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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Craig Cardiff's Bandcamp page
Happiest
Craig Cardiff Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
on the land by the ocean where the plane had dropped
i tried to talk about it now because i couldn't say it then
the truth of it is no one has left for days
and likely wouldn't for days still
say it more to explain than excuse
i don't even know if she believes him
watches what's been going on
so we hear you say i will say
all the things that you want to say
instead of saying all the things you're supposed to say, say
the tourists came, they hadn't been in a while
and not having been there wasn't much to say and they left with a smile
and you said send them all home
the tourists and i had a cigarette
they says ah now i'm full of regrets
i wonder if that service out of only visiting
maybe tourists always tour around
looking for something that will not be found
in the process of touring
so i am and why do i do
all the things that i do
instead of doing the things that i want to do
and the truth of it is no one has slept for days
and it's said more to explain than excuse
it is half hard to learn half hour to lose
The song "Happiest" by Craig Cardiff is a hauntingly beautiful reflection on human behavior and the consequences of our actions. The lyrics describe a scene where the singer and some other people are on a piece of land by the ocean, and something has clearly gone wrong. The truth is that no one has left for days, and no one has slept. The singer tries to explain why, but it feels more like an excuse. They mention a nurse who won't leave, but they don't know if she believes what's going on. It's clear that the situation is tense and uncomfortable, and the singer seems to be struggling to make sense of it all.
The second verse introduces a group of tourists who arrive and then leave with a smile on their faces. The singer seems to resent them, saying, "send them all home." He has a brief exchange with them and wonders if their experience of visiting is ultimately unsatisfying, that they are always looking for something that cannot be found. The chorus then repeats the line "why do I do all the things that I do instead of doing the things that I want to do," hinting at a deeper existential struggle within the singer.
Overall, "Happiest" is a deeply introspective song that explores the human experience of feeling trapped, despondent, and unsure about one's choices. It's a poignant reminder that sometimes we need to face the truth of our situation, even if it's difficult to articulate.
Line by Line Meaning
most of it was written by the time the van stopped
The song was mostly written while traveling in a van and stopping by the ocean where the plane had dropped.
i tried to talk about it now because i couldn't say it then
The songwriter is attempting to discuss something that was difficult to express before.
the truth of it is no one has left for days
Everyone has stayed in the same place for at least a few days straight.
and likely wouldn't for days still
There is a possibility that no one will leave for several more days.
say it more to explain than excuse
The reason why this is being said is to clarify rather than to make excuses.
why doesn't nurse just go and the nurse just leave
The singer is questioning why the nurse hasn't departed yet.
i don't even know if she believes him
It is unclear whether or not the nurse trusts the singer.
watches what's been going on
The nurse is observing what's happening around her.
so we hear you say i will say
The artist is addressing someone who has something to say.
all the things that you want to say
The person speaking is encouraging the other person to speak their mind freely.
instead of saying all the things you're supposed to say, say
Rather than following expectations, speak what's truly on your mind.
the tourists came, they hadn't been in a while
Tourists visited the area after not having been there for some time.
and not having been there wasn't much to say and they left with a smile
As they didn't have much to talk about, the tourists left after a short stay feeling content.
and you said send them all home
The singer expressed a desire for all tourists to be sent back where they came from.
the tourists and i had a cigarette
The singer and some tourists shared a cigarette.
they says ah now i'm full of regrets
The tourists expressed regret about something.
i wonder if that service out of only visiting
The artist questions the value of just visiting a place and leaving with regret.
maybe tourists always tour around
The singer pondered if tourists simply go around visiting places.
looking for something that will not be found
The singer believes that tourists search for something but will not find it through visiting various destinations.
in the process of touring
This line further emphasizes that tourists will not find what they are looking for throughout their travels.
so i am and why do i do
The artist begins to question why they do certain things.
all the things that i do
The artist doesn't understand why they perform certain actions.
instead of doing the things that i want to do
The singer believes they should instead be doing things that they want to do.
and the truth of it is no one has slept for days
Nobody has been able to sleep for quite some time.
it is half hard to learn half hour to lose
This line suggests that learning is a difficult but essential task, whereas losing something is more careless and can be done quickly.
Contributed by Ryan S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.