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
SUMMER
Hayden Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
An this shit dont stop cause my heart still bleed
Ima patch that cut prolly bleed through the seams
Life ain't what it seem
You gone hate what i'll be
Moon when I walk M.J. on my feet
Lost in the sauce get guap then repeat
Bottom of the glass hoping I dont sink
Thinking bout the past as I pour this drink
Is it really so bad that you cant unsee
Everyday been feeling like a fucked up dream
I got demons in my head but they all mine
Shawty said she wanna fuck ion got time
Devil got me feeling stuck hittin' my line
Its gonna be a cold ass summer
I got demons in my head but they all mine
Shawty said she wanna fuck ion got time
Devil got me feeling stuck hittin' my line
Its gonna be a cold ass summer
Gonna be a cold ass summer ima milk the fucking game till the milk stop coming
I been going usane but I never been a runner shawty got good brain
But i'm never gonna
Love her
I been tryna go to sleep
Cant catch a wink
Thoughts gettin' deep lemme pour up a drink
More that I sink n' the more that I see all these black butterflies that been lost
In my dreams
Love live an die it's just part of the dream
I'd fucking die if the love ever leave
Like suicide everytime that I breathe lemme take a deep breathe show you what I mean
I got demons in my head but they all mine
Shawty said she wanna fuck ion got time
Devil got me feeling stuck hittin' my line
Its gonna be a cold ass summer
I got demons in my head but they all mine
Shawty said she wanna fuck ion got time
Devil got me feeling stuck hittin' my line
Its gonna be a cold ass summer
In Hayden's song "Summer," the singer reflects back on a summer that felt endless, but only because of the significant events that took place during that time. The opening line of "Remember when we were young" immediately takes the listener back in time to a period of youth and vitality. However, nostalgia is tinged with sadness and loss as the lyrics continue, "two I loved went away, not to come back any day." This statement is heavy with finality, suggesting that there was no possibility of reconciliation or reunion. The last two lines of the verse, "in my life since the day it started, now I'm one of the broken hearted" reveal the heavy toll this loss has had on the singer, and it suggests that it has colored everything about his life since that time.
However, the song takes a turn in the following lines, as the singer reflects on the passage of time and the inevitability of change. He acknowledges that the events of that summer were going to happen and that they needed to end. The phrase "I look at it from a different shot" can be taken to mean that he has gained perspective on what happened and is no longer as consumed by the pain of loss. As the song progresses, the lyrics turn toward hope for the future. While the sentiment "all I hope is the day I die, I'm ready to face all that I've tried" may seem morbid, it can be interpreted as the singer being ready to meet his end without any regrets, having lived a life full of effort and sincerity. The final lines, "and I follow you right behind, so no one is left killing time" suggest a desire to join those who have passed, to be reunited with them, and to ensure that no one lingers on earth without purpose or direction.
Overall, "Summer" is a deeply reflective song that delves into themes of loss, change, and the meaning of life itself. Hayden's use of simple language and straightforward phrasing allows the listener to feel the emotions he brings up while still leaving room for individual interpretation and reflection.
Line by Line Meaning
Remember when we were young
Reflecting on a shared experience from childhood
And the summers felt like they would never end
The long, carefree summers of youth seemed endless
This one was like that again
This particular summer felt the same way as those in the past
But only because so much was said
This summer was eventful due to important conversations and events
Two I loved went away
Two people Hayden cared for left his life
Not to come back any day
Those individuals will not return
In my life since the day it started
This loss has had a profound impact on Hayden since birth
Now I'm one of the broken hearted
Hayden is now heartbroken due to the loss of these individuals
Since time has passed and thoughts have been thought
Reflecting on the past with the benefit of hindsight
I look at it from a different shot
Hayden has gained a new perspective on the situation
It was going to happen, it had to end
This outcome was inevitable
The way it went down was the best for them
The individuals who left Hayden's life made the best decision for themselves
And all I hope is the day I die
Hayden desires his own death
I'm ready to face all that I've tried
He is prepared to confront the challenges he's faced throughout life
And I follow you right behind
He wants to join the individuals who have already passed on
So no one is left killing time
To alleviate the boredom and mundanity of life without his loved ones
Lyrics © DistroKid
Written by: Hayden Hodson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@haydencalninmusic
sorry this has taken so long, i only just saw this comment. so here you go Antonio. clearly i dont check youtube all that often. :O Don't you worry now, it's all about to change. Taking all that you want You're taking all that I've got Now you go and turn yourself in Don't run away from all this; it can cost more than you think. I'll be gone, so turn your hands in. Crying out for life, and I'm; Crying out for hope, and I'm.
@ageiiGIRL
This is a fucking masterpiece.
@meggles2188
Videos like this make me remember why I love music videos so much even after MTV ruined it...so.much.emotion. They're supposed to be like a mini film to the music and that's what this is.
@bakangradithobane8902
Just discovered this guy and his music is really good 😭
@alicek943
I got chills listening to this, wow.
@iamheartandlungs
Reminds me of the woods by Bon iver with how the voices are layered and built up. So beautiful
@tluebke
This song was part of an artistic show, I watched yesterday and it just struck me deep in the heart!
@isabelfrick7641
cried
thank you for this
its a real eye opener
@johanMcCoy
this song speaks to my soul... wow
@kiabi133
how can this have only 80k views..... sometimes i don't understand life