Sometimes (2005) and Live (2007)
Green began releasing City and Colour songs on the Internet for fans to download in 2004. Eventually, he compiled and rewrote several of these songs to make his first album, Sometimes. The full length debut was released on November 1, 2005 to a good reception, described by one reviewer as "dynamically gentle and vulnerable". The cover art was designed by Scott McEwan, in a tattoo-esque style; Green "still may decide to have some of them inked at a later point in time". Sometimes was re-released on Vagrant Records on January 13, 2009, which was the first time the album was available in physical form in the United States.
Bring Me Your Love (2009)
Green's second album, Bring Me Your Love, was released on February 12, 2008 and features a wide array of instruments not used on his previous recordings (such as harmonica, banjo, drums and lap steel) giving it a more folk-influenced sound. The album also features collaborations with other musicians, such as Canadian musician Gordon Downie of The Tragically Hip on the track "Sleeping Sickness", and additional instrumentals done by Matt Sullivan and the members of Attack in Black. The lead single, "Waiting...", was released on Green's official MySpace page for the first time featuring a "making of" video. The album is named after a short story by Charles Bukowski. It is also a line sung in the closing track, "As Much As I Ever Could".
On September 26, 2008, City and Colour embarked on their first American tour, in support of Bring Me Your Love. On the tour, the band supported Tegan and Sara along with Girl in a Coma. This tour was followed by a headlining tour of the US in January 2009, with support from William Elliott Whitmore. In October 2008, Dine Alone Records announced a special 2-disc limited edition of Bring Me Your Love to be released on December 2, 2008. Only 6,000 copies are available; 5,000 in North America and 1,000 in Australia.[5] In Canada, when the record label put up the album on pre-sale on November 20, 2008, so many fans tried to pre-order it that the store's website crashed.
In January 2010, City and Colour embarked on an additional US headlining tour, again supporting Bring Me Your Love, with supporting act Lissie, and an additional UK tour in June 2010, supporting P!nk, along with Butch Walker, along with a few headlining dates. On these tours, Dallas Green performed two new songs by the titles of "Silver and Gold" and "O' Sister", as well as a couple of never-played-before covers - "Murderer", originally by Low, and "Grinnin' in the Face", originally by Son House.
Little Hell (2011)
On February 23, 2011, it was officially announced on the Dine Alone Records website that City and Colour's third album would be titled Little Hell and was set for release in June 2011. On March 23, 2011, the official track listing was posted on City and Colour's official website. On April 5, 2011, "Fragile Bird", the first single off Little Hell was released to the radio. The song had its world premiere on Australian radio station Triple J, where the band was touring at the time. The single became City and Colour's highest charting single, reaching No. 1 on the Canadian rock/alternative chart. On August 5, 2011, Alexisonfire announced their break-up. George Pettit wrote a message on the band's official website saying Dallas had been planning to leave to focus on City and Colour, as balancing the two bands had become too difficult.
The Hurry and The Harm (2013)
City and Colour announced the release of the new album entitled The Hurry and The Harm to be released on June 4, 2013. The song "Of Space and Time" was released on March 11, 2013 prior to the announcement of the new album. The song "Thirst"was released on April 1, 2013 on City and Colour's Soundcloud page.
If I Should Go Before You (2015)
City and Colour announced the release of the new album entitled If I Should Go Before You via Twitter and Facebook to be released on October 9, 2015. The sole lead single "Woman" was released exclusively on Beats 1 station on Apple Radio on July 15, 2015 hosted by Zane Lowe. Upon its release, the album garnered highly favourable reviews, with some suggesting it could be Green's finest work up to that point. Additionally, it achieved notable commercial success by securing the top spot as the band's first number one album on the Canadian iTunes Store. Furthermore, the album received multiple Juno Award nominations, including an Artist of the Year nod for Green, along with recognition for outstanding songwriting on tracks like "Blood", "Lover Come Back", and "Wasted Love".
Guide Me Back Home (2018)
In September 2018, City and Colour unveiled plans for a forthcoming compilation album titled "Guide Me Back Home (Live)" featuring live recordings from Dallas Green's 2017 "An Evening with City and Colour" solo Canadian tour. The digital release was scheduled for October 5, 2018, followed by a physical release on November 23, 2018, through Still Records, a record label established by Dallas Green himself as a subsidiary of Dine Alone. On September 21, 2018, three tracks from the album, namely "Casey's Song (Live in Banff, AB April 18th, 2017)", "Sensible Heart (Live in St. John's, NL May 14th, 2017)", and "As Much as I Ever Could (Live in Halifax, NS May 10th, 2017)" were made available for digital download. An additional trio of tracks, "The Girl (Live in Halifax, NS May 10th, 2017)", O' Sister (Live in Vernon, BC April 13th, 2017)", and "Lover Come Back (Live in Cornerbrook, NL May 15th, 2017)" were released one week later on September 21, 2018.
In April 2019, City and Colour had the privilege of being the opening act for Alice in Chains' Canadian tour, along with participating in three additional U.S. concerts in support of Alice in Chains' album Rainier Fog (2018) It's worth noting that Green has long been an avid fan of Alice in Chains and regards them as one of his early musical influences. During their joint performances, Green shared the stage with Alice in Chains for a rendition of their song "Nutshell," a track that Green often covered himself. These memorable collaborations took place at the Budweiser Gardens in London, Ontario on April 23, 2019, and at the FirstOntario Concert Hall in Hamilton on April 24, 2019. Furthermore, Green joined the band to perform "Got Me Wrong" on April 25 in Rama, April 27 in Montreal, and April 28 in Quebec. An especially meaningful moment occurred when Jerry Cantrell, Alice in Chains' guitarist and vocalist, gifted one of his guitars to Green after their joint performance at the MTELUS in Montreal on April 27, 2019. Green has since expressed that this gesture from Cantrell played a pivotal role in igniting his passion for playing the guitar.
A Pill for Loneliness (2019) and Low Songs (2020)
On June 3, 2019, the band made a highly-anticipated return with their first new song in four years, titled "Astronaut." Alongside this exciting release, they also unveiled plans for a 22-date North American tour set to kick off in October 2019. Building on the momentum, they dropped another single, "Strangers," on June 21.
Then, on August 15, 2019, City and Colour officially announced their album A Pill for Loneliness (2019). Just after midnight on August 16, they treated fans to a third single, "Living in Lightning." Reflecting on the album, Dallas Green shared, "I wrote a lot of dark songs and wrapped them in the most beautiful sounds we could find. There are personal connotations, but they're also relatable. I'm thankful for the opportunity to create." The album was eventually released on October 4, 2019, to the delight of their fanbase. Notably, in January 2020, the album received a Juno Award nomination in the Adult Alternative Album of the Year category.
Additionally, on June 19, 2020, Dallas released a two-track EP (titled Low Songs)featuring covers of songs by the band Low. This release was part of Bandcamp's 24-hour Juneteenth fundraiser for the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund. A limited edition 7-inch physical version of the EP was also made available for pre-order through Dallas Green's webstore, with the proceeds going to the Black Youth! Pathway 2 Industry project.
The Love Still Held Me Near (2023)
On November 18, 2022, Dallas released a new single titled "Meant to Be" to critical acclaim. Shortly after, on January 22, 2023, he announced his seventh studio album The Love Still Held Me Near (2023)alongside the release of the second single off the album "Underground." The final single titled "Fucked It Up" released February 24, 2023. The full album released to streaming and physical on March 31, 2023 to critical acclaim.
Shortly after the start of 2023, Green and his band began his 2023 Australian Tour all around Australia for most of the spring. Then he started his 2023 "The Love Still Held Me Dear" Tour as he travelled all across the United States. In October, he performed a couple times in the UK as a part of the European leg of the tour. He has dates planned all throughout Winter 2023/2024 as a part of the Canadian leg of the tour.
www.cityandcolour.ca
www.myspace.com/dallasgreen
Commentators
City and Colour Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I just took control to see this reality
If I overstayed my welcome
I will take my friends and leave
'Cause I'm not trying to be revolutionary
What gave you the impression
That your opinion means anything to anyone?
To bear arms against me... against us
You're nothing but a bunch of amateurs
Commentators
Who live your lives
Hiding behind a wall of insecurities
I don't wanna be revolutionary
I just took control to see this reality
If I overstayed my welcome
I will take my friends and leave
'Cause I'm not trying to be revolutionary
Imagine it's already broken
As you hold it in your hand
Think of all the work you're doing
There's work that you can only understand
Suppose it's already faded
As it drains across your back
But even though you have this wonderful
Instead of everything that you love
[Repeat x2]
I don't wanna be revolutionary
I just took control to see this reality
If I overstayed my welcome
I will take my friends and leave
'Cause I'm not trying to be revolutionary
In City and Colour's song Commentators, the singer is addressing those who feel the need to be revolutionary or make grandiose statements without truly understanding the situation at hand. The lyrics "I don’t wanna be revolutionary, I just took control to see this reality" suggest that the singer is not trying to make a big statement or change the world, but simply wants to understand the truth of a situation. The line "If I overstayed my welcome, I will take my friends and leave" shows that the singer is not interested in causing unnecessary conflict or overstaying their welcome in a situation where they are not needed.
The second verse criticizes those who feel entitled to share their opinions without considering the impact they may have on others. The lines "What gave you the impression that your opinion means anything to anyone? What gave you the right to bear arms against me… against us" suggest that the singer is tired of people using their words as weapons to hurt others. The following lines, "You’re nothing but a bunch of amateurs, commentators, who live your lives hiding behind a wall of insecurities" further criticize those who feel it's their place to make grand statements without actually doing anything of substance.
Finally, the lines towards the end of the song call for a more thoughtful approach to understanding our place in the world. The lines "Imagine it’s already broken as you hold it in your hand, think of all the work you’re doing there’s work that you can only understand" suggest that we should approach situations with care and thoughtfulness, recognizing that we may not understand everything at first glance. Overall, the song seems to be a call for more humility and thoughtfulness in our interactions with the world around us.
Line by Line Meaning
I don’t wanna be revolutionary
The singer does not intend to bring about any significant social or political change.
I just took control to see this reality
The singer has only taken control of their own life to better understand their current circumstances.
If I overstayed my welcome
If the singer has stayed too long in a certain place, situation or relationship.
I will take my friends and leave
The artist will leave any situation or place with their friends, they are valuing companionship over any specific goal.
‘Cause I’m not trying to be revolutionary
The artist reiterates that they are not motivated by a revolutionary agenda.
What gave you the impression
The singer wonders why anyone would think that their opinion is important to anyone else.
That your opinion means anything to anyone?
The singer is questioning the importance of other people's opinions and why they think they matter.
What gave you the right
The artist asks why someone thinks they have the authority to act against them, and the collective of which they are a part.
To bear arms against me… against us
The artist suggests that someone is acting aggressively or violently against them, and the people surrounding them.
You’re nothing but a bunch of amateurs
The artist dismisses the people who criticize them as nothing more than amateurs who do not understand the situation.
Commentators
The singer refers to their critics as commenters who only observe and critique but do not actively participate in the situation.
Who live your lives
The artist points out that their critics are living their own lives and may have their own set of issues that they are dealing with.
Hiding behind a wall of insecurities
The singer suggests that their critics are projecting their insecurities onto them and their actions.
Imagine it’s already broken
The singer asks the listener to imagine that something important to them is already lost or broken.
As you hold it in your hand
The singer is asking the listener to hold onto that thing, despite the fact that it is already broken or lost.
Think of all the work you’re doing
Despite the loss or broken state of the thing, the listener is encouraged to focus on the work that they are putting in to hold onto it.
There’s work that you can only understand
This phrase suggests that there might be work or effort that the artist has to put in that the listener or external forces cannot see or comprehend.
Suppose it’s already faded
The singer is asking the listener to suppose that something is already losing value or importance.
As it drains across your back
Despite the depreciation of the thing, it is still carried by the listener.
But even though you have this wonderful
The artist is acknowledging that despite the loss or fading away of the thing, it is still perceived as something wonderful.
Instead of everything that you love
The artist suggests that the listener is focusing on this wonderful thing at the expense of everything else that they could love or cherish.
I don’t wanna be revolutionary
The artist reiterates their lack of desire for instigating any significant change.
I just took control to see this reality
The singer is taking ownership of their life choices to understand present circumstances more accurately.
If I overstayed my welcome
If the artist has stayed too long in a certain place, situation or relationship.
I will take my friends and leave
The singer emphasizes that they will prioritize their friendships over any specific place or situation.
‘Cause I’m not trying to be revolutionary
The singer emphasizes that they are not acting with any agenda of a significant social or political change.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: DALLAS GREEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind