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
When The Night Came and Took Us
Hayden Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
and the jukebox was turned up
with the light of our choices
we did not lose our voices
and the songs barely left us
and the waitress caught her breath
we rose to the surface
as we walked past some staring
i noticed you daring
eyes to be carrying
that smile you've been wearing
in the graze of those screams
we decided to go free
in the haze of our dreams we
saw possibilities
and in a week maybe less you
were packing your bags to
leave, while you still knew
the reasons you needed to
on the way to the train you
you seemed to be brand new
with your hair flowing through
the open window to, the moon
in front of the station
someone who was waitin'
for his lover to wave to him
got knocked to the pavement
by the ambulance light
we decided to stay awake
for fear that we wouldn't meet
someone else to greet
The lyrics to Hayden's song "When The Night Came and Took Us" describe a night out in which the singer and their companion listen to music on a jukebox, sing along, and feel free to be themselves. They also notice each other's smiles and dare to act on their feelings. As they leave the bar, they decide to keep living in the moment and not miss any opportunities. The singer's companion then has to leave town, but they do so with a sense of clarity and newness. As the two of them walk to catch the train, they witness a tragic accident and feel the need to stay awake and be present in the moment.
The lyrics capture the idea of seizing the day, feeling alive, and not taking anything for granted, even in the face of tragedy. The jukebox and music serve as symbols of freedom, expression, and community. The accident at the end, meanwhile, highlights the fragility of life and the need to appreciate every moment.
Line by Line Meaning
when the night came and took us
As darkness fell upon us, we were overcome with a sense of adventure and excitement.
and the jukebox was turned up
The music was loud and energetic, adding to the atmosphere of the night.
with the light of our choices
Our decisions and actions illuminated the path we were on.
we did not lose our voices
Our passion and energy were unyielding, despite the passage of time.
and the songs barely left us
The music lingered in our minds, even after leaving the venue.
and the waitress caught her breath
Even the waitstaff were captivated by the events of the night.
we rose to the surface
We emerged from the mundane into a world of possibility and adventure.
to fulfill our purpose
Our actions and decisions served a greater goal or intention.
as we walked past some staring
We caught the attention of others, who may have been intrigued or envious of our freedom.
i noticed you daring
I sensed your boldness and willingness to take risks.
eyes to be carrying
Your gaze held the weight of our experiences and the excitement of what was yet to come.
that smile you've been wearing
Your grin revealed an infectious joy that spread to everyone around you.
in the graze of those screams
Amidst the chaos and noise of the city, we found a sense of clarity and purpose.
we decided to go free
We embraced the unknown and left our worries behind.
in the haze of our dreams we
In the fog of our imagination, we saw the limitless possibilities of our future.
saw possibilities
We were filled with hope and optimism for what was to come.
and in a week maybe less you
Shortly thereafter, you made a choice that changed the course of our lives.
were packing your bags to
You prepared to leave behind the familiar and strike out on your own.
leave, while you still knew
You left before our memories and experiences had a chance to fade.
the reasons you needed to
You had a purpose and a drive that propelled you towards your goals.
on the way to the train you
As you made your way to your departure, I sensed the magnitude of your decision.
you seemed to be brand new
Your newfound purpose and sense of direction made you look as if you had been reborn.
with your hair flowing through
Your hair blew in the wind, a symbol of your freedom and newfound autonomy.
the open window to, the moon
You looked towards the moon, a sign of possibility and opportunity.
in front of the station
As we approached the train station, we saw someone experiencing their own dramatic moment.
someone who was waitin'
A person was waiting to greet someone they loved.
for his lover to wave to him
With anticipation and excitement, the person waited for their partner to acknowledge their arrival.
got knocked to the pavement
Their hopes and dreams were dashed as an unexpected event occurred.
by the ambulance light
The flashing lights of the ambulance served as a grim reminder of the fragility of life.
we decided to stay awake
We chose to remain alert and awake, in order to fully experience the night ahead of us.
for fear that we wouldn't meet
We were afraid that we might miss out on a chance encounter or opportunity.
someone else to greet
We longed for the excitement of meeting new people and experiencing new things.
Contributed by Liliana H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
BuenoTheGood
No one can grab you like Hayden's simple, but emotionally complex songs. Simply beautiful.
Matthew Vincent Archer
Certain songs by hayden give me a certain feeling and take me away to a sentimental place that I have never actual been to before. God I love music
Eye4EyeX10
God I fucking love this whole album
Emilio Hernandez
1126 views???? This deserves a trillion views. Thank for post
fireseek7
matthew archer.. i feel you bro..
Maia Jintcharadze
Where is The Place Where We Lived?