The band consists of original members Cuddy (guitar/vocals), Keelor (guitar/vocals) and Donovan (bass) plus newer additions Glenn Milchem (drums), and Bob Egan (multi-instrumentalist). Former members include Anderson (drummer), Wiseman (keyboardist), Kim Deschamps (multi-instrumentalist), Mark French (drummer), and Jamie Gray (keyboardist) and Bob Packwood (keyboards).
Blue Rodeo is one of the most successful and well known contemporary Canadian bands, having released 11 studio albums, one live album, a greatest hits collection and a DVD which have sold more than 3 million copies worldwide. In addition, both Cuddy and Keelor have released solo albums. Blue Rodeo members have collaborated extensively with other notable Canadian artists, including Jann Arden, Cowboy Junkies, Burton Cummings, Kathleen Edwards, Great Big Sea, Sarah McLachlan, The Sadies, Ron Sexsmith, Skydiggers, and The Tragically Hip. Blue Rodeo have won many Canadian music awards, including seven Juno Awards (Canada's Grammy) and principal songwriters Jim Cuddy and Greg Keelor have been honoured with seven SOCAN awards.
The band released (November 2008) Blue Road a special 20th Anniversary Live 'bootleg' DVD which features an insightful documentary by Chris Mills and an acoustic CD of their 2008 February 29th Toronto Massey Hall concert. The DVD disc features some acoustic covers, including Neil Young's "Are You Ready For The Country", Randy Travis's "Diggin' Up Bones" and Ian & Sylvia Tyson's "Four Strong Winds." In addition, there's a new bonus studio track on the audio CD by Cuddy and Keelor called "Losing You", which is also performed Live on the DVD.
It was formally announced on June 16th, 2009, that Blue Rodeo will be inducted onto Canada's Walk of Fame in Toronto in September, 2009.
On November 10th, 2009, Blue Rodeo released its twelfth studio album, The Things We Left Behind, which is a double CD featuring 16 original compositions by Greg Keelor and Jim Cuddy. The release was produced by the band with engineering and mixing assistance from Darryl Neudorf (Neko Case, Jim Cuddy, Kevin Kane, Sarah McLachlan, The Sadies), and the first single to crack the airwaves is "Arizona Dust".
It was officially announced on December 12, 2011 that Blue Rodeo will be inducted into The Canadian Music Hall of Fame, with the formal presentation to occur on April 1st, 2012 at the Canadian Juno Awards.
Blue Rodeo released its 13th studio album on October 29th, 2013 entitled In Our Nature.
Canadian Governor General David Johnston announced on Dec. 30, 2013 that Jim Cuddy and Greg Keelor will be celebrated as Officers of the Order of Canada, one of the country`s highest honours, in a ceremony to be scheduled later in 2014.
In the Fall of 2014, Blue Rodeo released their first seasonal holiday collection entitled, A Merrie Christmas To You, which is blessed with their favourite Christmas classics. The collection features beautiful songs by The Band, Big Star, Merle Haggard, Gordon Lightfoot, Joni Mitchell, Paul Simon, and two moving originals entitled "Glad To Be Alive" and "Home To You This Christmas".
Blue Rodeo released its latest studio album on October 28, 2016 entitled 1000 Arms, which was produced by Tim Vesely and the band. The Warner Music Canada release features eleven new songs penned by Jim Cuddy and Greg Keelor, and the first single is entitled "Superstar".
For photo galleries, tour dates and other information on Blue Rodeo you can visit their official website, www.BlueRodeo.com.
Better Off As We Are
Blue Rodeo Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Lay on the floor till the morning appeared
You laughed at me and said I just don't get it
You said we should be making plans for getting out of here
Somebody told me when I was just a little kid
Don't follow leaders just think for yourself
But everybody minds everybody else's business here
Tell me no use thinking
We could ever be something
We could rise with the stars
Better off as we are
My older brother he left the day he finished school
Moved down to New York to Washington Square
He calls me up and says you should come and see me
Watch the waves of people rolling everywhere
Tell me no use thinking
We could ever be something
We could rise with the stars
Better off as we are
Late in the evening I'm up in my room
Trying to think of nothing clear away the day
I lie awake and let my body wander
Up into the moonlight floating away
Tell me no use thinking
We could ever be something
We could rise with the stars
Better off as we are
The song "Better Off As We Are" by Blue Rodeo touches on several themes including self-discovery, individuality, and the desire to leave a small town. The first verse talks about how the singer and his friend lay on the floor and talked until morning. The friend suggests they make plans to leave their current situation, which could mean anything from the literal place they're in to a stagnant situation. The line "You laughed at me and said I just don't get it" is a nod to the fact that the friend knows something the singer does not. It implies that the friend understands the benefit of growth and change and the singer has yet to discover it.
The second verse introduces the idea of people following the norm and not thinking for themselves. The line "Don't follow leaders just think for yourself" is a reference to a Bob Dylan song which cautions against blindly following authority. The singer questions why people focus on each other's business instead of focusing on their own lives. It's a nod to the fact that people are often quick to judge and criticize instead of leaving others to their own devices.
The chorus reinforces the idea that sometimes it's better to stay where you are and not try to make something more out of your life. The lines, "Tell me no use thinking/We could ever be something/We could rise with the stars/Better off as we are" suggest that the singer has come to the conclusion that striving for more might not be worth it in the end.
Overall, "Better Off As We Are" is a song that encourages individuality and self-awareness while acknowledging that not everyone needs or even wants to chase after bigger and better things.
Line by Line Meaning
We sat around at night and talked about so many things
We spent time talking about various topics during the night
Lay on the floor till the morning appeared
We relaxed on the floor until daylight arrived
You laughed at me and said I just don't get it
You chuckled and commented that I did not comprehend the situation
You said we should be making plans for getting out of here
You suggested that we plan on leaving this place
Somebody told me when I was just a little kid
When I was young, somebody advised me
Don't follow leaders just think for yourself
Don't follow others, think on your own
But everybody minds everybody else's business here
Here, individuals are preoccupied with other people's affairs
Why can't they turn their eyes to somebody else
Why can't they focus their attention on someone else?
Tell me no use thinking
Communication implies that there is no point pondering
We could ever be something
We could amount to something substantial
We could rise with the stars
We could achieve great success
Better off as we are
It is preferable to remain in our present situation
My older brother he left the day he finished school
On the day he graduated, my elder brother departed
Moved down to New York to Washington Square
He relocated to Washington Square in New York City
He calls me up and says you should come and see me
He telephones me and proposes that I visit him
Watch the waves of people rolling everywhere
Observe the throngs of people moving about
Late in the evening I'm up in my room
During the late evening, I am in my bedroom
Trying to think of nothing clear away the day
Attempting to clear my thoughts of the events of the day
I lie awake and let my body wander
I remain awake and allow my mind to drift
Up into the moonlight floating away
I rise upward and float away into the moonlight
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
NiagaraVideoClips
Whether they're playing rock, country, or something in between, these guys are consistently great. Terrific song.
Megan Wall-Watson
these guys were amazing in concert, live was better than the studio version!
unfortunatebeam
Let's give this kid some long overdue credit: lookin sharp!
claude perron
One of the greatest upbeat songs ! (can't get enough )
Ka Mac
Great tune and album!
Trash daman
I fucking love this! I had a cassette filled with this track- over and over again. Jim and Greg were some of my main teachers.
YobB1n
its so good
Maximum Blue
This is how you enjoy a night on the town.Great song & video.
JavaJoelRadio
These guys did power pop VERY well.
tibor warski
The Hammer!