bought this album the day it was released. Man of Action completely changed the way I thought about music and has proven to be one of the most influential songs in my life. Truly, this is art. That solo at 5:29...
A Spence
Same
Johnny Ennis
yulp! I played Beautiful Midnight out when I bought it, to the point where I was sick of it for a long time. Remember buying this when it came out and feeling revived. It was a major part of the soundtrack of my university life. They/he sounded so fresh and new - still rock and roll, but to me, like a new band from the previous 3 albums.
Daniel_V
Lol, I remember buying it back in October of 2001 at the HMV in West Edmonton Mall the day it came out too . This song and the entire album are probably some of the best music I have ever heard in my life (The Rat Who Would Be King was another stand out for me). And I agree about Dave's solo at the end of the song. Along with Matt's vocals, rhythem guitar, the drumming and bass, it makes for an incredible climax.