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
The Girl
City and Colour Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Cause that's what you deserve
You sacrifice so much of your life
In order for this to work
While I'm off chasing my own dreams
Sailing around the world
Please know that I'm yours to keep
When you cry a piece of my heart dies
Knowing that I may have been the cause
If you were to leave
Fulfill someone else's dreams
I think I might totally be lost
You don't ask for no diamond rings
No delicate string of pearls
That's why I wrote this song to sing
My beautiful girl
Ooooo ooo ohhh ohh oh oh
Ooooo ooo ohhh ohh oh oh
Ooooo ooo ohhh ohh oh oh
Ooooo ooo ohhh ohh oh oh
I wish I could do better by you
Cause that's what you deserve
You sacrifice so much of your life
In order for this to work
While I'm off chasing my own dreams
Sailing around the world
Please know that I'm yours to keep
My beautiful girl
And when you cry a piece of my heart dies
Knowing that I may have been the cause
If you were to leave
Fulfill someone else's dreams
I think I might totally be lost
But you don't ask for no diamond rings (diamond rings)
No delicate string of pearls (string of pearls)
That's why I wrote this song to sing
My beautiful girl
Ooooo ooo ohhh ohh oh oh
Ooooo ooo ohhh ohh oh oh
Ooooo ooo ohhh ohh oh oh
Ooooo ooo ohhh ohh oh oh
But you don't ask for no diamond rings (diamond rings)
No delicate string of pearls (string of pearls)
That's why I wrote this song to sing
My beautiful girl (my beautiful girl)
The lyrics to City and Colour’s song, The Girl, depict the struggles and sacrifices made within a relationship. The singer wishes he could do better by his partner because she deserves it after sacrificing so much for their relationship. He recognizes that he is off chasing his own dreams, but assures her that she is his to keep. The lyrics take a melancholic turn when the singer acknowledges that if his partner were to leave to fulfill someone else’s dreams, he would be lost. He appreciates that his partner does not demand anything from him, and that is why he wrote this song to sing for her.
Overall, this song embodies the recognition of the difficulties that come with relationships and the appreciation for the sacrifices made within them. The singer understandingly acknowledges the potential for fault within their relationship, but also legitimizes the loyalty and commitment that his partner has towards him.
Line by Line Meaning
I wish I could do better by you
I want to be a better person for you.
Cause that's what you deserve
You deserve the very best.
You sacrifice so much of your life
You give up so much to be with me.
In order for this to work
We need to make this relationship work.
While I'm off chasing my own dreams
I am pursuing my own goals and aspirations.
Sailing around the world
Exploring the world.
Please know that I'm yours to keep
I belong to you.
My beautiful girl
You are my beautiful partner.
When you cry a piece of my heart dies
Your sadness affects me deeply.
Knowing that I may have been the cause
My actions might have caused your tears.
If you were to leave
If you decided to end this relationship.
Fulfill someone else's dreams
To make someone else happy instead of me.
I think I might totally be lost
I would feel completely lost without you.
You don't ask for no diamond rings
You don't expect expensive gifts.
No delicate string of pearls
You are not materialistic.
That's why I wrote this song to sing
That's why I wrote this song for you.
Ooooo ooo ohhh ohh oh oh
But you don't ask for no diamond rings (diamond rings)
You don't care about material possessions.
No delicate string of pearls (string of pearls)
You value me, not what I can give you.
My beautiful girl (my beautiful girl)
You are beautiful to me.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Dallas John Green
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@GladsonIzidoro
I wish I could do better by you
Cause that's what you deserve
You sacrifice so much of your life
In order for this to work
While I'm off chasing my own dreams
Sailing around the world
Please know that I'm yours to keep
My beautiful girl
When you cry a piece of my heart dies
Knowing that I may have been the cause
If you were to leave
Fulfill someone else's dreams
I think I might totally be lost
You don't ask for no diamond rings
No delicate string of pearls
That's why I wrote this song to sing
My beautiful girl
Ooooo ooo ohhh ohh oh oh
Ooooo ooo ohhh ohh oh oh
Ooooo ooo ohhh ohh oh oh
Ooooo ooo ohhh ohh oh oh
I wish I could do better by you
Cause that's what you deserve
You sacrifice so much of your life
In order for this to work
While I'm off chasing my own dreams
Sailing around the world
Please know that I'm yours to keep
My beautiful girl
And when you cry a piece of my heart dies
Knowing that I may have been the cause
If you were to leave
Fulfill someone else's dreams
I think I might totally be lost
But you don't ask for no diamond rings (diamond rings)
No delicate string of pearls (string of pearls)
That's why I wrote this song to sing
My beautiful girl
Ooooo ooo ohhh ohh oh oh
Ooooo ooo ohhh ohh oh oh
Ooooo ooo ohhh ohh oh oh
Ooooo ooo ohhh ohh oh oh
But you don't ask for no diamond rings (diamond rings)
No delicate string of pearls (string of pearls)
That's why I wrote this song to sing
My beautiful girl (my beautiful girl)
@sriezankoirala9889
[Verse 1]
I wish I could do better by you
Cause that's what you deserve
You sacrifice so much of your life
In order for this to work
While I'm off chasing my own dreams
Sailing around the world
Please know that I'm yours to keep
My beautiful girl
When you cry a piece of my heart dies
Knowing that I may have been the cause
If you were to leave
Fulfill someone else's dreams
I think I might totally be lost
[Chorus]
You don't ask for no diamond rings no delicate string of pearls
That's why I wrote this song to sing
My beautiful girl
Ooooo ooo ohhh ohh oh oh
Ooooo ooo ohhh ohh oh oh
Ooooo ooo ohhh ohh oh oh
Ooooo ooo ohhh ohh oh oh
Verse 1
I wish I could do better by you
Cause that's what you deserve
You sacrifice so much of your life
In order for this to work
While I'm off chasing my own dreams
Sailing around the world
Please know that I'm yours to keep
My beautiful girl
And when you cry a piece of my heart dies
Knowing that I may have been the cause
If you were to leave
Fulfill someone else's dreams
I think I might totally be lost
[Chorus]
But you don't ask for no diamond rings (diamond ringts)
No delicate string of pearls ( string of pearls)
That's why I wrote this song to sing
My beautiful girl
Ooooo ooo ohhh ohh oh oh
Ooooo ooo ohhh ohh oh oh
Ooooo ooo ohhh ohh oh oh
Ooooo ooo ohhh ohh oh oh
[Chorus]
But you don't ask for no diamond rings (diamond ringts)
No delicate string of pearls (string of pearls)
That's why I wrote this song to sing
My beautiful girl (my beautiful girl)
@DineAloneRecords
Watch the latest music videos from City and Colour's new album, The Love Still Held Me Near: http://youtube.com/@cityandcolour
@johncoleman3188
I had heard this song years ago. I never knew much about city and colour. I played it for my girlfriend once before she took a bus across the country, it was definitely a sad time that tested our love for each other...two months ago I remembered this song, not the lyrics or the name or even the band, but the feel of the song is what I remembered. I searched online so hard to figure it out and just couldn't. Well today I finally got a random suggested video and here I am, listening to it with my wife (same woman) reminiscing the road we've been on :)
@larrylabrecque8491
Ù
@gully1983
That's freaking awesome man! Congrats on you finding the song and congrats on your marriage!
@daleonov
what a story!
@FruitoftheVine114
❤❤❤🎉
@richardeckert1050
Perfect description of life with Songs & Artists. ❤
@connordiaz725
I wasn’t able to keep her but this song is a good reminder of what our love was, and for that I’ll be forever grateful
@dougshakes8776
Bro go to therapy
@bubbsgaminghorror6286
I'm in the armed forces and I would like to say thank you for writing this beautiful song. It perfectly matches my fiance and I's relationship. We're getting married this November and I'm hoping to use this as our wedding :) Love your lyrics and voice, both as a musician and as a member of the armed forces!