The band initially formed as the Classics (1964) in Vancouver, British Columbia, but later changed the name to the Collectors (1966). Their psychedelic debut album yielded the minor but long-remembered hit 'Lydia Purple'. A second album was based on the musical score written by the band for a stage play by Canadian playwright George Ryga, 'Grass and Wild Strawberries'.
After lead singer Howie Vickers left the group in 1970, the band changed its name to Chilliwack, a Salish term meaning "going back up". With lead guitarist Bill Henderson now providing most of the vocals and doing most of the composing, the band released several records that were moderately successful in Canada. Major hit singles in Canada included "Lonesome Mary", "Crazy Talk" and "Fly at Night". The album track "Rain-o", an elegant, soaring, blues-based composition that appeared in different versions on the Chilliwack debut album and the later "Dreams, Dreams, Dreams", was a well known concert favourite.
In 1978, Brian MacLeod (guitar, drums, keyboards) and Ab Bryant (bass) joined the band. Chilliwack enjoyed its greatest success with this new lineup. The singles "My Girl (Gone, Gone, Gone)" (1981), "I Believe" (1982), and "Whatcha Gonna Do (When I'm Gone)" (1982) were popular both in Canada and in the U.S. The band was extremely popular at the time, and was regarded as the Canadian answer to the Grateful Dead. Rolling Stone Magazine wrote:
"At their best, Chilliwack was the finest Canadian rock band, outrocking BTO and Moxy and outwriting Burton Cummings. But a lack of consistency kept it from international success."
Henderson and MacLeod received a Best Producer Juno Award in 1982 for Opus X. In early 1983, MacLeod and Bryant left the band, to devote more time to their other project, the Headpins (with Denise McCann and then Darby Mills as lead vocalists). Chilliwack's last new recording was released in 1984 and Henderson and Lawrence continued to tour with other players until December 1988. In 1989 Bill Henderson went on to form the band UHF.
2005 saw Chilliwack play Voyageur Days Festival in Mattawa, Ontario, Canada (near North Bay) with other Canadian classic rockers Moxy, Toronto, Trooper, Goddo, Killer Dwarfs & Ray Lyell for the 30th anniversary for release of the debut album by the band Moxy.
Gettin' Better
Chilliwack Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I had to swallow hard and stop the urge to scream
And I can say I got through okay
I think I'm gettin' better
I think I'm gettin' better
All the time, all the time
I would have wrapped you up and kept you all for me
But now I've changed, do you think I'm strange?
I think I'm gettin' better
I think I'm gettin' better
All the time, all the time
I think I'm gettin' better
I think I'm gettin' better
All the time, all the time
Oh, oh, oh, ooh
Oh, oh, oh, ooh
Ooh, woo, woo
Ooh, woo, woo
Ba, ba, ba, ba, ba, ba, better
So If you feel you need more space go get free
And If you change it all around fine by me
I'm not concerned, I'm glad I learned
I think I'm gettin' better
I think I'm gettin' better
All the time, all the time
I think I'm gettin' better
I think I'm gettin' better
All the time, all the time
All the time, all the time
The lyrics to Chilliwack's song Gettin' Better express the singer's feelings of jealousy and possessiveness towards their lover, who they see with someone they have never seen before. The singer admits to feeling the urge to scream, but they manage to control themselves and get through the moment. They go on to say that they think they're getting better all the time, suggesting that they're learning to manage their jealousy and possessiveness in relationships.
In the second verse, the singer reflects on their past behavior and admits that they used to be quite jealous, saying that they would have wrapped their lover up and kept them all for themselves. However, they claim to have changed now and ask their lover if they think they're strange. The chorus repeats the sentiment that the singer is getting better with managing their jealousy.
The last verse is a bit more bittersweet, as the singer tells their lover that if they feel they need more space, they should go get it and that they're not concerned. They say they're glad they learned, which could either mean they're glad they learned to control their jealousy or that they learned to let go of possessiveness in general. Either way, they repeat the idea that they're getting better all the time.
Line by Line Meaning
And there you were with someone that I had never seen
I saw you with someone I didn't know and it hurt me deeply
I had to swallow hard and stop the urge to scream
I had to control myself to avoid making a scene or causing a scene
And I can say I got through okay
I managed to handle the situation without breaking down
I think I'm gettin' better
I believe I am improving emotionally
All the time, all the time
Every day, continuously
I guess, you found out just how jealous I could be
You became aware of the extent of my jealousy
I would have wrapped you up and kept you all for me
I would have selfishly held onto you and not let you go
But now I've changed, do you think I'm strange?
I am different now, do you find me weird for it?
Oh, oh, oh, ooh
Vocal sounds with no specific meaning
Ooh, woo, woo
More vocal sounds with no specific meaning
Ba, ba, ba, ba, ba, ba, better
Vocal sounds emphasizing 'getting better'
So If you feel you need more space go get free
If you need more space and freedom, go ahead and take it
And If you change it all around fine by me
If you want to change things, it's okay with me
I'm not concerned, I'm glad I learned
I am not worried, I have gained some valuable lessons
All the time, all the time
Every day, continuously
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: HENDERSON, MULFORD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Lynn
on Groundhog
Ground hog. Ground hog
What makes your back so brown?
I been living in the ground so darn long
It's a wonder I go round round
It's a wonder I go round
It's a wonder I go round round
It's a wonder I go round.
Red bird. Red bird
What makes your head so red?
I been picking your corn all day long,
It's a wonder I ain't dead yet
It's a wonder I ain't dead
It's a wonder I ain't dead yet
It's a wonder I ain't dead.
Rattlesnake, rattlesnake
What makes your teeth so white?
I been lying in the sun all day long
You're lucky I don't bite bite
You're lucky I don't bite
You're lucky I don't bite bite
You're lucky I don't bite
Muskrat, muskrat
What makes you smell so bad?
I been living in the ground all my life
I'm bonafide if I did did
Bonafide if I did
Bonafide if I did did
Bonafide if I did