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.
Mystic River
Blue Rodeo Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I've been waiting for this moment for some years
I?ve been torn down enough to know
Everyone goes through this door
Just before their lives explode
Come in here with a heavy load
Walking down the road watching the day begin
But you can feel it it's a gentle love
Coming out soft from the windows above
Just when you have had enough
Here comes the world you?ve been dreaming of
Oh my my the Mystic River
She takes your heart
And you will forgive her
Lay me down beside the water
I look across at the sons and daughters
Sun comes up each day to chase away the moon
Even the stars at night they fade away too soon
You can?t do much about the trouble life brings
Cut all the lines so the phones don?t ring
But stay here once from spring to spring
Watching the ice melt the mornings sing
Oh my my the Mystic River
She takes your heart
And you will forgive her
Lay me down beside the water
I miss my sons I miss my daughter now
There?s a tree that grows out in the burning sands
Never a drop of rain that nobody understands
You can push me I don?t mind
Leave me out here and I?ll be fine
Cause everyone?s gonna have their time
Up or down honey you decide
Oh my my the Mystic River
She takes your heart
And you will forgive her
Lay me down beside the water
I miss my sons I miss my daughter now
In "Mystic River," Blue Rodeo's lead singer Jim Cuddy reflects on life's struggles and how to find solace when the going gets tough. He can't believe that he finally has someone with him after waiting so long, suggesting that he has been lonely for a while. Despite being torn down, he believes that everyone goes through this door just before their lives explode. In the first verse, he invites the listener to come in with a heavy burden, and in the second verse, he paints an imagery of walking down the road watching the day break and hearing a gentle love coming out soft from the windows above when one has had enough. He suggests that this is the world they've been dreaming of.
The chorus highlights the Mystic River, a symbolic representation of the things or places where the soul finds consolation, comfort, or salvation. It's where one's heart is taken, and forgiveness can prevail. He asks to be laid down beside the river and to look across at the sons and daughters. The Mystic River is a solace for him, as he misses his loved ones.
In the last verse, he speaks metaphorically of a tree growing in the desert, where no one understands how it thrives without water. It's the same metaphor through which he hopes to thrive in tough times, despite being tested or pushed. He encourages the listener that everyone's going to have their moment to reckon with themselves, and that the listener's decision will influence their fate.
Line by Line Meaning
I can't believe it's true I finally got you here
After waiting for years, they can hardly believe that the person they have been waiting for is finally here
I've been waiting for this moment for some years
This moment has been anticipated for many years
I?ve been torn down enough to know
Having been through difficult times, they now have the knowledge to recognize and deal with it
Everyone goes through this door
Everyone experiences hardships and difficulties at some point in their life
Just before their lives explode
Hard times can lead to moments of growth and transformation
Come in here with a heavy load
Entering the situation with emotional baggage or burdens that need to be dealt with
Walking down the road watching the day begin
Starting a new day with a positive outlook
Radio song is playing off in a distant wind
The world continues to move on, even when one feels stagnant or stuck
But you can feel it it's a gentle love
Despite chaos or uncertainty, there is always love and beauty in the world
Coming out soft from the windows above
Symbolizes the feeling of hope and comfort that comes from unexpected places
Just when you have had enough
During difficult times, a small act of kindness or beauty can make all the difference
Here comes the world you?ve been dreaming of
A metaphorical representation of the hope that comes from a new day, a new beginning
Oh my my the Mystic River
Referring to the Mystic River, which has a calming and restorative effect
She takes your heart
The Mystic River has a deeply emotional impact on those who experience it
And you will forgive her
Although life can be tough and tumultuous, nature has a way of helping one to forgive and find peace
Lay me down beside the water
Requesting a moment of rest and reflection near the soothing waters of the river
I look across at the sons and daughters
Reflecting on the importance of family and relationships, even during difficult times
Sun comes up each day to chase away the moon
Each day is a new beginning and a chance to start again
Even the stars at night they fade away too soon
Life is fleeting and time passes quickly, so it's important to appreciate every moment
You can?t do much about the trouble life brings
Life can be unpredictable, but it's important to stay strong and persevere
Cut all the lines so the phones don?t ring
Disconnecting from the distractions of everyday life to find clarity and peace
But stay here once from spring to spring
Taking time to appreciate and enjoy the natural beauty of the world, regardless of what may be going on in one's personal life
Watching the ice melt the mornings sing
The beauty of the natural world can inspire feelings of hope and renewal
There?s a tree that grows out in the burning sands
Despite difficult circumstances, there is always life and growth
Never a drop of rain that nobody understands
Sometimes life's hardships and difficulties are hard to comprehend or explain
You can push me I don?t mind
Although life can be tough, it's important to stay resilient and strong
Leave me out here and I?ll be fine
Despite hardships or difficulties, one has the strength to persevere and find beauty in the world
Cause everyone?s gonna have their time
Everyone experiences difficult times in their life, but it's important to stay strong and keep going
Up or down honey you decide
The power to choose how to respond to life's hardships and difficulties lies within oneself
I miss my sons I miss my daughter now
Despite finding hope and renewal, the singer still feels the pain of missing loved ones
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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