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.
Black Ribbon
Blue Rodeo Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That sleep in deep dark waters
Her face forever hidden
For she wears the black ribbon
It's from nowhere that I came
And to nowhere I'll return again
And the same fate waits for you my friend
Blessed or forsaken
She wears the black ribbon
Nearest to all things
Patiently waiting
So let the angels sing
Silently weeping
So let the angels sing
It's only heaven descending
It's only heaven descending
It's only heaven descending
Hold her in your arms
Hold her like a lover
More precious than any other
For she bears a heavy burden
And her heart?s forever broken
Nearest to all things
Patiently waiting
So let the angels sing
Silently weeping
So let the angels sing
It's only heaven descending
It's only heaven descending
It's only heaven descending
The lyrics of Blue Rodeo's song "Black Ribbon" speak to the pain and isolation that comes with grief. The imagery of the silent stars and deep dark waters creates a sense of being lost in the vastness of the universe, while the black ribbon serves as a symbol for the mourning that the singer is experiencing. The repetition of the line "her face forever hidden" emphasizes the idea that the person being mourned is no longer accessible to the living.
The song's lyrics also touch on the universality of death, with lines such as "from nowhere that I came, and to nowhere I'll return again" and "the same fate waits for you my friend". These reminders of our own mortality can be uncomfortable, but they also serve to highlight the value of the time we have with those we love.
In the final verse, the lyrics shift to address the idea of holding and cherishing those we love while they are still with us. The line "more precious than any other" reinforces the idea that life is fragile and fleeting, and that we should make the most of the time we have. The reference to angels singing and weeping suggests a divine sorrow or empathy for human grieving, while the repetition of "It's only heaven descending" could be interpreted as a message of hope or comfort.
Line by Line Meaning
Silent as the stars
Quiet and still like the stars that sleep and shine in the dark waters of the universe.
That sleep in deep dark waters
Stars that rest and shine in the vast, dark and unknown expanses of the universe.
Her face forever hidden
The woman's face will never be known or shown, as she constantly wears the black ribbon over her face.
For she wears the black ribbon
Her face remains hidden, as she wears a black ribbon that covers it entirely.
It's from nowhere that I came
I don't know where I came from or where I am going, just like everyone else.
And to nowhere I'll return again
No matter how great or successful one may become, the final destination is the same for everyone - death determines where everyone goes.
And the same fate waits for you my friend
Death looms over us all, regardless of our backgrounds or personal situations.
Blessed or forsaken
A person's luck, status or blessings can fluctuate, but death eventually catches up to everyone.
Nearest to all things
Death is something that is close to all things, as it determines the ultimate fate for all living beings.
Patiently waiting
Death's approach is constant yet understated, patiently waiting for its arrival.
So let the angels sing
When one dies, they enter a celestial realm where angels sing and rejoice.
Silently weeping
While death is portrayed as a joyous occasion, there are still those who weep silently for the passing of loved ones.
It's only heaven descending
Despite the sadness that comes with death, there is a belief that heaven or a heavenly realm awaits those who depart from this world.
Hold her in your arms
Hold the woman as one would a lover - with care, love, and tenderness.
Hold her like a lover
Treat the woman with affection and kindness, as though they were in a romantic relationship.
More precious than any other
The woman is valued and cherished, worth more than any other thing or person.
For she bears a heavy burden
The woman is carrying a heavy burden that is not known or cannot be shared with others.
And her heart's forever broken
The woman is going through immense emotional pain, and it has left a permanent scar on her heart.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ka Mac
A great tune by Mr. Keelor!
youda whan
awsome music
Ka Mac
Love, Love, Blue Rodeo!
Joanne Thibault
Blue Rodeo is the working mans band
MBWASHERE
fantastica canzone ma a quanto vedo poco conosciuta..
Alex V
Wow
Sean Meisner
All these pictures of Jim during a song by Greg...
Laurie Aikin
Right?