Born in 1970 and raised in Kitchener, Ontario , he began his professional career playing with the Rhinos before beginning a solo career. In the late 1990s, he moved to Ottawa, where he developed a loyal following with a weekly show at the Manx Pub on Elgin St. In his live shows, he often uses looped live samples of his guitar and other instruments to create a richly layered solo performance. While at the Manx he often entertained with cover versions of songs by some of his favourite artists, including David Bowie, Elvis Costello, Tom Waits, and the Rheostatics. At the same time, he began to amass an extensive repertoire of original tunes, and briefly joined local power-pop band Starling.
As a songwriter, he has released six albums, including an album devoted to covers David Bowie songs. His albums have often been recorded in a home-studio with him performing most, if not all, instruments. He is a talented guitarist who is universally lauded for his lyrics, having been compared to Elvis Costello and received accolades from renowned Canadian author Timothy Findley.
In 2004, Danny was nominated for Best New Artist at the Juno Awards following the release of his album "Tales from the Invisible Man" the previous year. The award went to Michael Bublé.
Tennessee Tobacco
Danny Michel Lyrics
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Dragging mud and muck across my floor
She sat down in the chair where I was sitting
Picked up my guitar and made a chord
And she said, "your loves like Tennessee Tobacco
And it's killing me and all I want it more
Your hearts a lonely little chapel
And she said, "Babe, did you forget today is Friday?
And you promised that you'd take me to a show"
I said, "I swear the TV said that it was Monday"
And she kicked my shin and walked right out the door
She took my car and drove down to the legion
Grinding all the gears as she drove
She said, "the old guys there know how to treat a lady
And by the way your car got towed"
I said, "Your loves like Tennessee Tobacco
And it's killing me and all I want is more
Your hearts a lonely little chapel
But I love it's dusty pews and creaky floors"
Well I try my best and I swear I do
And my best is all I know
And I'll never leave this one horse town
If you decide to hang around
Well I found her in the morning at the table
Hungover and staring at her spoon
and I tried to make some cakes on the griddle
She just laughed and sang her little tune
And she said, "your loves like Tennessee Tobacco
And it's killing me and all I want it more
Your hearts a lonely little chapel
But I love it's dusty pews and creaky floors"
I said, "Your loves like Tennessee Tobasco
And it's killing me and all I want is more
Your hearts a lonely little chapel
But I love it's dusty pews and creaky floors"
The lyrics of Danny Michel's "Tennessee Tobacco" tell the story of a relationship that's addictive, yet difficult. The singer is being compared to "Tennessee Tobacco" by his lover whom he compares to a "lonely little chapel." The strong metaphor is expressed with simple, straightforward language with a chorus that is highly memorable.
The song begins with a scene where the singer is playing the guitar at home, probably lost in thought, but then the entrance of his partner changes the mood. She is described as a "whirlwind" with mud and muck on her boots. She takes the guitar, plays a chord, and begins the poem in a tone of accusation stating that his love for her is like Tennessee Tobacco, and it is killing her, but still, she wants more of it. The scene goes on, with a humorous incident where the singer forgets the day he'd promised to take her out, and she refuses to listen to his excuse. Eventually, the song ends with the lover spurning baked goods the next morning and singing the same tune that he loves the dark, dusty, and worn purity of their relationship.
The song conveys a sense of both unity and conflict. There's a deep connection between the two characters that is comparable to the purity of dusty pews and creaky floorboards in a chapel, but that same purity is also what is causing the pain. The singer sees his beloved as beautiful and valuable, but he is uncertain how to handle her stress.
Line by Line Meaning
Well she came into my doorway like a whirlwind
She entered the room abruptly and energetically.
Dragging mud and muck across my floor
She brought in dirt and debris with her.
She sat down in the chair where I was sitting
She took a seat where I was already seated.
Picked up my guitar and made a chord
She played a chord on my guitar.
And she said, "your loves like Tennessee Tobacco
She compared my love to Tennessee Tobacco.
And it's killing me and all I want it more
My love is very addictive and she wants more of it.
Your hearts a lonely little chapel
My heart is a secluded and intimate place.
But I love it's dusty pews and creaky floors"
But she enjoys the imperfections and roughness of my heart.
And she said, "Babe, did you forget today is Friday?
She reminded me that it was Friday and we had previous plans.
And you promised that you'd take me to a show"
I had previously promised to take her to a show.
I said, "I swear the TV said that it was Monday"
I lied and made an excuse for forgetting our plans.
And she kicked my shin and walked right out the door
She physically harmed me and left the room in anger.
She took my car and drove down to the legion
She took my car and drove to a specific location.
Grinding all the gears as she drove
She drove the car roughly and aggressively.
She said, "the old guys there know how to treat a lady
She believed that the older men at that location would treat her better.
And by the way your car got towed"
She informed me that my car had been towed.
Well I try my best and I swear I do
I attempt to do my best.
And my best is all I know
I can only do the best that I am capable of.
And I'll never leave this one horse town
I will remain in this small, isolated town.
If you decide to hang around
If she chooses to stay with me.
Well I found her in the morning at the table
The next morning, I discovered her sitting at the table.
Hungover and staring at her spoon
She was suffering from a hangover and staring at her spoon.
and I tried to make some cakes on the griddle
I attempted to make some pancakes on the stove.
She just laughed and sang her little tune
She laughed and sang a lighthearted song.
And she said, "your loves like Tennessee Tobacco
She repeated her previous comparison of my love to Tennessee Tobacco.
And it's killing me and all I want it more
My love is still addictive and she desires more of it.
Your hearts a lonely little chapel
She repeats her description of my heart as a secluded, intimate place.
But I love it's dusty pews and creaky floors"
She still appreciates the imperfect and rough nature of my heart.
I said, "Your loves like Tennessee Tobasco
I make a playful alteration to her previous comparison by swapping "Tobacco" with "Tobasco."
And it's killing me and all I want is more
I also find her love to be addictive and desire more of it.
Your hearts a lonely little chapel
I repeat her description of my heart as a secluded, intimate place.
But I love it's dusty pews and creaky floors"
I also appreciate the imperfect and rough nature of my heart.
Contributed by Julian Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.