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.
Little Nowhere Towns
The Tallest Man on Earth Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Is what I said to my friend
And I can recall
I must have been pretty gone
When I went through these towns
Like a cannonball
And I've already grown up here
It's all shaky, built in fury,
But I think this wind's going to settle down
Carolina, why are we going with this around?
It's all silvery, dear, it's the light of little nowhere towns
But the treasure we had was so big
And we sunk through the earth
And believe how slow
Sun wasn't out for all week
And the weekend just said
There's just none to show
And I barely can remember
Little feet on solid ground
The drinking part is useless
When you're buried away from sounds
Carolina, where are you ending up this time?
Say it's silvery, dear, like the light of little nowhere towns
But now honestly I'm broken down
By this emptiness I feel
First you moan, and then you yell it
And now we don't answer across the street
And I'm racing through my pockets now
Because I'm starting to believe
That selling emptiness to strangers
Is a little bit warmer than my dreams
This is what I should believe
Is what I said to my friend
And I can recall
I must have been pretty cold
When I went through this house
Like a cannonball
And I barely can remember
Asking you through all this time
It's all shaky, built in fury
Like this wind is going to settle down
Carolina, where are we going to be found?
You're all silvery, dear, you're the light of little nowhere towns
The Tallest Man on Earth's song "Little Nowhere Towns" is a melancholic reflection on a past chapter in one's life. The opening lines, "So this is what I can believe, Is what I said to my friend," suggest that the singer is struggling with coming to terms with their past and the choices they made. They recount a time when they were "pretty gone" and "went through these towns like a canonball" suggesting that they were reckless and lacked direction.
The singer seems to have grown up in this place, which they refer to as a "little nowhere town". They seem resigned to the fact that they might as well "grow down" there since they cannot find their way out. There is a sense of unrest and instability in their surroundings which they describe as "shaky, built in fury". Despite this, they still find some beauty in the place, comparing it to a silver light.
The chorus is addressed to a person named Carolina, whom the singer is asking about their future plans. They describe Carolina as being "silvery" too, which could suggest that they see some common ground between themselves and Carolina. The second verse brings the mood down even further as the singer reflects on their sense of emptiness and lack of purpose. They suggest that they would rather sell emptiness to strangers than pursue their own dreams, showing a sense of defeatism.
Line by Line Meaning
So this is what I can believe
The singer is questioning their own beliefs and what they can trust.
Is what I said to my friend
The singer had previously shared their beliefs with their friend.
And I can recall
The singer has a vague memory of their past actions.
I must have been pretty gone
The artist was likely under the influence when they went through these little towns fast.
When I went through these towns
The artist traveled hastily through small towns without much thought.
Like a cannonball
The singer moved through the towns quickly and recklessly.
And I've already grown up here
The singer has lived in this area for a while, possibly their entire life.
Here I might as well grow down
The artist is not happy with their life in this small town and feels like they are sinking lower.
It's all shaky, built in fury,
The environment is unstable and has been constructed quickly and without much care.
But I think this wind's going to settle down
The artist believes that things will calm down in the future.
Carolina, why are we going with this around?
The singer questions why they are going through this cycle of life in this area.
It's all silvery, dear, it's the light of little nowhere towns
The artist acknowledges the beauty, but lack of substance or excitement, in small towns.
But the treasure we had was so big
The singer had previously valued something highly.
And we sunk through the earth
The singer lost the valuable thing and it feels like they have fallen to the bottom of the world.
And believe how slow
The singer is exclaiming how slow time feels while they are experiencing these emotions.
Sun wasn't out for all week
The artist is going through a tough time and may be experiencing depression.
And the weekend just said
The artist is feeling like time is passing them by and that their life is not progressing.
There's just none to show
Despite living in this community for a while, the singer has not made much of an impact or significant connections.
And I barely can remember
The singer has trouble recalling a past memory.
Little feet on solid ground
The artist has a distant memory of feeling grounded and stable, but it's hard to hold on to.
The drinking part is useless
The artist recognizes that drowning their sorrows in alcohol is not a helpful solution to their problems.
When you're buried away from sounds
The artist feels isolated in their struggle and is not receiving help.
Carolina, where are you ending up this time?
The singer is wondering where their friend, Carolina, will end up in life.
Say it's silvery, dear, like the light of little nowhere towns
The artist is asking their friend to acknowledge the beauty in small towns, even though it can be hard to see.
But now honestly I'm broken down
The singer is feeling very low and defeated in their current situation.
By this emptiness I feel
The singer is feeling emotionally empty and unfulfilled.
First you moan, and then you yell it
The singer wants to express their emotions, but doesn't know how to do it properly.
And now we don't answer across the street
The artist's relationships with others have become distant and communication has broken down.
And I'm racing through my pockets now
The artist is frantically searching for something that will bring them comfort and change their situation.
Because I'm starting to believe
The singer is losing faith in their beliefs and is looking for a new perspective.
That selling emptiness to strangers
The singer is desperate for a way out of their situation and is considering doing something that goes against their morals.
Is a little bit warmer than my dreams
The artist is acknowledging that finding solace in something empty and unfulfilled is better than nothing at all.
This is what I should believe
The artist is trying to convince themselves of a new belief that they are struggling with.
I must have been pretty cold
The artist believes they were being distant and uncaring in a past situation.
When I went through this house
The singer moved through a building or situation quickly and without much thought, like they did with the small towns earlier.
And I barely can remember
The artist has trouble recalling a past memory, possibly because it was a hazy or traumatic experience.
Asking you through all this time
The singer has been asking their friend for guidance and support throughout their struggles.
Where are we going to be found?
The singer is unsure where their life is headed and if they will ever find true satisfaction and fulfillment.
You're all silvery, dear, you're the light of little nowhere towns
The singer is acknowledging the beauty and fragility in small, insignificant things, even though they feel unimportant at times.
Lyrics © ROUGH TRADE PUBLISHING
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