Matthew Good
A Canadian rock songwriter who channels raw personal struggle and sharp political dissent into anthems that defined a generation's angst.
Born 1971 (age 55)·Canadian musician·Birthday: June 29·Generation X
Biography
Matthew Good emerged from Vancouver in the 1990s as a voice that was both brutally honest and melodically grand. Leading the Matthew Good Band, he crafted ambitious alternative rock that tackled consumerism, social alienation, and mental health with a poet's eye and a rock star's swagger. Hits like 'Hello Time Bomb' and 'Apparitions' became soundtracks for a disaffected youth, propelled by his intense, charismatic delivery. After the band's split, his solo work delved deeper into personal territory, documenting his public struggles with bipolar disorder with unflinching candor. This vulnerability, paired with his acerbic and insightful commentary on politics and society via blogs and social media, has cemented his status as more than a musician—he's a provocative cultural figure who refuses to stay silent, using his platform to challenge and connect.
Generation X
1965–1980
The latchkey kids. Raised during divorce, recession, and the end of the Cold War. Skeptical, self-reliant, media-literate. They invented indie culture, grunge, and the early internet — then watched the Boomers take credit.
Matthew was born in 1971, placing them squarely in the Generation X. The events that shaped this generation — economic uncertainty, the end of the Cold War, and the rise of personal computing — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Matthew Was Born
The biggest hits of 1971
#1 Movie
Fiddler on the Roof
Best Picture
The French Connection
#1 TV Show
Marcus Welby, M.D.
Matthew's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1971Born
Voting age lowered to 18 in the US
Gas: $0.36/galHome: $18,100Min wage: $1.60/hrPresident: Richard Nixon"Joy to the World" — Three Dog NightBest Picture: The French Connection
1976Started school
Apple Computer founded; US bicentennial
Gas: $0.59/galHome: $29,300Min wage: $2.30/hrPresident: Gerald Ford"Silly Love Songs" — WingsBest Picture: Rocky
1984Became a teenager
Apple Macintosh introduced
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $59,800Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"When Doves Cry" — PrinceBest Picture: Amadeus
1987Could drive
Black Monday stock market crash
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $72,400Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Walk Like an Egyptian" — The BanglesBest Picture: The Last Emperor
1989Could vote
Berlin Wall falls; Tiananmen Square protests
Gas: $1.00/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Look Away" — ChicagoBest Picture: Driving Miss Daisy
1992Turned 21
LA riots after Rodney King verdict
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $84,300Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"End of the Road" — Boyz II MenBest Picture: Unforgiven
2001Turned 30
September 11 attacks transform the world
Gas: $1.46/galHome: $126,400Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Hanging by a Moment" — LifehouseBest Picture: A Beautiful Mind
2011Turned 40
Osama bin Laden killed; Arab Spring sweeps the Middle East
Gas: $3.53/galHome: $138,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Rolling in the Deep" — AdeleBest Picture: The Artist
2021Turned 50
January 6 Capitol breach; COVID vaccines roll out globally
Gas: $3.01/galHome: $298,900Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"Levitating" — Dua LipaBest Picture: CODA
2026Age 55 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Led the Matthew Good Band to multi-platinum success in Canada with albums like 'Beautiful Midnight' and 'The Audio of Being.'
- Has received 21 Juno Award nominations, winning four, including New Group of the Year in 2000.
- Authored a widely-read personal blog and used his platform for outspoken advocacy on mental health and political issues.
- Successfully transitioned to a sustained solo career, releasing acclaimed albums like 'Hospital Music' and 'Chaotic Neutral.'
Did You Know?
He is an avid birdwatcher and has referenced this passion in his songwriting and social media posts.
He publicly disclosed his diagnosis of bipolar disorder in the mid-2000s.
His 2007 solo album 'Hospital Music' was written during a period of intense personal crisis and hospitalization.
“I'm not interested in being a rock star. I'm interested in being a guy who writes songs that matter to people.”
