Jones began performing in 1997, debuting at Eddie's Attic in Decatur, GA, but he soon relocated to Nashville. In 2000 he released Nowhere Else But Here followed by an EP, For the Road, in 2003. Released in 2006, Throwing Punches in the Dark was produced by Neilson Hubbard (Glen Phillips, Garrison Star) and met with high critical praise. Jones re-teamed with Hubbard for Swallow the Sea, which was released in 2008. His music has found a home on Film and TV with over 30 placements on shows such as Grey's Anatomy, Bones, One Tree Hill, Pretty Liars & Private Practice.
MPJ has shared the stage with Shawn Colvin, Patty Griffin, Paula Cole, as well as being a staple feature in the nationally acclaimed "Ten Out of Tenn. Collective" with fellow artists, Katie Herzig, Erin McCarley, Butterfly Boucher, Andrew Belle and others.
Jones released his third full-length record, Land of the Living, on May 29, 2012.
Jones released The Waking Hours in September 2018.
Website https://www.mpjmusic.com/
All The King's Horses
Matthew Perryman Jones Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I won't cry
No, I won't cry
She whispered the verdict
I won't fight
No, I won't fight
Wars like these
Come to wreck and waste
The years we build
We can't replace
Retelling stories in the dark
That's where it starts
Rewind the memories that never stop
They never stop
Wars like these
Are a wreck and a waste
The years we build
We can't replace
Did you hear our voices
And all the King's horses
Did the warning wash off the wall
On these wheels of worn tread
And all the words we said
Could one like you ever fall
Could one like you ever fall
The song All The King's Horses by Matthew Perryman Jones is a beautiful and poignant composition that speaks about losing a loved one and the pain that comes with it. The song opens with the lines "She finally broke it, I won't cry, no I won't cry, She whispered the verdict, I won't fight, no I won't fight." These lines suggest that the singer's loved one has just ended their relationship, and the singer has decided not to fight it or cry about it. The singer goes on to talk about how wars like these come to wreck and waste the years we build, and we can't replace the time lost. The metaphor of war here speaks to the emotional toll that the end of a relationship can take on someone.
The second verse begins with the line "Retelling stories in the dark, that's where it starts, rewind the memories that never stop, they never stop." This is a particularly powerful line, suggesting that the singer is without a doubt going to remember every detail of their time with this person, even if their relationship is over. The chorus repeats the idea that wars like these are a wreck and a waste, and the time we build can't be replaced. The particularly impactful line in the chorus is "Did you hear our voices and all the King's horses, did the warning wash off the wall." This line suggests that there were perhaps warnings that the end was near, but they went unheeded.
In conclusion, All The King's Horses by Matthew Perryman Jones is a powerful reminder of the emotional impact that the end of a relationship can have. It speaks to the pain of losing someone you love and the need to accept that sometimes, there is nothing left to do but move on. It is a beautiful and touching composition that is sure to resonate with anyone who has ever experienced the end of a meaningful relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
She finally broke it
The relationship has come to an end, likely due to her breaking up with him.
I won't cry
No, I won't cry
He is trying to show that he's strong and won't allow himself to show any tears or weakness.
She whispered the verdict
I won't fight
No, I won't fight
The breakup was mutual, as neither party is willing to fight for the relationship or try to convince the other to stay.
Wars like these
Come to wreck and waste
The years we build
We can't replace
Fighting in relationships only leads to destruction and regret, as the time and memories that were built together can't be replaced.
Retelling stories in the dark
That's where it starts
Rewind the memories that never stop
They never stop
Memories of the good times in the relationship always come back to him, no matter how much time has passed, and are most acute in the dark when he is left alone with his thoughts.
Did you hear our voices
And all the King's horses
Did the warning wash off the wall
He wonders if anyone heard their troubles or concerns, or if they were ignored like the warning that was washed away from a wall.
On these wheels of worn tread
And all the words we said
Could one like you ever fall
He is feeling exhausted and wonders if anyone will be able to live up to the high expectations he had for his partner, and if someone like her could ever be worthy of his love again.
Contributed by Connor S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.