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.
Lean On Me
Chilliwack Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We all need someone
A friend who'll be there
When things come undone
Who's gon'na care
Don't keep it all locked up tight
Gonna be there
When you need someone to lean on
Why can't that someone be me
I have that same kind of feelin'
Don't run and hide let it be
Some days go easy
some turn out wrong
and if you feel lonely
I can be strong
Don't keep it all locked up tight
I'm going to be there
Gonna be there
Rainy days and lonely nights
that seem to last for ever.. Never do
Maybe we could turn the wrongs to rights
To get together
That's all I'm asking you
When you need someone to lean on
Why can't that someone be me
I have that same kind of feelin'
Don't run and hide let it be
When you need someone to lean on
Why can't that someone be me
I have that same kind of feelin'
Don't run and hide let it be
The lyrics of Chilliwack's song "Lean On Me" convey a message of support and emotional availability. The singer expresses the importance of having a friend who will be there for you when things get tough, someone you can lean on. The song emphasizes the need to share your feelings and not keep them locked up tight. The singer offers himself as that friend, assuring the listener that he has the same kind of feeling and will be there to support and be strong for them when they need it.
The song talks about how some days can be easy, while others can turn out wrong. It assures the listener that when they feel lonely, the singer can be strong for them. The chorus repeats the message of the song, echoing the importance of having someone to lean on when things get tough. The song suggests that even when it rains, or during lonely nights that seem to last forever, things can still turn around and be made right again by connecting with others.
Overall, "Lean On Me" is a song about the power of friendship, emotional support, and vulnerability. It conveyed the idea that it's okay to share your feelings and not keep them hidden away, and that there are people in this world who are willing to be there for you, regardless of your situation.
Line by Line Meaning
We all need someone
Everyone needs a person they can rely on.
A friend who'll be there
This person should be a friend who is always available when needed.
When things come undone
This friend should be available in difficult or chaotic times.
Who's gon'na care
The friend should care and offer help when needed.
Don't keep it all locked up tight
Don't keep your problems to yourself.
I'm going to be there
The singer promises to be there to help.
Gonna be there
The singer is going to be available and present.
When you need someone to lean on
In difficult times, it's important to have someone to rely on.
Why can't that someone be me
The singer wants to be that person for the listener.
I have that same kind of feelin'
The singer feels the same way as the listener and can empathize.
Don't run and hide let it be
Don't be afraid to express your feelings or ask for help.
Some days go easy
Some days are good and easy.
some turn out wrong
Other days don't go as planned and can be difficult.
and if you feel lonely
If you feel alone and unsupported...
I can be strong
The singer can provide support and be strong for the listener.
Rainy days and lonely nights
Difficult times such as rainy days and lonely nights...
that seem to last for ever.. Never do
...may feel like they will never end, but they eventually pass.
Maybe we could turn the wrongs to rights
Perhaps both the singer and the listener could work together to fix the problems.
To get together
To come together as friends or companions.
That's all I'm asking you
The singer is asking for the listener to consider this idea of working together.
Contributed by Mila K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Jason Goodwin
We all need friends who are there for us when we are down. Great tune.
Harry Prater
I always thought this a killer song...one of their best..
1Mejs
Can't believe that song never got any airplay.
Richard Jones
It got some airplay in the fall of 1982
Bunkie112
Best album, unfortunately, went to their concert on April 29, 2017 at Deerfoot Casino and they didn't play a single song off this album. I was so disappointed. I think Bill Henderson only plays tunes he wrote and there might be a copyright infringement against playing the rest. They were missing keyboards on a couple of his old dusty tunes. Just a guess...
Saul Marmol
Woooooow this is "MUUUUUSICCC"¡¡¡¡¡!!!!!!!