Meryn Cadell is a singer, wri… Read Full Bio ↴From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia:
Meryn Cadell is a singer, writer and performance artist from Canada. He currently teaches the writing of song lyrics and libretto in the Creative Writing Program at University of British Columbia.
Cadell, a transsexual, achieved prominence as a female. A graduate of the Ontario College of Art and Design, Cadell released an independent cassette titled Mare-In Ka-Dell in 1988 while active as a performance artist in Toronto, Ontario's Queen Street West scene.
Cadell soon signed to Intrepid Records, and recorded with Jim Creeggan of Barenaked Ladies, Bob Wiseman of Blue Rodeo and members of Rheostatics. Those sessions were released in 1991 as the album Angel Food for Thought, whose first single "The Sweater" became a surprise Top 40 hit in Canada in 1992. "The Sweater" is a monologue, with a musical backing track, revolving around a sweater left behind by a teenager’s crush and the thoughts it inspired.
In 1993, Cadell released a follow-up album, Bombazine, on Sire Records. This album featured guest appearances by Rheostatics, Ben Mink, Tyler Stewart, Anne Bourne and John Alcorn. Following that album, Cadell took a hiatus from music to do human-rights work with PEN Canada. Cadell also wrote an independent film, which was never produced.
In 1997, Cadell returned to music with the album 6 Blocks on the independent label Handsome Boy Records. Guest performers on this outing included Anne Bourne, Mary Margaret O'Hara, Chris Wardman and Jason Sniderman (Blue Peter), Paul Brennan (Odds) and Martin Tielli.
Following that album, Cadell retired from the music business. He publicly came out as transgendered on Bill Richardson's CBC Radio One program Bunny Watson on October 2, 2004, although he had already been out to friends and family for a number of years.
Lying
Meryn Cadell Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I am not a wife
I do all I have to keep some pleasure in my life
I am held by nothing
And nothing keeps me warm
Feel my way, I
Feel my way home.
You can lie waiting all night for me
You can make room in the bed for me
I can't lie with you, I can't lie
Sometimes the street is an arm
Holding me without pushing
Rolling me without asking
For things I do not have
You can lie waiting all night for me
You can be sure there's a flashlight for me
You can make room in the bed for me
I can't lie with you, I can't lie
Stumble up, sorry, I mumble to you
Hold me you're all that I have that is true
For now, for now
Home is crushing walls.
Home is crashing down.
How can I get better -
See what I mean?
See what I mean?
The fact that you listen, the fact that you stay
The fact that you're washing the walls down again
Of all the shit that I fling
Makes me think I can do anything.
I can outlast anything.
See what I mean?
See what I mean?
The song "Lying" by Meryn Cadell is a poignant reflection on the complexities of life and the struggles one faces in trying to find meaning and purpose in it all. The song speaks to the struggles of human nature and the desire for pleasure and intimacy, even when faced with the harsh realities of life. The lyrics paint a picture of a person who is struggling to navigate the challenges of existence, and is seeking refuge and comfort wherever they can find it. The lines "I am not a good man/I am not a wife" suggest a sense of individualism and detachment from societal norms, while also hinting at a longing for the stability and security that a committed relationship can provide.
The song is filled with powerful imagery, such as the line "Sometimes the street is an arm/Holding me without pushing", which speaks to the idea of finding solace in unexpected places. The chorus, which repeats the lines "You can lie waiting all night for me/You can be sure there's a flashlight for me/You can make room in the bed for me/I can't lie with you, I can't lie" underscores the idea of the singer's inability to fully commit to a relationship, even while acknowledging the comfort and love being offered to them.
Overall, the song is an emotional exploration of the human experience, delving deep into the complexities of life, love, and self-discovery. It's a powerful and thought-provoking reflection on the human condition that is sure to resonate with listeners who have ever felt lost or alone in this world.
Line by Line Meaning
I am not a good man
I don't have a good character
I am not a wife
I am not the person you can rely on
I do all I have to keep some pleasure in my life
I prioritize my own pleasure over anything else
I am held by nothing
I have no commitments or obligations
And nothing keeps me warm
I'm emotionally cold and distant
Feel my way, I
I follow my instincts
Feel my way home
I try to find my place in the world
You can lie waiting all night for me
You can wait for me all night if you want to
You can be sure there's a flashlight for me
Don't worry, I'll bring a flashlight
You can make room in the bed for me
You can have a space for me in your bed
I can't lie with you, I can't lie
I can't pretend to feel something I don't
Sometimes the street is an arm
Sometimes the city feels comforting
Holding me without pushing
It gives me a sense of security without forcing me to do anything
Rolling me without asking
It makes me go with the flow without questioning
For things I do not have
It distracts me from my lack of possessions
Stumble up, sorry, I mumble to you
I apologize for being clumsy and not expressing myself well
Hold me you're all that I have that is true
You're the only person I trust and rely on
Home is crushing walls.
Being home makes me feel trapped and unhappy
Home is crashing down.
Being home is tearing me apart
How can I get better -
How can I improve myself
See what I mean?
Do you understand what I'm saying?
The fact that you listen, the fact that you stay
The fact that you're here and paying attention to me
The fact that you're washing the walls down again
The fact that you're willing to do something as mundane as cleaning the walls for me
Of all the shit that I fling
Despite all the problems I cause
Makes me think I can do anything.
It gives me confidence that I can overcome anything
I can outlast anything.
I can endure anything
See what I mean?
Do you understand what I'm saying?
Contributed by Blake F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@doobernow
This whole album is in my soul❤ I was introduced to this album and Christine Lavin on cassette... proud to say my kid knows these songs too!