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/
Out of the Shadows
Matthew Perryman Jones Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Still so far from finding you
I can't see, I dig beneath
The piles of dirt they cover me
Don't let go
Don't let go
We can crawl out out of the shadows
Don't let go
We can find our way back home
Silence keeps our story straight
Fighting for a perfect stake
Wave your flag or I believe
Hope is comfort if not relief
Don't let go
Don't let go
We can crawl out out of the shadows
Don't let go
Don't let go
We can find our way back...
And there's a heart that still can beat
Of every breath that's inside me
And find the spark that's buried deep
And won't go out, so please...
Don't let go
Don't let go
We can crawl out out of the shadows
Don't let go
Don't let go
We can find our way back home
The lyrics of Matthew Perryman Jones's song Out of the Shadows suggest a theme of longing and desperation. The singer in the song is unable to rest or sleep due to the overwhelming desire to find someone who they have lost. They appear to be on a quest to unearth this person who has been buried beneath “piles of dirt.” There is a yearning to cling to hope and possibility, and to not let go. The repeated lines "Don't let go, we can crawl out of the shadows" emphasize the importance of perseverance and determination in this journey.
As the lyrics progress, it becomes evident that the singer is searching for a way to end the silence between them and this person. There seems to be some sort of conflict or disagreement that has occurred in their relationship, but despite the odds, the singer is willing to fight for a solution. The line "Wave your flag or I believe" suggests that both parties need to show their commitment and willingness to work towards resolution. The final verse conveys a sense of optimism, with the singer stating that they still have the strength to keep going, and to find the hidden spark of hope that lies within them.
Line by Line Meaning
I can't sleep in this room
I'm unable to sleep comfortably in this place or be at ease
Still so far from finding you
I haven't found you yet, even though I'm trying
I can't see, I dig beneath
I can't see clearly, so I have to search deep and analyze things
The piles of dirt they cover me
Obstacles and difficulties constantly hold me back
Don't let go
Don't give up or abandon the situation
We can crawl out out of the shadows
There's a way to move out of the darkness into the light
We can find our way back home
We have the power to return to a familiar and comfortable place
Silence keeps our story straight
Our story remains unchanged if we choose to stay silent
Fighting for a perfect stake
Striving to obtain the ultimate reward or prize
Wave your flag or I believe
Make your intentions and beliefs clear so I can trust you
Hope is comfort if not relief
Even just having hope can be comforting in difficult times
And there's a heart that still can beat
There's still a part of me that has a chance to survive and thrive
Of every breath that's inside me
With every breath I take, I keep going and stay alive
And find the spark that's buried deep
Discover the source of the energy that lies deep within me
And won't go out, so please...
I don't want this energy to fade away, so please don't let it
Contributed by Ryan N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.