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.
No Place Called Hell
Scott Matthew Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
AND TELL US THAT OUR THOUGHTS ARE LIES
BECAUSE WE KNOW THERE'S NOTHING ON THE OTHER SIDE
CALLED HELL
AND THEY CAN'T SEEM TO KEEP US DOWN
THEY BREAK OUR LOVELY NECKS BECAUSE WE STUCK THEM OUT
BECAUSE WE DARE TO QUESTION WHAT THE HELL THEY'RE ON ABOUT
ARE YOU SCARED 'CAUSE YOUR LOSING CONTROL
ARE YOU SCARED 'CAUSE YOUR LOSING THAT HOLD
SO BREAK OUR BONES AND BACK. THEY'LL GROW AND DON'T YOU KNOW
THE WORLD YOU THINK YOU OWN
IS ONLY YOURS ON LOAN
DON'T YOU DARE TO KEEP US DOWN
DON'T YOU DARE TO KEEPS US DOWN
ARE YOU SCARED 'CAUSE YOUR LOSING CONTROL
ARE YOU SCARED 'CAUSE YOUR LOSING THAT HOLD
BE PREPARED, YOU'VE BEEN WARNED, YOU'VE BEEN TOLD
ARE YOU SCARED 'CAUSE YOUR LOSING THAT HOLD
The lyrics of Scott Matthew's "No Place Called Hell" reflect a feeling of rebellion and assertion of independence against the status quo. The song starts by mentioning someone or something breaking the ties and telling them that their thoughts are lies. This could be a reference to the powers that be, or the establishment, trying to impose their views and stifle independent thinking. The singer is convinced that there is no place called Hell, and this belief contradicts the mainstream religious belief. This makes them a risk or a threat to the established order, and as a result, they are oppressed and silenced.
The song continues with the singer stating that they are being "kept down" or controlled by those who fear losing their hold on power. The second verse has the singer daring to question authority further, and they stick out their neck despite the threats. The chorus repeats the singer's questioning of authority, and the question itself becomes a sort of defiance. The bridge is more direct in its message, with the singer warning those who are losing their hold on power that they should not dare to keep them down.
Overall, the lyrics of "No Place Called Hell" are a reminder that independent thinking and rebellion are essential to progress and change. The song has a universal appeal in its message that those in power must be careful not to abuse it or else face opposition.
Line by Line Meaning
THEY BREAK OUR TIES
They sever the connections between us
AND TELL US THAT OUR THOUGHTS ARE LIES
And try to convince us that our beliefs are untrue
BECAUSE WE KNOW THERE'S NOTHING ON THE OTHER SIDE
Because we don't believe in the existence of Hell
CALLED HELL
And they can't make us believe in it
AND THEY CAN'T SEEM TO KEEP US DOWN
And their efforts to control us are ineffective
THEY BREAK OUR LOVELY NECKS BECAUSE WE STUCK THEM OUT
They attack us because we refuse to blindly follow their orders
BECAUSE WE DARE TO QUESTION WHAT THE HELL THEY'RE ON ABOUT
Because we have the courage to challenge their authority
AND THEY CAN'T 'SEEM TO KEEP US DOWN
And their attempts to subdue us are unsuccessful
ARE YOU SCARED 'CAUSE YOUR LOSING CONTROL
Are you afraid because you are losing your power over us
ARE YOU SCARED 'CAUSE YOUR LOSING THAT HOLD
Are you afraid because you are losing your grip on us
SO BREAK OUR BONES AND BACK. THEY'LL GROW AND DON'T YOU KNOW
So go ahead and harm us physically - we will heal and become stronger
THE WORLD YOU THINK YOU OWN
The world you believe you have complete control over
IS ONLY YOURS ON LOAN
Is only temporarily in your possession
DON'T YOU DARE TO KEEP US DOWN
Don't even try to suppress us
DON'T YOU DARE TO KEEPS US DOWN
Don't even think about trying to control us
BE PREPARED, YOU'VE BEEN WARNED, YOU'VE BEEN TOLD
Be ready for our resistance, we've already given you fair warning
ARE YOU SCARED 'CAUSE YOUR LOSING THAT HOLD
Are you afraid because you're losing your influence over us
Contributed by Sydney I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
John Carlo Eraña
Your voice is wonderful. 🤩
Emmanuel Q.V.
Wow, amazing!
Ylenia Charcoal
Nice <3 !!
dana-zoe gest
So likeably scary.