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)
Sway
Royal Wood Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Fold our ears and hold the sirens at bay
Needing gods around we'll hit the ground
We'll have to let the bullet's ricochet
Oh we can be together
We can be together any way
Oh
We can be the way we used to be if we want to be
Close our fists and hold the ships all in place
Blind to think we'll hit the drink 'till we fully sway
And blur the images away
Oh we can be together
We can be together any way
Oh
Oh we can be together
We can be together any way
Oh
Oh we can be together
We can be together any way
That's all that matters today
In "Sway," Royal Wood yearns for a simpler time when he and his significant other did not face the same troubles that they are now. The first verse is characterized by a sense of longing as he reminisces about the way things used to be with his partner. The use of the phrase "fold our ears" could be interpreted as turning away from negative influences or ideas that threaten to drive a wedge between them. The following line reinforces the theme of dependence with the phrase "needing gods around," suggesting that they require divine intervention to maintain their relationship. However, the final line of the verse subverts this expectation, as the couple will ultimately have to face the reality of the situation.
The chorus expresses a sense of optimism amidst the difficulties they face in their relationship. It is repeated twice, emphasizing the hope they share for their future together. The second verse employs colorful imagery to depict their struggle against outside factors that could tear them apart. They are fighting to maintain their connection, represented by the phrase "close our fists and hold the ships all in place." Despite their success, they may suffer from the consequences of their actions (“blurring images away”) as they compromise to stay together.
Overall, "Sway" is a poignant meditation on love, loss, and sacrifice. The lyrics evoke a sense of nostalgia for a time when love was simpler and more uncomplicated. Wood recognizes the challenges that threaten relationships but remains determined to weather the storms with his significant other.
Line by Line Meaning
We can be the way we used to be if we want to be
We have the ability to revert to our past selves if we choose to
Fold our ears and hold the sirens at bay
We must ignore outside distractions and remain focused on our goal
Needing gods around we'll hit the ground
If we rely too much on external forces, we will eventually fail
We'll have to let the bullet's ricochet
We need to accept the dangers and consequences that come with our actions
Oh we can be together
We have the potential to unite
Close our fists and hold the ships all in place
We need to exert control and prevent metaphorical ships from sinking
Blind to think we'll hit the drink 'till we fully sway
We must not succumb to bad habits and lose control of ourselves
And blur the images away
We need to forget our past mistakes and move forward
That's all that matters today
The only important thing is the present moment
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: MATTEO SAGGESE, JOSEPH CANG
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind