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.
Lady Helen
Devin Townsend Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sing for a while
All the roads reach out to you
Stay for a while
Now I breathe on
Save the work for the afternoon
It's true,
I'll be there for the baby.
Now I have lost the appetite
Staying for a lie
All the roads that once were right
Stay the way,
they are.
Save the work till the afternoon
It's true...
I'll be there for the baby.
It's true...
It's you.
I'll always side with you.
'Till I fall.
Eyes forward
Eyes forward
Eyes forward
Eyes forward
Eyes forward
Eyes forward
Eyes forward
Eyes forward
I awoke Iapetus
Saying you're alive
All the roads lead after you
Saying you're alive
Now I breathe on.
Save the work till the afternoon
It's true...
I'll be there for the baby.
Eyes forward
Eyes forward
Eyes forward
Eyes forward
The lyrics to Devin Townsend Project's song "Lady Helen" are both poetic and ambiguous. Interpretation is rather a personal choice, but the core theme of the song appears to be about finding oneself and making connections despite the confusion and uncertainty that life brings.
The opening line of the song, "I awoke Iapetus," references the Titan in Greek mythology, who is associated with mortality and teaching humans the art of shaping clay. The singer could be seen as awakening to the reality of mortality and finding his place in the world. The line "Sing for a while, all the roads reach out to you, stay for a while" suggests taking time to explore your options before committing. The next set of lyrics expresses a desire to avoid wasting energy, "Save the work for the afternoon." The song's narrator also promises to be there for a baby, representing a new life and new beginnings.
The second half of the song appears to touch on the difficulties of finding your way, questioning what once felt right and suggesting that sometimes staying with a lie is easier than facing the truth. The final repeated line "Eyes forward" encourages focus and perseverance, with the song ending with the same line where it began, "I awoke Iapetus," possibly indicating the cyclical nature of life.
Line by Line Meaning
I awoke Iapetus
I am becoming aware of my reality and the world around me, like the Greek god Iapetus who was associated with mortality and human life.
Sing for a while
I will express myself through my voice and music, for the purpose of connecting with others and myself.
All the roads reach out to you
The paths and possibilities in life are open and available, and all lead towards the person or goal that I am seeking.
Stay for a while
I will remain in this moment, allowing myself to experience and appreciate it fully before moving on to the next.
Now I breathe on
I continue to exist and move forward, taking in the air and life around me with every breath.
Save the work for the afternoon
I will allow myself time in the day to be productive and accomplish tasks, but also prioritize rest and relaxation when needed.
It's true, I'll be there for the baby. I am.
I am committed and dedicated to taking care of those who are important to me, and acknowledge that it is a significant part of my identity.
Now I have lost the appetite
I no longer have the desire or drive to pursue something that I previously wanted or needed.
Staying for a lie
I am remaining in a situation or mindset that is not authentic or true to myself, despite knowing that it is not the right path for me.
All the roads that once were right, stay the way, they are.
The paths and choices that seemed correct and promising before, have not changed and remain the same even if they do not serve me anymore.
It's you. I'll always side with you.
I am loyal and dedicated to the person or cause that I believe in, and will support them no matter what.
'Till I fall.
I will continue to pour my energy and effort into my pursuits and responsibilities, until I can no longer physically or mentally sustain them.
Eyes forward
I will set my focus and attention on what is ahead of me, rather than dwelling on the past or getting sidetracked by distractions.
Saying you're alive
Acknowledging and affirming the preciousness of life and one's existence within it.
Contributed by Nolan S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.