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.
Today
John McDermott Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Day I've ever known
Can't live for tomorrow,
Tomorrow's much too long
I'll burn my eyes out
Before I get out
I wanted more
Bored by the chore
Of saving face
Today is the greatest
Day I've ever known
Can't wait for tomorrow
I might not have that long
I'll tear my heart out
Before I get out
Pink ribbon scars
That never forget
I tried so hard
To cleanse these regrets
My angel wings
Were bruised and restrained
My belly stings
Today is
Today is
Today is
The greatest day
I want to turn you on
I want to turn you on
I want to turn you on
I want to turn you
Today is the greatest
Today is the greatest day
Today is the greatest day
That I have ever really known
The song "Today" by John McDermott is an interesting expression of the singer's emotions. At the outset of the song, the lyrics speak of how today is the greatest day the singer has ever known. This is a powerful statement, and it captures the excitement that the singer feels at that moment. However, this excitement is born out of a sense of desperation. The lyrics state that tomorrow is much too long to wait, and the singer can't live for tomorrow. This sense of urgency is palpable throughout the song, and it sets the tone for the emotional journey that the singer is about to go on.
As the song progresses, it becomes clear that the singer is struggling with some deep emotions. The lyrics speak of how the singer wanted more than life could ever grant, and how they were bored by the chore of saving face. This can be read as a feeling of overwhelming disappointment with life, and a sense that the singer's efforts to make the most of their life have been misguided. This is reinforced by the later lyrics, which talk about the singer's regrets and the scars they bear as a result of their attempts to right past wrongs. However, despite all of this pain, the singer remains determined to turn things around. They want to "turn you on," and they believe that today is the greatest day they have ever known.
Overall, "Today" by John McDermott is a powerful expression of raw emotion. It speaks to the human struggle to find meaning and purpose in life, and it captures the sense of urgency that we all feel to make the most of the time we have.
Line by Line Meaning
Today is the greatest
The current day is the best one.
Day I've ever known
Best day I've experienced so far.
Can't live for tomorrow,
The future is too unpredictable to depend on.
Tomorrow's much too long
The future seems far away, and it's not worth waiting for.
I'll burn my eyes out
I'll try my best.
Before I get out
Before I die.
I wanted more
I desired a lot.
Than life could ever grant me
But reality did not match my aspirations.
Bored by the chore
Tired of pretending.
Of saving face
Of keeping up appearances.
Can't wait for tomorrow
Eager for what the future could hold.
I might not have that long
Could die anytime.
I'll tear my heart out
Will give it my all.
Pink ribbon scars
Physical or emotional wounds.
That never forget
That keeps haunting me.
I tried so hard
Put in a lot of effort.
To cleanse these regrets
To rid of guilt and remorse.
My angel wings
Refers to passivity, innocence or naivete.
Were bruised and restrained
Got hurt and held back.
My belly stings
Painful feeling in the gut caused by the past.
I want to turn you on
I want to excite you.
I want to turn you on
I want to spur you into action.
I want to turn you on
I want to please you.
I want to turn you
I want to influence you.
Today is the greatest day
Reinforcing the fact that this is the best day.
That I have ever really known
That surpassed all my previous experiences.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Randy Sparks
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@mombecs8934
While working as a Funeral Director at Funeral Service of one of Mr. McDermott’s friends, I had the privilege of a lifetime in hearing him sing ‘Danny Boy’ as a tribute to his friend. This was in 2018. While every video and recording I have heard of his singing is formidable, the in-person experience of hearing his voice, the silence filling the room, the tears rolling down the faces of every person present, the goosebumps…was an experience I will NEVER forget.
@davesfx437
My Mom was from Northern Ireland Belfast she would sing this song all the time and every time it brought tears to my eyes
God Bless you Mom 💕💕
@cmilne5160
About 30 years ago I saw him sing this a capella. Not a dry eye in the room. A wonderful memory. Thank you
@donlouden8850
Never on this Earth ever ever has a song been sang so true so real and so close to the heart this from a dying Scotsman God bless you John told Danny Boy
@mrlaw711
He is awesome with no musical compliment...just his voice.
@samuelkim2611
This is the best version out of all other versions. He is the best !!!
@artmcpharlin6730
Roy Oberson sings it as sweet and meaningful.
@user-hm6iv8gq3g
This is a beautiful rendition of one of my favorite songs. And I am 74 and grew up listening to my Donegal-born Irish grandfather's big thick one-sided record of John McCormack singing it!
@YouMarilyn
This a cappella version of Oh, Danny Boy is the most beautiful I have ever heard. His lovely accent makes it so authentic. I can just picture a father saying farewell to his son, knowing it may be the last time he shall see him until Heaven. I can’t not cry listening to this powerful performance. He sings so calmly, but the emotion is intense. Just glorious.
@Anon90210
This was my father's favorite song. He went to John's concert and was so happy to hear this song. When my father died a few years ago, I found this video a few hours after his passing. This version was the stillness I needed that evening. Just this gentle yet powerful voice to help me through that first night. We played it at his funeral. It still makes me cry. Thank you for this beautiful rendition.