As a young musician wanting to make a name for himself, Sweet set off to Athens, Georgia in the mid '80s, to attend college and join the vibrant Athens music scene, most famous as the home base for R.E.M. and The B-52's. Sweet worked with R.E.M. leader Michael Stipe at this time, joining Stipe's sister in a band called Oh-OK and then forming another band, The Buzz of Delight. Before long he was signed to a solo recording contract with Columbia Records.
One album, Inside, was released by Columbia in 1986 to little success.
Sweet was then picked up by A&M Records where he released his second album, Earth (1989), again without commercial success. This period marked a personal and professional low point for Sweet, as A&M lost interest and his marriage failed.
Sweet quickly recovered, and put together a new band including Richard Lloyd, Robert Quine, Greg Leisz, Lloyd Cole, and Fred Maher. The new group spent 1990 putting together Sweet's next work, originally titled Nothing Lasts.
In 1990, A&M released Sweet from his contract, and he signed with rival Zoo Entertainment. The album, still under construction, was retitled Girlfriend and released in October 1991. This album featured a classic set of pop-rock songs, was considered by many to be an artistic breakthrough and quickly garnered impressive U.S. sales (spawning a top-10 single with the title track). The video for the title track was aired on MTV and MuchMusic and features Japanese animation (commonly known as "anime"), of which Sweet is a fan. The animated clips in the video for "Girlfriend" are taken from the movie Space Adventure Cobra, and the video for "I've Been Waiting" uses clips of the show Urusei Yatsura featuring the character Lum, of whom Sweet has a tattoo.
Sweet's follow-up album, 1993's Altered Beast, was borne out of an apparent determination not to become mainstream. A more diverse and less immediately accessible album than Girlfriend, the album divided fans and critics who had mixed reactions to emotionally intense and brooding tracks like "Someone to Pull the Trigger" and "Knowing People."
In 1995, Sweet released, 100% Fun, a darkly ironic title alluding to a quotation from Kurt Cobain's suicide note: "The worst crime I could think of would be to pull people off by faking it, pretending as if I'm having 100% fun." The album mixed bouncy pop style with darker lyrics, including a leadoff track, the self-deprecating "Sick of Myself". The track has frequently been covered live by fellow '90s power poppers The Posies.
Decidedly out of the musical mainstream, Sweet would issue a few more albums in the second half of the decade and maintain a devoted core of fans, but critical acclaim and chart success would be hard to come by.
Sweet's international success had been somewhat limited by his fear of flying; however he gained a significant following in Japan and his most recent album, Kimi Ga Suki * Raifu, was a Japan-only release in 2003.
In 2000, Sweet worked with the Canadian band Delerium, to release the song "Daylight" that appears in their album Poem.
In early 2002 he formed the supergroup The Thorns with Shawn Mullins and Pete Droge.
He released a new album of solo material, Living Things in late 2004, though the material on the album was recorded in 2002.
In April 2006 he partnered with Bangles lead singer Susanna Hoffs to release a collection of 1960's classics, titled Under The Covers. Featuring their take on such widely known '60s hits as "Monday, Monday," and "The Kids Are Alright", the album represented a return to the accessible and melodic approach associated with Sweet's early breakthroughs.
He is featured in the release in November of 2006 of the Activision and Red Octane Play Station 2 game, Guitar Hero 2. His hit song "Girlfriend" is featured on the hit game.
Holy War
Matthew Sweet Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In a world that takes back all that it gives
But I do not want a war
'Cause I'm not in for killing another man
Defending my holy land
As if there's a god who would understand
With your blood by my own hand
At Allah's own command
At Allah's own command
I've spent twenty years learning to live
In a world that takes back all that it gives
But I do not want a war
I don't know what's going on
In the scenes behind
I worry about it some of the time
And I hope there's not a war
'Cause I'm not in for killing another man
Defending my holy land
As if there's a god who would understand
And I would walk across highways
To find my fate
If that might settle your crude debate
But I do not want a war
'Cause I'm not in for killing another man
Defending my holy land
As if there's a god who would understand
Feeding the promised land
With your blood by my own hand
At allah's own command
At allah's own command
I came up from the desert and here I will die
Tooth for tooth and an eye for an eye
Though I didn't want a war
I went in for killing another man
Defending my holy land
As if there's a god who would understand
As if there's a god who would understand
I went in for killing another man
Defending my holy land
As if there's a god who would understand
As if there's a god who would understand
Oh yeah...
In Matthew Sweet's song Holy War, the lyrics speak about the conflict in the Middle East, particularly the idea of fighting for religious or holy reasons. The song is a reflection on the idea of war and how it affects people's lives in the 21st century. The lyrics state that the world takes back all that it gives, and that after twenty years of learning to live in such a world, one does not want a war. The singer does not want to kill another man, even though it may seem necessary to defend one's holy land, as it has become ingrained in many societies and religious beliefs. However, they do not believe that such a war is necessary for a god to approve.
The first verse highlights the idea of learning how to survive in a world that does not always give back what is taken. The lyrics say that the world takes back all that it gives. Despite this, the singer does not want to be a part of a war because they believe that killing another human being in defense of one's land or religion is not necessary. The lyrics suggest that it is pointless to engage in such acts because no god would understand why a person had to kill another individual in defense of one's beliefs. In the second verse, the lyrics express concern about the situation in the Middle East and hope that there will not be a war. The singer still believes that killing another person in defense of their beliefs is wrong, even if it means walking across highways to end conflicts.
Line by Line Meaning
I've spent twenty years learning to live
The singer has had to learn how to survive in a challenging, often harsh world for the past two decades.
In a world that takes back all that it gives
This world seems to be one where there is little justice, and what is given to people is often taken away just as easily.
But I do not want a war
The singer does not wish for violent conflict of any kind.
'Cause I'm not in for killing another man
The artist does not want to take another person's life.
Defending my holy land
Some people might believe that what they are defending is sacred, valuable, or essential to their way of life.
As if there's a god who would understand
The singer seems to scoff at the idea that a deity would condone or support any kind of violent action.
Feeding the promised land
Some kind of territory, location, or idea is being fought over or protected.
With your blood by my own hand
Those who fight may end up harming each other with weapons, knives, or other tools that may draw blood.
At Allah's own command
The artist seems to be acknowledging a Muslim perspective or philosophy in this lyric, though it may be intended as metaphorical or symbolic.
I don't know what's going on
The artist is not entirely sure of what is happening or why there may be conflict brewing.
In the scenes behind
The singer is referring to the kind of activity, plotting, or preparation that might be happening behind the scenes, beyond their awareness.
I worry about it some of the time
Even though the artist does not want a war, they are nonetheless aware or concerned about the threats and dangers that conflict can bring.
And I hope there's not a war
The singer hopes for peace and calm, and does not want to see any violent or dangerous conflicts arise.
And I would walk across highways
The singer is willing to go to great lengths, even taking risks or enduring hardships, if doing so would help resolve the issues or conflict at hand.
To find my fate
The singer seems to have accepted that whatever happens will happen, but they may seek purpose, meaning, or resolution nonetheless.
If that might settle your crude debate
The fighting or conflict may have originated from opposing viewpoints or disagreements, which the artist sees as simplistic, lacking nuance or respect.
But I do not want a war
The artist repeats that they do not want violence or chaos of any kind.
I came up from the desert and here I will die
The singer may be referring to their origins or cultural heritage as something that may be in danger, or to the idea that life is fragile or temporary.
Tooth for tooth and an eye for an eye
The singer may be referencing the biblical concept of justice, but acknowledges that it could easily escalate into a never-ending cycle of violence.
Though I didn't want a war
The artist laments that they are now embroiled in conflict, despite never seeking it out and only wanting peace.
As if there's a god who would understand
The artist repeats their disdain for religious conflict or violence.
Oh yeah...
The song ends abruptly, perhaps implying a sense of uncertainty or instability that persists despite the artist's hopes for peace.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: MATTHEW SWEET
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Tman Utube
A hidden gem on a brilliant album. Inspired guitar work too.
Tony Rodrigues
Awesome song, always one of my favs
James Locker
I hadn't heard this in forever, I had it on a cassette tape =back when it came out (itmay be in a box somewhere... One other thing I'd forgotten was that this song was one that - if you listen closely you can tell = "needs more cowbell!" 😉
ScreamToASigh
I had the CD 😊
James Andres
One of the most complete albums ever recorded.
Cliff Cliff
Love this song
talleywho
Thumbs up if your good taste in music brought you here!!!!!!!!!
Rob Tancredi
Genius !
Ben Kasameyer
Anyone here has good taste. I'd buy any of you a beer.
wingracer 16
Thank you, I could use a beer as I'm out. I'll pour us both a whisky instead.