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.
Quiet Nights
John McDermott Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Floating on the silence that surrounds us
Quiet thoughts and quiet dreams, quiet walks by quiet streams
Climbing hills where lovers go to watch the world below together
We will live eternally in this mood of reverie
Away from all the earthly cares around us
My world was dull, each minute, until I found you in it
Became these quiet nights of loving you
We will live eternally in this mood of reverie
Away from all the earthly cares around us
My world was dull, each minute, until I found you in it
And all at once, the happiness I knew
Became these quiet nights of loving you
The song "Quiet Nights," a jazz standard, has been performed numerous times and in various styles. However, John McDermott's 1995 version of the song offers a different take on the classic with his soft and gentle voice, which brings a peaceful and romantic aura to the song.
The song's lyrics describe the beauty of quietude, both inside and outside of oneself. The singer of the song revels in the beauty of the night sky, the softness of the music from his guitar, and the tranquility of his thoughts and dreams. All these elements come together to transport him to a world of quiet, away from the hustle and bustle of daily life. The singer shares this blissful experience with his lover, climbing up the hills together to enjoy the peaceful scenery that surrounds them. The song is an ode to the joys of simplicity and the beauty that is often found in the quiet moments of life, especially when shared with someone special.
The refrain "We will live eternally in this mood of reverie, away from all the earthly cares around us" suggests that the singer hopes to live in a state of perpetual bliss, where they can continue to experience this quiet joy and happiness forever, free from the worries and anxieties of the world. The singer remarks that only when he found his lover did he find true happiness, and every moment spent with her is a moment of quiet bliss.
In summary, "Quiet Nights" celebrates the beauty of simple moments shared with a loved one and the peace that comes from being lost in quietude. The song invites the listener to take a break from the hustle and bustle of daily life and take a moment to revel in the beauty of the world around them.
Line by Line Meaning
Quiet nights and quiet stars, quiet chords from my guitar
Peaceful evenings and serene sky, mellow notes strummed on my guitar
Floating on the silence that surrounds us
Drifting on the stillness surrounding us
Quiet thoughts and quiet dreams, quiet walks by quiet streams
Tranquil musings and calm reveries, peaceful strolls by placid creeks
Climbing hills where lovers go to watch the world below together
Scaling peaks where couples gaze at the world below in togetherness
We will live eternally in this mood of reverie
We'll forever dwell in this dreamlike state
Away from all the earthly cares around us
Far from all worldly worries around us
My world was dull, each minute, until I found you in it
My world was drab until I discovered you
And all at once, the happiness I knew
Suddenly, the joy I experienced
Became these quiet nights of loving you
Turned into these serene nights of loving you
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ANTONIO CARLOS JOBIM, GENE LEES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
David Weston
Hi John so relaxing ,as always excellent rendition . As always stay safe and well 🎶🇬🇧
Linda Jacobsen
A lovely voice .
Music to soothe the soul.
Thank you from Australia 🇦🇺
John McDermott, Tenor
Cheers!
MILES FOGGON
A great song John. Soothes the heart.
ShyMoonheart
This song is so beautiful. Perfect for your lovely golden tenor. The meaning of existence? Hmm.........who knows for sure?
Holly L
Beautiful scenery in this video to go with the beautiful song