Her album "In My Dreams" is a stunningly accomplished and exciting follow-up to her 2012 much-decorated and universally-acclaimed self-titled debut. Released on New Scotland Records/Pheromone Recordings on September 30, 2014, In My Dreams showcased an artist who has grown in every facet of her craft - as a singer, songwriter, guitarist and performer. The record made 2014 best of lists and won a 2015 ECMA for Pop Recording of the Year. In My Dreams was released in the UK, Ireland, and Germany in the fall of 2015.
The album reunites Kenney with her key creative collaborator and musical mentor, Joel Plaskett. The East Coast rock icon produced, played on, and co-wrote some of the material on her first record, and the two were clearly on the same page in terms of a sonic mandate for In My Dreams. "I knew it would be more of a production in terms of using a band," says Kenney. "I'm playing a lot more with a band live now, so I wasn't afraid to go in that direction and make it less acoustic-based."
Even though there's a full band sound to some of the material on In My Dreams, most of the instrumentation came from Kenney and Plaskett themselves, Kenney explains. "Joel did all the drums and bass and he played some of the organ. I did all the electric guitars [Kenney's ability to shred sets her apart from folkier peers] and I played some Wurlitzer and Rhodes."
The album was recorded in Plaskett's previous more basic space, and Kenney loved working in his new facility, New Scotland Yard, in Dartmouth, NS. "He has a super hi-fidelity Neve board now, so the difference in the sound quality in the studio was really noticeable," she says. "It has plenty of analog equipment, and I love the sound of tape."
This recording method and the prominent use of vintage keyboards has paid real dividends in the warm and rich sound of In My Dreams, one that remains built around Kenney's emotionally eloquent voice. Listen to “Untouchable" (featuring a powerhouse vocal performance Neko Case or Adele would be happy to claim) and "Mountains to the Mess" and you won't dare to disagree. The rich harmonies on the record are all Kenney's own, and they add a real resonance to such other tunes as "Field Song" and "Pretty Things."
An early version of "I Faked It" was written by Kenney, Gordie Sampson and Willie Stratton at Sampson's renowned songwriting retreat, The Gordie Sampson Songcamp, and a revised version (featuring input from Plaskett) is the sizzling first cut on In My Dreams. Three other Plaskett-Kenney co-writes ("Untouchable," "Take Me Outside," and "In My Dreams") nestle neatly alongside five solo Kenney compositions and one cover, and the first single, "Telephones." That latter song was originally written and recorded by East Coast rockers Mardeen for their 2008 album Read Less Minds. "I fell in love with it immediately," Kenney says. "I loved the melody and the catchy chorus."
In My Dreams takes the listener on a memorable emotional rollercoaster ride. The journey ends on an up note with "Dancing": "you're the sweetest dream cos' I don't have to sleep." Sweet dreams are indeed made of this enchanting record.
The Happy Song
Mo Kenney Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What could I say?
There was nothing to do
And there was no one to blame
I learn to watch myself fade
When I see you walk away
I pretend to feel some kind of pain
I don't feel tired, I don't feel shy
I haven't gone a day without telling a lie
And my conscience feels no weight
And every time I end up on the floor
It's always something I do
That keeps the lock on the door
And there is no other way
It's the faces on the page
That bring me back here every day
To the place I was before
But I won't chase that feeling anymore
And every time I end up on the floor
It's always something I do
That keeps the lock on the door
And there is no other way
If the faces on the page
Could bring me back here every day
Then I would have something to say
But all my words have lost their sway
Well I don't want to waste your time
By spitting out another line
Because you've heard it all before
So I won't chase that feeling anymore
In Mo Kenney's song, "The Happy Song," the lyrics depict a feeling of loss and resignation to a situation that cannot be changed. The repeated lines, "What could I say? What could I say? There was nothing to do and there was no one to blame," create a sense of helplessness and acceptance of the singer's circumstances. The lyrics go on to describe the singer's struggles with moving on from a past relationship. The lines, "When I see you walk away, I pretend to feel some kind of pain / I was always a pretty good actor, anyway," convey the idea that the singer is putting up a front to mask their true emotions.
Similarly, the lines, "And every time I end up on the floor, it's always something I do / That keeps the lock on the door," suggest that the singer is responsible for their own suffering and inability to move forward. The "lock" on the door represents a barrier preventing the singer from escaping their own patterns of self-destructive behavior. However, despite the repeated struggles, the singer decides not to "chase that feeling" any longer, implying a sense of acceptance and moving on with life.
Overall, "The Happy Song" features lyrics that are introspective and emotive, painting a picture of a person grappling with their own emotional turmoil and coming to terms with the inevitability of their situation.
Line by Line Meaning
What could I say?
I'm speechless and unsure what to do or say.
What could I say?
I'm repeating my initial thought and feeling, as there's nothing to add.
There was nothing to do
There's no action to take as it won't change anything.
And there was no one to blame
No one is responsible for what happened.
I learn to watch myself fade
I've become aware of my own decline and changing state of mind.
When I see you walk away
Your leaving is a painful reminder of my loneliness and isolation.
I pretend to feel some kind of pain
I'm trying to fit in and show emotions, but I don't really feel anything.
I was always a pretty good actor, anyway
I'm skilled at pretending and masking my true feelings.
I don't feel tired, I don't feel shy
I don't have any particular feelings right now; I'm just numb.
I haven't gone a day without telling a lie
I've been dishonest consistently, and it's become second nature to me.
And my conscience feels no weight
I don't feel guilty about my dishonesty or other wrongdoings.
And every time I end up on the floor
Every time I hit rock bottom.
It's always something I do
I'm the one causing my own problems.
That keeps the lock on the door
My actions and choices keep me trapped and unable to move forward.
And there is no other way
I'm stuck in this cycle, and there's no easy exit.
It's the faces on the page
The people and memories in photos are a strong trigger for me.
That bring me back here every day
I can't escape the past and my patterns of behavior.
To the place I was before
I keep ending up in the same negative place I've been before.
But I won't chase that feeling anymore
I'm determined not to repeat the same mistakes and patterns of behavior.
And every time I end up on the floor
Each time I slip back into old habits and negative behaviors.
It's always something I do
I'm the one causing my own problems and setbacks.
That keeps the lock on the door
My own actions and patterns of behavior are keeping me trapped and unable to move forward.
And there is no other way
I'm stuck in this negative cycle, and there's no easy escape.
If the faces on the page
If seeing people and memories in photographs could change my feelings.
Could bring me back here every day
Then I would be trapped in the same negative place every day.
Then I would have something to say
I would be able to express what's going on inside me more clearly.
But all my words have lost their sway
My words have lost their impact and no longer hold meaning.
Well, I don't want to waste your time
I don't want to burden you with my problems or issues.
By spitting out another line
By repeating a pattern or cycle that's done nothing to help before.
Because you've heard it all before
You've already heard all of my excuses and complaints before.
So I won't chase that feeling anymore
I'm going to stop repeating old patterns and behaviors that have led me nowhere.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Mo Kenney
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ruby Sparkes
Incredibly talented singer/sing writer.
Barb McGhee
She brought a noisy full house to a whisper with her first notes: an amazing talent at The Hideout in Red Deer: can't wait til she comes back again!!
wallymusic
I love Mo's stuff. I saw her the other night open for Ron Sexsmith in Red Deer. I am a new fan now and can't wait to hear more Mo. One of Canada's great talents. Thanks for sharing.
Samantha Green
Heard Deja Vu last night on CBCradio3 and wanted to hear more!! I love this!! I am an avid listener of Canadian Music and has now been added to my collection!! Thanks for being awesome, Canadian, and for having the voice of an angel!
Renita Collier
Love this women!!!!!!
Zombie Trail Run
I just read the article in the Laker. So much talent!! I love this song!
Heinz Manglus
She`s brilliant!!!! ....i saw her live in Münster 3 hours ago.
Megan Votour
Mo Kenny is brilliant.
Samantha Green
And now I can't stop listening to this song!
Emily Rose
So beautiful.