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.
The Greys
Devin Townsend Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Stay away from me for a while, unknown...
You give me all your heart, you give me all your heart for me
It's the greys again I know, I know.
And it's a sinister game they play, I know... I know.
You give me all your heart, give me all your heart for me.
And the world it gets so loud
You were right, you were always right
Ready or not here I come!!!
And the greys flood our memories in the long haul
Can the greys wash away?
Chaos!
And the world it gets so loud
And when they start to tear you apart
You were right, you were always right there
Ready or not here I come!!!
And the greys flood our memories in the long haul
And the greys flood our memories in the long haul
And the greys flood our memories in the long haul
And the greys flood our memories in the long haul
Devin Townsend's song The Greys speaks to our fear of the unknown, encouraging us to stay away from it. The use of the word "grey" suggests something vague, not fully developed or understood. The lyrics suggest that the greys are not to be trusted and are associated with a sinister game. Perhaps the greys represent a loathing or aversion towards a confusing, forbidden area of life - one that we are unsure of or aren't familiar with. The theme of fear and paranoia is further emphasized in the line "And the world it gets so loud, and when they start to tear you apart".
However, amidst all this confusion and paranoia, the song suggests that there is hope. Even though the world may seem overwhelming and full of the greys that flood our memories, there is still a sense of empowerment, with the lines "you were right, you were always right, ready or not here I come!!!". Perhaps this suggests that we need to trust our instincts, acknowledge that the unknown can be scary, but that we can still face it bravely in order to move forward.
Overall, the lyrics of Devin Townsend's The Greys seem to be pointing to a fear of the unknown or unfamiliar. It suggests that we need to be cautious, but not let fear hold us back. The use of the word "grey" encourages us to broaden our thinking and interpretation, seeing past preconceptions and embracing the new or unknown.
Line by Line Meaning
Stay away from the unknown
Keep yourself at a distance from what you don't understand or what seems unfamiliar to you.
Stay away from me for a while, unknown...
I ask of you to stay away from me, as I need time and space for myself to deal with my uncertainties and unfamiliarities.
You give me all your heart, you give me all your heart for me
You reveal to me your love and devotion in its entirety, and give it all to me selflessly.
It's the greys again I know, I know.
I feel the return of my sense of uncertainty and confusion, as the 'greys' seep back into my consciousness.
And it's a sinister game they play, I know... I know.
I am aware that these feelings are the result of some destructive force or influence, and that there is some malevolent game at play.
And the world it gets so loud
Everything around me seems to be getting more intense and overwhelming, as if the volume has been turned up.
And when they start to tear you apart
When these chaotic forces start to break you down and dismantle you piece by piece.
You were right, you were always right
I acknowledge that you were correct all along, and that I should have heeded your advice sooner.
Ready or not here I come!!!
I am ready to face whatever comes my way, even if it is unpleasant or difficult.
And the greys flood our memories in the long haul
These negative feelings linger and persist in our recollections over a long period of time.
Can the greys wash away?
Is it possible for these destructive forces to be alleviated or removed completely?
Chaos!
An exclamation of the overwhelming and unpredictable nature of the chaos that the artist is dealing with.
Contributed by Nolan S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.