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.
Last Laugh
Blue Rodeo Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The nervous breakdown on an overworked bed
You couldn't wait to get over the edge
You were drunk on the silver
When he took your crown
He took from you everything that wasn't tied down
Well you said he was an angel
Too bad they weren't strong enough to hold
The clock of world is just a dream
Still I shouldn't be jealous of the ones who lay flowers at your feet
Yeah my desire has finally put you out of reach
You were drunk on the silver
When he took your crown
He took from you everything that wasn't tied down
Well you said he was an angel
With the chains of gold
Too bad they weren't strong enough to hold
Now all your saviors wait their turn in line
While you sit in the corner
And drink yourself blind
The last laugh has finally been had
But it's not what you think
The last laugh has finally been had
And it don't taste so sweet
Now you're finally on your own
Last thing he said to you was see you around
You were drunk on the silver
You were drunk on the silver
You were drunk on the silver
Now you're going to leave me with the last laugh
The song Last Laugh by Blue Rodeo seems to be about a relationship that has ended. The singer seems to have been in a relationship with someone who was very possessed by the illusion of success, the glittering aspirations of fame, but they couldn't see through the lie. The singer mentions a "nervous breakdown on an overworked bed," which might indicate all the work the subject did and the subsequent need to constantly stay in motion. Despite the singer calling them out on their behaviour, the subject proclaimed that their partner was an angel with chains of gold, which turned out to be powerless in the end. Now, the subject drinks themselves blind while all the people they thought were there to save them wait for their turn, and the singer is left with the last laugh.
The song, on the surface level, seems to be telling the story of a relationship that ended badly, with one person left to pick up the pieces. But underneath, there is a suggestion that the meaning is more significant than that. The lyrics of the song offer a meditation on the corrosive and self-destructive nature of a materialistic, vain world, where people will do anything to achieve fame, glory, and power. It seems to be a commentary on a world where people become so drunk on the glittering but false promises of success that they lose themselves along the way.
Line by Line Meaning
I should have seen through it but you were so intent
I acknowledge that I should have sensed your intentions earlier
The nervous breakdown on an overworked bed
You experienced immense anxiety on a bed with too much strain
You couldn't wait to get over the edge
You were eagerly anticipating reaching a certain point, even if it was dangerous
You were drunk on the silver
You were under the influence of wealth and power
When he took your crown
When he removed your symbol of authority and control
He took from you everything that wasn't tied down
He stole anything that wasn't firmly secured
Well you said he was an angel
You believed he was a kind and benevolent person
With the chains of gold
Using his charming and attractive qualities
Too bad they weren't strong enough to hold
Unfortunately, his good qualities were not enough to keep him from betraying you
The clock of world is just a dream
The concept of time and reality is subjective and varies from person to person
Still I shouldn't be jealous of the ones who lay flowers at your feet
I acknowledge that I should not worry about those who admire and flatter you
Yeah my desire has finally put you out of reach
My longing for you has resulted in you becoming inaccessible to me
Now all your saviors wait their turn in line
You are currently being pursued by many suitors who believe they can save you
While you sit in the corner
Meanwhile, you are content with remaining on the sidelines and not involving yourself in their advances
And drink yourself blind
You are consuming alcohol to the point where you cannot perceive reality
The last laugh has finally been had
The final outcome has been decided
But it's not what you think
However, the result is not as joyous as it seems
And it don't taste so sweet
The result is not pleasant or enjoyable
Now you're finally on your own
You are now alone and must fend for yourself
Last thing he said to you was see you around
The last communication you received from him was him saying goodbye
You were drunk on the silver
You were under the influence of wealth and power
Now you're going to leave me with the last laugh
The final result is in my favor now that you are gone
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: GREG KEELOR, JIM CUDDY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind