City and Colour originated when Green -- whose Platinum-selling band Alexisonfire won a 2005 Juno Award for New Group of the Year -- released a limited edition EP of songs performed on solo acoustic guitar. Wildly circulated on the Internet, the release caused such an overwhelming underground buzz that fans, as far away as Europe and Australia, were emailing the Alexisonfire site asking how to obtain copies.
Taking it all in stride, Green remained sincere, and affable, debuting his full-length album entitled "Sometimes" under his solo moniker City and Colour in November 2005. A culmination of music that Green has been writing for over a decade, the album achieved Platinum certification in 2006, surpassing any expectations he had. Critically acclaimed solo performances, a special appearance at Burton Cumming's Songwriter's Circle during the 2005 Junos (cited by Media as a highlight of the Junos) and a performance at the 2006 MuchMusic Video Awards, where Green won "PEOPLE'S CHOICE FAVOURITE CANADIAN ARTIST" were just icing on the cake.
City and Colour's latest creation entitled "City and Colour Live" brings fans front row and center to experience some of the most memorable moments from sold out tours across the nation. From Vancouver to Halifax, "City and Colour Live" features 13 heart-wrenching live tracks captured on both CD and DVD with 7 bonus tracks combined, a special acoustic performance of Alexisonfire's "Happiness by the Kilowatt", and a limited edition release contained a USB drive featuring highlight footage.
Green's melodically driven musical lyricism has earned City and Colour Juno 2007 nominations for Alternative Album of The Year and Jack Richardson Producer of the Year for "Save Your Scissors".
Missing
City of 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]
"Missing" by City of Colour is a song about losing someone dear and coping with the pain of that loss. The song is an ode to someone who has passed away, and the lyrics express a mix of sadness, love, and confusion. The first few lines, "So, now you're not there, But your ghost still burns in the air" create a haunting image of a person who has left but their presence is still strongly felt. The phrase "ghost still burns" suggests that the person's memory is still alive and present, like a flame that won't go out.
The song then talks about the waves that have come to take the person away. These waves could be interpreted in different ways, but they likely represent the passage of time and the inevitability of change. The waves could also symbolize the transition from life to death, as waves often carry things away.
The chorus of the song expresses a goodbye to the person who has passed away. The lyrics "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" are a touching tribute to the person's impact on the singer's life. The line "I hope you're at rest in the stars above" suggests a belief in an afterlife or some kind of cosmic connection with the person who has died.
The verses that follow this continue to express the pain of loss and the sense of confusion that often comes with it. Lines like "And I don't understand what you died for, We still could have given so much more" speak to the feeling of regret that often accompanies death, as well as the struggle to come to terms with the loss. The song ends with the repeated phrase "now," which could be interpreted as a final acknowledgment of the reality of the situation, a way to ground oneself in the present moment.
Line by Line Meaning
So, now you're not there
The person addressed in the song is no longer present.
But your ghost still burns in the air
Even though this person is gone, they still seem to be present in some way.
Finally above us the waves have come
The natural world continues on, regardless of what has happened to this person.
To take you away
This person has passed away and their physical presence is gone.
And with this song, I'll say goodbye
The artist is using this song as a way to say farewell to the person.
And thank you for what you've done to my life
The singer is expressing gratitude for the impact this person had on their life.
And Finally I'll say it with love
The singer wants to express their affection for the person.
I hope you're at rest in the stars above
The artist is wishing that this person has found peace in the afterlife.
And I don't understand what you died for
The artist is grappling with the reasons why this person passed away.
We still could have given so much more
The artist feels that there was unfinished business between them and the person who passed.
And I know you are something I could never be
The singer recognizes the unique qualities of this person that they can never replicate.
But I know you're still there watching over me
The artist believes that this person is still present in some way and is keeping an eye on them.
now [x4]
This repetition is likely a musical interlude or an indication of the end of the song.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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.