Combining elements of both rock and folk music, along with disturbingly personal sentiments, dark humor, and a voice able to channel both the falsetto highs of Neil Young and the wavering raspy low tones of Leonard Cohen, Toronto's Hayden Desser has spent his career creating uniquely affecting music.
The critically-acclaimed musician first appeared in the early '90s armed with only his four-track tape recorder, his unexpectedly low vocal range, and an extremely detuned guitar. Going simply by the name Hayden, he recorded his self-released cassette, In September, in 1994, and much of the material included evolved into his first proper LP, 1995's Everything I Long For. Initially self-released on his own Hardwood Records, the debut disc toed the line between beautiful and horrifying, touching on simple details of human interaction as well as delving into macabre tales that still retained an oddly personal edge. After a year of touring Canada, E.T.I.L.F. was picked up by Outpost Recordings (Geffen) and was released worldwide in early 1996. Tours of the U.S., Europe and Japan took up most of 1996, as well as writing and recording the title track to the Steve Buscemi-directed Tree’s Lounge. Hayden’s second full-length record. The Closer I Get (1998) was recorded in Toronto, Bearsville, N.Y., Seattle and Los Angeles. After another year of touring, Hayden closed the book on chapter one of his musical endeavors.
The next couple of years went by without any performances, but during 2000, Hayden began writing and recording in his Toronto home. The self-produced collection of songs was titled Skyscraper National Park and was released in 2001 to world–wide critical acclaim.
The following year, a live concert double CD was released, Live at Convocation Hall, a glimpse, for the listener, into what makes Hayden’s appearances such a favourite among his ever devoted fan base. His natural rapport with the crowd, along with an honest demeanour, has continued Hayden’s reputation as a unique and charming performer.
In 2004, Hayden released his 4th studio album. Elk-Lake Serenade continued in the direction of Skyscraper with it’s collection of warm and memorable recordings. 2004 also heralded Hayden’s return to the road with several tours that took him as far as Australia and New Zealand.
After a long period of writing and recording, Hayden returned in early 2008 with his 5th full-length studio record. In Field & Town is his most musically diverse and textured record to date. It captures his penchant for self-referential fiction and emotionally heavy songs and laces them with sharp hooks and smart lyrics. After supporting The National in Europe in November of ‘07, Hayden completed a sold-out theatre tour of Canada as well as spring and fall North American tours supporting Feist. In Field & Town was released on Fat Possum in the U.S.A. and November saw the release in Europe via the Affairs of the Heart label, combined with Nov./Dec. dates in the UK, France, Switzerland, Holland, Belgium and Germany.
www.hardwoodrecords.com
www.myspace.com/hayden
I'm to Blame
Hayden Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I understood your questions
I'm wasting away
I've gone astray
Take me away
I know what you'll say
I'm to blame
Things can't stay the same way
Come get me, I'm ready
My minds changed
Will you take me?
I'm wasting away
I've gone astray
Take me away
I know what you'll say
The lyrics to Hayden's song "I'm to Blame" seem to be about regret and a desire for change. The first two lines express the idea that the singer has received a letter from someone and has taken the time to consider their questions. This could be interpreted as the singer reflecting on their past behavior and perhaps feeling guilty or remorseful for something they have done.
The next lines, "I'm wasting away, I've gone astray," suggest a sense of disconnection or loss of purpose. The singer feels like they have gone off course and need someone to intervene and help them get back on track. This is reinforced by the line, "Take me away," which could be interpreted as a plea for someone to rescue them from their current state.
The chorus, "I know what you'll say, I'm to blame, didn't want change, things can't stay the same way," seems to be a confession of guilt and a desire to make things right. The singer acknowledges that they are at fault and that they resisted change in the past, but now recognize that things cannot continue as they are.
The second verse reiterates the singer's desire for change and hints at a willingness to be vulnerable and let someone else guide them. The final lines of the song, "Come get me, I'm ready, my mind's changed, will you take me?" express a desire for someone to take action and help the singer make the changes they need to make.
Overall, the song seems to be about a personal struggle with regret and the desire for change, and the recognition that sometimes we need someone else to help guide us through difficult times.
Line by Line Meaning
I considered your letter
I paid attention to your message
I understood your questions
I comprehended what you were asking
I'm wasting away
I am deteriorating mentally and emotionally
I've gone astray
I have strayed from the path I should be on
Take me away
Remove me from this difficult situation
I know what you'll say
I am aware of the criticism you have for me
I'm to blame
I accept responsibility for my actions and their consequences
Didn't want change
I resisted change and preferred things to stay the same
Things can't stay the same way
I acknowledge that change is necessary and inevitable
Come get me, I'm ready
I am willing to be picked up and taken where I need to go
My minds changed
I have had a change of heart or perspective
Will you take me?
Are you willing to help guide me on the right path?
Lyrics © SC PUBLISHING DBA SECRETLY CANADIAN PUB., Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Paul Hayden Desser
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind