McLean is said to have picked up her first guitar at age 9 and age 12 formed an acoustic quartet. Her first public performance was in a local church basement. She sites her main musical influences from this time as Joan Baez, Bob Dylan, and the musicals of Rogers and Hammerstein. She attended Centennial Secondary School where she was influenced by Canadian singer songwriters Joni Mitchell, Neil Young and Bruce Cockburn.
After her first marriage dissolved in 1984, McLean attained a Bachelor of Arts from York University and worked professionally in the theatre and film community for more than a decade. She taught acting at Leah Poslun's Theatre and Theatre for Young People and developed Artist in the Schools programs with the Ontario Arts Council.
McLean’s first international performance was at the 2001 Rockrgrl Festival in Seattle. Her first full length album, Betty’s Room, co-written with partner Andy McLean, and produced by music veteran and friend John Whynot, featured drummer Gary Craig and Blue Rodeo sideman Bob Egan. Its independent release in 2002 established McLean as a noteworthy Canadian songwriter, achieving critical acclaim and airplay across Canada. It was released commercially in 2003.
In 2005 McLean released 12 new songs on her album entitled No Language.
Only One
Linda McLean Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Where you've been hiding for so long, acting like you're real, got me so worn down I've forgotten how to feel.
Take my hands I'll melt you, turn you to the sun, turn us both until there's only one.
I know this place, I shared with you, where we traced our past and wore the patterns through
But now I'm naming all your names, seeing all your faces, that's guilt that's shame, that's made out of hate
Take my hands I'll melt you, turn you to the sun, turn us both until there's only one, only one
Now I'm seeing there's only one, now I' seeing there's only sun, now I'm seeing there's only one take my hands, there's only sun.
I'm taking you out here, staring you down, the more I look the less of you I see.
Take my hands I'll melt you, turn you to the sun, turn us both until there's only one,
Take my hands I'll melt you turn you to the sun, turn us all until there's only one
I am only one, I am only sun....
The song "Only One" by Linda McLean is a reflective one where the singer is shown grappling with their past and dealing with the emotional consequences of their experiences. The first verse describes the singer going back to a dark place where they have been hiding for a long time, causing them to feel worn down and incapable of feeling anything. Despite this, the singer still wants to try and bring some light to the situation, taking the other person's hand and turning them towards the sun until there's only one. The second verse describes how the singer and the other person had shared a place where they could trace their past and see patterns in their lives. However, the singer is now able to see all of the other person's flaws and how they are driven by guilt, shame, and hate.
The chorus repeats the two lines “Take my hands I'll melt you, turn you to the sun, turn us both until there's only one, only one" while also adding “Now I'm seeing there's only one, now I' seeing there's only sun, now I'm seeing there's only one take my hands, there's only sun." This indicates that the singer has come to a realization that they are the only one who can help themselves and that they need to let go of the other person. The bridge then reveals that the singer is trying to confront the other person, but is able to see through their façade and understand that they are full of sound and fury, signifying nothing. The song ends with the chorus repeating the words “I am only one, I am only sun," highlighting the singer's realization that they are the only one who can help themselves.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm going back in there, into the dark, going to wind my way through this broken oddysey
I am returning to a difficult and complex situation, navigating my way through challenges and obstacles.
Where you've been hiding for so long, acting like you're real, got me so worn down I've forgotten how to feel.
You have been avoiding me for an extended period, pretending to be authentic, and causing me to become emotionally drained and numb.
Take my hands I'll melt you, turn you to the sun, turn us both until there's only one.
Let me guide you towards warmth and positivity, coming together until we become one entity.
I know this place, I shared with you, where we traced our past and wore the patterns through
I am familiar with this location where we once connected, exploring our shared history and repeating familiar patterns of behavior.
But now I'm naming all your names, seeing all your faces, that's guilt that's shame, that's made out of hate.
I am acknowledging and recognizing all of your actions and their consequences, resulting in feelings of guilt, shame, and resentment.
Now I'm seeing there's only one, now I' seeing there's only sun, now I'm seeing there's only one take my hands, there's only sun.
I am realizing that there is only one path forward, one source of positivity, and I want to guide you towards it by holding your hands and leading you towards the light.
I'm taking you out here, staring you down, the more I look the less of you I see.
I am confronting you, and the more closely I examine you, the less substance and depth I find within you.
But now I'm laughing out loud, look how afraid you are, so full of sound and fury signifying nothing.
Now I am amused by your fear and intimidation tactics, which are ultimately meaningless in the face of true strength and conviction.
Take my hands I'll melt you, turn you to the sun, turn us both until there's only one.
Once again, let me guide you towards positivity and unity, so that we can become one strong and united force.
Take my hands I'll melt you turn you to the sun, turn us all until there's only one.
Again, let me guide both of us towards the light, so that we can all become one.
I am only one, I am only sun....
In the end, I am only one person, one source of positivity and light, but that is enough to make a meaningful difference.
Contributed by Sophia M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.