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.
Secret Information
Chilliwack Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You act like nothing's happening
But I can see it all in your face
It's gettin' harder for you everyday
You say your life is changin' so fast
But you don't know which way
Don't wanna show what a good time you're havin'
And you pretend to crumble
Sorry now but I know what's happenin'
(Chorus)
Secret infrmation
I got the word on you
You can save the explanation
I've got secret information
I got the word
Around and 'round we go we never stop
You say it's just for fun it doesn't matter
Who comes out on top
You like playin' the mysterious part
But you ain't gonna get me 'cause I
Had you figured out from the start
So fall apart and stumble
You just wanna get a little bit of sympathy
And now you act so humble
I got eyes and they just keep givin' me
(Chorus)
In Chilliwack’s song “Secret Information,” the lyrics depict one person’s suspicion towards another who is acting like they have a secret they don't want anyone to know. The singer points out that they can see through the other person's façade and can tell they're going through a challenging time. The lyrics talk about how the pretending and acting humble are hiding something, and the singer has "got the word" on it. The first verse suggests that the relationship is stagnant, and both parties need to move on. The chorus repeats the title, “Secret Information,” which implies that the person has inside knowledge, and the second verse suggests that the other person might be trying to garner sympathy. The lyrics are evocative of feelings of mistrust, unease, and frustration in a relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
We aint' gettin' any place like this
We are not making any progress by keeping things the way they are.
You act like nothing's happening
You pretend that everything is fine even though it's not.
But I can see it all in your face
Your facial expressions reveal your true feelings.
It's gettin' harder for you everyday
Every day is becoming more challenging for you.
You say your life is changin' so fast
You claim that your life is changing rapidly.
But you don't know which way
You are uncertain about the direction in which your life is changing.
And now you act so humble
You are trying to be modest and not show off too much.
Don't wanna show what a good time you're havin'
You do not want to reveal how much you are enjoying yourself.
And you pretend to crumble
You pretend to be weak and vulnerable.
Sorry now but I know what's happenin'
I am sorry to say that I know exactly what is going on.
Secret information
I have confidential knowledge.
I got the word on you
I have information about you that others do not.
You can save the explanation
You do not need to explain anything to me.
I've got secret information
I possess confidential knowledge that others do not.
Around and 'round we go we never stop
We are always moving in circles and never getting anywhere.
You say it's just for fun it doesn't matter
You claim that it is all just for fun and that the outcome does not matter.
Who comes out on top
Whoever wins or succeeds in the end.
You like playin' the mysterious part
You enjoy being mysterious and keeping people guessing.
But you ain't gonna get me 'cause I
But I will not be fooled by you because I
Had you figured out from the start
Have already understood your true intentions since the beginning.
So fall apart and stumble
You might as well break down and falter.
You just wanna get a little bit of sympathy
You only seek a small amount of compassion.
And now you act so humble
You act modestly despite your true intentions.
I got eyes and they just keep givin' me
I am observant and continue to notice your true motives.
Secret information
I have confidential knowledge.
I got the word on you
I have information about you that others do not.
Contributed by Emily T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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