Phosphorescent is the solo project of American musician and songwriter Matt… Read Full Bio ↴Phosphorescent is the solo project of American musician and songwriter Matthew Houck (born 1980 in Alabama). Houck began recording and performing under this nom de plume in 2001 in Athens, Georgia, USA. He is currently based in Brooklyn, New York.

Before recording under the name Phosphorescent, Houck traveled the world playing under the moniker Fillup Shack and, in 2000, self-released a limited pressing of the album "Hipolit". In 2001 Houck changed his recording name to Phosphorescent, and, in 2003, released the full-length album "A Hundred Times or More". Interestingly, in the liner notes of the album, Fillup Shack is credited with the drum recordings. The following year, he released the EP "The Weight of Flight".

Phosphorescent rose to wider critical acclaim after releasing "Aw Come Aw Wry" in August 2005 and "Pride" in October 2007. The latter was named the 12th best album of 2007 by Stylus Magazine and received a 8.0 rating from indie website Pitchfork Media. In 2009, inspired by Willie Nelson's tribute album to Lefty Frizzell entitled "To Lefty From Willie", Houck crafted a tribute album to Nelson himself entitled "To Willie" which was released through Dead Oceans. Phosphorescent released "Here's to Taking It Easy" in 2010 and "Muchacho" in 2013.

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Phosphorescent Lyrics

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The sky tonight at sundown looked like god himself
Feeding diamonds to his horses made of gold
And the secret here you know is that I love you so
But I don't want your heart to know

These darkened city sidewalks get so cold I know
When you're walking and you've got no one at all
But I saw holes beside my feet and they've got lights beneath the street

So as not to stumble into darkness when we fall

I found that just behind the speakers you can hold the song
And then live inside there never all alone
Would you really call me home just to break my bones
Would you really not forgive me when I go

The sky tonight at sundown looked like god himself
Feeding diamonds to his horses made of gold

And the secret here you know is that I love you so
But I don't want your heart to know

Overall Meaning

In "When We Fall," Phosphorescent (Matthew Houck) reflects on the beauty of the world around him while grappling with complex emotions. The opening lines describe the beauty of the sky at sundown, painting a vivid image of a divine event. Houck imagines that God is feeding diamonds to his horses, which are made of gold. This use of metaphor reveals the singer's awe and wonder at the world around him. However, the singer is not merely admiring the world; he's also struggling with his own emotions. He declares his love for someone but is hesitant to let them know how he feels. The secret of his love is safe in his heart, but he does not want his beloved to know.

As the song continues, Houck turns his attention to the harsh reality of the world. The sidewalks of the city are cold, and it's easy to feel alone when you're walking without anyone by your side. The singer, however, sees hope in the holes in the street that have lights beneath them. They serve as a reminder that even when we stumble and fall, there is always a way to navigate the darkness. The metaphor of stumbling represents the unforeseen obstacles that we all face in life. The lights beneath the street represent the support systems that we have, even when we can't see them.

The song ends with the singer asking a series of questions, suggesting a sense of uncertainty and vulnerability. He wonders if someone would really call him home just to break his bones, and if they would not forgive him when he goes. These questions suggest a fear of intimacy and a desire for connection.

Overall, "When We Fall" is a song that examines the beauty of the world alongside the complexities of human emotion. It's a reflection on the joys and challenges of being human, and the importance of finding connections even in the face of adversity.

Line by Line Meaning

The sky tonight at sundown looked like god himself
The stunning sky at sunset resembled a scene of divinity.

Feeding diamonds to his horses made of gold
The beauty of the sky was like a divine being feeding precious elements to their majestic horses.

And the secret here you know is that I love you so
The singer has a deep affection for the listener, and this is a secret that the listener is aware of.

But I don't want your heart to know
The artist is hesitant to reveal their love to the listener, possibly for fear of rejection.

These darkened city sidewalks get so cold I know
The artist is aware of how lonely and cold city sidewalks can feel.

When you're walking and you've got no one at all
The singer is empathetic toward those who may be walking alone.

But I saw holes beside my feet and they've got lights beneath the street
The singer has noticed helpful lights along the sidewalk to prevent people from tripping and falling into holes or other hazards.

So as not to stumble into darkness when we fall
The lights serve the purpose of keeping people safe and preventing them from falling into the darkness.

I found that just behind the speakers you can hold the song
The artist has discovered that there is a way to fully immerse oneself in a song and feel less alone.

And then live inside there never all alone
By holding onto the song, the artist feels less lonely and can even feel as though they are living inside the music itself.

Would you really call me home just to break my bones
The singer questions whether the listener would intentionally hurt them, even after inviting them back home.

Would you really not forgive me when I go
The artist is concerned that the listener may hold a grudge or not forgive them when they inevitably leave.

Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: MATTHEW HOUCK

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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