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.
Side of the Road
Blue Rodeo Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I was feeling kind of sad
I was feeling kind of blue
I walked across this farmer's field
And I looked up to the blue-white sky
And your eyes they were in my mind
And I just want to hold on to you
Yeah your eyes they were in my mindAnd I just want to hold on to you
I'm gonna hold on to you
I'm gonna hold on
I started singing this song in my head
Just because the sun was high shining bright
I could smell the fresh cut grass
As I looked up to the blue-white sky
And your eyes they were in my mind
And I just want to hold on to you
Yeah your eyes they were in my mind
And I just want to hold on to you
I'm gonna hold on to you
I walked across this farmer's field
And I looked up to the blue-white sky
I started singing this song in my head
Just because the sun was high
And your eyes they were in my mind
And I just want to hold on to you
Yeah your eyes they were in my mind
And I just want to hold on to you
I'm gonna hold on to you
I'm gonna hold on to you
To you
The lyrics of "Side of the Road" by Blue Rodeo seem to describe a moment of introspection and longing. The singer pulls over to the side of the road and walks through a farmer's field, feeling sad and blue. As they look up to the sky, they think of someone special, whose eyes are on their mind. The repetition of the line "And I just want to hold on to you" emphasizes the singer's desire and vulnerability, as if they are trying to reach out to someone who is no longer with them.
The mention of the sun and the fresh cut grass creates a vivid sensory image of the scene, perhaps suggesting that the singer is trying to ground themselves in the present moment. However, even as they try to focus on the beauty around them, their thoughts keep drifting back to the person they miss. The song ends with another repetition of the line "I'm gonna hold on to you", as if the singer is trying to convince themselves that they can cling to some kind of connection with the person they're thinking of.
Overall, "Side of the Road" is a poignant and introspective song that captures the feeling of missing someone and the attempt to hold on to memories and emotions.
Line by Line Meaning
I pulled over to the side of the road
I stopped my vehicle beside the street
I was feeling kind of sad
I was experiencing a feeling of sorrow
I was feeling kind of blue
I was experiencing a feeling of depression
I walked across this farmer's field
I strolled through a field belonging to a farmer
And I looked up to the blue-white sky
I gazed at the sky that appeared blue and white
And your eyes they were in my mind
I was thinking about your eyes
And I just want to hold on to you
I just want to embrace you tightly
Yeah your eyes they were in my mind
Yes, I was thinking about your eyes
I'm gonna hold on to you
I'm going to keep you close
I'm gonna hold on
I'm going to maintain my grip
I started singing this song in my head
I began humming this tune in my mind
Just because the sun was high shining bright
Only because the sun was shining brightly up in the sky
I could smell the fresh cut grass
I was able to perceive the scent of newly trimmed grass
I walked across this farmer's field
I strolled through a field belonging to a farmer
Your eyes they were in my mind
I was thinking about your eyes
I just want to hold on to you
I just want to embrace you tightly
I'm gonna hold on to you
I'm going to keep you close
Yeah your eyes they were in my mind
Yes, I was thinking about your eyes
I'm gonna hold on to you
I'm going to keep you close
I'm gonna hold on to you
I'm going to maintain my grip on you
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@canuckowl
A few years ago Blue Rodeo was in town for Bluesfest. In a little park near my house I saw Greg Keelor sittiing on the grass with his back to a tree. I wanted to say something but he looked so blissful so I let it pass. Such a great song writer/arranger. My all time favourite Canadian band.
@CindyAccardi
Freaking gorgeous song. Speaks to the depths I keep hidden. This song is my soul.
@amithist57
For my beautiful sister. Always and forever 💞
@natashathatisall4719
Some songs were meant to play along with your heart strings. Almost overwhelming for me....💛
@brianrommel1388
One of the best songs from one of the best bands EVER.
@deandoucette7206
An underrated, fabulous song. Absolutely mesmerizing.
@thecanadian5428
I agree I love this song
@PETEandELLEN
I love the full sound of this track - nothing like driving with window open, enjoying smoke on summer day driving to cottage. I love the vocals and guitar. Cheers to Blue Rodeo - best original band last 20 years.
@kamac8761
Great tune! I love you, Greg Keelor!
@jenidale1019
My favorite of their very many awsome songs!<3