Roots Musician John Dawson Finds Universal Love in Wrestling-Inspired Single “Under All the Lights”
They say that behind every great man is a woman. That’s the theme of “Under All the Lights,” the new single from Newmarket roots musician John Dawson that finds deep emotional resonance in the age-old poetic trope of the enduring love between … a pro wrestler and his wife.
For real, though. Behind the song’s craftily ambiguous portrait of undying devotion is the specific story of WWE superstar Cody (son of Dusty) Rhodes and his loyal spouse, Brandi. They’re the pair Dawson is thinking of when he sings of a man—seen variously as a “warrior” and a “mage” by the world at large—who knows his true strength comes from his partner.
Under all the lights with only everyone,
He’s looking for one single face.
Without her, he’s just song without the sound.
He’s just words without a page.
The song was inspired by Rhodes’ participation in last year’s WrestleMania XL, and more particularly an interview he gave in the run up to the event.
“I was drawn to a seemingly offhand comment he made where he boasted of how well his wife would be positioned in the coming big show,” Dawson says. “It was this that struck me. The eyes of the world were on him, but his eyes were on her.”
Dawson knows his wrestling, have no doubt: When he isn’t making music or spending quality time with his own family, he cohosts a weekly radio show called Ringside Heat, in which he interviews some of the most notable names in the sport. But you don’t have to share his passion for the pastime to be touched by “Under All the Lights,” which has a universal, tug-at-the-heartstrings appeal held aloft by Dawson’s haunting vocals and guitar. (He’s ably supported by Steve Peconi on rhythm guitar, Manny DeGrandis on bass, Anthony D’Andela on drums, and Mike Walsom on organ, piano, and keyboards). What’s most important, though, are the sentiments behind the words, which Dawson knows extend far beyond the ring.
“It’s a simple tale of love and its triumph over adversity that, regardless of the specific subject matter, I hope can find meaning for any listener,” he says.
Imparting meaning through melody is something Dawson knows how to do in a myriad of ways. A songwriter, guitarist, and composer who’s based in the Greater Toronto area, he has worked in multiple areas of the music industry, ranging from education to performance. Over the years, he has played with JUNO- and Grammy-nominated artists and had the honour of backing up Jackie Lomax at a 2011 Beatles festival. He’s a graduate of the Humber College Music program and holds degrees in Music and Education from York University. His muses as a writer and player include George Harrison, Paul Simon, Bill Frisell, Eric Clapton, and Mark Knopfler.
Those influences and more were in full flower on Dawson’s 2024 debut album, Outlier, a nine-song rumination on the changes each of us will invariably face in life. Standout tracks included the singles “Things That I Meant To Say,” “Life Just Came to Me” and “Where You Belong,” plus the jazzy, rootsy instrumental “Merry and Pippin.” To that sturdy repertoire, we can now add “Under All the Lights,” which starts Dawson’s 2025 on a note of pure class and elegant romance. Whatever else he has in store for us this year, it’s clearly going to be no holds-barred.
Hi, John, good to see you again! How has your year started off so far?
Great to see you as well! Thank you for this. My year has started off just fine. Very thankful that my family is well. Last year was a lot of fun and this year is starting off on a great note. Even more so now that I get to chat with you again!
What drew you to the story of Cody and Brandi Rhodes as the inspiration for “Under All the Lights”?
I have been enjoying the story of Cody Rhodes with my children for a couple of years now. Despite what many feel about pro-wrestling there are many times when lovely stories are told. This is one of those cases. His is a tale of trying to discover his own
self-worth, of trying to understand his own place in a very unique world. I think that alone has a universal thread to which many of us can relate. But what struck me in particular was something he said in the run-up to Wrestlemania 40 last spring. This was an event that included Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson in one of his matches. I was there with my children at this event. I saw their faces. I remember being their age and watching my larger-than-life heroes overcome tremendous odds. It was a comic book come to life. In this case, however, Cody made a point in an interview the day before about Brandi and how happy he was at how she would be seen. There was so much attention on him but he seemed more interested in talking about how his wife would be viewed. I don’t know why but it struck me that, while the eyes of millions were on
him, his eyes were on her. As a songwriter that seemed like an irresistible theme.
How did you approach writing lyrics that balance the specific inspiration of wrestling with a universal message of love and devotion?
To be honest, and I can’t believe I’m about to say this, it was something of a rebuttal to Bruce Springsteen’s song for the movie “The Wrestler” in 2008. While that song was perfectly congruous with the protagonist of that film, some of the images just didn’t fit with what I had experienced. I consciously decided in one quiet moment that another point of view was needed. As I sat writing, I tried my best to search for images and themes that I could pull from those memories that spoke to the bigger picture.
This wasn’t an ode to pro-wrestling per se, but a story of one man and the one person that meant the most in the world to him (perhaps save his daughter). As I often do, I tried my best to take my feelings and ideas and frame them in a way that can be accessible beyond my specific subject matter. I imagined the lights, I imagined his struggles, I imagined the joy he felt when he finally achieved his goals, and I imagined the one person with which he would seek to celebrate that with the most.
What was it like collaborating with Steve Peconi, Manny DeGrandis, and the rest of the band to bring this track to life?
Steve and Manny, as well as Mike Walsom and Anthony D’Angela, are some of the finest musicians I know. As the process unfolded in the studio I was constantly amazed and thankful for their contributions. It was, and is an honour to work with them.
You balance a passion for music with your role as cohost of Ringside Heat. How does your love of wrestling intersect with your songwriting?
Music is where I live. Ringside Heat is a place I get to visit with some regularity and have a bit of fun talking about fun things with good friends. In terms of how they intersect it’s quite simple: both forms rely heavily on contrast. In the world of wrestling it is often conflict that drives a story. In music, conflict has many different levels of shading. Slow vs Fast, Loud vs. Soft, Major vs. Minor, Tonal vs.
Atonal, etc. Any art form is propelled forward by how it handles contrast. I take from pro wrestling the same things I take from any art form. Some complain that it is “fake” but I don’t think that’s a fair indictment given the massive amounts of fiction we consume in any genre. The question is whether or not a story is compelling. In the case of Cody and Brandi Rhodes, I found one. I am thankful for that because I think it resulted in a pretty good little tune!