Lightfoot began producing as a junior in high school after being exposed to the hip-hop sounds of Atmosphere, MF Doom and Black Moon. After completing high school he went to UMASS Amherst. At UMASS he realized how much he really wanted to pursue production. So he decided to leave UMASS and attend the Center for Digital Imaging Arts of Boston University to study audio production and technology.
Shortly after graduating from there Lightfoot was able to get an internship at The Bridge Sound And Stage Studio. Under the teachings of Janos Fulop, also known as The Arcitype, Lightfoot quickly began developing his own unique production style.
Lightfoot’s debut production skills were heard on Dominik Omega’s One of The Greatest Doing It, which has already gotten rave reviews.
This is just the beginning of Lightfoot’s career. He’s constantly learning new ways to better his production. Learning is a never-ending process for him.
dreamland
Lightfoot Lyrics
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When you can't find anyone
You seem to be much better off now
There's a rainbow number one
We could see life through the gutter then
Till it caused my heart to break
There was too much toil in dreamland
And too much love to take
Sometimes I remember when
We were all dressed up in still
I don't recall the gist of it all
But you drove the young men wild
You could wrap me around your finger
Till it caused my heart to break
There was too much toil in dreamland
And too much love to take
So if you need me near you
You can do it if you choose
There was too much toil in dreamland
And too much love to lose
You make me do what you want me to do
Then you run the rules on me
You seem to be the wiser now
Could it be you'be been deceived
Anytime you felt like tryin'
You would cause my heart to break
There was too much toil in dreamland
And too much love to take
So if you need me near you now
You can do it if you choose
There was too much toil in dreamland
And too much love to lose
"Dreamland" by Gordon Lightfoot is a song about the power dynamics of a relationship. The singer addresses a person who comes to him in times of need and control, but who has seemingly moved on and "much better off now" with a "rainbow number one." The song acknowledges the two sides of love - it can both be beautiful and hurtful. The singer remembers a time when they were dressed up and the other person could control them easily until it "caused my heart to break." The concept of "dreamland" is represented as a place of toil and love, that is both draining and rewarding.
The song also hints at a deeper love that was lost, but the singer has moved on. The other person is described as more "wise" and may have deceived the singer in the past. The power dynamic has shifted and the singer is now offered to be near if needed but warns that there was "too much toil in dreamland and too much love to lose."
Overall, "Dreamland" explores the complexity of human relationships and how they can be both rewarding and heartbreaking.
Line by Line Meaning
You come to me in times of need
In moments of desperation, you turn to me for comfort and support.
When you can't find anyone
When no one else will do, you come to me for help
You seem to be much better off now
It looks like you've improved your life and circumstances since we last spoke.
There's a rainbow number one
Everything seems to be going great for you right now, you're at the top of the world.
We could see life through the gutter then
In the past, we had a different perspective on life. We were struggling and saw life through a more difficult lens.
Till it caused my heart to break
Our struggles were so intense that it caused us a lot of emotional pain and suffering.
There was too much toil in dreamland
Our dreamland (ideal world) was too difficult to achieve, and the pursuit of it was too painful and stressful.
And too much love to take
The amount of love and care we needed to achieve our dreamland was too much for us to handle.
Sometimes I remember when
Occasionally, memories of the past come flooding back to me
We were all dressed up in still
We were all dressed up and impeccably groomed in a state of motionlessness or stillness.
I don't recall the gist of it all
I can't seem to remember the details or the overall meaning of our past.
But you drove the young men wild
Despite my lack of memory, I do recall how you were able to captivate and enchant young men with your presence.
You could wrap me around your finger
You had the power to have me completely under your control, to influence and manipulate me.
Till it caused my heart to break
You had so much control over me that it caused me emotional pain and heartache.
So if you need me near you
If you require my presence or assistance,
You can do it if you choose
I am willing to help out, but the choice is yours to make whether to accept my help or not.
You make me do what you want me to do
You have the ability to make me do anything you want me to do.
Then you run the rules on me
After you get what you want, you try to control and manipulate me through established rules and expectations.
You seem to be the wiser now
You appear to have gained more wisdom or experience since we last spoke
Could it be you've been deceived
Is it possible that you have been misled or tricked by someone else?
Anytime you felt like tryin'
Whenever the opportunity arose, you would attempt to achieve something.
You would cause my heart to break
Your attempts would often cause me emotional pain and heartache.
There was too much toil in dreamland
Pursuing our dreamland was too difficult and stressful.
And too much love to take
The quantity of love and care needed to achieve our dreamland was too overwhelming.
So if you need me near you now
If you need my help or support at this moment,
You can do it if you choose
You have the power to decide whether or not to accept my aid.
There was too much toil in dreamland
Chasing after our idealized vision of the world was too difficult and stressful
And too much love to lose
The amount of love and care we put into pursuing our dreamland was too great to abandon.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: GORDON LIGHTFOOT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind