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.
Never Be The Same
Chilliwack Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Do you think I want to say goodbye?
Do you think I want to make you cry?
Not me, Not I
Do you think I don't feel the pain?
To be without my favorite friend
To be without the one that I talk to
When I see that silver bird is flying away
Got my head up in the clouds
And I'm high
I'll never be the same
Never be the same
Never be the same again
Do you think that I'm a dreamer girl?
Do you think I want to change the world?
Do you think that I'd do anything?
To follow a dream
Well you're right I want to change the world
And you're right, I'm a dreamer girl
Don't you worry about a single thing
Cause you're in my dreams
When I see that silver bird is flying away
Got my head up in the clouds
And I'm high
I'll never be the same
Never be the same
Never be the same again
When I see that silver bird is flying away
Got my head up in the clouds
And I'm high
I'll never be the same
Never be the same
Never be the same again
Never be the same again
The song "Never Be The Same" by Chilliwack is a poignant reflection on how difficult it can be to leave someone you love behind in order to follow your dreams. The lyrics express the singer's pain and reluctance to say goodbye to his "favorite friend" and the person he talks to. He doesn't want to make her cry, but he knows that leaving her is necessary for him to pursue his dreams. Despite this, he assures her that she will always be in his thoughts and his dreams.
The chorus speaks to the transformative experience of leaving someone you love - "I'll never be the same, never be the same, never be the same again." The image of the "silver bird" flying away, which appears throughout the song, suggests the freedom and possibilities of travel or taking a leap of faith.
This song captures the emotional complexity and sacrifices that come with following your dreams, and the bittersweet nature of leaving loved ones behind to pursue them.
Line by Line Meaning
Do you think I want to leave you girl?
Do you believe that I'm willingly trying to leave you, my beloved partner?
Do you think I want to say goodbye?
Do you presume that I want to bid farewell to you, my dearest?
Do you think I want to make you cry?
Do you assume that I have any intent of making you weep or feel sorrowful?
Not me, Not I
I am assuring you that I do not have any negative intentions towards you.
Do you think I don't feel the pain?
Do you suppose that I'm not experiencing the agony of being away from the person I love?
To be without my favorite friend
Being apart from my most cherished companion
To be without the one that I talk to
And not having the person I confide in to talk with.
Baby, you know I do
My dear, you know all too well that I do feel the pain of being apart from you.
When I see that silver bird is flying away
Whenever I perceive an aircraft taking off
Got my head up in the clouds
My head full of lofty ideas.
And I'm high
My emotions are running wild.
I'll never be the same
I will undoubtedly be changed after this experience
Never be the same
I will not be the same person.
Never be the same again
My life will forever be altered by this moment.
Do you think that I'm a dreamer girl?
Do you regard me as someone who dreams big?
Do you think I want to change the world?
Do you believe I have aspirations to make a positive impact on society?
Do you think that I'd do anything?
Do you speculate that there is nothing I wouldn't do to realize this dream?
Well you're right I want to change the world
You are correct, as I do indeed desire to bring about meaningful change in the world.
And you're right, I'm a dreamer girl
And you are correct; I am someone who dreams big.
Don't you worry about a single thing
You need not be concerned about a thing.
Cause you're in my dreams
Because you are a central part of my aspirations.
Contributed by Austin G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Death Valley
GREAT SONG !!!!
George Dunkley
Fabulous band
Norm guerrero
Bill Henderson and Chilliwack are awesome
Norm guerrero
Amble side today Sept 11 16