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
Missing
City and Colour Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But your ghost still burns in the air
Finally above us the waves have come
To take you away
And with this song, I'll say goodbye
And thank you for what you've done to my life
And Finally I'll say it with love
And I don't understand what you died for
We still could have given so much more
And I know you are something I could never be
But I know you're still there watching over me
now [x4]
The lyrics of City and Colour's "Serravalle" are a poignant reflection on the aftermath of loss and the pain it inflicts on the living. The song is a eulogy to a departed loved one, whose ghostly presence continues to linger even after they are gone. The opening lines, "So, now you're not there/but your ghost still burns in the air" convey the sense of absence and the lingering memories of the departed.
The song moves on to exploring the inevitability of death and the acceptance that comes with it. The waves coming to "take you away" signify the end of life and the acceptance of what has now become an immutable part of the natural order. However, the singer struggles with the idea of loss and is unable to understand why the departed had to die. The lines, "And I don't understand what you died for/ We still could have given so much more" show the conflict between acceptance and denial that happens in the aftermath of loss.
The chorus of the song, "And with this song, I'll say goodbye/ And thank you for what you've done to my life/ And finally, I'll say it with love/ I hope you're at rest in the stars above" is a beautiful tribute to the departed. It is a final parting gift, an acknowledgment of the departed's impact on the singer's life and their hope for their well-being in the afterlife.
Overall, Serravalle is a heart-wrenching tribute to a lost loved one. It's a song that explores the complex emotions of grief, acceptance, and letting go and is sure to resonate with anyone who has dealt with the pain of loss.
Line by Line Meaning
So, now you're not there
You are no longer physically present here with me
But your ghost still burns in the air
Your memory and essence still feels vividly present around me
Finally above us the waves have come
The natural elements have taken you away from us
To take you away
To transport you to another realm, away from this physical world
And with this song, I'll say goodbye
I'll use the medium of music to bid you farewell
And thank you for what you've done to my life
I express my gratitude for the positive impact you had on my existence
And Finally I'll say it with love
My parting words carry love and affection towards you
I hope you're at rest in the stars above
I wish for your tranquil state and peaceful afterlife
And I don't understand what you died for
I'm unable to comprehend the reasons behind your untimely death
We still could have given so much more
We had the potential to do so many things together, which now remains unfulfilled
And I know you are something I could never be
I acknowledge and honor the unique qualities that made you who you were
But I know you're still there watching over me
I believe your spirit still preserves a watchful eye on me
now [x4]
Repeating the word 'now' to emphasize the immediacy of the present moment
Contributed by Aaron O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Cybz & Karsyn’s Videos Bointy
When we lost our son I was so lost in our sorrow I didn’t realize that our other kids were also coping....I woke up in the middle of the night and this song was repeat all night on my sons stereo....this song is so touching and opened my eyes to help our other children with broken hearts!! Miss our Kane 😢💔 9 years now!
Ethan Pierce
When it hits you in the midst of loss it’s like nothing else. Dallas made the pill for loss with this song. When I lost Mommom it was all I could listen to. My best friend just lost his mommom. I’m here for them today.
NecroNefarious
I played this song when I spoke at my fathers wake. It was hard, but it helped me and help me show my family how I felt.
Gavin Suarez
When my dad passed. I didn’t have time to cry. I was his power of attorney and had to get his affairs in order. About 5 days after his death I finally went to see my friends and hangout. We went for a drive. This song came on on shuffle. My buddy was about to turn it and I told him to let it play.
It was the first time I cried after my dad died. I cried in the car. Looking forward. My buddies understood and let it happen.
I needed that cry. I needed that emotion to release.
Rest easy in the stars, Dad.
StickyBons
To everyone here who has lost someone they love, I’m here and crying with you too. I love you all.
Rody Turley
Ive been singing this song to the stars for my dad who passed last week. Ill keep on doing so every day til i take my last breath. I love you dad
Trevor Bremer
Why this is not on the original CD is beyond me. Absolutely awesome.
dante theprophet
It's on the vinyl
Cybz & Karsyn’s Videos Bointy
Why can we purchase this 1 song? It’s so amazing
Duncan Hutcheson
This song was a huge part of my emotional landscape growing up, I first heard it when I was 17 and figuring out a whole load of stuff. I found myself drifting back to it during the pandemic, and found in it a huge sense of release and comfort. Thank you Dallas, for making music that helps people carry on when their outlook look is dark and empty.