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.
Outskirts
Blue Rodeo Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Dreams seldom come true
Flippin' through photographs emotional holographs
Cutouts of all the figures you might've been
Reflections of a life that you once lived
As the evening descends
Your conscious of every breathAnd every moment is a crisis, I guess
Starin' out the windows of your hotel room
You lit one too many fires underneath that spoon
Well I guess you deserve the chosen few
Real life, just out of view
Well that's just here,
On the outskirts
Yea, that's here,
On the outskirts of your life
And there's a picture we've all seen
It was taken in the lobby of the L.A. Ambassador Hotel
It's the silhouette of a man in another's arms
So turn off your TVs, and let that train go home
'Cause everyone warned you that California
Wasn't goin' to be the end
California wasn't gonna be the end.
And tell me where can you hide when
The whole world is ugly and strange
Yea tell me where you gonna turn when
This whole world knows your name
And these four walls are screamin'
And all your friends were so deceiving
Yea you forgot the lines of a part you rehearsed so well
But that's just here,
On the outskirts
Yea, that's here
On the outskirts,
Of your life
The lyrics to Blue Rodeo’s Outskirts depict a sense of disillusionment and distance from one’s dreams and desires. The opening line, “Here on the outskirts of life, dreams seldom come true,” establishes a tone of melancholy and regret. The following lines, “Flippin' through photographs emotional holographs, Cutouts of all the figures you might've been, Reflections of a life that you once lived,” convey a longing for a life that was either imagined or hoped for but never realized. The theme of reflection is repeated throughout the song with lines such as “Staring out the windows of your hotel room” and “Lyin' awake in the Brazilian Court Hotel.”
The lyrics continue with a focus on the pitfalls of fame and celebrity. The lines “You lit one too many fires underneath that spoon, Well I guess you deserve the chosen few” likely allude to drug use and possible overdose, which is a pervading issue in the music industry. The “chosen few” mentioned may refer to those who have made it to the top, but at a price. The line “Real life, just out of view” reinforces the idea that what is perceived as fame and fortune from the outside is often far from the truth.
The song ends with the lines, “But that's just here, On the outskirts, Yea, that's here, On the outskirts, of your life.” This final repetition of the chorus emphasizes the central theme of the song - the feeling of being on the periphery of one’s own life, of not quite experiencing what was hoped for or expected.
Line by Line Meaning
Here on the outskirts of life
Living on the fringes of existence
Dreams seldom come true
The harsh reality of life is that dreams don't always become reality
Flippin' through photographs emotional holographs
Looking at pictures that bring out strong feelings and vivid memories
Cutouts of all the figures you might've been
Regret for the paths not taken in life
Reflections of a life that you once lived
Realizing how different life is now compared to the past
As the evening descends
When night falls
Your conscious of every breath
Being acutely aware of one's surroundings and circumstances
And every moment is a crisis, I guess
Feeling like every situation is a disaster waiting to happen
Starin' out the windows of your hotel room
Gazing out into the darkness of the unknown
You lit one too many fires underneath that spoon
Giving into addiction and destructive habits
Well I guess you deserve the chosen few
Only a select few are fortunate enough to escape the pain of life's struggles
Real life, just out of view
Feeling disconnected from reality
And there's a picture we've all seen
A reference to a well-known photo
It was taken in the lobby of the L.A. Ambassador Hotel
The location where the photo was taken
It's the silhouette of a man in another's arms
A poignant image of loss and heartbreak
So turn off your TVs, and let that train go home
Ignoring distractions and focusing on what matters
'Cause everyone warned you that California
Expecting disappointment despite high hopes
Wasn't goin' to be the end
Life goes on, no matter what happens
And tell me where can you hide when
Questioning where to turn for comfort during hard times
The whole world is ugly and strange
Feeling overwhelmed by the negativity and chaos of the world
Yea tell me where you gonna turn when
Wondering where to find help and support
This whole world knows your name
Feeling exposed and vulnerable
And these four walls are screamin'
Feeling trapped and claustrophobic in one's surroundings
And all your friends were so deceiving
Feeling betrayed by those closest to you
Yea you forgot the lines of a part you rehearsed so well
Losing your sense of identity and purpose in life
Lyin' awake in the Brazilian Court Hotel
Unable to sleep and feeling lost in a foreign place
But that's just here, On the outskirts
Realizing that these feelings are a result of being on the edge of society
Yea, that's here, On the outskirts of your life
This is a reflection of your life and your experiences
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: GREG KEELOR, JIM CUDDY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@jeffreybarkin3177
YES, there are "POLITICAL SUGGESTIONS" within THIS Album, of which THIS is the TITLE TRACK...
But, and It's A VERY BIG BUTTT, "Americanna" and "Canadianna" both have a 'HERSTORY' [History] of THIS, if They could EVER "Be Formally Separated."
NO, it"s CLEARLY, extremely "NORTH AMERICAN" and certainly featuring Superb, Stellar Musicianship TOO from Both sides of our long, shared Friendly Border.
RIGHT???
ABSOLUTELY!
❤ 😂
.
@glennanderson8981
Fantastic song off a great debut album.
@NetBoySteve1
Definitely my favorite Blue Rodeo song. It just chugs along so nicely, with brilliant musicianship and performance
@jasonpatriquin2596
If this ain't Canadiana at it's highest level; I don't know what is.
@Vickytoriahirt1234
True Canadian sound/culture. Before Canada was ruined through immigration and diversity.
@Dadschallenger2
These guys are Among Canada’s best!
@guskarapas5752
This music 🎶 video brings back good memories.
@BostonHorticulture
I miss you. ❤
@claykirby2814
I love numerous songs by them,, depending on my thoughts at the time, but this is always my favourite song of theirs. Got me through many a tough time …. They are all music genius. Love the hip but this is MY CANADIAN BAND OF ALL TIME….they have said all that needs to be said.
@michaeldouglas4831
Rolling Stone said it best... A Canadian band the way an American band should sound
@DHandelman
that may have been me