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
Robbed Blind
Hayden Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You've been doing some thinking and I know just where that leaves us
A month ago we were doing alright
Now I'm just trying to get by
This is one of those times when you're forced out of submission
And the choices you've made are coming to conclusions
A month ago we were doing just fine
I don't want to be here when you get back from Texas
You've been doing some thinking and I know just where that leaves us
A month ago we were doing alright
Now I'm just left here robbed blind
Robbed blind
"Robbed Blind" by Hayden is a song that reflects on the end of a relationship, specifically when one partner goes away and returns with a newfound realization that the relationship isn't working. The singer in the song talks about not wanting to be there when their partner returns from Texas, as they know the outcome of the thinking that needs to be done. The lyrics imply that the situation has changed drastically in a month and the relationship that was once "alright" is now "robbed blind." The use of "robbed blind" further emphasizes the sense of loss and the feeling of having nothing left, as if someone had taken everything from them.
The song highlights the emotions one goes through during a break-up. The singer feels hurt, abandoned, and taken advantage of all at the same time. The line "this is one of those times when you're forced out of submission" portrays this feeling of not having control and being pushed into a situation that one doesn't want to be in. The song beautifully captures the sense of loss, dejection, and pain that go hand in hand with the end of a relationship.
Overall, "Robbed Blind" is a powerful song that offers a glimpse into the struggles of a break-up. Hayden's poignant lyrics paired with his soothing voice make for a heartbreaking yet beautiful song.
Line by Line Meaning
I don't want to be here when you get back from Texas
I dread the thought of staying here till your return from Texas
You've been doing some thinking and I know just where that leaves us
Your reflective state isn't new, and I'm aware of our current disposition
A month ago we were doing alright
Our love was flourishing a month before and was in good shape
Now I'm just trying to get by
Presently, I'm endeavouring to survive and thrive
This is one of those times when you're forced out of submission
At times like this, you're compelled to relinquish controllable situations
And the choices you've made are coming to conclusions
Your verdicts are culminating now
A month ago we were doing just fine
A month ago, we were hunky-dory and everything was right
Now I'm just left here robbed blind
Now, I'm stranded here feeling cheated and deceived
I don't want to be here when you get back from Texas
Once again, I reiterate, I'd rather not stay here till your return from Texas
You've been doing some thinking and I know just where that leaves us
Your deliberation has consequences that I'm privy to
A month ago we were doing alright
Recall, we were faring well just one month ago
Now I'm just left here robbed blind
But for now, I'm deserted here feeling swindled and plundered
Contributed by Camilla A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.