Born in Windsor, Ontario and raised in France and Kelowna, British Columbia, Fellows lived in Toronto, Vancouver, Guelph and Montreal before settling in Winnipeg in 1992.
In 1993, she formed her first group, Helen, with Barry Mirochnick, Paul James, and Chang. Helen broke up in 1995, and in 1996 Fellows teamed up with singer-songwriter Keri McTighe, Barry Mirochnick, Keith McLeod and Peggy Messing, to form Special Fancy. The group released one album, King Me.
In 2000 Fellows released her debut solo album, 2 Little Birds. This was followed by The Last One Standing in 2002, Paper Anniversary in 2005, and Nevertheless in 2007. These albums feature Leanne Zacharias (cello), Jason Tait (drums, vibraphone), Barry Mirochnick (drums, vocals), John K. Samson (vocals, guitar), Keith McLeod (mandolin), Monica Guenter (viola), Greg Smith (bass), Ed Reifel (percussion), and Cristina Zacharias (violin).
Fellows has performed with the Rheostatics, Veda Hille, The Mountain Goats, Kim Barlow, Old Man Luedecke, and The Weakerthans. She is married to The Weakerthans' lead singer, John K. Samson.
In 2006, Fellows and Samson recorded The Old House, an album intended only as a Christmas gift for friends and family, although they released two songs, "Taps Reversed" and "Good Salvage", for airplay on CBC Radio 3 in early 2007. Fellows and Samson also performed live on the network on March 17, 2007, to mark the final night of the network's terrestrial simulcast on CBC Radio 2.
Fellows also composes music for dance, film and television. She scored part of Clive Holden's Trains of Winnipeg film series, as well as collaborating with Tait and Samson on the associated album. In 2007, she wrote several songs for a dance piece by choreographer Susie Burpee; they were later included on her fourth solo album, Nevertheless, which was released on November 6, 2007.
Fellows has also toured as a member of The Pan-Canadian New Folk Ensemble with Kim Barlow and Old Man Luedecke.
Recently, she was artist-in-residence at Le Musee de Saint-Boniface Museum in Winnipeg (2009), and she has been writing songs for a new solo album, scheduled for release on Six Shooter Records in fall of 2010.
Colourblind
Christine Fellows Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Safe from distinction, for the moment.
Lullabies loosen from tongues,
Little truths.
So live your impossible reds and blues.
They don't stand a chance with you.
Colourblind babies sleep fitful and long.
Dreaming of you.
Incisions slice meaning for love to stitch up,
To comfort cold hands.
So live your impossible reds and blues.
They don't hold a candle to you.
In Christine Fellows's song "Colourblind," the opening line "Colourblind babies see grey, grey, grey" immediately sets the tone for the rest of the song. By using the metaphor of "colourblind babies," Fellows suggests that the innocence and lack of understanding of the world can also mean the inability to see differences and diversities. The line "Safe from distinction, for the moment" highlights the idea that without awareness of these differences, people may not be able to experience the pain and discriminations that result from them. The following line, "Lullabies loosen from tongues, little truths," suggests that even in this state of unawareness, we are taught specific truths through songs and stories that influence our beliefs and values.
The line "Until delight bleeds into painful and new" emphasizes the idea that ignorance is not bliss when it comes to differences and diversity. The positive aspects of being ignorant, such as delight, eventually lead to a painful realization of the existence of discrimination and prejudice. However, the lines "So live your impossible reds and blues / They don't stand a chance with you" suggest that despite the difficulties that come with being aware of differences, Fellows encourages us to embrace our individuality and celebrate our differences.
The second verse continues with the same metaphor of "colourblind babies" but shifts to dreaming and love. The line "Incisions slice meaning for love to stitch up" suggests that even in the context of love, differences and misunderstandings still exist, which can result in pain and hurt. However, the line "To comfort cold hands" portrays the idea that despite these difficulties, love has the power to comfort and heal. The chorus repeats, emphasizing the message to live authentically and embrace our uniqueness.
Overall, "Colourblind" is a song that encourages us to recognize and celebrate our differences while also acknowledging the difficulties that come with it. Fellows suggests that even though ignorance can provide temporary safety, it is not sustainable in the long run. The lyrics emphasize embracing individuality while recognizing the complexities that come with it.
Line by Line Meaning
Colourblind babies see grey, grey, grey.
Babies who are colorblind see only shades of gray, which can be seen as a temporary protection from the harsh realities of racial and cultural differences.
Safe from distinction, for the moment.
For the time being, they have no sense of identity or difference, which can be seen as a form of safety and protection.
Lullabies loosen from tongues,
Soothing songs and words are spoken to calm and reassure, reminding us of our shared humanity despite outward differences.
Little truths.
Simple and universal truths that we all know and feel regardless of race or culture.
'til delight bleeds into painful and new.
Eventually, the joy and wonder of discovery encounters difficult truths and experiences that challenge our understanding of the world and our place in it.
So live your impossible reds and blues.
Embrace the full spectrum of life, with all its complexity and range, even if it seems beyond reach or impossible at times.
They don't stand a chance with you.
You are capable of transcending societal barriers and living fully and authentically, regardless of the limitations others may impose.
Colourblind babies sleep fitful and long.
Despite being sheltered from societal labels and judgments, the weight of the world and its complexities can still weigh heavily.
Dreaming of you.
Seeking solace in a shared humanity and the possibility of a world that is inclusive and accepting of all.
Incisions slice meaning for love to stitch up,
In order to find true unity and love, we often must cut through our preconceived notions and biases in order to understand and appreciate those who are different from us.
To comfort cold hands.
The pursuit of love, connection, and understanding can be seen as a way of warming the heart and healing the deep-seated fears and uncertainties that so often divide us from one another.
So live your impossible reds and blues.
Once again, we are reminded to embrace the full spectrum of life, with all its beauty and complexity, regardless of how difficult or impossible it may seem.
They don't hold a candle to you.
Despite the challenges and barriers we may encounter, we are capable of creating a life filled with meaning, connection, and love that transcends all boundaries and limitations.
Contributed by Chloe P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.