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.
Sagres
The Tallest Man on Earth Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Went to where the world did end
Read of deaths in waves and out
So this is when we walked away
And the sadness I suppose
Gonna hold me to the ground
Where I'm forced to find the still
Was I ever part of knowing
With your hands in mine
Little screams into the wonder
And a wild set of rides
Come on, come on
And so here I go again
Say I want my freedom sure
But it's like end of all the dreams
Like in my life I needed more
And this madness I suppose
Gonna haunt me with the line
That I could drink until I sleep
Through all scarier times
Was I ever part of knowing
With your hands in mine
Little screams into the wonder
And a wild set of rides
Come on, come on
Now was I ever going to be more than these savages in me
As they will sing into silence, just to silence tears
Now what is left in here?
It's not the sting of cities flickering in life no
It's not me knowing there's a deeper in the dust no
It's not the reasoning with shadows that are gone no
It's not me knowing I'm yet to see fire
It's just all this fucking doubt
Come on, come on
And this silence I suppose
Gonna hold me to the ground
Where I'm forced to find the still
In a place you won't be 'round
The lyrics to "Sagres" by The Tallest Man on Earth tells the story of a traveler who wanders off the beaten path to a place where the world seems to end. They read about deaths in the area and decided to walk away, feeling the weight of sadness and haunted by the idea of what could have been. The singer reflects on their past with a partner, wondering if they were truly a part of knowing with their hands intertwined, screaming little screams into the wonder of the world. The singer feels a certain madness, thinking that they could drink until they forget everything that disturbs them, but the echoes of the memories won't go away.
The lyrics also express the singer's doubts and insecurities, questioning if they were ever going to be more than the savages they feel inside. They remind themselves that what is left is not the city's life flickering or the dust in the wind but a deep-rooted fear of not seeing the fire that burns within. The final stanza explains that the only sound left is the silence that holds the singer to the ground, forcing them to find the stillness in a place where their partner won't be around anymore.
Line by Line Meaning
We were travellers, so blind
We were wanderers without direction or purpose
Went to where the world did end
We journeyed to the edge of the world, seeking something beyond ourselves
Read of deaths in waves and out
We learned of countless deaths and tragedies from around the world
So this is when we walked away
Upon realizing the harsh realities of the world, we retreated from it
And the sadness I suppose
I am resigned to feeling the pain of my circumstances
Gonna hold me to the ground
My sadness will keep me rooted to my current situation
Where I'm forced to find the still
Despite my turmoil, I must seek inner peace
In a place you won't be 'round
I must find solace and strength within myself, without relying on others
Was I ever part of knowing
Did I truly understand or comprehend?
With your hands in mine
When we were together and connected
Little screams into the wonder
We expressed our excitement and awe for the unknown
And a wild set of rides
Our journey was exhilarating and unpredictable
Now was I ever going to be more than these savages in me
Did I have the potential to rise above my primitive tendencies?
As they will sing into silence, just to silence tears
Even if I try to suppress my emotions, they will always exist and affect me
Now what is left in here?
What remains inside me?
It's not the sting of cities flickering in life no
It's not the excitement or vibrancy of city life
It's not me knowing there's a deeper in the dust no
It's not the knowledge or understanding of the hidden depths within the world
It's not the reasoning with shadows that are gone no
It's not the futile attempt to reason with what is already lost or absent
It's not me knowing I'm yet to see fire
It's not the anticipation or expectation of what is to come
It's just all this fucking doubt
It's only this overwhelming sense of uncertainty and skepticism
And this silence I suppose
I am resigned to a state of quiet contemplation
Gonna hold me to the ground
My introspection will keep me grounded
Where I'm forced to find the still
In my stillness, I must seek clarity and understanding
In a place you won't be 'round
This is a journey that I must take alone
Lyrics © ROUGH TRADE PUBLISHING
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@mrtvocich
Capo 5, tuning from high string to bass string F# B F# C# B E
We were travelers so blind
Went to where the world did end
trave 002300
lers 000202
blind 000002
where 000202
world 000002
end 002300
extra chord after chorus 024000
@alexandrejones8634
First time I heard this, I didn't like it much... too smooth compared to The Wild Hunt.
But then on about the third listen, it happened... this song gave me the chills. Hair on my forearms standing on end. Total goosebumps.
Right now this is my " sound of the Summer 2015..."
I've probably listened "Sagres" 100 times in the last month.
Thank you, The Tallest Man On Earth!
Tack!!!
@4iev
I was listening to this song since it was released. And it was an exeptional experience to finally listen to it while sitting at the edge of the cliff at Sagres, Portugal.
@michaelrieck3851
There's something about this song, that makes me listen to it on repeat 24/7.
@tammydoherty6372
Same, me too! It's addictive. :)
@foxmulder5871
+Michael rieck Depression
@tommasoantenucci9346
So The Tallest Man on Earth went from being the new Bob Dylan to being the new Bruce Springsteen. And I LOVE it.
@brentpalucki9613
Tommaso Antenucci Ha nice. Cool comparison.
@EnjoyerofYoutube
Tommaso Antenucci i love springsteen, but i think this song is way more beautiful than anything bruce has written. it's just a totally different emotional atmosphere.
@tommasoantenucci9346
Alex Kessler My reference is actually more about his new musical style rather than the lyrics.
@MitchBowman
if that's the best we can do as a modern analog to Spingsteen, we're in dire shape here fellas
@thomasziemann8107
Beautiful.....