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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Dumbest
Craig Cardiff Lyrics
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Calling you up this drunk to say
This will be the last time the very very last time I call to say
O how the cops knew to wonder when wondering was dead
Because it was already said and done -
It had all been said and done before
When arnold said to willis only the truth will set you free
You're just a joke till someone stands up and says
I love you enough to know set myself free
Hold yourself still - when liz put the song on
Repeat again I'm not sure why
It's not like she's coming home at all I'm
Standing here with arms wide open
Hoping that maybe you will understand the mess I've made.
There you go again talking like you've done it all
When you've not done a thing you're not trying stop telling me that you're
The couple downstairs are always yelling I got tired of the fighting yelling and shouting
We got tired of moving around; it's like cops at
The accident flares up and waving people on with 'there's nothing here to see'
O all the times that we make messes up and downs and backwards again
The truth will set you free I tell you truthfully
This all I can take this is me at the end of my rope
I'm standing here with arms wide open
Hoping that maybe you will understand the mess I've made.
The lyrics of Craig Cardiff's song "Dumbest" convey a sense of regret and self-awareness in relation to past mistakes. The singer reflects on how foolish it was to call someone while drunk, speaking of it as the "dumbest" thing he has ever done. He declares that he will never do it again, but seems to be struggling with his emotions as he sings "hoping that maybe you will understand the mess I've made."
The lyrics also touch on themes of honesty and courage, referencing a TV pilot where Arnold advises Willis to speak the truth, saying that "only the truth will set you free." The singer seems to be grappling with telling the truth and expressing his emotions, admitting that he made a mistake while also hoping for forgiveness and understanding. The song is introspective and emotive, with the repeated refrain of "standing here with arms wide open" emphasizing a sense of vulnerability and openness.
Line by Line Meaning
Of all of the dumb things that I've done this must be the dumbest
I've made a lot of mistakes but calling you while drunk is the worst
Calling you up this drunk to say
I'm calling you while drunk
This will be the last time the very very last time I call to say
I won't call you again after this
O how the cops knew to wonder when wondering was dead
The police already knew what happened
Because it was already said and done -
Everything was already completed
It had all been said and done before
This situation has happened before
There was a tv pilot that addressed this same issue
A TV show talked about this problem
When arnold said to willis only the truth will set you free
Arnold told Willis that only honesty can solve problems
You're just a joke till someone stands up and says
You won't be taken seriously until someone stands up for you
I love you enough to know set myself free
I care about you and want what's best for both of us
Hold yourself still - when liz put the song on
Stay still while Liz plays the song
Repeat again I'm not sure why
I'm not sure why I keep repeating it
It's not like she's coming home at all I'm
She's not coming back
Standing here with arms wide open
I'm waiting for you with open arms
Hoping that maybe you will understand the mess I've made.
I hope you'll forgive me for my mistakes
There you go again talking like you've done it all
You act like you know everything
When you've not done a thing you're not trying stop telling me that you're
You haven't done anything to help so stop acting like you have
The couple downstairs are always yelling I got tired of the fighting yelling and shouting
The neighbors fight too much and it's exhausting
We got tired of moving around; it's like cops at
We're tired of constantly moving like the police at a traffic accident
The accident flares up and waving people on with 'there's nothing here to see'
The accident is over and people need to move on
O all the times that we make messes up and downs and backwards again
We've made mistakes many times before
The truth will set you free I tell you truthfully
Honesty is the key to moving forward
This all I can take this is me at the end of my rope
I've reached my limit and can't handle any more
I'm standing here with arms wide open
I'm still waiting for you with open arms
Hoping that maybe you will understand the mess I've made.
I hope you'll forgive me for my mistakes
Contributed by Alexandra T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.