In 1989, the band became the first Canadian signing to Enigma Records. Their self-titled debut album was released on Enigma the following year, and spawned the singles "Monday Morning" and "I Will Give You Everything". However, the label soon went bankrupt, and the album was never properly promoted.
Some of Enigma's Canadian staff created FRE Records in 1992, and released the band's second (and most popular) album, Restless, that year. At the same time, Stokes left the band. Drummers Mike Sloski and Steve Pitkin filled in on drums until the band recruited Joel Anderson as its new permanent drummer. "A Penny More", the lead single from Restless, became the band's biggest hit, produced by John Oliveira and the band at Hamilton's Grant Avenue Sudios.
Capitol Records, the distributor for both Enigma and FRE, also rereleased the band's debut album that year.
In 1993, the band's third album, Just Over This Mountain, was released, and consolidated the band's status by winning a number of music awards, including the Juno Award for Most Promising Group. Following that album, Anderson left the band and was replaced by Peter von Althen.
In 1995, the band signed to Warner Canada and released Road Radio. However, at this time, FRE went bankrupt, meaning that the band's earlier albums were no longer widely available. After the tour to support that album, Cash left the band. He was replaced by Paul MacLeod. The band subsequently left Warner, after which von Althen also left the band.
Since the band's sound had largely been defined by Maize and Cash's vocal harmonies, the band revised their sound somewhat for 1997's Desmond's Hip City, released on DROG Records. The title track had an almost trip-hop feel, and some other songs (notably "November in Ontario" and "The Shape of Things to Come") were closer to hard rock than anything the band had previously recorded.
In 1999, the band made an unusual move. With Restless, their most popular album, still unavailable in stores due to legal uncertainties around FRE's bankruptcy, they decided that their next studio project would be to assemble a new version of that album using old rehearsal recordings. Still Restless: The Lost Tapes was released that year.
In 2000, the band released the live album There and Back, followed in 2003 by Bittersweet Harmony.
In 2006 they teamed up with the The Cash Brothers (former Skydigger Peter Cash and his brother Andrew) to release an acoustic album, and Finlayson and Maize collaborated on the album Dark Hollow, which was credited to the side project Finlayson/Maize.
In 2008 they released City of Sirens.
The band also launched MapleMusic Recordings as a label and a web commerce portal to promote Canadian independent music.
What Do You See?
Skydiggers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
and I can see your firelight
Well the day kind of brought me down
but i made it safe tonight
Well I know that you are home
and I know that your all alone
Well we've been running around
Sometimes you rest to fast
but sometimes it goes too slow
Right now we are standing still
for the first time in our lives
You don't need to seem so strange
In fact it seems alright
So when I come home and you take a look at me
Tell me baby, Tell me baby
What do you see?
Well sometimes you kind of feel trapped
in the things you know
Sometimes the stuff around you
can't really help you grow
Yeah I didn't know what to say
Yeah I didn't know what i know today
So when I come home and you take a look at me
Tell me baby, Tell me baby, Tell me baby
What do you see?
What do you see?
What do you see?
The song "What Do You See?" by Skydiggers is a reflection on the complexities of life and relationships. The singer has been running through the streets and arrives at the home of someone they care for deeply, seeking solace and comfort from the day's troubles. The song is a conversation asking the other person what they see in the singer upon returning home.
The chorus asks for emotional openness, asking "What do you see?" repeatedly. The lyrics acknowledge the struggle of feeling trapped and unsure of how to grow, and also the fear of opening up and being vulnerable. The song captures the tension that arises when two people come together with their own struggles and uncertainties, navigating how to support and understand each other even when they may not fully understand themselves.
Overall, "What Do You See?" is a poignant reflection on the journey of self-discovery and the ways in which we rely on others for guidance and support along the way.
Line by Line Meaning
Well I've been running down your street
I have been running towards your house.
and I can see your firelight
I can see the light of the fire in your house.
Well the day kind of brought me down
The day was difficult and challenging.
but i made it safe tonight
But I arrived home safely tonight.
Well I know that you are home
I know that you are at your house.
and I know that your all alone
And I know that you are by yourself.
Well we've been running around
We have been busy and active.
we don't know which way to go
We do not know the best direction to take.
Sometimes you rest to fast
Sometimes you take breaks too quickly.
but sometimes it goes too slow
But sometimes time goes by too slowly.
Right now we are standing still
Currently, we are not moving or making progress.
for the first time in our lives
This is the first time we have experienced this state.
You don't need to seem so strange
You do not need to act unusual or odd.
In fact it seems alright
In fact, everything seems okay.
So when I come home and you take a look at me
When I come back and you see me.
Tell me baby, Tell me baby
Please tell me.
What do you see?
What do you think or feel when you see me?
Well sometimes you kind of feel trapped
At times, you may feel confined.
in the things you know
In your current knowledge and understanding.
Sometimes the stuff around you
Occasionally, the things surrounding you.
can't really help you grow
Do not assist you in developing or improving.
Yeah I didn't know what to say
I was unsure of what to say.
Yeah I didn't know what i know today
I did not possess the knowledge I have now.
What do you see?
What do you perceive when you see me?
What do you see?
What do you think or feel when you see me?
What do you see?
What is your impression of me?
Contributed by Riley M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Shannon Traynor
There is nothing like the sound of Andy and Peter singing together . Love it
19 84
Awesome band. From 1990 to 1998, Wow! These guys owned the unsung Canadian music world and they rivalled The Tragically Hip and Blue Rodeo, but went largely unrecognized. Glad they are still making music, albeit a somewhat different line-up, and their shows remain entertaining today.
Suz G-L
Love love this song. Great lyrics and vibe. So many great memories with this band. Xo