Matter of Matter

Song Meaning

The lyrics for "Matter of Matter" open with a speaker searching for an unseen presence, expressing both a deep connection and a sense of futility. There's a blend of whimsical defiance, like "pissin' at the moon," and persistent longing, setting a tone of existential inquiry. The speaker knows someone is "there" even without sight. The core tension lies in the speaker's struggle to reconcile an internal certainty with an external lack of evidence. The narrator states, "I can't see you but I know you're there," creating a poignant sense of yearning for something just out of reach. This internal conviction clashes with a growing distrust of external perception, as the speaker admits, "can no longer trust my sight." The repeated refrain "It's a matter of matter, man" initially feels like a philosophical anchor, but its subtle shift reveals a deeper, more personal regret. The line evolves from "reason we invented time" to "reason we had better times," grounding the abstract concept of "matter" in a specific, felt loss. This evolution within the chorus highlights how memory shapes our understanding of the present, contrasting the vast "ocean in my mind" with a contained "drop of water in a can." These lyrics effectively capture the bittersweet nature of memory and the enduring impact of past connections. The powerful statement, "Nothin' you create can ever be unmade," offers a defiant sense of permanence, even as the speaker laments dwindling resources, noting someone is "Pullin' blossoms, leavin' few for me." This blend of resilience and vulnerability makes the search feel both universal and deeply personal.