Biography
Early Life
Born and raised outside of Peterborough, Ontario, Royal Wood grew up in a household filled with music. He began playing piano by ear at the age of four and started lessons at age eight. With the support of his school music program, he had access to a variety of different instruments, and by his teens, he became well-versed in many different instruments, including the guitar, bass guitar, drums, clarinet, and trumpet.
After high school, he studied business at McGill University. During this time, he had limited access to a piano, and focused on his guitar playing while trying to find his voice as a songwriter.
Career
Wood released his first EP, entitled The Milkweed EP, in 2002. This collection of songs were written, arranged, performed and produced by Wood himself. The release garnered much critical acclaim, and critics drew comparisons with Randy Newman, Jeff Buckley, and Tom Waits.
Following the release of his debut EP, Wood set out to create an over-the-top pop record for his full-length debut. Drawing inspiration from The Beatles and The Beach Boys, Wood once again undertook production duties during the recording sessions. In 2004, he released his full-length debut record, Tall Tales on Maple Music. The record’s ornate sound and layered arrangements garnered much critical attention, and Wood was praised for his vocal style and infectious lyricism.
With the goal of creating a more mature and pristine sound, Wood entered Toronto's Reaction Studios in 2005 to begin recording the follow-up to his full-length debut. During the recording session, he used a Steinway grand piano, scored a full string quartet, and also enlisted the help of many well-known musicians, including Hawksley Workman and Kurt Swinghammer. The result was A Good Enough Day, which was released in 2007 on Dead Daisy Records in Canada, and in 2008 on Rounder Europe. The record received much radio attention domestically and abroad, and Wood was praised by critics for his fluent piano playing, melodic lyrical style and production ability.
The record spawned three singles and three music videos, “A Mirror Without”, “Juliet” and “I’m So Glad”. Music from the record has also been featured on several TV and movie soundtracks, including TMN/Movie Central's Regenesis, the CBC series This is Wonderland, the CTV movie Playing House, the film The End of Silence, and the Food Network’s The Surreal Gourmet. Internationally, A Mirror Without was featured on an episode of Grey's Anatomy.
With the success of A Good Enough Day, Wood was invited to share the stage with numerous Canadian songstresses, including Emm Gryner, Sarah Harmer[16], Kathleen Edwards, Sarah Slean, Jill Barber and Serena Ryder.
In support of the Rounder Europe release of the record, he also embarked on a European tour in 2008.
Constantly evolving, Wood wanted to focus his next effort on the lyrics and string arrangements. The result was the 2009 release The Lost and Found EP. With a consistently growing fan base, Wood embarked on his first headlining tour in Western Canada in November, 2009 in support of the new EP. Joined by Atlantic Canadian singer-songwriter Rose Cousins, Wood played to capacity crowds during three-week tour.
In 2010 he released "The Waiting" after which he was named iTunes Songwriter of the Year. With the release of The Waiting he has an upcoming national theatre tour with David Gray and more in the works.
Discography
The Milkweed EP (2002)
Tall Tales (2004)
A Good Enough Day (2007)
The Lost and Found EP (2009)
The Waiting (2010)
In The Garden
Royal Wood Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I am reassured by our breath
For it was years ago when we met in the garden
I see our breath…I see our breath
Oh we must be and so follow our breath
Into the universe follow our breath
Well oh it keeps me warm
No matter what shall pass
I’ll feel our breath
The splitting of our paths
I’ll feel our breath
Well oh it keeps me warm
Well oh it keeps me warm
As our feet have left a mark where we met in the garden
I’ll feel our breath
I’ll see our breath in the garden
I’ll feel us
The song "In The Garden" by Royal Wood is a song about the continuation of love despite the complexities and challenges of life. The lyrics convey the message that despite the passing of time and the challenges that come with it, love endures. This is captured in the lines "No matter what shall pass, I'll feel our breath, The splitting of our paths, I'll feel our breath". The breath referred to in the song is a metaphor for the strength of love, which can be felt through the moments of life. The garden, where the couple first met, serves as a symbol of the beginning of their journey and the continuation of their love story.
The song is written in a simple poetic style with repetitive lyrics throughout, emphasizing the importance of the message conveyed. The guitar instrumental provides a mellow and soothing vibe to the song, complementing the poetic lyrics of the song. The use of repetition of the phrases "I see our breath" and "I'll feel our breath" reinforces the message of the song and creates a lasting impact on the listener.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh we must be alive I see our breath
The sight of our breath reassures me that we are indeed alive
And I am reassured by our breath
The sight of our breath reassures me that we are indeed alive
For it was years ago when we met in the garden
We first met years ago in a garden
I see our breath…I see our breath
The sight of our breath reminds me that we are still alive and together
Oh we must be and so follow our breath
We must continue to follow our breath as we journey through life to the universe
Into the universe follow our breath
We must continue to follow our breath as we journey through life to the universe
Well oh it keeps me warm
The sight of our breath keeps me warm and reminds me that we are together
No matter what shall pass
Despite whatever may happen in life
I’ll feel our breath
I will always feel the connection between us through the sight of our breath
The splitting of our paths
Even if our paths diverge in life
Well oh it keeps me warm
The sight of our breath keeps me warm and reminds me that we are together
As our feet have left a mark where we met in the garden
Our meeting in the garden has left a permanent imprint on our lives
I’ll feel our breath
I will always feel the connection between us through the sight of our breath
I’ll see our breath in the garden
The memory of our meeting in the garden will always be alive through the sight of our breath
I’ll feel us
I will always feel the connection between us, no matter where life takes us
Contributed by Bailey B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@clmusic47
This is SOOO tender and beautiful! It really touches me deeply.
@Shacojin
Great song! Love IT!
@Pinky0007
This is awesome! Being Human is how I found Royal Wood in the first place. I loved the way they used Juliet at the end of Season one . It just fit the scene.
@rosemaryb-c4927
Lovely...I'm listening to this while planting seeds in my garden.....
@Rubyslipperspetconcierge
I want to play this at my wedding
@Rubyslipperspetconcierge
Hi! Two years later...we did play this song as part of our ceremony. Thank you so much for this lovely song.
@rosemaryb-c4927
@Ruby Slippers Pet Concierge What a great comment!
@LJMLJM740
If John Lennon was still alive then this is what he would probably sound like.
@Dani117love
Rookie Blue U_U. Yes.