After performing in a number of metal bands in high school, Townsend was discovered by a record label in 1993 and was asked to perform lead vocals on Steve Vai's album Sex & Religion. After recording and touring with Vai, Townsend was discouraged by what he found in the music industry, and vented his anger on a solo album released under the pseudonym Strapping Young Lad. He soon assembled a band under the name, and released the critically acclaimed City in 1997. Since then, he has released three more studio albums with Strapping Young Lad, along with solo material released under his own independent record label, HevyDevy Records. Townsend's solo albums, a diverse mix of hard rock and progressive metal, have featured a varying lineup of supporting musicians. In 2002 he formed The Devin Townsend Band, a dedicated lineup which recorded and toured for two of his solo releases.
In 2007, Townsend disbanded both Strapping Young Lad and The Devin Townsend Band, taking a break from touring to spend more time with his family. After a two-year hiatus, he began work on a four-album series called The Devin Townsend Project, with each album written in a different style. The first two entries in the series, Ki and Addicted, were released in 2009. Townsend scheduled tours throughout Australia and North America in 2010 in support of the albums, and released the next two, Deconstruction and Ghost, in 2011.
Townsend's trademark production style, featuring a heavily multitracked wall of sound, has been compared to the styles of Phil Spector and Frank Zappa. His versatile vocal delivery ranges from screaming to an opera-esque singing, and his songwriting is similarly diverse. Townsend's musical style is rooted in metal, and his albums are written to express different aspects of his personality.
Color Your World
Devin Townsend Lyrics
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The song "Color Your World" by Devin Townsend is a complex and multifaceted piece that explores various themes and emotions. The opening lines, "See how the waves of the world recline to me, see how the weight of the world resigns to me," convey a sense of power and control, as if the singer is able to bend the world to their will. This is followed by the haunting repetition of the phrase "sooner or later," which suggests that despite their apparent mastery, there may be forces beyond their control that will eventually catch up with them.
The lyrics then shift to a more chaotic and frenzied tone, with references to a "satyr" and being caught up in wire. These lines paint a picture of someone who is losing their grip on reality, perhaps due to addiction or mental illness. This is further underscored by the repeated assertion that "I'm Ziltoid," a character who is featured in several of Townsend's albums and is often associated with madness and alienation.
Line by Line Meaning
See how the waves of the world, Recline to me,
The singer is observing how the world seems to quiet down and become peaceful in his or her presence.
See how the weight of the world, Resign to me,
The singer is noticing how the burdens of the world seem to fade away or become manageable in his or her presence.
Sooner or later, The nights with the satyr, Will bring back the memories, Time�
The singer is reflecting on past experiences that involved wild or hedonistic behavior and how those memories can resurface unexpectedly.
See how the sight of it all, Recline to me,
Similar to the first line, the artist is observing how the world around him or her seems to calm and become serene.
Dance of the power of all, Resign to me,
The artist is noticing how even powerful or influential individuals or forces seem to become submissive in his or her presence.
Who�s the weakest now ? Caught up in the wire, I�m already gone, Who�s the weakest ?
The singer is taunting or challenging someone who has presumably wronged him or her, saying that they are the weakest and he or she has already moved on.
I concede to rights, To do whatever I can, Watching a right, But not this, I�m Ziltoid!
The singer is asserting his or her freedom and independence, but also identifying with the fictional character of Ziltoid, who also represents freedom and individuality.
I don�t give a shit! I live above earth! In a rocketship! I�m Ziltoid! The horror! The horror!
The artist is expressing a disregard for societal norms or expectations and embracing his or her own identity as someone who lives outside of those norms, again referencing the character of Ziltoid.
Stay at home for me, You and I are free, To love by the firewall, Too loud for a while...
The artist is inviting someone to stay with him or her and enjoy a moment of freedom and passion, but also acknowledging that it may not last forever.
(Ziltoid the omniscient) Come on I, Are we ? (Oooohhh Ahhh) In time, You�ll be young again, Too loud for a while...
The artist is again referencing the character of Ziltoid and suggesting that he or she and the person they are addressing are both seeking a sense of renewal or a break from the norm.
Say I�m wasting all my life, Say I�m wasting time,
The singer is acknowledging criticism that he or she may be living life in a way that is not productive or in line with societal expectations.
You say you wanna know! You say you wanna take it down! You say you wanna know, know, know! Well now�s the only time!
The artist is challenging someone to be more proactive and take action now instead of just talking about what they want.
Are you sure you wanna know ? Are you sure you wanna take it down ? Are you sure you wanna know, know, know ? You�re a PUPPET!
The singer is implying that the person they are addressing is controlled by outside forces or is not really in control of their own life.
I am a PUPPET! We are all PUPPETS!
The singer is acknowledging that everyone is influenced by outside forces and not truly in complete control of their own lives, including himself or herself.
Contributed by Cameron G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.