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.
Over The Hills
The Tallest Man on Earth Lyrics
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And I could see you through the fog
And I could reach into magnetic fields, all
To steal a hammer and a gun
For every engine down
Yes, I will find a cure
I'm going over the hills now
I'm going into the blue
And I will tell it to the mighty wind that
I have betrayed it once again
And I will listen to the backwards music
With a propeller in my hand
For every child in tears
I will throw down a hand
I'm going over the hills now
I'm going over as planned
And every morning I will push the bottom
To bring the sun above our head
And with a smiling face I drew upon it
I will consider it as said
That every lie I tell
Will arrive like it's true
I'm going over the hills now
I'm going into the blue
Oh, honey!
And I will hijack every morning railroad
Perhaps I'll die upon that train
Perhaps I'll turn the wheel to slide it over
Into the long and narrow trail
And I would bounce the moon
On the earth if I could
I'm going over the hills now
I'm going over now for good
The song "Over The Hills" by The Tallest Man on Earth speaks of determination to overcome challenges and injustices. The lyrics depict a sense of urgency to take action and make things right. The first stanza shows the singer's ability to sense and see things beyond the ordinary, to the point where he can reach into "magnetic fields" with the intention of stealing a hammer and a gun. The second stanza depicts a sense of guilt, with the singer acknowledging that he has betrayed the "mighty wind" one more time. The singer listens to "backwards music" with a propeller in his hand, as he promises to throw down a hand for every child in tears.
The chorus emphasizes the singer's resolve to go over the hills and into the blue, signifying a journey towards a better future. He will push the bottom every morning to bring the sun above our head, and even if he lies, he would make it arrive like it's true. The final stanza emphasizes the singer's rebellion against the system, wanting to hijack the morning railroad and die on the train while taking control by sliding it over the "long and narrow trail." The song concludes with the singer bouncing the moon on earth if he could, implying that he has vast and fantastical capabilities.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, I could hear it, the river was crying
The river’s sounds echoed across to the singer, it seemed like the river was crying out to him.
And I could see you through the fog
Despite the fog, the singer could see someone who was possibly calling out to him.
And I could reach into magnetic fields, all to steal a hammer and a gun
The singer can possess extraordinary power, enough to swipe metal tools from magnetic fields.
For every engine down, Yes, I will find a cure
For every broken item, he'll try to fix it; that’s his attitude.
I'm going over the hills now, I'm going into the blue
The singer is going on a journey of discovery and exploration.
And I will tell it to the mighty wind that I have betrayed it once again
The singer avows to the elements that he's a liar.
And I will listen to the backwards music, With a propeller in my hand
The singer will listen to music that’s quite different from the norm, playing it in reverse, and his propeller flying machine will help him stay airborne.
For every child in tears, I will throw down a hand
For the many weeping children, He'll reach out and provide a tender touch.
I'm going over the hills now, I'm going over as planned
The song’s protagonist is now heading exactly as he’d intended—off to try doing what he’d promised himself.
And every morning I will push the bottom, To bring the sun above our head
Every day, The singer seeks and brings warmth and brightness by pushing to the limit.
And with a smiling face I drew upon it, I will consider it as said
He accepts this role with a very optimistic approach and grins from ear to ear as he carries it out.
That every lie I tell, Will arrive like it's true
Every imaginary tale he weaves will come bearing the weight of the truth, in his opinion.
I'm going over the hills now, I'm going into the blue
The singer is going on a voyage to explore and discover new territories.
And I will hijack every morning railroad Perhaps I'll die upon that train
He is determined to sabotage the standard everyday routine of commuting, even if he loses his life in the process.
Perhaps I'll turn the wheel to slide it over, Into the long and narrow trail
He wants to take over and change his life path, even if it means he has to veer onto a risky path on his own.
And I would bounce the moon, On the earth if I could
Given the chance, he’d love to have the ability to maneuver the heavenly bodies around like play toys.
I'm going over the hills now, I'm going over now for good
The artist is going out now without much gear, leaving behind every piece of that in the hope of discovering something new.
Oh, honey!
Just a term of endearment.
Lyrics © ROUGH TRADE PUBLISHING, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Kristian Matsson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind