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.
Scooby Doo Where Are You?
Matthew Sweet Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We got some work to do now
Scooby-Dooby-Doo, where are you?
We need some help from you now
Come on, Scooby-Doo, I see you
Pretendin' you've got a sliver
But you're not foolin' me 'cause I can see
You know we got a mystery to solve
So, Scooby-Doo, be ready for your act, don't hold back
And Scooby-Doo, if you come through
You're gonna have yourself a Scooby snack
Scooby-Dooby-Doo, here are you
You're ready and you're willin'
Sneakin' down on you, Scooby-Doo
I know we'll catch that villian
Scooby-Dooby-Doo, where are you?
We got some work to do now
Scooby-Dooby-Doo, where are you?
We need some help from you now
Come on, Scooby-Doo, I see you
Pretendin' you've got a sliver
But you're not foolin' me 'cause I can see
The way you shake and shiver
You know we got a mystery to solve
So, Scooby-Doo, be ready for your act, don't hold back
And Scooby-Doo, if you come through
You're gonna have yourself a Scooby snack
Scooby-Dooby-Doo, here are you
You're ready and you're willin'
Sneakin' down on you, Scooby-Doo
I know we'll catch that villian
I know we'll catch that villian
I know we'll catch that villian
The lyrics to Matthew Sweet's song "Scooby Doo Where Are You?" serve as a tribute to the iconic animated series featuring the titular character, Scooby-Doo. The song begins with the familiar catchphrase "Scooby-Dooby-Doo, where are you?" which is immediately followed by an urgent call-to-action. The singer needs help from Scooby and his gang, implying that they are about to embark on a mystery or adventure.
Throughout the song, the singer addresses Scooby directly, encouraging him to do his best and reminding him of the rewards that await him if he succeeds. The chorus is catchy and familiar, with the repetition of the phrase "Scooby-Dooby-Doo" serving as a sort of rallying cry. The lyrics also acknowledge some of Scooby's mannerisms, like his tendency to pretend he has a sliver and his distinctive shaking and shivering.
Overall, the lyrics to "Scooby Doo Where Are You?" capture the fun and excitement of the original cartoon series, while also showcasing Matthew Sweet's talent as a songwriter.
Line by Line Meaning
Scooby-Dooby-Doo, where are you?
Asking for the whereabouts of Scooby and hinting that there is work to be done
We got some work to do now
Implying that there is a task that requires attention
Scooby-Dooby-Doo, where are you?
Repeating the initial question in case there was no response
We need some help from you now
Stressing that the work cannot be done alone and that Scooby's assistance is required
Come on, Scooby-Doo, I see you
Noticing Scooby's presence and approaching him
Pretendin' you've got a sliver
Suggesting that Scooby may be pretending to be unwell to avoid the task
But you're not foolin' me 'cause I can see
Expressing confidence in being able to see through Scooby's act
The way you shake and shiver
Noticing the physical signs of Scooby's nervousness
You know we got a mystery to solve
Reminding Scooby of the task ahead
So, Scooby-Doo, be ready for your act, don't hold back
Encouraging Scooby to put on a good performance and not to hold back
And Scooby-Doo, if you come through
Offering the possibility of a reward if Scooby performs well
You're gonna have yourself a Scooby snack
Stating that the reward will be a Scooby snack
Scooby-Dooby-Doo, here are you
Noticing that Scooby is now present and available for the task
You're ready and you're willin'
Noting that Scooby seems ready and willing to start the task
Sneakin' down on you, Scooby-Doo
Notifying Scooby that they will be sneaking around to catch the culprit
I know we'll catch that villian
Expressing confidence that they will solve the mystery and apprehend the perpetrator
I know we'll catch that villian
Repeating the claim with greater confidence
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BEN RALEIGH, DAVID MOOK
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ajay Blake
I'm 43 years old and still listen with pride too! 😁👍
Жека Чередниченко
Барабанщик великолепен! Есть сомнения, что он вообще не с нашей планеты!=)
Charles Dodimead
One of the sickest records to EVER drop.
Morning Glass
Saturday Morning cartoons was my joy to Friday night. Waking up early to Saturday Morning cartoons. Simple life as a kid.
Maxwell Harris
The only day worth getting up early for
onebigusdorkus
Love the drum fills on this cover. He should redo this one with Hoffs.
crescentfreshbret
onebigusdorkus I'm guessing it's Velvet Crush's Rick Menck, who's drummed for Matthew for years. He's a great drummer.
eyemalien
the CD booklet says the drummer for this track is Stuart Johnson
rh3
I still have this cassette. Bought this cassette on 1995 when i was elementry school, listen with my walkman on public transportation when i back from school.. oh what a memories
Rosa Iglarsh
Can I ask what city you grew up in?