The band would perform with various line-ups under their new name The Dignity of Labour starting in 1985. Taylor moved to California in mid 1989 and TDOL became a project under his direction, occasionally performing live with supporting musicians but generally existing in the studio amidst a cache of electronics.
In 1992, TDOL released the album Tired Hands, a collection of vocal ballads and instrumentals written over the previous five years. The album was originally released on cassette in limited quantities, but was re-released on CD in 1994 with four additional tracks. The release garnered some regional success, including an enticing offer by talent scouts Barefield and Vierra, and inclusion of the track La Belle Le Anna on a syndicated compilation disc. Taylor knew his future lay in electronic pop music.
By 1994, Taylor had moved to Denver, Colorado, where he began work on the second TDOL album, Belief. The basic tracks were recorded in Taylor's studio then mixed and mastered at Colorado Sound Studios. Belief was released in December 1997 through international distributor Joe's Grille and was available from various record stores in Colorado. The album was also sent to several labels that cater to electronic musicians. Despite favorable reviews praising TDOL for its accurate depiction of 80's-style electronic synthpop, TDOL decided not to actively promote the release through club gigs or radio airplay. Nevertheless, the tracks Shores of Eternity and Echoes caught the attention of a major record label in Europe.
Fast-forward to August 2002. Taylor submitted a post to a musician's mailing list, asking if anyone would be interested in producing/engineering the next TDOL album. He received several offers, including one from Colin Mansfield, a veteran jack-of-all-trades from St. Paul, Minnnesota. After a few weeks of e-mails and song-swapping, they decided it would be a great idea to work together. Given that Colin had a lot of experience in ambient music, Taylor was excited to see how these songs would come together. In March 2003 he spent a week in St. Paul with Colin and engineer Bob Cain at Ambient Sound, recording the first handful of demos for the new album. Response from those close to Taylor encouraged him to submit the tracks to several independent electronic-based labels in the US and Europe. Among those who responded with contract offers was synthpop label kingpin, A Different Drum, who offered him a one-single/one album deal. In June 2004, ADD released the debut single XRV to critical acclaim.
Taylor recently completed his third album. This self-titled effort explores further the mix of incisive lyrics and techno beats. Here, TDOL ventures into foreign territory, voicing the third person in some instances, disguising the song's identity through allusions to science and technology, while pushing the emotional envelope. The album was released in September 2005.
Oxygen
The Dignity of Labour Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Under care of every breath you're making
Only here, where the signs appear
Do I fear that the bonds are breaking
Oxygen
The cornerstone in the pit of men
Mightier than the perfect pen
I'm in the cell, the molecule
I can tell when you're allocating
Heaven sent to your element
Monument to the innocent
My intent is to represent
Complement when all is dissipating
Oxygen
The cradle for every citizen
Regenerating the specimen
A pure invasion delivered when you breathe
The lyrics to The Dignity of Labour's song Oxygen are an ode to the importance and power of oxygen in sustaining life. The singer personifies oxygen, stating that it is "your air, your life support" and is "under care of every breath you're making." The significance of oxygen is further emphasized by the line "Only here, where the signs appear/Do I fear that the bonds are breaking," highlighting the crucial role it plays in keeping us alive.
The chorus further emphasizes the might of oxygen, comparing it to a cornerstone and stating that it is "Mightier than the perfect pen." The line "And on occasion assemble when you breathe" brings to mind the image of oxygen molecules coming together to form the air we breathe. The second verse continues the personification, with the singer stating that they are "in the cell, the molecule" and can "tell when you're allocating," further emphasizing the intimate relationship between oxygen and the human body.
The lyrics ultimately celebrate oxygen as the "cradle for every citizen" and "regenerating the specimen," acknowledging its role in sustaining life and promoting health. Overall, the use of personification and vivid imagery in this song creates a meaningful tribute to the power of oxygen.
Line by Line Meaning
I am your air, your life support
I am the one that keeps you alive and going, whether you acknowledge my presence or not.
Under care of every breath you're making
You are taking care of me whenever you inhale or exhale, even though it's not always intentional.
Only here, where the signs appear
Though I am all around you, I am only truly visible and recognizable through the signs that I bring forth.
Do I fear that the bonds are breaking
I fear that the connection that holds us together will break, leading to consequences that cannot be undone.
Oxygen
I am a crucial component that sustains life and allows for various life processes to continue.
The cornerstone in the pit of men
I am the essential foundation upon which humanity as a whole has been able to build upon and advance.
Mightier than the perfect pen
I have more power and influence over life than any tool or creation of humanity.
And on occasion assemble when you breathe
I come together as a vital force whenever a human being takes a breath.
I'm in the cell, the molecule
I exist even at the smallest levels within living beings, whether they are aware of me or not.
I can tell when you're allocating
I can recognize what is happening within the body and will adjust accordingly to maintain balance and equilibrium.
Heaven sent to your element
I am a gift from nature to the world of living beings, specifically tailored to fulfill their needs.
Monument to the innocent
I am a symbol of the purity and simplicity of life, representing the fundamental force that propels it forward.
My intent is to represent
Though I have no human intentions, my sole purpose is to serve as a representation of vitality and life force.
Complement when all is dissipating
I am the balance and harmony that fills in the gaps when the world around us is falling apart.
The cradle for every citizen
I provide a nurturing and protective environment for every living organism to thrive and grow.
Regenerating the specimen
I am capable of revitalizing living organisms, enabling them to heal and recover from injury or illness.
A pure invasion delivered when you breathe
When you inhale, I invade your body with purity and freshness, providing a sense of life and energy that cannot be replicated.
Contributed by Reagan I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.