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.

Buried Alive
Scott Matthew Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I'VE MADE A HOLE
I PUT YOU IN
AND FROM A TIME
IT LOOKED LIKE I'D WIN
BUT THAT HOLES A HOME
THERE'S NO CHANGE IN TIME
AND I'M IN THE TOMB
AS WHEN YOU WERE MINE

AND NOW WHAT WE'VE MADE
WILL FRAY AND FADE
BUT I'LL ALWAYS
HEAR IT CRY
LET IT DECAY AWAY
WITH THE PAIN AND THE PRIDE
IT WILL STILL
EAT ME INSIDE
AND I'VE BURIED WHAT HAS DIED
ALIVE

YOU BETTER MARK MY WORDS
CAUSE YOUR PRAYERS WON'T WORK
AND IT'S NEVER SMART TO VOW
DEATH DO US PART
NOW THAT HOLES YOUR HOME
THERE'S NO CHANGE IN TIDE
AND I'M THE TOMB
IT'S AS IF YOU'RE STILL MINE

AND NOW WHAT WE'VE MADE
WILL FRAY AND FADE
BUT I'LL ALWAYS
HEAR IT CRY
LET IT DECAY AWAY
WITH THE PAIN AND THE PRIDE
IT WILL STILL
EAT ME INSIDE

AND I'VE BURIED WHAT HAS DIED
ALIVE

Overall Meaning

In the song "Buried Alive" by Scott Matthews, the lyrics explore the experience of being trapped in a cycle of emotional pain that feels inescapable. The singer speaks of creating a hole, putting someone or something inside of it, and feeling like they had won at one time. However, that same hole now feels like a tomb, trapping the singer in a space that they can't escape. The metaphorical tomb becomes the singer's home, and they can't escape the pain and memories that it brings.

The lyrics point to a growing sense of despair and hopelessness, as the singer describes the pain and pride that eat them alive. Despite the fact that what they have made will "fray and fade," the pain and memories will continue to consume them. The lyrics paint a picture of someone who is living in a state of decay, slowly being consumed by their own emotions.

Overall, the song seems to be about the difficulty of letting go of something or someone that has died. The singer is holding onto the memory of what once was, even as they feel trapped and buried alive by it. The lyrics evoke a sense of longing and regret, as the singer struggles to move on from the past and find a way to live in the present.

Line by Line Meaning

I'VE MADE A HOLE
I created a space where I could put you.

I PUT YOU IN
I placed you inside the hole.

AND FROM A TIME
During a certain period when I had control,

IT LOOKED LIKE I'D WIN
It appeared that I had the upper hand.

BUT THAT HOLES A HOME
However, that hole is now a place of residence.

THERE'S NO CHANGE IN TIME
Despite the passage of time, nothing has changed.

AND I'M IN THE TOMB
I have become like a corpse buried in the ground.

AS WHEN YOU WERE MINE
Just like the time you were under my control.

AND NOW WHAT WE'VE MADE
Our creation,

WILL FRAY AND FADE
is deteriorating and losing strength.

BUT I'LL ALWAYS
Nonetheless, I'll always