Devin Garrett Townsend (born May 5, 1972) is a Canadian musician and record… Read Full Bio ↴Devin Garrett Townsend (born May 5, 1972) is a Canadian musician and record producer from New Westminster, British Columbia. He was the founder, songwriter, vocalist, and guitarist in extreme metal band Strapping Young Lad from 1994 to 2007 and has had an extensive career as a solo artist, in which his work usually leans more towards a progressive metal style.

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.

Midnight Sun
Devin Townsend Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Midnight sun is rising
You had always known
That my life is yours

The sun sets in the desert
And you will always be

Though you're gone, we see the sun!

I know, cause we're together now
In my dream

The sun sets in the desert, but you will always be

Though you're gone, we see the sun
I know, cause we're together now
I know, cause we're together now
I know, always

Home
Dream (you bought the wonderful dream)

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Midnight Sun" by Devin Townsend are open to interpretation, but they seem to describe the connection that the singer has with a loved one who has passed away. The refrain, "The sun sets in the desert, but you will always be," suggests a sense of continuity and comfort that the singer feels even though their loved one is no longer with them in the physical world. The image of the "midnight sun" rising further emphasizes this idea of light and continuity, as the sun never truly sets in the summer months in certain parts of the world, and can symbolize the ever-burning flame of memory and affection.

The lyrics also touch on the idea of dreams, as the singer mentions being together with their loved one "in my dream." Dreams can be seen as a way of keeping a connection alive when a physical one is no longer possible, whether through memories, wishes, or even the subconscious. The line "Dream (you bought the wonderful dream)" further emphasizes this idea of a dream being something to cherish and hold onto, as it may represent a shared aspiration or fantasy that both the singer and their loved one held dear.

Overall, "Midnight Sun" is a poignant song that captures the bittersweet nature of loss, memory, and hope. The images of light and dreams can offer solace and comfort in times of darkness, and the idea of a loved one always being present, even if not physically, can be a powerful source of strength.

Line by Line Meaning

Midnight sun is rising
The day is starting, although it is still dark out

You had always known
You were aware of what was to come

That my life is yours
My existence belongs to you

The sun sets in the desert
The day ends in a barren and isolated place

And you will always be
You will continue to exist, even after death

Though you're gone, we see the sun!
Even in your absence, we recognize the beauty of life

I know, cause we're together now
We are united in a shared experience

In my dream
This union only exists in a fantasy or imagination

I know, always
This feeling of connection is eternal

Home
A place of comfort and familiarity

Dream (you bought the wonderful dream)
The happiness and contentment of the shared illusion