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
What Makes a Man?
City and Colour Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's a lonesome and distant cry
I can hear my train comin'
Now I'm runnin' for my life
What makes a man walk away from his mind?
I think I know
I think I might know
It's sending shivers down my spine
I can feel the wind blowin'
It shakes the trees and the power lines
What makes a man spend his whole life in disguise?
I think I know
I think I might know
(What makes a man?)
I think I might know (what makes a man?)
I think I might know (what makes a man?)
No oh oh
I can see the sun settin'
It's casting shadows on the sea
I can see the sun, it's settings
It's getting colder, starting to freeze
What makes a man want to break a heart with ease?
I think I know
I think I might know
(What makes a man?)
I think I might know (what makes a man?)
I think I might know (what makes a man?)
No oh oh
Well I can hear my train comin'
Looks like time is not on my side
Well I can hear my train comin'
I'm still runnin' for my life
What makes a man pray, when he's about to die?
I think I know
I think I might know
(What makes a man?)
I think I might know (what makes a man?)
I think I might know (what makes a man?)
Oh oh oh
(What makes a man?)
I think I might know (what makes a man?)
I think I might know (what makes a man?)
No oh oh
The song "What Makes a Man?" is a ballad filled with emotions of loneliness, despair, and struggle. The repetitive refrain of "What makes a man?" is indicative of the singer's attempt at unraveling the thread of his own misery. The opening lines "I can hear my train comin', it's a lonesome and distant cry, I can hear my train comin', now I'm runnin' for my life" speak of the singer's feeling of being chased and how he needs to escape. The train's sound feels like an ominous warning, and he is trying to save himself by running away.
The singer then talks about how he feels the wind blowing, which sends shivers down his spine, he fears everything and is afraid of being caught. He questions his identity and why a man would ever spend his entire life in disguise. The line "I can see the sun settin' It's casting shadows on the sea" is about how time is running out for the singer. The train is getting closer, indicating that his time is running out, and death is imminent. The closing lines "What makes a man pray when he's about to die? I think I might know" alludes to his realization that everything is out of his control, including death.
Line by Line Meaning
I can hear my train comin'
The singer is aware of an inevitable event approaching.
It's a lonesome and distant cry
The singer feels isolated and hopeless about the upcoming event.
Now I'm runnin' for my life
The singer is attempting to avoid the inevitable event.
What makes a man walk away from his mind?
The artist questions why someone would act irrationally or not use logic.
I think I know
The artist believes they have a possible answer to the previous question.
I think I might know
The singer is unsure but has a strong sense of what the answer may be.
It's sending shivers down my spine
The wind has a strong and eerie effect on the singer.
It shakes the trees and the power lines
The wind has a physical impact causing a practical reaction.
What makes a man spend his whole life in disguise?
The artist questions why someone would live a life not true to themselves.
I think I know
The artist has a potential answer to the previous question.
I think I might know
Although unsure, the singer has a sense of the possible answer.
I think I might know
The artist continues to express uncertainty but feels they have a possible answer.
I can see the sun settin'
The singer observes the passing of time.
It's casting shadows on the sea
The sun's movement is causing a visual effect on the surrounding environment.
It's getting colder, starting to freeze
The singer is experiencing the physical effects of the sun's movement.
What makes a man want to break a heart with ease?
The artist questions why someone would intentionally hurt another person.
I think I know
The artist believes they have a possible answer to the question.
I think I might know
Although unsure, the singer has a sense of what the answer may be.
Looks like time is not on my side
The singer acknowledges time is running out.
I'm still runnin' for my life
The artist continues to strive to avoid the inevitable event.
What makes a man pray, when he's about to die?
The artist questions why someone would suddenly turn to religion in their final moments.
Oh oh oh
An exclamation used to express emotion or emphasize the previous statement.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Dallas John Green
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Castle24
Fear.
Every man has a fear he will never admit or it shows his neck to the world.
The fear that he didnt do enough, be enough, work enough, take time enough, love enough, fight enough, etc.
We all want to make our father or mentors proud, do right by our family, and live well, facing everything on our feet, holding fast against the squalls and strife of life.
We live in fear that we will wake up one day down the road, unable to physically do what we did 60 or 70 years prior.
We want to be able to face the man in tbe mirror and know he lived hard and well.
@angelawilliams3444
Love them, reminds me of my husband that passed away a month or so ago😢😢😢😢he sang and played guitar for over 35 years, this song, he was amazing at performing
@426F6F
I hope you stay strong for him and your loved ones.. I'm sorry for your loss💙
@FroldolwreckClinkle
Them?
@TheAlyssaGagne
I saw Dallas in concert, and honestly he's the best performer I've ever seen. His recorded stuff is amazing, but you really get the full effect when he's right there in front of you. There was just this immense feeling of relaxation during and after the show. And he's a really funny, down to earth guy. I love him.
@burnyizland
I worked with some idiot who said she'd been somewhere he was playing before he was famous and hated him because he 'thought too much of himself.. like, he was just SURE he would be famous." Well, YEAH. He SHOULD be famous. Damn underrated if you ask me.
@laurenstuve8983
perfect song for loners and introverts. This song really touches my heart
@snpog9901
yes
@toniab1120
This song sends goosebumps and shivers. This is real music.
@ABCMeEFG
It's 2021, and the woman who introduced me to this song has been dead a few weeks shy of 7 years. I sobbed 40 seconds into the song the first time I heard it, and I still struggle to keep them back. She said this song made her think of me. I agreed with her, I still do. "What makes a man...?" I think I know, I think I might know. Years ago this song made her think of me, and now it makes me think of her.
@rhyman88
Sorry for your loss!