Taylor Mitchell, 1990 - 2009, was a singer songwriter whose engaging vocal style and captivating lyrics belied her young age. Praised by such Canadian luminaries as Lynn Miles, Justin Rutledge, and Michael Johnston, Taylor recently finished work on her debut full-length recording - a collection of mostly original songs that showcased a range of styles, from folk to country-rock to pop, and reflected the diversity of her talent.
Born and raised in Toronto, Ontario, she studied music and dance from an early age, graduating in 2008 from the prestigious Etobicoke School of the Arts with a major in musical theatre.
In 2006, Taylor met Suzie Vinnick, a Maple Blues award-winning artist. The two forged an instant connection, and went on to co-write two songs that would appear on Taylor’s full-length debut album.
In 2007, Taylor was invited to participate in the Youth Mentoring Program at the Ontario Council of Folk Festivals (OCFF) Conference. Taylor mentored one-on-one with Juno award- winner Lynn Miles. Miles was so impressed by the young singer-songwriter that the two went on to write another song that will appear on Taylor’s debut recording.
Taylor also collaborated and studied with Michael Johnston, who recorded her first EP in 2007. When Taylor approached Michael about recording an album’s worth of original material, Johnston enthusiastically agreed to produce.
Johnston enlisted an all-star cast of musicians to serve as Taylor’s band in the studio, including John Dinsmore (Kathleen Edwards), Anne Lindsay (Jim Cuddy Band), Jason Mercer (Ani DiFranco, Ron Sexsmith), Justin Rutledge and Noel Webb (Skydiggers). Both Vinnick and Miles also appear on the recording.
In August 2008, Taylor began recording at Dinsmore’s Lincoln County Social Club studio, in the heart of Parkdale, in downtown Toronto. Taylor’s album was recorded over 5 days, in an organic, live-off-the-floor fashion. Engineered and mixed by Chris Stringer (Rush, Jory Nash), the 10 songs include a haunting duet with Miles on “Diamond and Rust” by Joan Baez, and a Crazy-Horse style take on Gordon Lightfoot’s “Love and Maple Syrup”.
Taylor was also a Canadian youth finalist in the 2008 Mountain Stage Newsong contest, and performed two songs at the finals held as part of the Ottawa Folk Festival. She toured folk clubs and festivals across Canada in 2009, coinciding with the release of her full-length recording.
Taylor died tragically from injuries suffered in an attack by coyotes while hiking alone in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, Canada in October 2009.
Clarity
Taylor Mitchell Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What I ask of you wont bring you back to start
Because all I know, is who I claim to be
A robber and a banker
A matchbox and a tree.
The city lights can shine so hard
Can you find yourself blinded in their fog?
Though fog is all I know, it's what I'l leave behind
CH: Clarity,
I'm asking for a simpler time
Clarity,
Simple times and simpler places.
Burning embers, fall from grace
Every lie you've lived is written on your face
Your face is what I miss; it was stolen in the night
I've lost track of where you are
Vanished from my sight.
CH
Small town promise, city soul
Am I what I tell myself, or what I'm being told?
'Cause all I know, is who I claim to be
A robber and a banker,
A matchbox and a tree
Cause all I know,
Is really all I need.
A robber and a banker,
A matchbox and a tree.
In Taylor Mitchell's song, "Clarity" she reflects on the simplicity of a small town versus the complexity of a big city. Mitchell misses the small town and wishes to return to a simpler time. She acknowledges that life in the city can be hard and can blind you with its bright lights and fog. However, she also acknowledges that the city has changed her and wonders if who she is now is just who she claims to be or if it is what she's been told. Mitchell seems to feel lost as someone has stolen her identity or taken away a part of her that she misses dearly. She contemplates whether she needs to cling to her past identities of being a robber and a banker, a matchbox and a tree, or if she should try to reinvent herself.
In this song, Mitchell is able to evoke a sense of nostalgia and longing for a simpler time. She uses imagery and metaphors to describe her feelings, such as "small town favour, small town heart" to describe the close-knit community of a small town, and "city soul" to describe the more individualistic mentality of a big city. Mitchell also uses repetition of the chorus with the phrase "clarity" to emphasize her desire for simplicity and for things to be clearer in her mind.
Line by Line Meaning
Small town favour, small town heart
Despite being from a small town, I have a good heart.
What I ask of you won't bring you back to start
I know that asking for your help won't fix things that have gone wrong in the past.
Because all I know, is who I claim to be
The only thing that I am sure of is my own identity.
A robber and a banker, A matchbox and a tree.
I am who I am, with all my contradictions and complexities.
The city lights can shine so hard, Can you find yourself blinded in their fog?
Big city life can be overwhelming and disorienting.
Though fog is all I know, it's what I'll leave behind
Despite the confusion, I will persevere and leave the fog behind me.
So when this storm has gone and passed I'll clear it from my mind.
After overcoming challenges, I will let go of the stress and negative emotions that came with them.
CH: Clarity, I'm asking for a simpler time
I am seeking a time in my life when things were less complicated and confusing.
Clarity, Simple times and simpler places.
I long for a straightforward and uncomplicated existence.
Burning embers, fall from grace
Something that was once bright and promising has fallen from grace.
Every lie you've lived is written on your face
The consequences of your actions are evident and written all over your face.
Your face is what I miss; it was stolen in the night
I miss the person you used to be, before something happened to change you.
I've lost track of where you are, Vanished from my sight.
You have disappeared and I am no longer sure how to find you.
Small town promise, city soul
I have the values and promises of a small town, but the soul of the big city.
Am I what I tell myself, or what I'm being told?
I question my own identity and if it is based on my own beliefs or the influence of others.
Cause all I know, Is really all I need. A robber and a banker, A matchbox and a tree.
My true self is all I need, with its complexities and imperfections.
Contributed by Ella F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
d haley
Nothing but admiration for this young lady, who's life was cut short a year ago today. In her short life time, she accomplished more than most people do in a lifetime, following her life's dream...Her creativity continues in song...R.I.P.
Ariel Cuenca
Desde Argentina, escuchando a esta genial artista, siempre en nuestros corazones
Trisha Joseph
She was so talented & ahead of her years.I had an Album & sang alot in my 20s - 40s she was on her way 2 be a folk, Pop, & country star. Beautiful music & voice. This tragedy & loss is so sad 4 her family friends , & fans. I pray God comforts her family. Coyotes are a threat 2 children & pets, Im so sad & sorry Taylor had 2 be an innocent & helpless victom. She blessed so many people w/ her music, & still is blessing more people even though she's gone. She was an earthon angel!😇😻❤💜🙏
Jasmine Thorpe
While listening to this I said the same thing she definitely would have made it I can hear it in her voice, and she was definitely an angel only meant to be here for a short time , but look at the impact she left RIP
Roniel81
Oh my god, what an amazingly great songs she sang, how incredibly beautiful she was.... I first heard of Taylor just now... (I'm not from Canada), and discovered her beautiful music only after her sad and untimely death... I think her songs will mean a lot for lots of people. God bless her soul. Rest In Peace, Taylor.
Knut Olav Halseth
10 years ago today since you were taken away all to early. RIP Taylor and thanks for the beautiful album that you gave to the world. Your music even touched me here in Norway.
Tim Dumler
same, here in Germany. sitting here in tears, full of awe and saddness
Emer Fox
This girl was so talented. It is very sad that she died so young.
Lisa Mcdonald
Died after midnight at Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre of blood loss sustained after being attacked by a pair of Eastern coyotes
Mickey Mouse
@Lisa Mcdonald ok