Although she has become a popular performer at Canadian folk festivals, she is best known both in Canada and internationally for her collaborations with Björk, including concert tours and the 2004 album Medúlla. She has also performed with the Kronos Quartet and featured on the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network.
In 2005 her CD entiled Sinaa (Inuktitut for Edge) was nominated for five awards at the Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards. At the ceremony on 25 October 2005 the CD won awards for Best Producer/Engineer, Best Album Design and Tagaq herself won the Best Female Artist award.
Her Sinaa CD was nominated for the 2006 Juno Awards as the Best Aboriginal Recording.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tanya_Tagaq_Gillis
http://www.tanyatagaq.com/en/home/
Centre
Tanya Tagaq Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Enterin' the entrance of a birth
Remember to remember is to enter in reverse
To the center of the center of the center of the dot, then disperse
Rubber like circles in a band from a dot, from a drop
To the circles that surround ya
In the water, make waves that we drown in
Waves of sound that we bathe in
Ground that we all stand on
That we all stand for
To process, that we hang on
Hang on, hang on, hang on
Like dot, dot, dot
It's like a rock dropped in the water
Submerged, but first reverberates
Like words that makes circle shapes
Circles like, like records that revolve
With grooves that rest and unrest
And then resolve when they drop
Little dots like drops of sand
From a clock spanning across a canyon
Across plots of land, like clocks
All we gots is hands to bang together
These plots and plans and pots and pans and
Drop some slang from the dot, dot, dot, dot, back to the top
The center of the center of the Earth
Enterin' the entrance of a birth
Remember to remember is to enter in reverse
To the center of the center of the center of the dot, then disperse
We're dust in the wind 'til we're dust in the Earth
The universe's dot at the centre of the first
And the circle never stops from the first rock dropped
On forever like dot, dot, dot
Dot, dot, dot, dot, dot
Dot, dot
Sing me a flash, catch, just the Sun to
Sing me a flash, catch, just the Sun to sacrifice
Our blood goes back into the Earth
In, out, womb, core
In, out, womb, core, womb, core
Womb, core, womb
Drop some slang from the dot, dot, dot, dot, back to the top
The center of the center of the Earth
Enterin' the entrance of a birth
Remember to remember is to enter in reverse
To the center of the center of the center of the dot, then disperse
We're dust in the wind 'til we're dust in the Earth
The universe's dot at the centre of the first
And the circle never stops from the first rock dropped
On forever like dot, dot, dot
Dot, dot, dot, dot, dot
Dot, dot
Drop some slang from the dot, dot, dot, dot, back to the top
The center of the center of the Earth
Enterin' the entrance of a birth
Remember to remember is to enter in reverse
To the center of the center of the center of the dot, then disperse
We're dust in the wind 'til we're dust in the Earth
The universe's dot at the centre of the first
And the circle never stops from the first rock dropped
On forever like dot, dot, dot
Dot, dot, dot, dot, dot
Dot, dot
The song "Centre" by Tanya Tagaq contains a deep exploration of the nature of existence and our place in the universe. The lyrics contain multiple references to the idea of a central point, a "center of the center of the Earth" which evokes images of the center of the universe. The verse "We're dust in the wind 'til we're dust in the Earth" reinforces the idea that we are all small parts of a larger whole, and our existence is fleeting and transient. However, there is also a message of hope in the idea that we are all connected - "Our blood goes back into the Earth" - and that our existence is part of a greater whole.
The lyrics also explore the idea of circularity and repetition. The repeated phrase "dot, dot, dot" evokes the repetitive nature of existence, while the references to circles and records spinning suggest the cyclical nature of time. The chorus "Drop some slang from the dot, dot, dot, dot, back to the top" suggests that the cycle will continue indefinitely, with each new iteration building on the previous one.
Overall, the song "Centre" is a deeply philosophical meditation on the nature of existence, exploring ideas of circularity, transience, and the interconnectedness of all things.
Line by Line Meaning
Center of the center of the Earth
The deepest point at the center of our planet.
Enterin' the entrance of a birth
Starting at the beginning of a new life cycle.
Remember to remember is to enter in reverse
To fully grasp the present, one must reflect on the past.
To the center of the center of the center of the dot, then disperse
Reaching the smallest of points and then spreading outwards.
Rubber like circles in a band from a dot, from a drop
Circles expanding from a single point gradually forming a bigger picture.
To the circles that surround ya
Acknowledging the influences and impact of the environment around oneself.
In the water, make waves that we drown in
Sound waves that overwhelm us to the point of losing oneself.
Waves of sound that we bathe in
Sounds that surround us, similar to a warm bath, soothing and comforting.
Then wash up on this ground that
Returning back to reality.
Ground that we all stand on
The common foundation of humanity on earth.
That we all stand for
What unites us and what we believe in.
To process, that we hang on
To hold onto and interpret thoughts and emotions more accurately.
Like dot, dot, dot
Connecting various aspects and stages of life together.
It's like a rock dropped in the water
Describing the ripple effect of significant events in life.
Submerged, but first reverberates
Disappearing beneath the surface, but resonating long after the initial impact.
Like words that makes circle shapes
How language and communication can form and influence ideas and actions.
Circles like, like records that revolve
Drawing parallels between vinyl records and life cycles that repeat and evolve.
With grooves that rest and unrest
Sticking to familiar patterns while also experiencing change and unrest.
And then resolve when they drop
The end of a cycle and the start of a new one.
Little dots like drops of sand
Individual moments and experiences that gradually build up and form an overall picture.
From a clock spanning across a canyon
The vastness and complexity of time.
All we gots is hands to bang together
The importance of coming together and working towards a common goal.
These plots and plans and pots and pans and
The different elements and factors in life that contribute to its complexity.
Sing me a flash, catch, just the Sun to
Emphasizing the importance of appreciation for the world around us.
Sing me a flash, catch, just the Sun to sacrifice
Making personal sacrifices to protect and preserve the world around us.
Our blood goes back into the Earth
The cycle of life and death, and how our bodies are reclaimed by the environment.
In, out, womb, core
The cyclical nature of life and how everything is linked and connected.
Drop some slang from the dot, dot, dot, dot, back to the top
Returning to the central theme of the song, and starting anew.
We're dust in the wind 'til we're dust in the Earth
Highlighting the fleeting nature of life, and how it's temporary and impermanent.
The universe's dot at the centre of the first
The importance of placing oneself in relation to the universe as a whole.
And the circle never stops from the first rock dropped
The timeless nature of cycles and patterns that repeat throughout time.
On forever like dot, dot, dot
The never-ending nature of time and the universe.
Womb, core, womb
The cyclical nature of life and death, and how everything is linked and connected.
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Bernard Falaise, Jean R. Martin, Jesse Freeman Zubot, Shadrach Kabongo, Tanya Tagaq Gillis
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@wanderingrhythms
Kinda hard to believe this actually happened. Truly a surreal Canadian dream team. Thanks Tanya, Shad, Chad and Jesse for elevating the art and simultaneously showing that 'centre' ain't a typo
@valentinovigo7491
Tanya Tagaq on Vevo? well this is something. I love you Tanya, can't wait for the release, amazing as always.
@PeterByker
Mind-alteringly good. This music video is either directed by Chad Vangaalen, or I've doubled up on my meds again.
@consonantsandvowels1
Incredible. One of the best things I've seen on YouTube.
@TheFantasyClinic
So beautiful, fresh...wish more exposure was given on Tanya in the media as the world needs to know whom I think is one of the most important artists of our time. xox
@insanelymundaneproductions7169
this song has dominated my trip all night. thank you
@LAVINART
your images!! are so fun~!
@jamsocrane
Your great. Your making me feel the creativity
@brightonmischief
Absolutely gorgeous! Can’t get enough of this track and the video is incredible. Awesome!
@chucklebaby
Oh I wish more of your videos were still online.