Wiley started out as a guitarist in a handful of local independent projects, including The Plan, Space Opera and Evil Agents. He was also a member of The Tubetracks during a brief period when he lived in British Columbia. His unique guitar style always contributed to the sound of the groups he worked with, most notably his adept skill at surf music, being heavily influenced by Dick Dale, among others. During his involvement in these groups, he didn't do any vocal work, with the exception of a few songs from Space Opera, which mostly consisted of talking or yelling, but no actual singing.
In 2002, he released his first solo project, Bottom Dollar. Not only was it his first solo effort, but it was a fully professionally produced CD, as opposed to the low-tech cassettes produced by all of his previous projects. While the surf influence wasn't evident, his talents as a singer and songwriter were startling, after so many years of being known as primarily a lead guitarist rather than a frontman. Some media reviews drew a comparison to Tom Waits, but most fans seem to agree that, while some of the lyrics are similar to Waits' style, a closer comparison in lyric style would be Bob Dylan.
Bottom Dollar gained much critical acclaim, winning awards from the East Coast Music Association and SOCAN, and getting repeated airplay on CBC Radio. The video for the lead single "Bottom Dollar Baby" was played in rotation on the Canadian muic station MuchMoreMusic, and remained in their Top 40 for several weeks, even gaining spots higher than such hitmakers as Celine Dion and Cher. The album was released through the indie-friendly group Sonic, and was eventually picked up for distribution by Warner Bros. Records.
The follow-up High Low was released in 2004, also gaining similar awards and acclaim.
Renegade
Nathan Wiley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
He'll never let you go
Worship the one you save
Sleep on a higher stone
And never be untrue
What are we waiting for
Break up the wine and bread
Make up the only bed
For the renegade
And underneath
Where the south and east begin
We will let you in
[Chorus]
The lyrics of Nathan Wiley's song Renegade can be interpreted in various ways. On one level, they seem to depict a person who is rebellious and independent, someone who refuses to conform to societal norms or expectations. The titular character of the song is described as a renegade, implying that he is someone who has broken away from the status quo and chosen his own path in life. According to the song, this person will never let you go, which could mean that he is fiercely loyal to those who stand with him, or it could suggest that his influence is so powerful that you will inevitably become drawn into his orbit.
The next line of the song, "Worship the one you save," is more enigmatic. It could be read as a call to embrace your own inner strength and become your own savior, or it may refer to a specific religious or spiritual tradition. The next two lines, "Sleep on a higher stone and never be untrue," suggest that the path of the renegade is one of sacrifice and discipline. To sleep on a higher stone is to accept discomfort and austerity, while the idea of never being untrue suggests a commitment to living a life of integrity.
Line by Line Meaning
He's just a renegade
He is a rebel soul who refuses to conform to societal norms and expectations.
He'll never let you go
He is fiercely loyal and will never abandon those he cares about.
Worship the one you save
Pay homage to the savior who saved you from the worst moments of your life.
Sleep on a higher stone
Rest on a pedestal, above the troubles and pain of the world.
And never be untrue
Always remain true to yourself and your beliefs, never compromising or selling out.
What are we waiting for
Why delay any longer when we have the opportunity to undertake something significant and meaningful?
Break up the wine and bread
Let us partake in the holy sacraments of wine and bread, signifying a communal bond and reverence.
Make up the only bed
Create a space where the renegade can rest and share in the comfort of home.
For the renegade
This gesture is specifically for the renegade, as a form of appreciation and solidarity.
And underneath
Beneath the surface and superficial layers, where true character and values lie.
Where the south and east begin
In the mystical and symbolic place where two opposing forces merge and create something entirely new and powerful.
We will let you in
We will accept and embrace the renegade, despite their defiance of convention and authority.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
srd
Thanks for all the Nathan posts..i must say it is about time. cheers!!
Mudcrutch
agreed