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.
Love And Understanding
Blue Rodeo Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Where the grass don't grow
And talk is cheap well I ought to know
And I'm not proud of this world we've made
Still it's a part of you and me
And we're the only ones who can
Make it change
In many ways
All I see are longer rows of crosses on the
Soldiers' graves
So do what you have to
And when it's all been said
Love and understanding are the best answers
I've heard yet
I've heard yet
Yea so tell me what's the price of our achievements
What's the cost of our pride
When our obvious brutality
Is lost before our eyes
So we choke down the pills
So that you don't have to bother
Trading one hypnotic state for another
Many have tried
In many ways
All I see are longer rows of crosses on the
Soldiers' graves
So do what you have to
And when it's all been said
Love and understanding are the best answers
I've heard yet
So do what you have to
And when it's all been said
Love and understanding are the best answers
I've heard yet
I've heard yet
The lyrics to Blue Rodeo's song "Love and Understanding" express a sense of disillusionment with the world and a desire for change. The first verse sets the scene of the singer living on a barren rock where talk is cheap, acknowledging that the world we've made is nothing to be proud of. However, the singer recognizes that we as individuals have the power to make a difference and to promote positive change in the world.
The chorus repeats the refrain that "Love and understanding are the best answers I've heard yet," acknowledging that many have tried to change the world in various ways, but the only real solution lies in promoting compassion and empathy towards one another. The second verse questions the cost of our achievements and pride, recognizing the brutality that can come with unchecked power. The singer suggests that we often turn to drugs and other forms of escapism to avoid confronting the ugly realities of the world, but ultimately this only perpetuates the problems we are facing.
Overall, the message of the song is one of hope and a call for action. While the world may seem bleak and overwhelming, the only way to spark real change is through love, understanding, and a commitment to making the world a better place for everyone.
Line by Line Meaning
I live on this rock
I reside in this world
Where the grass don't grow
A world where life is hard
And talk is cheap well I ought to know
Words don't mean much in this world and I'm aware of it
And I'm not proud of this world we've made
I'm ashamed of the state of this world
Still it's a part of you and me
We are responsible for the state of this world
And we're the only ones who can
We have the ability to change this world
Make it change
To improve it for the better
Many have tried
People have attempted
In many ways
Through various methods
All I see are longer rows of crosses on the Soldiers' graves
Nevertheless, nothing seems to change and we continue to sacrifice the lives of our soldiers in wars
So do what you have to
Regardless, we must do what we must do
And when it's all been said
After everything is said and done
Love and understanding are the best answers I've heard yet
The most effective solutions are love and understanding
Yea so tell me what's the price of our achievements
What is the cost of our accomplishments?
What's the cost of our pride
What is the price of our ego?
When our obvious brutality
When our cruelty is apparent
Is lost before our eyes
We're oblivious to it
So we choke down the pills
We resort to mind-altering substances
So that you don't have to bother
So you don't have to deal with the harsh reality
Trading one hypnotic state for another
Exchanging one form of escapism for another
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: GREG KEELOR, JIM CUDDY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
kate54ish
Haven't heard this song since my tape broke! So good to hear it again! Love Blue Rodeo..!
Patricia Berthelot
This song sure brings back memories.🤩👏🎼
glcinc
nice swim suit Jim! Great shades Greg! <3
brbertram
Been waiting for this in YouTube. My favorite video from my favorite band.
April A. Severin
I was happy to hear Blue Rodeo play this song February 12, 2016 at Hamilton Place!
littlepigeon123
This made me laugh so hard. I wonder what the guys in blue rodeo think of this?
James Adema
Thank you guys..love it.!
BRBluebird
Yaaaay, finally!! :)
Kyle
HAHA! Awesome how horrible this looks. The sound levels dropping in and out only speak to the greatness of VHS
Perseus
This video actually looks kind of fresh compared to what people are producing on YouTube these days! I'm not surprised it's something Greg Keelor worked on is so cutting-edge.