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
Hope for Now
City and Colour Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Just miles and miles of endless road.
I've got a sickness pounding in my head.
I'm at the mercy of the ghost.
What will it take to live as if I would not another day?
To live without despair, and to be without disdain.
How can I instill such hope, but be left with none of my own?
I sought after, after reasons to stay.
I was lost, I was lost.
Then the sky turned black,
And the rains poured down.
I was waiting, waiting to be found oh, no.
How can I instill such hope, but be left with none of my own?
What if I could sing just one song and it might save somebody's life?
Then I would sing, all that I could sing
'Cause that is when, when I feel that I'm not just counting time.
Oh when I sing all that I can sing
Maybe just for a moment things would seem all right.
Oh when I sing, oh when I sing yeah
Oh when I sing, oh when I sing
The opening lines of City and Colour’s song Hope for Now describe a bleak and desolate landscape, with the singer travelling down a highway that seems to go on forever. The imagery of the darkness and emptiness of the road, combined with the sickness pounding in his head and the sense of being at the mercy of something intangible – a ghost or perhaps an internal struggle – creates a feeling of hopelessness and isolation. This opening sets the scene for the internal turmoil that the singer is experiencing and his search for hope and meaning.
The song continues with the singer questioning what it takes to live a life without despair and disdain, to instil hope in others but to feel hopeless himself. The idea of being able to save somebody’s life through the power of music is introduced, and the singer’s desire to make a meaningful impact on the world is clear. The second verse describes the singer’s personal journey towards hope, with the sky turning black and the rain pouring down. This could be interpreted as a metaphor for his inner turmoil, with the storm representing the chaos and confusion he is experiencing. The closing lines of the song bring everything back to music, with the power of singing allowing the singer to feel like he is not just counting time and giving him a moment of respite from his troubles.
Ultimately, Hope for Now is a song about the power of hope and the search for meaning in a difficult and dispiriting world. The lyrics are open to interpretation but their emotional depth and honesty is undeniable, with City and Colour’s distinctive voice and evocative guitar work creating a thoughtful and affecting musical landscape.
Line by Line Meaning
This highway's dark and empty.
The path I'm on feels like an endless journey without any destination in sight.
Just miles and miles of endless road.
The road ahead appears monotonous with no change or end in sight, making it difficult to find motivation.
I've got a sickness pounding in my head.
I feel overwhelmed by negative thoughts and emotions that are consuming me mentally and emotionally.
I'm at the mercy of the ghost.
I am being haunted by my past mistakes, which are preventing me from moving on and finding peace.
What will it take to live as if I would not another day?
How can I live each day to the fullest and make the most of my time without obsessing over how much time I have left?
To live without despair, and to be without disdain.
How can I find contentment and peace within myself and avoid feeling hopeless and bitter?
How can I instill such hope, but be left with none of my own?
How can I inspire others to find hope and happiness while struggling with my own emotional turmoil?
What if I could sing just one song and it might save somebody's life?
What if my music could be a source of comfort and hope for someone else in need?
Then I would sing, all that I could sing.
If I knew my music could make a difference, I would put all my heart and soul into creating it.
'Cause that is when, when I feel that I'm not just counting time.
Music helps me feel like I'm making a meaningful impact and not just going through the motions of life.
Oh when I sing all that I can sing.
When I pour my heart into my music, it brings me a sense of purpose and fulfillment.
Maybe just for a moment things would seem all right.
Even if it's just for a moment, if my music can bring someone peace and hope, then it's all worth it.
Oh when I sing, oh when I sing yeah.
Singing is a cathartic experience that helps me process my emotions and find comfort in my struggles.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Dallas John Green
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ana Paula Lopes
This highway's dark and empty.
Just miles and miles of endless road.
I've got a sickness pounding in my head.
I'm at the mercy of the ghost.
What will it take to live as if I would not another day?
To live without despair, and to be without disdain.
How can I instill such hope, but be left with none of my own?
What if I could sing just one song and it might save somebody's life?
I sought after, after reasons to stay.
I was lost, I was lost.
Then the sky turned black,
And the rains poured down.
I was waiting, waiting to be found oh, no.
How can I instill such hope, but be left with none of my own?
What if I could sing just one song and it might save somebody's life?
Then I would sing, all that I could sing
'Cause that is when, when I feel that I'm not just counting time.
Oh when I sing all that I can sing
Maybe just for a moment things would seem all right.
Oh when I sing, oh when I sing yeah
Oh when I sing, oh when I sing
Tracy Andrews
I played this at my son's funeral.
Олег Никитин
❤️
Matthew Lindsay
I've lost people I loved more than anything to addiction/mental illness. This song makes me cry every time I listen.
Lucie Méline
♥️
Louis N
❤️❤️
TOOL
GOD bless you 🙏
Ashlee Kascsak
I hope he knows this song has saved my life more times than I can count. His music always helps me
Ana Paula Lopes
This highway's dark and empty.
Just miles and miles of endless road.
I've got a sickness pounding in my head.
I'm at the mercy of the ghost.
What will it take to live as if I would not another day?
To live without despair, and to be without disdain.
How can I instill such hope, but be left with none of my own?
What if I could sing just one song and it might save somebody's life?
I sought after, after reasons to stay.
I was lost, I was lost.
Then the sky turned black,
And the rains poured down.
I was waiting, waiting to be found oh, no.
How can I instill such hope, but be left with none of my own?
What if I could sing just one song and it might save somebody's life?
Then I would sing, all that I could sing
'Cause that is when, when I feel that I'm not just counting time.
Oh when I sing all that I can sing
Maybe just for a moment things would seem all right.
Oh when I sing, oh when I sing yeah
Oh when I sing, oh when I sing
Nikita Yakovlev
Horse was Dallas's very close friend.. He helped City and Colour write some truly incredible music we so love today. RIP Horse, may you rest in peace.
John B
How did he pass away?