The ink lines that would shape young, self-produced, singer/songwriter Hayden Calnin and his budding musical career were drawn in his teen years after his father gave him a guitar at age 14. He hasn’t gone a day since without playing it.
Dabbling in bands through his teen years led him to add drums and piano to his repertoire, until at the age of 17 he finally decided to give singing a go.
Calnin's guitar-driven sound is complemented by a selection of husky, honest harmonies and delicate folk-pop melodies.
Let's Dance
Hayden Calnin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I had hoped you would crawl back
From the place where we lived last week
But no, guess you won’t see the everything
We could have been
So I clear my throat of you, I yelled you out, I felt it bleed
How’s the dirt down here?
It’s nearly stained my knees
Fuck it, let’s dance
I’m so tired but I put it aside
Yeah I’m shaking you out, yeah it keeps me alive
Turn it up loud and let it all out
Let my body race ahead while my head spins around
Let my feet run wild while my heads up and down
Let my feet run while my heads up and down
So I grind my teeth while
I’m on a walk as you get your things
Please just leave all my records that you love to sing
I just sit here and wait in the cafe in your favourite seat
Avoid the small talk with Sarah as she’s serving me
I’m on the verge of tears
Every day it seems
The little marks you leave, they cut so fast
Fuck it let’s dance
I’m so tired but I put it aside
Yeah I’m shaking you out, yeah it keeps me alive
Turn it up loud and let it all out
Let my body race ahead while my head spins around
Let my feet run wild while my heads up and down
Let my feet run wild while my heads up and down
Shaking you out
Shaking you out
Shaking you out
Shaking you out
I’m so tired but I put it aside
Yeah I’m shaking you out, yeah it keeps me alive
Turn it up loud and let it all out
Let my body race ahead while my head spins around
Let my feet run wild while my heads up and down
Let my feet run while my heads up and down
Shaking you out
Shaking you out
Shaking you out
Shaking you out
Well I’m good thanks for asking
I’ve settled down now I can sleep
I took my heart out and put it back into my sleeve
The opening lines of Hayden Calnin's Let's Dance reveal the internal struggle he is experiencing in the aftermath of a break-up. He was already standing on the edge of a cliff, anticipating the possibility of heartbreak, when his lover left him. He had hoped they would reconcile but has accepted the fact that it's not going to happen. In response, he clears the residue of their relationship from his system- shouting and screaming until he feels like his throat is bleeding. The "little marks" left behind by his ex-lover cut him like shards of glasses, but he is determined to put it all behind him and move on.
However, in order to break free from the emotional and physical trauma, Hayden decides to "dance." Dancing becomes an essential tool to shake away the hurt and the darkness that he feels lingering within him. He is exhausted from everything that transpired, but he refuses to give up on himself. He turns the music up high, letting the beat move his body while his head spins. He wants to let loose and feel alive again. Even though the scars will take time to heal, he wants to challenge himself along the way and find joy in his healing process.
Despite his efforts, Hayden is still haunted by his ex's absence in his life. He tries to find solace in different ways- taking long walks and sitting in a cafe, but everything reminds him of them, from the music they loved to the spots they used to frequent, It's a constant battle against the memories of happier times, and the realization that things will never go back to the way it once was. Nonetheless, he is determined to get better, to find the strength to "shake it all out" and move on.
Line by Line Meaning
I was close to the edge before you even thought of leaving me
I was already at the brink of breaking down way before you even considered walking away from me
I had hoped you would crawl back
I was anticipating for you to beg for my return
From the place where we lived last week
From the home where we used to reside recently
But no, guess you won’t see the everything we could have been
But apparently, you don't see the potential of things we could have accomplished together
So I clear my throat of you, I yelled you out, I felt it bleed
So I try to remove any remaining feeling of you inside me, I shout to release my emotions, and I felt the pain in the process
How’s the dirt down here?
I'm in such a low place, how's it like from where you stand?
It’s nearly stained my knees
It's almost as if I'm about to get dirty from being on my knees so much
Those little marks you leave, they cut like glass
The small things you do have a lasting impact on me, and it hurts so much
Fuck it, let’s dance
Screw it, I'm going to dance my problems away
I’m so tired but I put it aside
I'm exhausted but I'm ignoring it for now
Yeah I’m shaking you out, yeah it keeps me alive
Yes, I'm trying to get rid of you to stay sane
Turn it up loud and let it all out
Increase the volume and release all the pent-up emotions
Let my body race ahead while my head spins around
I'll let my body take over while my mind is in turmoil
Let my feet run wild while my heads up and down
I'm going to let my legs lead the way while my head is all over the place
So I grind my teeth while I’m on a walk as you get your things
I clench my teeth as I walk while thinking about you gathering your belongings
Please just leave all my records that you love to sing
Please leave behind the records that remind you of me and our shared moments
I just sit here and wait in the cafe in your favourite seat
I'm spending my time waiting for you at the coffee shop in your usual spot
Avoid the small talk with Sarah as she’s serving me
I try to avoid trivial conversations with the barista named Sarah as she hands me my order
I’m on the verge of tears every day it seems
I'm always on the brink of breaking down in tears, it feels like every day
The little marks you leave, they cut so fast
Even the smallest things you do leave a quick and painful impact on me
Shaking you out
I'm trying to shake you off
Well I’m good thanks for asking
I'm doing well, thanks for your concern
I’ve settled down now I can sleep
I'm more at peace now, I can finally get some rest
I took my heart out and put it back into my sleeve
I removed the barriers I had to my emotions and allowed myself to be vulnerable again
Lyrics © Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: Alfred Clayton Bannerman, John Alexander Scott Baylis, Benjamin Louis Claude Bouton, Jean Marie Brichard, John Timothy Foyle, Max Grunhard, Benjamin Rupert Hadwen, Anthony Jon Hayden, Anselmo Jose Marcelino Neto, Eno Williams-Uffort
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@juniorvicepresidentofzimba4946
Really stunning and brave to put the solidarity with the community at the start! WOW
@MrWongerz
So good. The filming, the song, the dancing… I love how there’s a sort of freedom about it. Beautiful.
@JPGjack
wow this is good
@annamkok3430
Love this song and also the song 'warm with you'. Greetings from Holland. :)
@paulinarobles8173
Love u Hayden, your music makes me feel human, alive..
@karyofreire
Velho, eu te amo MUITO! Muito obrigado por cada música ❤️
@gilsonsantos2600
@HAYDEN CALNIN great song like all your songs :)
@augustolucca4024
Duude that is just soooo good. You never fail to amaze us. Every new song always feels like your best work yet. Truly lacking the words to describe your talent. Thanks again buddy.
@ace_esqui
oh how ur music heals me🥺 much love from the philippines 🇵🇭!
@fransiskan3317
I've had this song on repeat today, yesterday it was unfortunate love. Last year was warm with you. Your music means a lot to me, has helped me through some of the difficult moments in my life. I'm moving to Melbourne in few weeks and what a pleasure it would be to see you perform live. Hopefully there are Australia shows lined up?