The Trinity Session is perhaps their best known record, recorded live in a single day on a single microphone in a church in Toronto. This album also included a unique cover version of Lou Reed's "Sweet Jane". Reed reportedly liked the Junkies' version of the song better than his own, and began performing their version in concert.
None of the band's subsequent albums have been hits outside of Canada, although the band has maintained a dedicated following and have continued to have chart hits in their native country. Following their 1998 album Miles from Our Home, Cowboy Junkies were dropped from their major label contract. They have continued to release albums on their own independent label, Latent Records.
See You Around
Cowboy Junkies Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But as I'm staring out this fifth floor window
It seems like the least amount of communication the better
Oh, well what am I supposed to say
"There's a bloody effigy on my wall
And the complimentary carnation is falling apart"
And I ain't got time for the niceties
Or rather I was never, never fond of the niceties
I will see you around
I will see you around
See you around
See you around
Well I must admit I'm flattered by your consecration
It's a mind-numbing spine-chilling
But never-the-less heartwarming gesture
But as you make your advances so clumsily
I'll save us both the both the hassle and leave
And hang out all night
In the familiar fluorescent light of Dunkin' Donuts
'Cause I ain't got time for the niceties
Or rather I was never, never fond of the niceties
I will see you around
See you around
See you around
See you around
Well, how are you with issues
Lately you've been a half-assed activist
You've been seen sashaying around the picket line
Wearing scarcely any sign
Oh, but always vocal in love and strife
And the politics of your all important life
Well, I'm sorry but your routine is coming off a bit ragged
And I ain't got time for the niceties
Or rather I was never, never fond of the niceties
I will see you around
I'll see you around
See you around
I'll see you around
The song "See You Around" by Cowboy Junkies explores themes of communication, relationships, and personal values. The first verse speaks to the singer's reluctance to communicate, likely due to some unpleasant situation they're experiencing. They're looking out the window and reflecting on the fact that sometimes less communication is better than more. They seem to be in a state of distress, with a "bloody effigy on [their] wall" and a "complimentary carnation" falling apart. Despite this, they don't want to engage in "niceties," suggesting a certain level of frustration and disdain for social conventions. The chorus, repeating "I will see you around," may indicate a desire to move on or leave the situation behind.
In the second verse, the singer seems to be addressing a specific person who has shown them "consecration," or intense devotion. While the gesture may be heartwarming, the singer is not interested in pursuing anything further and would rather spend time alone in a Dunkin' Donuts. The repetition of the phrase "I ain't got time for the niceties" underscores the singer's directness and unwillingness to engage in social graces. The final verse seems to take aim at someone else, possibly an acquaintance who is vocal about political issues but not always consistent or effective in their activism. The singer describes them as "half-assed" and their routine as "ragged." The song ends with a final chorus of "see you around," leaving the listener with a sense of unresolved tension and detachment.
Overall, "See You Around" is a melancholic and introspective song that holds up a mirror to some of the less appealing aspects of human interaction. It highlights the difficulty of expressing oneself honestly while also acknowledging the importance of basic human kindness and courtesy.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm sorry for my lack of communication
I apologize for not talking to you much
But as I'm staring out this fifth floor window
I'm looking out the window and thinking
It seems like the least amount of communication the better
I think it's better if we don't talk much
Oh, well what am I supposed to say
I don't know what to say in this situation
"There's a bloody effigy on my wall
There's a disturbing thing on my wall
And the complimentary carnation is falling apart"
The flower given to me is already withering
And I ain't got time for the niceties
I don't have time for pleasantries
Or rather I was never, never fond of the niceties
I never really liked small talk or pleasantries in general
I will see you around
I'll see you later some other time
I will see you around
I'll see you later
See you around
Goodbye and see you later
See you around
Goodbye and see you later
Well I must admit I'm flattered by your consecration
Thank you for your compliment
It's a mind-numbing spine-chilling
It's really surprising and exciting
But never-the-less heartwarming gesture
But it's still a nice thing you did
But as you make your advances so clumsily
But I don't like the way you're coming on to me
I'll save us both the both the hassle and leave
I'll just leave and avoid any drama
And hang out all night
I'll pass the time
In the familiar fluorescent light of Dunkin' Donuts
I'll go to a nearby fast food restaurant
'Cause I ain't got time for the niceties
I don't have time for small talk or pleasantries
Or rather I was never, never fond of the niceties
I never really liked small talk or pleasantries in general
Well, how are you with issues
How are you dealing with important matters or causes?
Lately you've been a half-assed activist
You're not really committed to the causes you claim to support
You've been seen sashaying around the picket line
You've been seen walking around the protest march
Wearing scarcely any sign
Without any visible signs of support
Oh, but always vocal in love and strife
But you're always expressing your opinions on love and conflict
And the politics of your all important life
And the important matters in your life
Well, I'm sorry but your routine is coming off a bit ragged
Sorry but you're starting to look a bit unkempt in your ways
And I ain't got time for the niceties
I don't have time for small talk or pleasantries
Or rather I was never, never fond of the niceties
I never really liked small talk or pleasantries in general
I will see you around
I'll see you later some other time
I'll see you around
Goodbye and see you later
See you around
Goodbye and see you later
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: VIC CHESTNUTT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
André de Oliveira
See You Around
Cowboy Junkies
I'm sorry for my lack of communication
But as I'm staring out this fifth floor window
It seems like the least amount of communication the better
Oh, well what am I supposed to say
"There's a bloody effigy on my wall
And the complimentary carnation is falling apart"
And I ain't got time for the niceties
Or rather I was never, never fond of the niceties
I will see you around
I will see you around
See you around
See you around
Well I must admit I'm flattered by your consecration
It's a mind-numbing spine-chilling
But never-the-less heartwarming gesture
But as you make your advances so clumsily
I'll save us both the both the hassle and leave
And hang out all night
In the familiar fluorescent light of Dunkin' Donuts
'Cause I ain't got time for the niceties
Or rather I was never, never fond of the niceties
I will see you around
See you around
See you around
See you around
Well, how are you with issues
Lately you've been a half-assed activist
You've been seen sashaying around the picket line
Wearing scarcely any sign
Oh, but always vocal in love and strife
And the politics of your all important life
Well, I'm sorry but your routine is coming off a bit ragged
And I ain't got time for the niceties
Or rather I was never, never fond of the niceties
I will see you around
I'll see you around
See you around
I'll see you around
Melanie Daniels
She was always pure magic. Never had to fall back on tricks and gimmicks.
Infinitely Qurious
She is always pure magic.
Elmo Blatch
still is
Ignazio Mamana
Margo has a little something that's hard to fake called, "talent"...
Elmo Blatch
It's extremely difficult for CJ to play music and have it sound nothing less than transformative. Sometimes banal, sometimes overindulgent, but mostly brilliant. I have loved this band decades. Saw them in 1993 and most recently in 2018. The venues are much smaller, but the passion is still there. The originality is still there, and that's what counts.
hendythehalfwit henderson
Hunter S would be proud
joao renato lemos
banda muito boa, músicas agradáveis aos ouvidos.
Kriste Andrea Tujague
My favorite group in the entire universe. I had the pleasure of meeting Margo many years ago and getting her autograph. A highlight of my life. She is so lovely. What a voice. 💕
CBC Music
Thanks for sharing!
Kathy Price
LOVE THIS..AMEN!!..BLESS YOU SISTER🙏💝🌷