Matthew was born in Fort Ord, California, U.S. He was educated at New York University's Tisch School of the Arts and the Orange County High School of the Arts. He made his musical theater debut on Broadway in the musical version of Footloose, followed by a revival of the Rocky Horror Show in 1999.
His big break came when he landed the role of Link Larkin in the Broadway production of John Waters' Hairspray. After performing in the role for some time, he started working in television, guest starring on shows such as "Hack" and "Sex and the City". He also had small roles in films such as Marci X, Encino Man, Primary Colors, and Simply Funk. He followed up by performing the role of Sir Harry in the ABC-TV production of Once Upon a Mattress, starring Tracey Ullman and Carol Burnett.
Morrison recently changed gears, playing the role of Fabrizio Nacarelli in Adam Guettel's The Light in the Piazza. He was nominated for a Tony Award for his performance. He left the show September 1, 2005.
Morrison joined the cast of the CBS soap opera As the World Turns as Adam Munson on October 24, 2006, but left abruptly soon after due to a "scheduling conflict," last airing on the soap on November 27.
Morrison appeared in a benefit performance celebrating Andrew Lippa, and the 25th Anniversary of the performing troupe 'The Kids Next Door' at the Orange County Performing Arts Center in Costa Mesa in December 2006. The performance benefited The California Conservatory of the Arts, a non-profit arts education organization focusing on pre-professional training for young students, grades six through twelve, in Orange County.
He earned a Drama Desk Nomination for his role in the Off Broadway show 10 Million Miles which ran at the Atlantic Theater Company in 2007. That same year he appeared in two films: Dan in Real Life and Music and Lyrics.
He recently finished starring in the Lincoln Center production of South Pacific as Lt. Cable. After leaving "South Pacific," Morrison was cast as "Will Schuester" in the FOX television series Glee, which debuted on May 19, 2009. His role is that of a high school Spanish teacher who takes on the role of restoring the school's glee club to its former glory. The show has been a commercial and critical success, garnering good ratings as well as a Golden Globe nomination for Morrison (Best Performance by an Actor In A Television Series - Musical Or Comedy).
Mona Lisas And Mad Hatters/Rocket Man
Matthew Morrison Lyrics
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Not just pretty words to say
I thought I knew but now I know that rose trees
Never grow in New York city
Oh, until you see this trash can dream come true
You stand at the edge while people run you through
And I thank the Lord, there's people out there like you
I thank the Lord there's people out there like you
While Mona Lisa's and mad hatters
Sons of bankers, sons of lawyers
Turn around and say "good morning" to the night
For unless they see the sky but they can't and that is why
They know not if it's dark outside or light
While Mona Lisa's and mad hatters
Sons of bankers, sons of lawyers
And turn around and say "good morning" to the night (to the night)
For unless they see the sky but they can't and that is why
They know not if it's dark outside or light
They know not if it's dark outside or light, oh
She packed my bags last night pre-flight
Zero hour 9 am, oh yeah
I'm gonna be high as a kite by then
I miss the earth so much I miss my wife
It's lonely out in space
On such a timeless flight, timeless flight
And I think it's gonna be a long long time
Till touch down brings me round again to find
I'm not the man they think I am at home
Oh no I'm a rocket man
Rocket man burning out his fuse up here alone, oh yeah
Mars ain't the kind of place to raise your kids
In fact it's cold as hell
And there's no one there to raise them if you did
And all this science I don't understand (don't, don't understand)
It's just my job five days a week (ooh)
A rocket man, oh rocket man
And I think it's gonna be a long long time
Till touch down brings me round again to find
I'm not the man they think I am at home
Oh no no no
I'm a rocket man
Rocket man burning out his fuse up here alone, yeah, yeah
And I think it's gonna be a long long time
Till touch down brings me round again to find
I'm not the man they think I am at home
Oh no no I'm a rocket man
Rocket man burning out his fuse up here alone
And I think it's gonna be a long, long time (oh)
And I think it's gonna be a long, long time
Yeah, I think it's gonna be a long, long time (a long, long time)
Yes, I think it's gonna be a long, long time (long, long time)
Oh, long, long time
Yeah, I think it's gonna be a long, long time
Long, long time
Mona Lisa's and mad hatters
Mona Lisa's and mad hatters
Sons of bankers, sons of lawyers
Sons of bankers, sons of lawyers
Turn around to say good morning to the night
Mona Lisa's and mad hatters
Sons of bankers, sons of lawyers
The lyrics to Matthew Morrison's song "Mona Lisas And Mad Hatters/Rocket Man" are a combination of two classic Elton John songs, "Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters" and "Rocket Man." The first verse speaks about the realization that things that were thought to be just pretty words to say are actually more significant. The reference to "Spanish Harlem" implies that the singer has come to appreciate the significance of a place that was previously unknown to him. The second line speaks about the fact that certain things, like rose trees, may not be able to grow in the concrete jungle of New York. This creates a sense of contrast between the beauty of nature and the harshness of the city.
The second verse speaks about the idea of being an outsider, standing at the edge while people run you through. The singer expresses gratitude that there are still people in the world who are like him, individuals who are willing to see beyond what everyone else sees. The chorus speaks about the contrast between the privileged elites, the "Mona Lisa's and mad hatters, sons of bankers, sons of lawyers," and the darkness of the night that they are unable to see, highlighting their lack of awareness of the world around them.
The final verse, taken from "Rocket Man," speaks about the loneliness of space travel and the desire to return to Earth. The lyrics depict the confusion and disorientation that comes from being disconnected from the home planet. Overall, the song combines two classic songs to create a compelling message about the importance of seeing beyond the surface and appreciating the complexity of the world around us.
Line by Line Meaning
And now I know "Spanish Harlem" are Not just pretty words to say
I used to think 'Spanish Harlem' was just a phrase but now I understand it's a real place with real meaning.
I thought I knew but now I know that rose trees Never grow in New York city
I used to think you could grow rose trees in New York City, but I learned that you can't.
Oh, until you see this trash can dream come true You stand at the edge while people run you through
Until you experience the harsh reality of this 'trash can dream', you'll never understand how difficult it is and how people are willing to take advantage of you.
And I thank the Lord, there's people out there like you I thank the Lord there's people out there like you
I am grateful that there are kind and compassionate people like you in the world.
While Mona Lisa's and mad hatters Sons of bankers, sons of lawyers Turn around and say "good morning" to the night For unless they see the sky but they can't and that is why They know not if it's dark outside or light
The privileged and sheltered people who come from wealthy families do not understand what it's like to live without access to the outside world and are not aware of the outside conditions.
She packed my bags last night pre-flight Zero hour 9 am, oh yeah I'm gonna be high as a kite by then
I am so excited for my trip and I know I will be soaring emotionally and probably literally due to the nature of my adventure.
I miss the earth so much I miss my wife It's lonely out in space On such a timeless flight, timeless flight
Even though my adventure is thrilling and exciting, I am homesick and miss my wife, and this space travel seems never-ending and never-changing.
And all this science I don't understand (don't, don't understand) It's just my job five days a week (ooh) A rocket man, oh rocket man
I am just a worker who doesn't quite grasp the complexities of this scientific job I do five days a week. I am just a rocket man.
And I think it's gonna be a long long time Till touch down brings me round again to find I'm not the man they think I am at home Oh no I'm a rocket man Rocket man burning out his fuse up here alone, oh yeah
It will be a while before I return to Earth and reconnect with people again. People may have an idea of who I am, but they don't, as I am simply a rocket man, fighting alone with limited resources and facing challenges on this journey.
Mars ain't the kind of place to raise your kids In fact it's cold as hell And there's no one there to raise them if you did
Mars is not a suitable place to bring up children because it's extremely cold and there's no one else to help you raise them.
And I think it's gonna be a long, long time (oh) And I think it's gonna be a long, long time Yeah, I think it's gonna be a long, long time (a long, long time) Yes, I think it's gonna be a long, long time (long, long time)
I have a strong sense that I will be waiting a very long time to return and feel like myself again.
Oh, long, long time Yeah, I think it's gonna be a long, long time Long, long time
It's going to be a long time before I feel connected to the world again and get past the trauma of the experience of space travel.
Mona Lisa's and mad hatters Mona Lisa's and mad hatters Sons of bankers, sons of lawyers Sons of bankers, sons of lawyers Turn around to say good morning to the night
These privileged people are oblivious to the real world and only see what they want to see while acknowledging only that which is comfortable and familiar to them.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BERNIE TAUPIN, ELTON JOHN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind