Moby found commercial and critical success with his fifth album Play (1999), which, after receiving little recognition, became an unexpected global hit in 2000 after each track was licensed to films, television shows, and commercials. It remains his highest selling album with 12 million copies sold. Its seventh single, "South Side", featuring Gwen Stefani, remains his only one to appear on the US Billboard Hot 100, reaching No. 14. Moby followed Play with albums of varied styles including electronic, dance, rock, and downtempo music, starting with 18 (2002), Hotel (2005), and Last Night (2008). His later albums saw him explore ambient music, including the almost four-hour release Long Ambients 1: Calm. Sleep. (2016). Moby continues to record and release albums; his twenty-first studio album, Resound NYC, was released in May 2023.
In addition to his music career, Moby is known for his veganism and support for animal rights and humanitarian aid. He was the owner of TeaNY, a vegan cafe in Manhattan, and Little Pine, a vegan restaurant in Los Angeles, and organized the vegan music and food festival Circle V. He is the author of four books, including a collection of his photography and two memoirs: Porcelain: A Memoir (2016) and Then It Fell Apart (2019).
Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moby
Discography
Moby (1992)
Ambient (1993)
Everything Is Wrong (1995)
Animal Rights (1996)
Play (1999)
18 (2002)
Hotel (2005)
Last Night (2008)
Wait for Me (2009)
Destroyed (2011)
Innocents (2013)
Long Ambients 1: Calm. Sleep. (2016)
These Systems Are Failing (2016)
More Fast Songs About the Apocalypse (2017)
Everything Was Beautiful, and Nothing Hurt (2018)
Long Ambients 2 (2019)
All Visible Objects (2020)
Live Ambient Improvised Recordings Vol. 1 (2020)
Reprise (2021)
Ambient 23 (2023)
Resound NYC (2023)
Machete
Moby Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Took the needles from my arms and put them to the sky
Watched the cold come take me pull me down like I did know
I saw it gone
Hold myself up til tomorrow holds me down again
Feel the darkness coming over see how it begins
Come with me into the willow garden out tonight
Help me life was over love I want to had you in my sights
See and I was overlooked I had you in my hands
Like a lid of no survivors nothing I don't mind
Help me broken baby help me break you with my mind.
The lyrics of Moby’s song “Machete” are mysterious and haunting, bringing a sense of darkness and desperation. The opening lines describe the feeling of being so cold and helpless that death seems imminent. The singer is in a dark place, struggling with addiction and depression, and contemplating suicide. However, there is also a glimmer of hope and redemption, as the singer puts the needles aside and looks up to the sky.
The next verse talks about the darkness coming over and how it begins, hinting at the troubles and challenges that the singer is facing in life. The mention of the willow garden adds to the poetic imagery and the sense of foreboding. The moon, another symbol of light and hope, is said to touch the singer with its light, hinting at the possibility of salvation and spiritual transformation.
The final lines of the song are the most disturbing, as the singer seems to be asking for help but also threatening to harm others. The theme of brokenness is prominent throughout the song, with the singer feeling broken and wanting to break others with his mind.
Overall, “Machete” is a deeply existential and introspective song, exploring themes of mortality, addiction, and mental illness. It is a song that invites listeners to reflect on their own struggles and find hope and strength in their darkest moments.
Line by Line Meaning
Yesterday I felt so cold I felt like I could die
I was extremely cold and thought that I might not survive the situation.
Took the needles from my arms and put them to the sky
I ceased drug usage and sought divine intervention instead.
Watched the cold come take me pull me down like I did know
I observed the harsh realities of life engulfing me even though I was aware of them beforehand.
I saw it gone
I witnessed everything vanish.
Hold myself up til tomorrow holds me down again
I brace myself for future challenges that may befall me.
Feel the darkness coming over see how it begins
I sense impending negativity that is slowly starting to manifest.
Come with me into the willow garden out tonight
Join me in my attempt to escape reality and enter a peaceful state of mind.
Feel the darkness come my moon will touch you with its light
You will experience the negativity that is radiating from me, even though I appear calm and composed outside.
Help me life was over love I want to had you in my sights
My life was almost cut short, and I wish to express my love for you before it's too late.
See and I was overlooked I had you in my hands
I had you in my grip, but still, I was ignored and neglected.
Like a lid of no survivors nothing I don't mind
I am indifferent to the consequences of my actions, even if it results in the extinction of living beings.
Help me broken baby help me break you with my mind.
I require external support and guidance, and I aim to control and dominate you mentally and emotionally.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: RICHARD MELVILLE HALL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@hansmaulwurf1777
Yesterday I felt so cold and I felt like I could die
Took the needles from my arms and put them to the sky
Watch the cold come take me pull me down like I did know
I saw it gone
I saw it gone
I saw it gone
I saw it gone
Hold myself up til tomorrow, holds me down again
Feel the darkness coming over, see how it begins
Come with me into the willow garden out tonight
Feel the darkness come, my moon will touch you with its light
Help, my life was over love, I want to had you in my sights
See(?) and I was overlooked, I held you in my hands
Like a lid of no survivors, nothing I don't mind
Help me broken baby, help me break you with my mind
With my mind
With my mind
With my mind
With my mind
@KylJak
Yesterday I felt so cold I felt like I could die
Took the needles from my arms and put them to the sky
Watched the cold come take me pull me down like I did know
I saw it gone
I saw it gone
I saw it gone
I saw it gone
Hold myself up ‘til tomorrow holds me down again
Feel the darkness coming over see how it begins
Come with me into the willow garden out tonight
Feel the darkness come my moon will touch you with its light
eybdoog yas ot evah I (“I have to say goodbye” reversed)
Help me life was over love I want to had you in my sights
See and I was overlooked I had you in my hands
Like a lid of no survivors nothing I don't mind
Help me broken baby help me break you with my mind
With my mind
With my mind
With my mind
With my mind
@jaimiehouck8537
Who agrees with me that this is the best workout/running song? I get a amazing Adrenaline rush listening to this!
@galwiththebraids
Yes!
@siobhanstrauss8492
I can use my mind to learn physics and maths. Yes , even me 👩🎨
@ChrisWilson-te3tp
Yes absolutely 👌 also on a long night driving journey is perfect, great song ❤
@dandyweasle2233
Under appreciated? This album was MASSIVE! Heard it in every pub, in every restaurant and played at every party, everyone had it and played it to death This album was not under appreciated. It went on to become the greatest selling album of all time.
@juggernautproduktion
dandy weasle haha I know right. Don’t know where you are bro but I’m in Australia and definitely agree. I was 12 when this came out and ALL radio stations played it. Cars driving past. Music video programs at the time. Parties in my teens. Movies. Fuck the list just goes on hey. And still, one of the best albums ever. I’m a massive metal head and extreme music fan, but this is timeless. Peace
@seungminwhatisyourproblem
Lmao it's not the greatest selling album of all time get your facts straight.
@j.d.714
It depends on region. Growing up in the US, 18 ended up more popular than Play. I did get to hear Porcelain on the radio once and saw the video for South Side once but that was it.
@Kidahl
This song introduced me to entirely new levels of emotional intensity
@Kidahl
@d awesome tips and will do. Many thanks!