Youth

Album: Youth (2006)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This song is based on Matisyahu's belief that youth is "The engine of the world." He implores his young listeners to take control of their lives and understand that they have a lot more power than they might believe.

    It's a song about taking control of your destiny, and it was inspired by the conflicted adolescence and spiritual journey Matisyahu embarked on. He dropped out of high school, but ended up continuing his education and studying at the New School in Manhattan, where he learned music before devoting himself to Hasidic Judaism. Regarding how he wrote these early songs, he told us: "The form is a lot more laid back, a lot more loose, a lot more open, free association, which in some ways to me is deeper than the well-crafted words and whatnot." (Here's the full Matisyahu interview.)

Comments: 1

  • Alex from Gaithersburg, MdI know that song
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Max Cavalera of Soulfly (ex-Sepultura)

Max Cavalera of Soulfly (ex-Sepultura)Songwriter Interviews

The Brazilian rocker sees pictures in his riffs. When he came up with one of his gnarliest songs, there was a riot going on.

History Of Rock

History Of RockSong Writing

An interview with Dr. John Covach, music professor at the University of Rochester whose free online courses have become wildly popular.

Martyn Ware of Heaven 17

Martyn Ware of Heaven 17Songwriter Interviews

Martyn talks about producing Tina Turner, some Heaven 17 hits, and his work with the British Electric Foundation.

Michael W. Smith

Michael W. SmithSongwriter Interviews

Smith breaks down some of his worship tracks as well as his mainstream hits, including "I Will Be Here For You" and "A Place In This World."

British Invasion

British InvasionFact or Fiction

Go beyond The Beatles to see what you know about the British Invasion.

Jethro Tull

Jethro TullFact or Fiction

Stage urinals, flute devices, and the real Aqualung in this Fact or Fiction.