Scott Matthew is a vocalist and lyricist born in Queensland, Australia, who… Read Full Bio ↴Scott Matthew is a vocalist and lyricist born in Queensland, Australia, who currently resides in New York City. The popularity of Shortbus by director John Cameron Mitchell has brought Matthew to the attention of a larger audience as Matthew's music is featured extensively in the movie soundtrack. He also acted in the movie, playing his songs for the eclectic Shortbus club's patrons.

He is perhaps most known for his vocal performances for Yoko Kanno for her Cowboy Bebop: Knockin' on Heaven's Door and Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex soundtracks. However, he is also known amongst Morrissey fans by being part of the former band Elva Snow which boasted both Matthew’s vocals and ex-Morrissey member Spencer Cobrin as drummer and composer.

His albums are Scott Matthew (album) (2007), Silent Nights EP (2008) and There Is An Ocean That Divides (2009).

Also to note: Matthew is sometimes credited as "Scotty Matthew", and is occasionally miscredited as having the last name Matthews, and as such is not to be confused with the British-born singer/songwriter Scott Matthews.

Black Bird
Scott Matthew Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I'M A LITTLE BLACK BIRD
NESTLED IN THE DARK
YOU TELL ME THERE'S AN OUTSIDE
WORLD
HURRICANES AND SPARKS

I'M A LITTLE BLACK BIRD
NESTLED IN YOUR PALM

YOU TELL ME THERE'S AN OUTSIDE
WORLD
I'M SURE IT CAN'T BE AS WARM

I DON'T WANT TO LEARN TO FLY

IF I WANT THE ANSWERS TO THOUSANDS OF QUESTIONS
TELL ME TO
THROW THEM TO THE WIND
I THINK WE'VE FOUND THE ONE
SOLUTION
TO A THOUSAND QUESTIONS
HELP ME CLIP MY WINGS

I DON'T 'WANT TO LEARN TO FLY
THAT WOULD MEAN I'D SAY GOODBYE

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Scott Matthew's song "Black Bird" convey a sense of comfort and safety in familiar surroundings, while also expressing a fear of the unknown outside world. The singer is represented as a little black bird, nestled in darkness, and resistant to leaving the safety of the palm of the listener's hand. The outside world is depicted as being tumultuous, with its hurricanes and sparks, creating a sense of danger that contrasts with the warmth and security found in the palm of the listener's hand.

The singer is not interested in learning how to fly, as it would mean leaving the safety of the palm, and venturing out into the unknown. In moments of uncertainty, the listener suggests throwing questions to the wind, offering a solution to the singer's anxiety about the unknown. The lyrics suggest that the singer is willing to clip their wings, metaphorically rendering them unable to fly, if it means avoiding the uncertainty and danger of the unknown. The final line of the song is "I don't want to learn to fly, that would mean I'd say goodbye," conveying the sense that the singer is content with remaining safely nestled in the palm, rather than risking the unknown.

Line by Line Meaning

I'M A LITTLE BLACK BIRD
I'm a small, dark-colored bird

NESTLED IN THE DARK
Perched cozily within the darkness

YOU TELL ME THERE'S AN OUTSIDE WORLD
You inform me that there is a world beyond where I currently am

HURRICANES AND SPARKS
This external world is full of dangers, both chaotic and electrifying

I'M A LITTLE BLACK BIRD
Again, emphasizing my identity as a small dark-colored bird

NESTLED IN YOUR PALM
I am now being held gently in the palm of someone's hand

YOU TELL ME THERE'S AN OUTSIDE WORLD
Once more, you remind me of the world beyond your hand

I'M SURE IT CAN'T BE AS WARM
I doubt the external world is as comforting as being warmly held in your palm

I DON'T WANT TO LEARN TO FLY
I have no interest in gaining the ability to fly

IF I WANT THE ANSWERS TO THOUSANDS OF QUESTIONS TELL ME TO
If I have many questions, instruct me to

THROW THEM TO THE WIND
Throw them to the wind as though scattering seeds

I THINK WE'VE FOUND THE ONE SOLUTION
I believe we have discovered the singular answer

TO A THOUSAND QUESTIONS
To thousands of questions previously unanswered

HELP ME CLIP MY WINGS
Please prevent me from having the ability to fly

I DON'T 'WANT TO LEARN TO FLY THAT WOULD MEAN I'D SAY GOODBYE
Learning to fly would require me to leave the comforting sanctuary of your hand, which I am unwilling to do

Contributed by Layla R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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