Iain Archer is a singer/songwriter from Northern Ireland, who was once a me… Read Full Bio ↴Iain Archer is a singer/songwriter from Northern Ireland, who was once a member of the indie band Snow Patrol. Iain comes from a musical background and released several solo albums in the mid 90s on the small Scottish independent label Sticky Music. After a stint with Snow Patrol and a side project with Snow Patrol's frontman Gary Lightbody in The Reindeer Section, he returned to his solo career. In 2004 he released his album Flood The Tanks.

In 2005 Iain picked up an Ivor Novello Award as part of the songwriting team behind Snow Patrol's Final Straw album.

In 2006 he released the album Magnetic North

Canal Song
Iain Archer Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I saw it leave your face
Its the only thing that I need
Its the only thing that I need so take it

I caught you and your canvas eyes
With the only thing that I need
With the only thing that I need but take it

Something you put in the waste I'm craving
Its the only thing that I need
Its the only thing that I need but take it

If you'd prefer it erased then bleach the place
Its the only thing that I need
Its the only thing that I need

But my heart it never breaks
It just beats on despite the ache
And the day I touch you and make you see
Broken well be
You and me

The birds fly south tonight
They've given up
Its the only thing that I need
Its the only thing that I need but take it

The skies grow dark beneath their wings
What does it mean?
Its the only thing that I need
Its the only thing that I need

But my heart it never breaks
It just beats on despite the ache
And the day I touch you and make you see
Broken well be
You and me

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Iain Archer's song Canal Song revolves around the artist's desire of wanting something from somebody. He emphasizes throughout the song that this is "the only thing" that he needs. The lyrics echo the emotions of love and desperation. The use of "canvas eyes" creates a visual of the person that he desires and how he is trying to capture their attention. However, he becomes hopeful in the end with the lines "And the day I touch you and make you see broken we'll be, you and me" which hints at the idea that both of them are somehow incomplete without each other.

Archer also uses the imagery of birds flying south and the dark skies as a metaphor for the uncertainty of the future. The singer mentions that the birds have given up, which could imply that he's feeling hopeless about his own situation. This metaphor also suggests the idea of endings and beginnings. The final repetition of "It's the only thing that I need" suggests that the search for this "thing" will continue despite the uncertainty and heartache.

Line by Line Meaning

I saw it leave your face
I noticed that expression leave your face

Its the only thing that I need
That look or emotion is the only thing I need

Its the only thing that I need so take it
Please give it to me

I caught you and your canvas eyes
I saw you and your artistic eyes

With the only thing that I need
With that one emotion or feeling that I require

With the only thing that I need but take it
But please give it to me

Something you put in the waste I'm craving
I'm yearning for something you discarded

If you'd prefer it erased then bleach the place
If you want it gone, wipe everything out

But my heart it never breaks
Although it hurts, my heart stays strong

It just beats on despite the ache
It continues to work despite the pain

And the day I touch you and make you see
And the day I touch you and show you