Since 2006, Matsson has released four full-length albums and two EPs. He records and produces these in his home, and usually records his voice and guitar together on one track. He is known both by his fans and his enemies for his charismatic stage presence.
Critics have compared The Tallest Man on Earth to Bob Dylan both in terms of songwriting ability and vocal style. When asked about his lyrical style, Matsson explains that he began listening to Bob Dylan at fifteen, and upon hearing Dylan's cover material, he "tried to figure out where those songs came from" and became slowly exposed to early American folk, such as Pete Seeger and Woody Guthrie. But he is careful to qualify this, saying "I don't consider my work to be a part of any tradition. This is how I play. This is how I write songs."
With regard to his guitar technique, Matsson uses a variety of open tunings, and standard tuning to a lesser degree. He had classical guitar training in his youth, but says he "never really focused on it" and that by the end of high school he "got bored playing guitar because it was like math", until he then discovered open tunings while listening to Nick Drake in his early twenties. He was drawn to this style of playing because it allowed him to focus on singing while still performing intricate music.
He was previously married to Amanda Bergman, also known by the stage name Idiot Wind. Together, they wrote the music for the Swedish drama film Once a Year.
Burden of Tomorrow
The Tallest Man on Earth Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Where I was lost but left to trace
By carving riddles on the lonesome vine.
Oh but rumor has it that I wasn't born,
I just walked in one frosty morn.
Into the vision of some vacant mind.
And once I called the shadow in the turning game
But I will fight this stranger that you should fear
So I won't be a burden of tomorrow dear
Aw Xavier's on the border of the sun
Swings on the chambers of your guns.
And tries to shoot the chord and light the path.
Aw but hell I'm just a blind man on the plains,
I drink my water when it rains,
And live by chance among the lightning strikes.
Oh once I held a glacier to an open flame
And once I felt like wildcat in the fallen game.
But I will fight this stranger that you should fear
So I won't be a burden of tomorrow dear.
Oh the singers on the edge to feed the canyons mouth
They will go on forever til they sing you out of time.
But I will fight this stranger that you should fear
So I won't be a burden of tomorrow dear.
The Tallest Man on Earth's song "Burden of Tomorrow" is a poetic reflection on the struggle of finding one's place in the world and the fear of becoming a burden on others in the future. The singer of the song is searching for a lonesome place where they feel lost and uncertain, carving riddles on a vine as they go. The idea that the singer was not born but simply walked into existence adds a sense of surrealism to the lyrics, suggesting an otherworldly quality to their search.
The second verse introduces Xavier, who is described as being "on the border of the sun" and attempting to shoot the chord and light the path. This enigmatic line could be interpreted as a reference to someone trying to achieve something impossible or transcendental, while the singer feels like a "blind man on the plains" who lives by chance and survives the challenges that come their way. The final verse circles back to the theme of singing and the power of music, with the idea that singers will continue to feed the canyons of history with their songs, but the singer wants to ensure they do not become a burden on those around them.
Overall, "Burden of Tomorrow" is a contemplative and introspective song that explores the human desire for purpose and meaning in life, and the fear of being a burden or disappointment to others.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh I was sent to find the lonesome place
I was tasked with the mission to find a place where I would feel alone.
Where I was lost but left to trace
In that place, I was lost but still had to find my way back.
By carving riddles on the lonesome vine.
I used the lonesome vine as a canvas to carve puzzles and try to understand life's mysteries.
Oh but rumor has it that I wasn't born,
There's a belief that I didn't have a regular birth but rather appeared in this world on a cold morning, like a vision.
I just walked in one frosty morn.
I appeared out of nowhere on a cold morning, as if I emerged from thin air.
Into the vision of some vacant mind.
I somehow became a part of someone's unoccupied imagination.
Oh once I held a pony by its flying mane,
I had a moment where I felt in control and held a flying pony's mane in my hand.
And once I called the shadow in the turning game
I played a game where I called out my shadow and tried to catch it while it turned around me.
But I will fight this stranger that you should fear
I will face and conquer any challenges that might come my way, so that I won't be someone you should be afraid of in the future.
So I won't be a burden of tomorrow dear
I don't want to be a cause of worry or trouble for you in the future, my dear.
Aw Xavier's on the border of the sun
Xavier, an unknown person, is on the brink of greatness and a life full of opportunities.
Swings on the chambers of your guns.
Xavier is dancing and having fun, living life to the fullest, without caring about the negative things that surround him.
And tries to shoot the chord and light the path.
He's taking risks in trying to create a musical masterpiece and pave the way for others to follow.
Aw but hell I'm just a blind man on the plains,
I am just a helpless person with limited ability, wandering on the flatlands.
I drink my water when it rains,
I take advantage of whatever opportunities come my way, even if they are rare, like rain in a drought.
And live by chance among the lightning strikes.
I take risks by living in unpredictable situations and hoping for the best.
Oh once I held a glacier to an open flame
I had a moment of foolishness where I tried to melt a glacier with an open flame.
And once I felt like wildcat in the fallen game.
I experienced a sense of wildness and freedom while playing a adventurous game.
Oh the singers on the edge to feed the canyons mouth
There are singers who are pushing themselves to the limit and singing into the vast unknown.
They will go on forever til they sing you out of time.
They will continue singing until the end of time, leaving a lasting impression on those who hear them.
But I will fight this stranger that you should fear
I will continue to face and conquer any challenges in the future, so you don't have to fear me.
So I won't be a burden of tomorrow dear.
I don't want to be a burden or a source of concern for you in the future, my dear.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Kristian Matsson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind