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.
Darkness of the Dream
The Tallest Man on Earth Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The night was always there to end all repetition
Insane, I both with the blinds
Carry on and love will be here
I met this girl from my old town
But sadly she could see
I'm still a bunch of memories and shit that I believe
And there's the darkness of the dream
And there's the darkness of the dream
But she was something of a flame
Just telling me to quiet, excuses and the visions
Just let yourself out of your sight
Careless and some love will be here
And now you sleep and get some rest
From all the songs you make
They're all a bunch of mirrors and fuck it, I'm afraid
That suddenly the rain is the only part you feel
And there's the darkness of the dream
And there's the darkness of the dream
She said, I ain't got no time for no broken believers
And lie like the foolish one
It's taking hours and days and I just want to hold you
And end of a wait begun
I said I think of hours in everyone
The letting go is here and now
The beauty is in your arms, no mind is out to wander
Just let yourself out of your sight
Careless and some love will be there
And now there's this dancer in the dream
Just rowing in the night
And I can't believe how pretty
And I can't believe the signs
When suddenly the rain is the only part you feel
And there's a darkness of the dream
And there's a darkness of the dream
A fear of heart and all of its turnings
And it's never letting go
I'm sure I'll sleep when all this go under
But now, will I sleep alone?
It only starts with a river
But I know it's only waiting for the golden ground
Oh, it's wide and awake, but I'm showing up late
On the way there was something that told me to stay
I feed on the sunlight
But sunlight just drives me away in the loving game
Oh, the summer is deep and the memories still
The garden is full and I'm way over hills
I see there's a line that I'm walking and I'm just the same
It's an endless game in the darkness of the dream
The Tallest Man on Earth's song Darkness of the Dream is a reflection on the fleeting nature of life and the importance of love in making it worthwhile. The lyrics are centered around the imagery of rain and darkness, which serve as a metaphor for the uncertainties and anxieties of life. The singer stumbles in the light, indicating that he is not quite comfortable in his own skin, and finds solace in the darkness of the dream. He speaks of meeting a girl from his old town who sees through him and recognizes that he is holding onto memories and beliefs that are holding him back. The rain, which is a recurring theme, is the only thing that he feels in the moment, symbolizing a sense of clarity and purity amidst the chaos of life.
The lyrics are interspersed with hopeful messages about the power of love to overcome the darkness. The singer urges himself to let go of his inhibitions and fears and embrace the beauty that is waiting for him in the world. He speaks of a dancer in his dream, who is rowing in the night, highlighting the sense of grace and fluidity that is essential to navigating the complexities of life. The song ends by reflecting on the inevitability of heartbreak and loss, but also on the resilience of the human spirit in finding ways to endure and find meaning amidst the pain.
Line by Line Meaning
And so I'd stumble in the light
I was lost and uncertain even in broad daylight.
The night was always there to end all repetition
Nightfall brought an end to the monotony of my days.
Insane, I both with the blinds
I was crazed, uncertain of whether to open or close myself off to the world.
Carry on and love will be here
As long as I persevere, love will come to me.
I met this girl from my old town
I encountered a person from my past.
But sadly she could see
She recognized my emotional baggage.
I'm still a bunch of memories and shit that I believe
I'm still holding onto past experiences and beliefs that no longer serve me.
And suddenly the rain is the only part you feel
Overwhelmed by emotion, the rain is the only thing that registers.
And there's the darkness of the dream
The dream that began with hope is now shrouded in darkness.
But she was something of a flame
Despite my baggage, this person ignited a spark of hope within me.
Just telling me to quiet, excuses and the visions
Encouraging me to let go of my excuses and limiting beliefs.
Just let yourself out of your sight
Stop overthinking and trust yourself.
Careless and some love will be here
Be carefree and love will find its way to you.
And now you sleep and get some rest
Take a break from your creative pursuits and recharge.
From all the songs you make
From all the things you create in life.
They're all a bunch of mirrors and fuck it, I'm afraid
Everything I create is just a reflection of myself and it scares me.
She said, I ain't got no time for no broken believers
She had no patience for those who lacked faith in themselves.
And lie like the foolish one
She couldn't tolerate those who lied to themselves.
And end of a wait begun
A new chapter of my life began with the end of a long period of waiting.
The letting go is here and now
It's time to let go of the past and embrace the present moment.
The beauty is in your arms, no mind is out to wander
Being fully present with someone is the most beautiful thing in the world.
And now there's this dancer in the dream
A new person or idea has entered my mind's eye.
Just rowing in the night
Navigating the darkness and uncertainties of life.
And I can't believe how pretty
I'm awestruck by the beauty of this new possibility.
And I can't believe the signs
The signs in life are clearer than ever before.
A fear of heart and all of its turnings
Fears about the twists and turns of life.
And it's never letting go
These fears continue to haunt me.
I'm sure I'll sleep when all this go under
I'll find peace once my worries subside.
But now, will I sleep alone?
For now, I'm alone with my fears and doubts.
It only starts with a river
Even the greatest changes start as small streams.
But I know it's only waiting for the golden ground
I know great things will come from this small beginning.
Oh, it's wide and awake, but I'm showing up late
Opportunities abound, but I feel like I'm missing out.
On the way there was something that told me to stay
Despite feeling left behind, I'm reminded that the timing of life is not always in my control.
I feed on the sunlight
I thrive on positivity and lightness in life.
But sunlight just drives me away in the loving game
Despite my desire for light, love is more complicated than that and often leads to pain.
Oh, the summer is deep and the memories still
Even though time has passed, memories remain strong.
The garden is full and I'm way over hills
Life is bountiful, but I often struggle to appreciate it.
I see there's a line that I'm walking and I'm just the same
I recognize that I'm continuously walking a fine line in life and struggling not to fall back into old beliefs and habits.
It's an endless game in the darkness of the dream
Life is a never-ending journey, and the dream that started with hope is now shrouded in darkness.
Lyrics © ROUGH TRADE PUBLISHING
Written by: KRISTIAN SARAS PER MATSSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Mithela Haque
And so I'd stumble in the light
The night was always there to end all repetition
Insane, I both with the blinds
Carry on and love will be here
I met this girl from my old town
But sadly she could see
I'm still a bunch of memories and shit that I believe
And suddenly the rain is the only part you feel
And there's the darkness of the dream
And there's the darkness of the dream
But she was something of a flame
Just telling me to quiet, excuses and the visions
Just let yourself out of your sight
Careless and some love will be here
And now you sleep and get some rest
From all the songs you make
They're all a bunch of mirrors and fuck it, I'm afraid
That suddenly the rain is the only part you feel
And there's the darkness of the dream
And there's the darkness of the dream
She said, I ain't got no time for no broken believers
And lie like the foolish one
It's taking hours and days and I just want to hold you
And end of a wait begun
I said I think of hours in everyone
The letting go is here and now
The beauty is in your arms, no mind is out to wander
Just let yourself out of your sight
Careless and some love will be there
And now there's this dancer in the dream
Just rowing in the night
And I can't believe how pretty
And I can't believe the signs
When suddenly the rain is the only part you feel
And there's a darkness of the dream
And there's a darkness of the dream
A fear of heart and all of its turnings
And it's never letting go
I'm sure I'll sleep when all this go under
But now, will I sleep alone?
It only starts with a river
But I know it's only waiting for the golden ground
Oh, it's wide and awake, but I'm showing up late
On the way there was something that told me to stay
I feed on the sunlight
But sunlight just drives me away in the loving game
Oh, the summer is deep and the memories still
The garden is full and I'm way over hills
I see there's a line that I'm walking and I'm just the same
It's an endless game in the darkness of the dream
Andrea Bortolozzo
God. He conveys something amazing in my feelings, every time. No doubt, he is one of the best artists of our times. Music is so good since the day I listened to him for the first time.
Marek Obuchowski
I love this song but he literally put four chords in a loop and you call him the best artist of our times xD
Cesar Hernandez
He's god😂
b greenberg
+Andrea Bortolozzo listened to him for the first time when i was eight in my friends dads car, since than i have had no doubt he is the best artist of our times.
Mattie Stembridge
Abso-freakin-lutely wonderful, as is everything he has ever done/will ever do. Brilliant.
Mattie Stembridge
+Roman Lakes Haha fancy seeing you here, huh? Except not really bc we both love good ol Kristian
Roman Lakes
+Mattie Stembridge small world ;)
Fitness With Jeremy Shelton
Saw this guy last night at the Greek Theatre with the Head and the Heart. Some of the best song writing and live performance I've ever heard.
Fitness With Jeremy Shelton
Los Angeles
david beckett
Where was that ?