Matthew Paul Miller's One Day: Matisyahu

Matthew Paul Miller, also known as Matisyahu, was born in Pennsylvania in 1979. Matisyahu emerged in the early 2000’s with his inquisitive reggae Jewish pop music. His tranquil song “One Day” was released on his “Light” album by Sony Music Entertainment in 2009 (Crew 1). It is the most downloaded and listened to song on the album. The lyrics promote a message of self-abnegation and compassion. Matisyahu claims he hopes his music will “bring a message of humility and holiness into the world. I want to help others recognize their potential and ability to break out of their constraints” (Matisyahu 3). The song became a huge hit and is perhaps one of his most known anthems. The song was used as the theme song for NBC's Countdown to Vancouver Olympics
campaign. The song continued to be used during NBC's Olympic broadcasts, and became the global anthem for the games, from sound tracking montages to scoring bumpers. “Matisyahu explained to MTV News that even though it wasn't written expressly for the games, the themes and goals of the track ended up applying perfectly” (One Day by… 1). The song allows his fans to get a real inside look at his soul and his feelings towards the world through this inspirational lyrics, interpretive meaning, and poetic devices. Matisyahu’s Jewish faith is a major component is all of his song writing.
He attended a Jewish boy school in his younger years, although he rebelled soon after. In 1996, his parents signed him up to take part in a semester-long program that offered students first-hand exploration of Jewish heritage at a high school in Hod Hasharon, Israel. It is here that he studied the Torah and learned about the hardships and events in Israel. Israel is believed to be one of his biggest influences in “One Day” (Crew 1). He states, “It’s such an intense and amazing place. It’s the crossroads of the universe I feel. It was in Israel that the record began to tell a story and find its voice” (Matisyahu: Exclusive Interview 3). His most spiritual moment occurred here, when he looked over the city of Jerusalem. He spoke on his experience saying, “The people who take you there know very well why they are doing it. It has a big effect on a person to go up to this place, to overlook Jerusalem from above. You stand up there, overlooking this incredible city, and you sing Jerusalem of Gold and something big moves inside your heart. It was the first time I felt my soul, that I really felt it. I felt God” (Matisyahu 1). He writes about what inspires him, which most often relates back to the Torah. It’s obvious that Matisyahu doesn’t force his religion on others, yet simply preaches universal values that he believes we should all follow. Many of his fans become compelled by his positive message and
thank his religion for that. Music, God, his inspirations, and positive energy are clearly shown in his lyrics. Although the lyrics are simple enough to understand, many interpret the message of the song differently or want it to mean more than it actually does.
Essentially, the song is persuading society to unite as whole to become peaceful- to end wars, stop violence, and end inequality. Matisyahu wrote the song to pour out his feelings on how he thinks the world should be vs. the way it actually is. He once said, “I wanted to write a song that was an accessible global anthem for peace,” and he did. In the song, the lyrics plea to the listener, asking them to stop hating one another and just appreciate one another, because “we all lose when they feed on the souls of the innocent.” Matisyahu uses poetic devices in his music to appeal to his fans. In the first two lines, (Matisyahu) sings, “Sometimes I lay under the moon and thank God I’m breathing” (lines 1-2), he is using visual imagery and immediately gives a direct reference to his belief in God and credits him. In the next few lines, he uses a metaphor when he sings, “Sometimes in my tears I drown/ But I never let it get me down” (lines 7-8). He is crying out to God to end violence in the world. He openly shows his feelings and how hurt he is. However, because he knows he can’t doubt God, he still strives to think positively when he sings, “So when negativity surrounds/ I know someday this will all turn around” (lines 9-10). Even though Matisyahu has stated the song has nothing to do with anything or any event in particular,
the song seems to be referring to Middle East conflicts, especially when he prays that one day “we won’t fight no more, there will be no more wars, and our children will play” (lines 11-16). This expresses a political and global message to his listeners. Everyone desires to be free, and these lines are also referencing to the Middle East. Matisyahu uses vivid, visual imagery when he sings, “because we all lose when they feed on the souls of the innocent/ Blood drenched pavement/ Keep on moving though the water stays raging” (lines 19-22). He uses pathos and imagery as a whole to influence people that violence is never the answer. It’s not worth fighting wars if innocent children and people die in the process. By talking about the death of children, something everyone disagrees with, he influences people to maybe step up and help with the conflict by promoting pacifism. He ends the song on a positive note, claiming, “One day this all will change/ Treat people the same/ Stop with the violence/ Down with the hate” (lines 35-38) which adds to the Middle East reference. By ending on a positive note, he reinforces his message of knowing negativity can’t last forever, and also reassuring his listeners that this conflict will not last forever; there will be a way out one day. Matisyahu’s peaceful ballad is over five years old, yet still is a huge hit among society. He promotes positive thinking and influences people to believe in God without being too preachy. He once said, “I wanted to write a song with a big beat; the kind of song that makes you want to bob your head and open your heart at the same time.” The optimistic message of the song was paired with a hard beat to make the song seem less preachy (One Day by… 1). He promotes a general message of non-violence, peace, and equality. He is an inspiration to many no matter what religion or ethnicity. He wants his music to “connect to humanity at large which is bigger than representing one religion or group of people” (Matisyahu: Exclusive Interview 5). By appealing to so many different people, he has been able to achieved success through his inspirational lyrics. His pathos and metaphors, as well as his enlightening, though-provoking lyrics helped make “One Day” the huge accomplishment it has become.