Alt-J – Matilda

Know something about this song or lyrics? Add it to our wiki.
Send "Matilda" Ringtone to Cell

This is from
This is from
This is from Matilda

Just like Johnny Flynn said, 'the breath I've taken and the one I must' to go on
Put the grenade pin in your hand, so you understand who's boss
My defeat sleeps top to toe with her success

Oh this is from
This is from
This is from Matilda

And she needs you
This is for Matilda
And she needs you
This is for Matilda

Just like Johnny Flynn said, 'the breath I've taken and the one I must' to go on
Put the grenade pin in your hand, so you understand who's boss
My defeat sleeps top to toe with her success

Oh this is from
This is from
This is from Matilda

And she needs you
This is for Matilda
And she needs you
This is for Matilda
And she needs you
This is for Matilda
And love is wonder twice
And

And she needs you
This is for Matilda
And she needs you
This is for Matilda
And she needs you
This is for Matilda
And she needs you
This is for Matilda

This is for Matilda
This is from Matilda
Matilda
Matilda
Matilda

Send "Matilda" Ringtone to Cell


Lyrics submitted by gemmalouise89, edited by Gladrino, nurisirfan, boselect, alianovna, sason, skippym

Track duration: 03:48

"Matilda" as written by Augustus Figaro Niso Unger-hamilton, Thomas Stuart Green, Joe Jerome Newman, Gwilym David Dylan Sainsbury, Charlie Andrew

Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.

Lyrics powered by LyricFind


Matilda song meanings
Add your thoughts

10 Comments

sort form View by:
  • +1
    General Comment::) youtube.com/…
    he says it better
    Flagged lliflon January 13, 2013   Link
  • +5
    Translation:at about 2:40 in the song, there are some pretty inscrutable lyrics. above it is written as "and love is wonder twice. and-". it ends with "and". and so i decided to listen to the song closely and realise that it is actually some French words - "elle a besoin de toi. cela vient de matilda" which simply means, she needs you and it's coming from Matilda. just the French version of "and she needs you, this is from Matilda" which is the lyrics before this one.
    Flagged nurisirfanon December 18, 2012   Link
  • -2
    General Comment:A Youtube posting "Matilda is a character in the film 'Leon', the song is based on the penultimate scene of the film." The first few lines of the song sound promising (vocally), but then all hell breaks loose and it sounds as though Alvin without the Chipmunks has taken over after an acid trip.
    Flag NooContacton December 13, 2012   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I think it's 'love is un, deux, trois', anyone else?
    Flag Eeli2008on December 13, 2012   Link
    • 1 Reply
  • +4
    Song Meaning:It is from the penultimate scene of the film: Leon.


    SPOILERS:

    'This is from Matilda'

    (Mathilda is the character Reno befriends in the film)

    'Just like Johnny Flynn said, 'the breath I've taken and the one I must' to go on'

    Its a quote from a song by Johnny Flynn. I think it means Reno is preparing to build up the courage to kill himself in order to kill Oldman.

    This is what Jean Reno says to Gary Oldman while 'Put[ing] the grenade pin in [Oldman's] hand'.

    ' so you understand who's boss'

    Reno has grenades strapped to his chest.

    'My defeat sleeps top to toe with her success'

    I think this means Leon's death (and blowing up Gary Oldman) is where he is defeated but it is her (Mathilda's) success as the man who killed her family (especially brother) is now dead.


    'And she needs you
    This is for Matilda'

    Reno protects Matilda throughout the film.
    Flag rossb93on October 25, 2012   Link
    • 2 Replies
  • 0
    General Comment:as confirmed here: films.bandcamp.com/track/…

    The song Matilda describes the holy demise of Leon and the sickeningly corrupt drugged-up Detective Stansfield in the finale of Luc Besson's 1994 film: Leon
    Flagged sohereweareon October 25, 2012   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I know need to see this film
    Flagged ddutchie88on October 13, 2012   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:oliviatwist is right, they said it so in an interview. It's about the final scene in which Reno puts the grenade on Gary Oldman.
    Flag truzon September 22, 2012   Link
  • +3
    General Comment:This song has nothing to do with a girl contemplating suicide. It is a cinematic reference to the film "Leon/The Professional".
    Flag oliviatwison July 13, 2012   Link
  • -1
    General Comment:I always heard the Johnny Flynn reference, but didn't hear him say "Johnny Flynn". Quite surprising considering how different they sound.

    Although, I'm not entirely sure what this song is actually about, it's still good. Possibly about a girl who's at a loss, and her partner isn't there to hold her together, maybe she's considering suicide?
    Flag jackcnicholson June 20, 2012   Link
    • 2 Replies

Add your thoughts

Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.

Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!

Back to top
explain