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
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
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,