With guitar in hand, Craig can turn any setting into an intimate affair, infusing his music and lyrics with an uncompromising humanism rarely seen in today's production-heavy climate.
Craig makes it a point to keep the relationship with his fans personal, inviting and accepting any opportunity to make his audience as much a part of the performance as he is. Don't be surprised if one day you find yourself enjoying one of Craig's renowned shows in the comfort of your own living room.
In 2012, Cardiff was nominated for a Juno Award for Roots and Traditional Album of the Year: Solo, and for a Canadian Folk Music Award as Contemporary Singer of the Year.
For more information, tour dates, and music, please visit the official Craig Cardiff site.
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Dearest When You Called
Craig Cardiff Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The photo from the phone and the counting of the teeth
The most terrible part was how calm inside everyone was
The politics of fear, the business of cheap
You wonder if the people up top are asleep
Numb to the fact of how fat we’ve grown
Leave your name and number nobody’s home
The islands of ports and the tunnel safe clear
The tv reports of baby in tears
We know who to watch by the length of your nose
Leave your name and number no one’s home
Dearest when you called my what a relief
The photo from the phone and the counting of the teeth
How did you know, leave your name and number no one’s home
The lyrics of Craig Cardiff's song "Dearest When You Called" are a commentary on the state of society, specifically in regards to how we react to tragedy and how we are influenced by the media. The first few lines describe the aftermath of some sort of tragedy, possibly a terrorist attack or a natural disaster, and how the singer is relieved to receive a phone call from someone they care about. The "photo from the phone and the counting of the teeth" is a reference to the need for identification of victims when disasters occur.
The next lines delve into the politics and business of fear that permeates our society. The singer questions whether those in power are actually paying attention to the issues, or if they are simply numb to the problems because they have grown too massive to handle. The line "leave your name and number nobody's home" paints a picture of a society that has become disconnected and unresponsive to the needs of its citizens.
The final lines come full circle, returning to the relief felt by the phone call from the beginning of the song. The last line, "How did you know, leave your name and number no one's home," shows that the singer is grateful for the connection they have with their loved one, even though there seems to be no one else there to help them.
Line by Line Meaning
Dearest when you called my what a relief
Receiving your call was a great relief to me.
The photo from the phone and the counting of the teeth
The picture you sent from your phone allowed me to count your teeth and confirm your safety.
The most terrible part was how calm inside everyone was
The troubling part was how unbothered everyone seemed to be about the situation at hand.
The politics of fear, the business of cheap
People exploit fear for their own gain, without regard for the impact on others.
You wonder if the people up top are asleep
There is a concern that those in power are not taking action to address the issues facing society.
Numb to the fact of how fat we’ve grown
We have become blind to how unhealthy we have become.
Leave your name and number nobody’s home
No one is available to pick up the phone and take the call at this time.
The islands of ports and the tunnel safe clear
Despite the challenges we face, there are still safe places to seek refuge.
The tv reports of baby in tears
The media highlights stories that cause emotional distress to capture viewers' attention.
We know who to watch by the length of your nose
We can identify deception by observing the length of someone's nose.
How did you know, leave your name and number no one’s home
It's unclear how you knew to call me, and unfortunately no one is available to answer at the moment.
Contributed by Hunter V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.