He started his production career working in his own studio, Grant Avenue Studios in Hamilton, Ontario. He worked with a number of local bands, most notably Martha and the Muffins, for whom his sister Jocelyne played bass, Ray Materick, as well as the Canadian children's singer Raffi.
After being discovered by Brian Eno and working collaboratively with him on some of Eno's own projects, his career was given a huge boost when Eno invited him to co-produce U2's album The Unforgettable Fire. Along with Eno, he went on to produce U2's The Joshua Tree, the 1987 Grammy Winner for Album of the Year. Bono of U2 recommended Lanois to Bob Dylan in the late 1980s; in 1989 Lanois produced Dylan's Oh Mercy, widely considered one of Dylan's greatest later albums. Eight years later Dylan and Lanois worked together on Time Out of Mind, Dylan's first studio album of original material since 1990, which won a Grammy Award for Album of the Year in 1997.
Wrecking Ball, his 1995 collaboration with Emmylou Harris, received almost unanimous critical praise (many critics placed the album on their year-end "best albums of the year" lists), and revived the aging country artist's career, bringing her to the attention of much younger rock audiences.
As well as being a producer, singer and songwriter, Daniel Lanois plays the guitar, pedal steel and drums. His desire is to bring out the best in the artists he works with and produces, with his wide range of talents and musical ideas. He often leaves an atmospheric and emotionally resonant sound on the projects he produces, which some say has become his 'signature sound'.
Daniel founded Red Floor Records to release his own music albums and DVD films that he sells direct to consumers from his website in high resolution downloads and traditional formats: www.DanielLanois.com
After completing production work on U2's latest album "No Line In The Horizon" in 2009, Daniel has built a new recording studio in Toronto, which he has named "The Temple", as it is located on the site of a former Buddhist Temple. He recently completed producing Neil Young's latest 2010 release, "Le Noise". However, on June 5th, 2010, while working on Young's album, Daniel was in a serious motorcycle accident near his Silver Lake area home of Los Angeles, and he had to postpone his latest personal priority project, Black Dub which features Daniel on guitars, world renown drummer/percussionist Brian Blade, bassist and harmony vocalist Daryl Johnson, and lead vocalist/keyboardist Trixie Whitley (the daughter of the late Chris Whitley).
Black Dub have been signed to Jive Records and they are expected to commence a world tour in early 2011 supporting their debut self titled release, and they are currently doing special engagements throughout November and early December 2010 across the USA.
Daniel has recently written an autobiographical memoir entitled "Soul Mining, A Musical Life" that can be pre-ordered and is expected to be officially released through traditional book store channels in late November 2010.
St. Anne's Gold
Daniel Lanois Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I feel no pain
And the western cross
On snow white plain
Look over yonder
The pines are down
They've laid them well
I hear the howling timber wolf
I hear the howling timber wolf
Sleepy eyes
Fading light
Snow white Suzy
You're my desire
You carry me back home
You carry me back home
The song "St. Ann's Gold" by Daniel Lanois has a hauntingly contemplative ambiance that is amplified by the sparse, hypnotic instrumentation that permeates the song. The lyrics in the song are enigmatic, painting a vivid but enigmatic picture of a remote wintry landscape. In the opening verse, the singer describes their feet are cold but experiences no pain, evoking a sense of numbness and isolation. The reference to the western cross on snow white plain adds to the imagery, as if the landscape itself is a form of solace for the pain or troubles that the singer is experiencing. The second verse is more ominous; it speaks of the felling of the pines on sequoia ground, a symbol of loss and destruction. The howling timber wolf, which is heard in the distance, adds to the sense of foreboding.
The chorus provides a sense of respite and comfort, with the singer describing a connection to 'Snow White Suzy' who they desire. The third verse has an air of yearning as the singer wishes to be carried back home by Snow White Suzy, perhaps in a metaphorical sense rather than a literal one. The song is full of conflicting emotions, with the sense of loss and isolation presented alongside the desire for human connection and warmth.
Line by Line Meaning
With feet so cold
My feet are numb and I cannot feel any pain.
I feel no pain
I am so cold that my body is numb and I cannot feel pain.
And the western cross
I see the Christian symbol of the cross in the Western part of the sky.
On snow white plain
The ground in front of me is covered in white snow and appears flat and unbroken.
Look over yonder
Please look in the direction I am pointing.
The pines are down
The tall, evergreen trees have been cut down.
They've laid them well
The trees have been carefully laid out flat and are arranged in an orderly fashion.
On sequoia ground
The trees have been placed on the fertile, nutrient-rich ground where sequoia trees usually grow.
I hear the howling timber wolf
I can hear the sound of a lone wolf howling in the distance.
Sleepy eyes
My eyes are droopy and I feel tired.
Fading light
It is becoming darker as the daylight is dwindling.
Snow white Suzy
This could be a metaphor for a pure, innocent, and beautiful woman.
You're my desire
I am attracted to you and I want you.
You carry me back home
Being with you makes me feel like I am back where I belong, safe and comfortable.
You carry me back home
Being with you makes me feel like I am back where I belong, safe and comfortable.
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, OLE MEDIA MANAGEMENT LP
Written by: DANIEL ROLAND LANOIS, MALCOLM BURN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Linda
I realize now nearly 30 years later this album 'Acadie' was a streaming musical meditation for me for years that instantly transported me right into the very depths of its soul. If not for Bob Long a Stony Brook University Radio DJ who's Sunday 1pm-3pm time slot I stumbled upon back when this masterpiece came out... I'm not so sure I would've found Daniel. (Nah.. I would have... somehow.) I rarely find the music I love out in plain sight. This is when I first heard the song "Ice" playing and became transfixed by the beautiful yet eery waltz-like melody. Been hooked ever since. "God help us through the night".
Philip Ferguson
Absolutely beautiful.
Craig Stewart
This is the song that I want played at my funeral.
SnakEmil the Science Eel
This song makes me want to die in a peaceful warm bed bathed in sunlight, close to the world but not connected to it. I want to drift into the great beyond with this song playing in the background.
Stu Stig
I hope you get your wish - beautiful song
Sarah Loffler
I will always think of Herbert when I hear this song. He was a good friend, and I did him wrong. If you read this, Herbert, I am sorry. I love Daniel Lanois, and Herbert, it is because you introduced me to him. You always had amazing taste in music.
Aqene1000
Sublime Guitar.
Irish Field
So amazing music ever thanks Dan :D :D
Joseph Zao
In 2001 I had an invitation from my true Love to get to California or she would never be able to see me again. I put all my electronics in the car, removing 3 seats. I drove 3 days non stop with my two cats, Charm and Titanium. The song St. Ann's Gold was very pretty as I drove West. I am humbled by American’s however I hate Virginia like it was the heart of Death. Those feelings exist no matter whether rich or poor. I live in California. My sister cannibalized my fiancé in the traditions and doctrines of the Episcopalian Church.
I recognize even Einstein had a problem with the imagination of Thomas Jefferson. 8 lousy Presidents good for Hell and only entangling alliances.
Life is a spirit made by God. Virginia kills it as stool pigeons.
An internet friend that lived in Vancouver named “Candy” turned me on to Daniel Lanois.