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.
Walk The Line
The Tallest Man on Earth Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
all the little angels are growing wings of pain
and I see no point in asking there's no point of return
when I steal his rings well I know I'll have to burn
He said, "You bring me down, oh child."
He said, "You bring me down oh child."
all tomorrow's parties will dance before my eyes
and I will scream like an eagle when I fly 'bove your house
just to bring salvation to peasants and their wives
He said, "You bring me down, oh child."
He said, "You bring me down oh child."
I ain't gonna walk the line
well I see Jesus and Judas making love now of course
and all the roman emperors hanging up their horse
and I see no point in landing I see no need to learn
from the day we lifted we know we'll have to burn
He said, "You bring me down, oh child."
He said, "You bring me down oh child."
I ain't gonna walk the line
I said, "Please don't shoot me down."
I said, "Please don't shoot me down."
I said, "Please don't shoot me down."
I said, "Please don't shoot me down."
I ain't gonna walk the line
I feel the arrows and bullets they are combing my hair
and all my feathers falling so slowly from the air
and from the speed on my body earth will pile up my bones
from a little skull oh just a little whisper comes
He said, "You bring me down, oh child."
He said, "You bring me down oh child."
I ain't gonna walk the line
The Tallest Man On Earth's "Walk The Line" is a pensive and somber song that seems to indicate the singer's surrender to the inevitability of their own demise. The lyrics are vivid and poetic, evoking images of thunderstorms, angels in pain, and even Jesus and Judas making love. The singer seems to recognize that they are doomed to fall, but they refuse to go quietly, instead preferring to scream like an eagle and fly above their detractors' homes. They seem to be aware of their own hubris, acknowledging that their actions will eventually lead to their downfall, but they carry on regardless. The repeated refrain of "you bring me down, oh child" suggests that the singer feels as though they are constantly being judged or held back by others, but they refuse to be tethered to anyone else's expectations. Overall, "Walk The Line" is a haunting and melancholy track that grapples with themes of mortality, hubris, and the human desire to be free.
Line by Line Meaning
Well it's a season of thunder and a season of rain
It's a time of turmoil and chaos, with no respite in sight.
all the little angels are growing wings of pain
The innocent are suffering and being forced to bear a heavy burden.
and I see no point in asking there's no point of return
There is no use in seeking answers or trying to turn back, as the situation is now irreversible.
when I steal his rings well I know I'll have to burn
If I take what is not mine, I will suffer the consequences.
He said, "You bring me down, oh child."
Someone in a position of power is accusing the artist of causing problems.
and I will fly through the lightness when the thunder will strike
The singer will embrace danger and hardship, and emerge stronger for it.
all tomorrow's parties will dance before my eyes
The future is full of opportunities for joy and celebration.
and I will scream like an eagle when I fly 'bove your house
The artist will announce their presence and assert their power.
just to bring salvation to peasants and their wives
The artist believes they are on a righteous mission to help the downtrodden.
I ain't gonna walk the line
The artist will not conform to societal norms or expectations.
well I see Jesus and Judas making love now of course
The singer is witnessing a shocking, sacrilegious act.
and all the roman emperors hanging up their horse
Even the most powerful can be brought low and must relinquish control.
and I see no point in landing I see no need to learn
The singer does not feel the need to come back down to earth and learn from the past.
from the day we lifted we know we'll have to burn
The singer and others like them have always been aware that their path will lead to destruction.
I said, "Please don't shoot me down."
The singer pleads for mercy and fears retribution for their actions.
I feel the arrows and bullets they are combing my hair
The artist feels under attack and vulnerable.
and all my feathers falling so slowly from the air
The artist is losing their sense of self and identity.
and from the speed on my body earth will pile up my bones
The singer knows that their actions will lead to their inevitable demise.
from a little skull oh just a little whisper comes
Even in the face of death, there is still something ineffable and mysterious to be heard.
Contributed by Nora P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.