MacLean is the daughter of accomplished actress, Sharlene MacLean and Danny Costain, a singer and dancer from British Columbia. She was also influenced greatly by her step father Marty Reno, a songwriter/guitarist, best known for his recording work with Canadian recording star Gene McLellan.
Nettwerk Records discovered MacLean singing on a ferry between Victoria, B.C. and Salt Spring Island. She signed to Nettwerk Records in April 1995 after moving to Vancouver to record her song "Let Her Feel the Rain" for Lit from Within, a Nettwerk Records benefit compilation for rape crisis centers. Her first live appearance in Vancouver was at Nettwerk Record's 10 Year Anniversary Show at the Vogue Theater.
In October 1995 MacLean went to San Francisco to record her debut album Silence at Brilliant Studios with producer Norm Kerner.
In 1997 MacLean released a five-song EP of live, remixed and re-recorded songs called "If You See Me".
MacLean's second full length album was called "Passenger". It was recorded in New Orleans and produced by Malcolm Burn (Daniel Lanois) and then husband Bill Bell (Tom Cochrane, Danko Jones). It was released in October 1999 by Nettwerk Records in Canada and Capitol Records in America.
From 2002-7 MacLean collaborated with fellow artists Kim Stockwood and Damhnait Doyle. The resulting group was named Shaye. Their debut album "The Bridge" was released in October 2003 on EMI Canada. "Happy Baby" the lead single, was nominated for Single of the Year at the 2004 Juno Awards and won the Canadian Radio music award
Tara MacLean's third full length release Wake was released on the 22nd April, 2008.
Settling
Tara MacLean Lyrics
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Am I borrowed, Am I blue
Is it just the dust of leaving you
Settling
Am I fair, Am I strong
When I'm there do I belong
Is it only skin I touch when I reach for you
The leaves they fall
Do I blame the wind
Or the tree that let it go
Or do I wave goodbye
Settling
Do I stay and do I fight
Is it wrong when nothing's right
Or is it just the closet light
I leave on for you
The leaves they fall
They go so far sometimes
Do I blame the wind
Or the tree that let it go
Or do I wave goodbye
Settling
So many times I've needed you to be strong for me
But you bend beneath the slightest breeze
You have no leaves
No leaves
No leaves
Settling
Am I real, Am I true
Do I stay and do I fight
Is it just the closet light
Is it only skin I touch
Or is it just the dust
Settling
The song "Settling" by Tara MacLean is a heart-wrenching ballad that explores the complex emotions of a person who has been left behind by a loved one. The lyrics are filled with introspective questions that delve into the singer's own self-doubt and insecurity. The opening lines of the song, "Am I real, Am I true / Am I borrowed, Am I blue / Is it just the dust of leaving you / Settling" convey a sense of confusion and displacement, where the singer is struggling to come to terms with their own identity in the face of loss.
Throughout the song, the singer grapples with a range of emotions - from anger and resentment to sadness and despair. The lines "The leaves they fall / They go so far sometimes / Do I blame the wind / Or the tree that let it go / Or do I wave goodbye / Settling" paint a vivid picture of the pain and confusion that comes with the end of a relationship. The metaphor of the falling leaves serves to underscore the transitory nature of life and how we must learn to let go of things that no longer serve us.
The final lines of the song, "So many times I've needed you to be strong for me / But you bend beneath the slightest breeze / You have no leaves / No leaves / No leaves / Settling" are a poignant reminder of how important it is to have strong roots that can weather the storms of life. The singer realizes that they need to find their own strength and resilience in the face of adversity, rather than relying on someone else to provide it for them.
Line by Line Meaning
Am I real, Am I true
Questioning one's own authenticity and genuineness.
Am I borrowed, Am I blue
Wondering if one's emotions and feelings are just temporary and fleeting.
Is it just the dust of leaving you
Contemplating if the feeling of sadness and emptiness is just temporary after leaving someone.
Settling
Accepting the current situation and not striving for something better.
Am I fair, Am I strong
Questioning one's own morals and fortitude.
When I'm there do I belong
Thinking about whether one really fits in with a group or situation.
Is it only skin I touch when I reach for you
Wondering if love is just physical or if it goes deeper.
The leaves they fall
Using the metaphor of falling leaves to represent things falling apart or coming to an end.
They go so far sometimes
Acknowledging how far things can change or how things can be out of our control.
Do I blame the wind
Questioning if one should place blame on external factors.
Or the tree that let it go
Wondering if the fault lies within oneself.
Or do I wave goodbye
Accepting the end of something.
Do I stay and do I fight
Questioning if it's worth staying and fighting for something or if it's better to let go.
Is it wrong when nothing's right
Feeling lost and unsure when everything seems to be going wrong.
Or is it just the closet light
Using the metaphor of a closet light left on to represent hope.
I leave on for you
Holding onto hope and not giving up on someone.
So many times I've needed you to be strong for me
Admitting to needing support from someone else.
But you bend beneath the slightest breeze
Feeling let down by someone who can't provide the needed support.
You have no leaves
Realizing that the person who was supposed to provide support is not able to do so.
Settling
Accepting the current situation and not striving for something better.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: MACLEAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind