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’.
The Fool
Scott Matthews Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What hell with the innocent smile
In a drained state
Filled his breath blow right out the gate
Losing disbelief
Seen his laugh from the way down the street
Finds it hard to breath
Yeah, I only wince at your hell
I was paid to except what was dead
Like a fool I've been fooling myself
Fool like no one else
I'll be the Mars
Losing all control for sure
I'm in debt with pain
I can't bleed no more
If the morning sun
Fills your eyes and it's sun in your laws?
See the clouds face
Raise a smile to the cries that he hates
Only time will tell
If the rose isn't red anymore
And expresses are blank
Then you know who to thank
Who to thank, who to thank
I only wince at your hell
I was paid to except what was dead
Like a fool I've been fooling myself
Fool like no one else
I'll be the Mars?
Losing all control for sure
I'm in debt with pain
I can't bleed no more
The lyrics of "The Fool's Fooling Himself" by Scott Matthews explore the themes of innocence, loss of faith, self-deception, and pain. The song's overall tone is melancholic, with a sense of resignation and acceptance of life's harshness. The opening line, "Oh, friend child, what hell with the innocent smile," could be interpreted as a reference to the loss of childlike wonder and trust that occurs as we grow older and are exposed to the harsh realities of the world. The image of a "drained state" and "breath blow right out the gate" suggests the exhaustion and weariness that can come from struggling to maintain one's innocence and hope in the face of difficult circumstances.
The chorus, "I only wince at your hell, I was paid to except what was dead, like a fool I've been fooling myself, fool like no one else," highlights the idea that we often deceive ourselves into believing that things are better than they really are. The singer acknowledges that he has been fooled by his own illusions and is in some way complicit in his own pain. The line "I'll be the Mars, losing all control for sure, I'm in debt with pain, I can't bleed no more," adds to the sense of hopelessness and despair, suggesting that the singer is no longer in control of his life and is burdened by an overwhelming pain that he cannot escape from.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, friend child
Scott Matthews is addressing someone he cares about
What hell with the innocent smile
Despite looking innocent and happy, this person is going through something difficult
In a drained state
They are exhausted and worn down
Filled his breath blow right out the gate
They are pushing through their struggles with determination and strength
Losing disbelief
They are starting to doubt themselves and their ability to overcome their challenges
Seen his laugh from the way down the street
Their pain is visible to others, even from a distance
Finds it hard to breath
Their struggles are taking a physical and emotional toll
When you're a shot from the dead-end sleeve
They feel trapped and like there's no way out of their situation
Yeah, I only wince at your hell
Scott is acknowledging the person's pain and struggle
I was paid to except what was dead
He may have been paid to overlook the dark truth of their situation
Like a fool I've been fooling myself
Scott is admitting that he ignored the person's pain and their need for help
Fool like no one else
He feels particularly foolish for not seeing the situation clearly and helping sooner
I'll be the Mars
Scott is willing to be a friend and guiding light
Losing all control for sure
He is willing to take risks and go the extra mile for this person
I'm in debt with pain
Scott may be feeling guilty for not being there sooner or not recognizing the person's suffering
I can't bleed no more
He has given all he can and can no longer ignore the person's pain
If the morning sun
Scott is trying to give hope and possibility to the person
Fills your eyes and it's sun in your laws?
Things may look brighter and better soon
See the clouds face
He wants the person to look at the bigger picture
Raise a smile to the cries that he hates
Find joy despite the sadness and pain
Only time will tell
It may take time to heal and recover
If the rose isn't red anymore
If life has lost its color and vibrancy
And expresses are blank
If the person is feeling numb and disconnected
Then you know who to thank
Then it's time to reach out for help and support
Who to thank, who to thank
Don't be afraid to ask for help and support
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: SCOTT MATTHEWS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@andrewmakings452
Scott should've been massive. His sound is one in a million. But as it is he's made (and is still making) some of the best albums ever created, so that's what will count in the long run.
@Pipixcan69
This talented Brummie is so underated.
@rinkam2
scott rules
@mw2663
Pure class.
@sicog72
love See the clown's face Raise a smile to the crowds that he hates Only time will tell If the rose isn't red anymore And expressions are blank Then you know who to thank, who to thank, who to thank (Chorus)
@rinkam2
i was listening and reading at the same time, and your notes matched with the music... great!
@georgydoors
And the rest... If the morning sun fills your eyes then it’s something you love See the clowns face raise a smile to the crowds that he hates Only time will tell if the rose isn’t red anymore And expressions are blank then you’ll know who to thank
@georgydoors
Cracking song! Here's the lyrics. Old frail child White hair with the innocent smile In a drained state Felt his breath blow right out the gate Lives in disbelief Seen his life run away down the street Finds it hard to breathe While you’re in shock from the jealous thief I’m only a wish in your well I was paid to accept what was dealt Like a fool I’ve been fooling myself A fool like no one else I bleed remorse I’m losing all control for sure I’m in debt with pain I can’t bleed no more
@georgydoors
Ah yeah, I know. It's just that at the bottom 'TheRidiculousSublime' has just noted 'lyrics are best I can make out, corrections welcome'. So I did just that :-)
@sicog72
Oh, fair child White hair with an innocent smile In a dream state Felt his breath blow right out the gate Lives in disbelief See his life from way down the street Finds it hard to breathe When you're in shock from the jealousy I only wish at your well I was paid to accept what was dealt Like a fool, I've been fooling myself Fool like no one else I bleed remorse Losing all control for sure I'm in debt with pain I can bleed no more If the morning sun Fills your eyes Then it's something you lov