After singing at weddings for a few years, he joined with several other choristers to form a group named The Mistletones in 1980. He also sang the national anthems at Toronto Blue Jays and Toronto Maple Leafs games since 1988 and continues to do so. From 1984 through 1992 he worked as a circulation representative for the Toronto Sun, Conrad Black heard him singing at company parties. Black, along with other executives, financed McDermott's independent recording of "Danny Boy" in 1992, which was picked up and released in North America by EMI Music Canada. Following this unexpected success, McDermott decided to pursue a professional singing career.
John has annual concerts world wide, and can be seen from Toronto, to Boston, to New York, to Glasgow.
McDermott performed his first concert at the Rebecca Cohn Theatre on October 5, 1993 in Halifax, Nova Scotia. From there he continued to tour the rest of Canada, performing as an opening act for The Chieftains. Throughout 1994 he went on a tour of Australia and New Zealand, following the great success of Danny Boy, which had been ranked Number 1 on the charts there and achieved triple platinum in New Zealand. Next, in 1995 he went on a tour of the United Kingdom with The Seekers.
At this point in his career he was becoming recognized internationally, so he started to tour regularly as a solo act rather than an opening act. He also appeared at several special events including the D-Day ceremonies in France in 1995, and the US Democratic National Convention in 1996. He has also appeared on TV several times, both as a host of CBC Television concert specials in 1997, and in his own television special titled John McDermott: A Time to Remember which aired on PBS in 2002.
McDermott formed The Irish Tenors and after performing a large concert in Dublin, Ireland in 1998, they spent some time touring the US, appearing on TV, and releasing a gold record.
Since leaving The Irish Tenors, McDermott continues to tour extensively throughout the World, performing with his own group and with the great symphonies of the world. He continues to work to support the veteran community in the United States and in Canada. In 2000 McDermott dedicated McDermott House in Washington DC, a transitional home for homeless veterans. His latest release Journeys-Bringing Buddy Home was recorded to help support fundraising for Fisher House Boston and launch the Canadian initiative for an outreach centre for Canadian Veterans.
Never Be the Sun
John McDermott Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And you won't be the moon above us on a moonlit night
And you won't be the stars in heaven although they burn so bright
But even on the deepest ocean you will be the light
You may not always shine as you go barefoot over stone
You might be so long together or you might walk alone
And you won't find that love comes easy but that love is always right
And if you lose the part inside when loves turns round on you
Leaving the past behind is knowing you'll do like you always do
Holding you blind, keeping you true
You'll never be the sun turning in the sky
And you won't be the moon above us on a moonlit night
And you won't be the stars in heaven although they burn so bright
But even on the deepest ocean you will be the light
In John McDermott's beautiful ballad "Never Be the Sun", he talks about how love is a powerful force that can light up our lives even in the darkest of times. In the first verse, he talks about how his loved one may not be the sun, moon or stars, but even on the deepest ocean, they will be the light. This means that although his loved one may not be the biggest and brightest force in his life, they are still very important to him and have the power to bring light even in the darkest moments.
In the second verse, McDermott talks about how life may not always be easy, and love may not always be simple, but it is always right. Even when things get tough, and dark clouds gather, his loved one will always be the light that shines through. The last verse talks about how even when love turns around on you, and you feel like you've lost a part of yourself, you need to hold on and stay true to yourself and your feelings. McDermott's message is that love can guide you through life's ups and downs, and even in the bleakest of moments, there is always a ray of light to hold on to.
Line by Line Meaning
You'll never be the sun turning in the sky
You, as a person, cannot be as bright and constant as the sun that moves in the sky.
And you won't be the moon above us on a moonlit night
You cannot provide the romantic and serene atmosphere that the moon provides on a moonlit night.
And you won't be the stars in heaven although they burn so bright
You cannot match the brilliance and beauty of the stars in the sky.
But even on the deepest ocean you will be the light
Despite all this, you will be the beacon of hope and guidance even in the darkest of times.
You may not always shine as you go barefoot over stone
You may not always be your best self as you navigate through the difficulties of life.
You might be so long together or you might walk alone
You may be part of a long-lasting relationship or be single and walk your own path.
And you won't find that love comes easy but that love is always right
Love might not come easily, but true love will always be worth it.
So even when the dark clouds gather you will be the light
Even when bad times come, your positivity and uplifting spirit will shine through.
And if you lose the part inside when loves turns round on you
If you lose yourself during heartbreak and tough times of love,
Leaving the past behind is knowing you'll do like you always do
leaving behind the past will give you the urge to continue in your usual way.
Holding you blind, keeping you true
Having a blind eye to your faults but always keeping you honest in the journey ahead.
You'll never be the sun turning in the sky
It is reiterated that you cannot be as bright and constant as the sun that moves in the sky.
And you won't be the moon above us on a moonlit night
Once again, it is expressed that you cannot provide the romantic and serene atmosphere that the moon provides on a moonlit night.
And you won't be the stars in heaven although they burn so bright
Lastly, it is emphasized once more that you cannot match the brilliance and beauty of the stars in the sky.
But even on the deepest ocean you will be the light
However, despite all these comparisons, you will still remain the light in tough times.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
ShyMoonheart
This song brings back many memories of another time, years ago in Hyannis, Ma. John sang it live and was spellbinding. A song to remember always. Thanks LadyGrey. You do a great job putting John up on YouTube so many people can hear the magnificent voice he possesses.
ShyMoonheart
@***** you are most welcome. Keep them coming : ) More John is great!
LadyGreyCarolyn
You're more than welcome! :-) I'm happy to share music I like and I'm also happy when people write this kind of comments, sharing their beautiful or melancholic memories linked to a song.
2beniek
Witaj Paola! இڿڰۣ-ڰۣ .Bardzo piękna i romantyczna piosenka..., jak zawsze wiesz co miłe:)) Dziękuje, serdecznie pozdrawiam, życzę udanego weekendu:)) Beniek
anitinato12
Un brano molto intenso... una poesia!!! Molto bella anche l'immagine! Ti auguro un buon fine settimana... con tanti sorrisi, Anita
SARAH Y HUTSON
LOVELY!!LOVELY!! ANOTHER FAVOURITE!!
LadyGreyCarolyn
Thanks very much for your comment! :-)
Michael Crowe ᄊc
Lovely rendition...but the word "path" is incorrect it should be "past"...For me the best versions of this Irish ballad written by Donagh Long from County Cork are by Dolores Keane and the late John Wright.
LadyGreyCarolyn
Thanks for sharing the other versions, I will look for them to listen to!
Raymond LaBay
I'm not the Globe's sunshine or a corporate Mirror of reflective moon beams. I have found it necessary at Time's to swim against the tide of public opinion in order to spawn the truth as I see it! My thoughts are be true to that special friend for they are a gift that keeps on sharing! Take care Lady Grey and have a very happy Mothers Day!ADonovan43