Scott Matthews (born 15 January 1976) is a singer-songwriter from Wolverham… Read Full Bio ↴Scott Matthews (born 15 January 1976) is a singer-songwriter from Wolverhampton, England. His first album Passing Stranger was released in 2006.

At seven years old Matthews aquired his first guitar, a junior-sized 'Kapok' acoustic (which he still has), although things didn’t quite go to plan. It became neglected very early on as the box it came in was shaped like a coffin and therefore scared the hell out of him every time he went near it! For a brief period he moved on to drums, but soon hit his last snare due to the noise factor in the house becoming increasingly unbearable. It all changed when on his eleventh birthday he asked for an electric guitar. His dad duly obliged and brought him a £25 'Kay' guitar complete with a bunch of old records acquired from a relative. Amongst those records was Smash Hits by Jimi Hendrix. This rekindled Matthew's interest in music and he has been playing ever since.

Matthews' inspiration has been drawn from iconic musicians such as The Beatles, Bob Dylan, Led Zeppelin, Joni Mitchell, Marc Bolan, and Joe Satriani. His first real venture into writing music was with his brother Darren, who plays piano and keyboards, delving into the world of instrumental rock. His colourful musical past led him into prior experimentations with funk, indie/rock and soul. His later band Positive Firefly was his first foray into the role of singer/guitarist. With the determination to no longer be pigeonholed as such he left his role of a band member behind and emerged as a solo artist. However, these past experiences laid the foundations for his own unique fusion of folk, and blues rock to materialise.

Matthews first made waves in 2006 with his award winning debut ‘Passing Stranger’, which was followed by ‘Elsewhere’ (2009) and ‘What The Night Delivers’ (2011). Matthews has toured extensively including shows with Robert Plant and Alison Krauss, Foo Fighters and Snow Patrol.

He has received plaudits from all corners including Q magazine who said he was “The most promising home-grown singer/songwriter to emerge in years”, and The Sun saying that ‘It’s no exaggeration to say Scott Matthews is probably the most exciting face of West Midlands Music since Robert Plant’.

Prayers
Scott Matthews Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

What you want is what I need
I'm holding on for the things I believe

I lay on my bed and locked my flat
So I looked to the sky to search your stare
I've been searching
For you in my prayers

What you need is what I want
The same as me, I keep holding on
What you want is what I need
I'm holding on for things I believe

I lay on my bed and locked my flat
So I looked to the sky to search your stare
I've been searching
For you in my prayers

Smoke just flame
Like a transparent gaze
Thought the mist as I a trace
Of such a beautiful face

I'll clear the way for your, your view
I'll make no excuse
Pockets full of abuse
I've been searching for you

I lay on my bed and locked my flat
So I looked to the sky to search your stare
I've been searching
For you in my prayers

Cloudless space, it's a mission I make
I breath free from the haze, and suddenly I'm awake
Into a mind I read, I hear the silence speak
A voice flows like leaves

And settles to my feet
That sadness can be of just you and me

Overall Meaning

The song "Prayers" by Scott Matthews seems to be a yearning for connection and understanding. The repeated lines "What you want is what I need, I'm holding on for things I believe" and "What you need is what I want, the same as me, I keep holding on" suggest a desire for mutual fulfillment and harmony. The image of lying on the bed and searching the sky for a sign or some sort of guidance suggests a feeling of being lost or alone. The search for the other person is framed as a spiritual one, "I've been searching for you in my prayers." So, it seems that the singer sees this connection as something deeper, more eternal, and profound than just a mere physical relationship.

The third verse's imagery of "Smoke just flame, Like a transparent gaze" may refer to a kind of spiritual vision or revelation - something fleeting and elusive but powerful. The lines "Into a mind I read, I hear the silence speak, A voice flows like leaves, And settles to my feet" suggest a kind of meditative state where the singer hears a voice or message from the universe.

Overall, "Prayers" seems to be a song about longing for connection, faith, and hope. The repeated lines and images used to describe the yearning emphasize the depth and persistence of this desire.

Line by Line Meaning

What you want is what I need
I desire exactly what you require

I'm holding on for the things I believe
I'm hoping and persisting for what I consider to be right

I lay on my bed and locked my flat
I rested on my bed and secured my dwelling

So I looked to the sky to search your stare
I peered at the sky searching for your gaze

I've been searching
I've been seeking

For you in my prayers
In my devotions, I've been seeking you

Smoke just flame
Smoke is similar to flames

Like a transparent gaze
Like an unobstructed, clear gaze

Thought the mist as I a trace
I found a hint of something through the fog

Of such a beautiful face
It was the sight of a gorgeous person

I'll clear the way for your, your view
I'll remove obstructions, so you can see