Singing in the local church choirs as a boy, studying jazz and classical piano performance, composition, and arrangement, and singing and playing keyboards in the ska band Gangster Politics in high school. Watson left the band after graduating and began to explore other types of music, including electronica and ambient. In 2002, after returning from a trip to Vietnam, he decided to start a four-piece chamber pop group, bringing in bassist Mishka Stein, drummer Robbie Kuster (both of whom he had met at university), and former Gangster Politics guitarist Simon Angell. The group (which was technically a solo project with a backing band) released Just Another Ordinary Day (2003) independently.
In 2001 Watson released his first own solo debut, Waterproof9 and in 2006 his second, Close to Paradise. Early in 2007, Watson was nominated for a Juno Canada's music award in the New Artist of the Year category.
His band's song "The Great Escape" was featured on a third-season episode of Grey's Anatomy.
He co-wrote and performed on several songs on The Cinematic Orchestra's 2007 album Ma Fleur including the opening track "To Build a Home". His "Missing You" remix of Champion's "Guy Doune", from Champion's 2006 album The Remix Album, reached #1 on CBC Radio 3's R3-30 chart in early 2007.
Patrick Watson (the band) also won the prestigeous Polaris Music Prize (Canada) in 2007.
Website: www.patrickwatson.net
Silent City
Patrick Watson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I was hoping for eternity
Here among the dirt and bones
This world could be my love, love
Conquer then I'll wait for you
You'll be my love, love
Conquer then I'll wait for you
Getting to know the silent city
'Cause it's time to see the king
You will fear the years ahead of you
See if the torture life can bring
This world could be my love, love
Conquer then I'll wait for you
You'll be my love, love
Conquer then I'll wait for you
Conquer then I'll wait for you
With lovers hand in hand
Enjoy your time together while you can
I'm takin' you to the silent city
Underneath the broken stones
I was hoping for eternity
Here among the dirt and bones
This world could be my love, love
Conquer then I'll wait for you
You'll be my love, love
Conquer then I'll wait for you
Conquer then I'll wait for you, conquer then
Conquer then I'll wait for you, conquer then
Conquer then I'll wait for you
Underneath the broken stones
I was hoping for eternity
The song “Silent City” by Patrick Watson is a beautiful and poetic ode to mortality and eternal love. The opening verse, “Underneath the broken stones, I was hoping for eternity, here among the dirt and bones” paints a picture of a world that is crumbling and aging, but a desire for something more enduring remains. The following lines portray the idea that life itself could be the eternal love the singer is searching for, but it must first be conquered. The repetition of “conquer then I’ll wait for you” in the chorus emphasizes the urgency and determination in the singer’s voice.
The next verse mentions the “silent city” and the need to see the king, suggesting a reference to death and the afterlife. The line “you will fear the years ahead of you” speaks to the unknown and the uncertainty of life. As the song progresses, it becomes clear that the singer is inviting a lover to experience the journey with them, to “enjoy your time together while you can,” as the verses end with the repetition of the opening verse.
Overall, “Silent City” is a hauntingly beautiful musical composition that skillfully blends the themes of love, life, and mortality.
Line by Line Meaning
Underneath the broken stones
Patrick Watson is referring to the city of the dead, where the deceased bodies are buried under the broken gravestones.
I was hoping for eternity
The singer was hoping to be free from the constraints of life and to be immortal in the city of the dead.
Here among the dirt and bones
The singer is situated in the graveyard amidst the dirt and bones of the dead people, and intends to find love here.
This world could be my love, love
The artist contemplates the world of the dead as his true love, one that he wants to conquer and wait for.
Conquer then I'll wait for you
The artist promises to conquer death and earn his immortality, after which he will wait for his love to join him.
Getting to know the silent city
The singer intends to learn about the ghostly world that is the city of the dead.
'Cause it's time to see the king
The singer may be referring to a higher power or ruler of the city of the dead, whom he wants to go see.
You will fear the years ahead of you
Despite being in the afterlife and immortal, the artist warns about the fear one may develop for the countless years that lie ahead.
See if the torture life can bring
The artist intends to test whether the pain and suffering of life can be compared to that of an eternity in the city of the dead.
With lovers hand in hand
The artist envisions a scenario where he can hold hands with his beloved in the silent city, and spend eternity together.
Enjoy your time together while you can
The singer advises everyone to cherish the time they have with their loved ones, and make the most of it, before they become a part of the silent city.
I'm takin' you to the silent city
The artist is taking someone to the city of the dead, either literally or figuratively.
Underneath the broken stones
The singer repeats this line to remind the listener that he is taking them to the land of the dead.
Conquer then I'll wait for you, conquer then
The singer reaffirms his commitment to conquering death in order to join his love in the afterlife.
Conquer then I'll wait for you, conquer then
The singer repeats this line to emphasize his promise of waiting for his beloved in the city of the dead.
Contributed by Mia R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.