“Lights Down Low,” scheduled for release this Feb is a cd of cover tunes which may appear randomly diverse at first read – Joy Division, ABBA, Bob Marley, The Clash – but dav’s intensity and the musical ingenuity of her partner in the project, Danny Michel, create a disc that feels like a natural whole. dav explores every facet of her voice and reveals depths of tenderness and passion. She and Danny play with rhythms and arrangements that honour proven hits with fresh perspectives and a true love for the music. dav refers to the cd as “the perfect dinner party record” in its eclectic representation of musical genres and eras.
damhnait’s career is charging ahead on every level as she continues to explore a variety of creative outlets. In addition to her recent solo project, dav and Kim toured throughout 2007 to promote Shaye’s latest cd, “Lake of Fire.” The title track soared to #13 on the A/C charts and “You’re Not Alone” followed with similar success. The girls also shot a very well received 4-part reality/documentary television series with Global which featured an authentic, unscripted and sometimes hysterical glimpse behind the entertainment curtain. The show follows the girls as they promote “Lake Of Fire” which built on the momentum established by two huge radio hits from the first cd, “The bridge.” (“Happy Baby” and “Beauty” both shot instantly into the Top Twenty on the A/C charts and “Happy Baby” earned a SOCAN Award, A Canadian Radio Music Award and a Juno nomination.) Shaye’s self-titled show aired initially on the E! network and was picked up later in the fall and aired on CMT.
Whether with Shaye or performing solo, damhnait has toured Canada extensively, opening for legends like Willie Nelson and sharing the stage as special guest with such artists as Nelly Furtado, Dido and Jann Arden. With Shaye, she has represented Canada at Japan’s 2005 Expo and has performed on Canada Day on Parliament Hill in Ottawa. On her own, dav has travelled to Kandahar twice to perform for Canadian forces personnel – initially as part of a CBC Christmas television special and subsequently as a guest of General Rick Hillier. She also journeyed to Africa to contribute her talents to the documentary The Song for Africa, a project aimed at raising awareness about the AIDS pandemic in Africa among Canada’s youth. Her insightful and humorous recounting of her experiences is what prompted the publication of her first book, “Miscellaneous Female.”
damhnait dedicates a significant amount of time and energy to co-writing – efforts which have paid off with covers by Brian Melo, Eva Avila, Rex Goudie and Alexz Johnson, as well as multiple television and film placements. Never one to stray far from a microphone, dav has guested on recordings with Bruce Cockburn, Kevin Parent and Justin Nozuka – to name just a few. Her previous solo effort “dav-net” was a sophisticated, acoustic, roots/rock recording, with mature, powerful writing. “dav-net” garnered two 2004 East Coast Music Awards for Female and Pop/Rock Recording of the year and dav placed as a finalist in the International Songwriting Competition for her song, “Afterglow.”
dynamic and innovative . . . emotional and intelligent . . .
QUOTES:
"...my favourite performer was Doyle, whose sassy energy lit up the stage, while her dazzling sequined mini-dress and four-inch heels lent an air of glamour to the occasion."
The Ottawa Citizen
“a versatile voice that is angel-pure one minute, deep and hurtin’ the next”
Here Magazine
“Raw acoustic sounding collage of songs full of angst, heart-breaking stories and stellar songwriting”
Newfoundland Herald
“This Newfoundland raised singer with the soaring voice just released a lovely new album.”
The Daily News
“This album is an extremely immediate, personal and moody folk-pop recording.”
The Calgary Sun
“damhnait has evolved into a great singer/songwriter.”
Times & Transcript
“The album has an earthly appeal that should click with fans.”
Canadian Music Network Magazine
“If you don’t like this cd for her sweet honesty, then you’ll likely fall for the enchantingly sexy vocals, but I promise real fans of acoustic pop that you’ll adore it for a dozen other reasons . . . I’m sorry but that girl is gold, solid gold.”
The Gate
“Her voice is now rich and mellow, with a tang, and her emphasis is firmly on the songwriting.”
New Brunswick Reader
“There are many moments of pure power.”
Metro Toronto
“Doyle’s pride in this album is deserved.”
FFWD
“Third time is a charm for Damhnait.”
The Record
I Want You to Want Me
Damhnait Doyle Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'd love you to love me, I'm beggin' you to beg me
I want you to want me
I need you to need me, I'd love you to love me
I'll shine up the old red shoes, put on a brand-new skirt
I'll come home straight from work if you say that you love me
Didn't I, didn't I, didn't I see you cryin'
Didn't I, didn't I, didn't I see you cryin'
Feelin' all alone without a friend, you know you feel like dyin'
Oh, didn't I, didn't I, didn't I see you cryin'
I want you to want me, I need you to need me
I'd love you to love me, I'm beggin' you to beg me
I'll shine up the old red shoes, put on a brand-new skirt
I'll come home straight from work if you say that you love me
Didn't I, didn't I, didn't I see you cryin'
Oh, didn't I, didn't I, didn't I see you cryin'
Feelin' all alone without a friend, you know you feel like dyin'
Oh, didn't I, didn't I, didn't I see you cryin'
Feelin' all alone without a friend, you know you feel like dyin'
Oh, didn't I, didn't I, didn't I see you cryin'
I want you to want me, I want you to want me
I want you to want me, I want you to want me
The lyrics to Damhnait Doyle's "I Want You to Want Me" are about the desire for reciprocal affection and attention in a relationship. The singer longs for the other person to want and need them just as much as they do - the repetition of the phrase "I want you to want me" solidifies this desire. The singer also mentions the lengths they would go to for the other person's affection, including shining up their shoes and putting on a new outfit. The line "I'll come home straight from work if you say that you love me" indicates a willingness to prioritize the relationship and their partner's needs.
The verse "Didn't I, didn't I, didn't I see you cryin', feelin' all alone without a friend, you know you feel like dyin'" further emphasizes the singer's empathy for the other person's emotional struggles, and their desire to provide comfort and support. The repetition of "didn't I" suggests that the singer has been there for the other person in the past and expects reciprocity.
Overall, the song is about the universal desire for love and validation in a relationship. The repetition of phrases like "I want you to want me" and "didn't I see you cryin'" highlight the need for reciprocity and emotional support.
Line by Line Meaning
I want you to want me, I need you to need me
I am in love with you and I desire for you to have the same feelings towards me.
I'd love you to love me, I'm beggin' you to beg me
Not only do I want you to want me, I also yearn for you to love me so deeply that you will beg for my affection.
I'll shine up the old red shoes, put on a brand-new skirt
I am willing to make an effort for you, to dress up and take care of myself in the hopes of catching your eye.
I'll come home straight from work if you say that you love me
My love for you is so strong that I would be willing to change my daily routine just to hear you declare your love for me.
Didn't I, didn't I, didn't I see you cryin'
I have witnessed your pain and sadness, and I want to be the one to comfort you and make you happy.
Feelin' all alone without a friend, you know you feel like dyin'
I understand how it feels to be lonely and without companionship, and I want to be the one to fill that void for you.
Oh, didn't I, didn't I, didn't I see you cryin'
I acknowledge the emotional pain you have experienced and I want to be there for you to help you through it.
I want you to want me, I want you to want me
My desire for you is so strong that I need to reiterate it, hoping that my feelings will be reciprocated.
Writer(s): Melissa Etheridge, Rick Nielsen
Contributed by Kaitlyn E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.