Like his trademark suit, Myles’ music is timeless. Regardless of quickly passing trends and fads, it will persevere. From soulful, contemporary pop crooners to delicate, jazzy folk ditties, and down-home, back porch roots tunes to infectious hip-hop earworms, David’s only artistic constants are his always growing, shape shifting songwriting, and his exceptional ability to entertain.
Myles effortlessly injects any song with his irresistible energy, which has led him to numerous collaborations, most recently with the Latin Grammy award-winning Alex Cuba on “In 1-2-3-4” —a simmering toe-tapper infused with the heart of Havana’s dance floors. In 2012, he teamed up with Canadian hip hop star Classified and produced the JUNO award-winning, quadruple-platinum “Inner Ninja”, the biggest selling rap single in Canadian history. His endearing live charm, coupled with an uplifting sense of humour, has gained Myles an increasingly large fan base, and afforded him frequent festival appearances. In 2014, he became the host of CBC’s “East Coast Music Hour”, a new radio program and web portal dedicated to Atlantic Canadian music and music makers.
Hovering somewhere around a magic spot between James Taylor and Justin Timberlake, Myles’s diverse set of musical tools has garnered a staggering number of prestigious nominations and awards, including a JUNO and multiple Music Nova Scotia and ECMA awards in addition to numerous high profile music placements around the globe, from the US hit series “Parenthood”, to Australia’s popular “Packed to the Rafters”.
Holy Man
David Myles Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sometimes I feel like everything I touch could turn to gold
That I could be a holy man my voice could save a soul
Other times I wonder why that light won't shine down on me
Other times I wonder why that light won't shine down on me
I've been looking real hard there ain't nothing I can see
I'm stuck dreaming of the days when it rained and rained and rained
When the devil knew my face and the angels knew my name
But I don't ask why I do this to myself
I don't' ask why I do this to myself
Did I really make this choice, was it made by someone else
And though I'm scared, scared for my life
And though I'm scared, scared for my life
Scared that the day will come that my well will run dry
I'll never read the future get no answers from my past
I'll never read the future get no answers from my past
I got to sing every song as if it were my last
I got to sing every song as if it were my last
I got to sing every song as if it were my last
In David Myles's song Holy Man, the lyrics touch upon the themes of self-doubt, insecurity, and the desire for greatness. The first two lines of the song set up the paradoxical nature of the singer's emotions as they oscillate between feeling confident and capable ("everything I touch could turn to gold") and feeling unsure and inadequate ("why that light won't shine down on me"). The line "I've been looking real hard there ain't nothing I can see" suggests that the singer has been searching for some kind of validation or recognition but has been unable to find it.
The second verse of the song seems to illustrate the singer's feelings of nostalgia and yearning for a simpler time. The repetition of "I'm stuck dreaming of the days when it rained and rained and rained" evokes a sense of longing for a time in the past when things seemed more comfortable or familiar. The line "when the devil knew my face and the angels knew my name" suggests that the singer has experienced both darkness and light in their life, and perhaps feels a sense of loss or nostalgia for those times.
The final verse of the song brings the themes of the previous verses together in a powerful conclusion. The line "I'll never read the future get no answers from my past" acknowledges the uncertainty and impermanence of life, and the lines "scared that the day will come that my well will run dry" and "I got to sing every song as if it were my last" emphasize the importance of living life to the fullest and making use of one's talents and abilities while they still can. Overall, the song seems to be about the struggle to find meaning and purpose in life, and the tension between ambition and self-doubt.
Line by Line Meaning
Sometimes I feel like everything I touch could turn to gold
At times, I feel as though my actions have immense value and can lead to great success.
That I could be a holy man my voice could save a soul
I have the potential to be a savior for those in need and have a positive impact on their lives.
Other times I wonder why that light won't shine down on me
There are moments where I question why good things do not happen to me, despite my efforts.
I've been looking real hard there ain't nothing I can see
I have searched thoroughly, but still cannot find an explanation for my lack of fortune.
I'm stuck dreaming of the days when it rained and rained and rained
I am nostalgic for a time when difficulties were more manageable, and relief was more frequent.
When the devil knew my face and the angels knew my name
I have experienced both moments of both darkness and light, and both have been deeply ingrained in my identity.
I don't ask why I do this to myself
I do not question why I put myself through challenging or uncomfortable situations.
Did I really make this choice, was it made by someone else
I question whether my decisions were truly made by myself or influenced by external factors beyond my control.
And though I'm scared, scared for my life
Despite my fears and anxieties, I continue to pursue my passions and goals.
Scared that the day will come that my well will run dry
I am anxious that my creative output will eventually cease or become stagnant.
I'll never read the future get no answers from my past
I do not have the ability to predict what will happen in the future, nor can I find answers from my past to help guide me.
I got to sing every song as if it were my last
I must approach each opportunity with a sense of urgency and give it my all, as if it may be my last chance.
Contributed by Abigail D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.