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
John Wilson
Craig Cardiff Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That broke open the ribs of your chest
Let the heart out to wander
Into such recklessness.
It's dangerous out there in the dark.
Meanwhile, back there in Ontario
John Wilson had gone
Made all the other boyfriends
Look so terrible, terrible!
This is no dress rehearsal!
No soundcheck! this is the show!
If all you wanna do is practice,
Maybe we should let it go...
All the countries
Lined all their words up
End upon end
Were embarrassed
When they discovered
How they had murdered
The simple perfect of language (like)
Kiss me oh and I'll kiss you too
Love me and I will love you
Be gentle with me, I'm as scared
I'm as scared as you
This is no dress rehearsal!
No soundcheck! this is the show!
If all you wanna do is practice,
Maybe we should let it go...
This is the sound of the heart unravelling
This is the sound of the heart unravelling
Love had tried to hitch-hike a ride
From thunder bay
Had greyhounded most of the ride
And Sat at the back of the bus by the cans where
All the guys out of jail would
Sit and drink themselves to sleep
Love held their hands
Love held their hands the whole way home
Through every little town
That did not want them back
Love leaned in, love was just like that
This is no dress rehearsal!
No soundcheck! this is the show!
If all you wanna do is practice,
Maybe we should let it go...
This is the sound of the heart unravelling
Craig Cardiff's song "John Wilson" tells a story of love that is both reckless and brave. The lyrics start by asking what caused someone to take such a big risk with their heart, what chemistry allowed their heart to escape their chest and wander into such a dangerous place. Then the song shifts to Ontario, where John Wilson has set the bar high for all other boyfriends by being a standout partner. However, the whole song is a reminder that love is not a rehearsal, it is not something to practice in order to get better at - this is the real thing.
The lyrics continue with imagery of the power of language, how words strung together can be the perfect expression of love. But eventually all countries, all forms of language, fall short of truly expressing the feelings of the heart. The heart unravels, and yet it still seeks a connection with another. The heart seeks love, and love is personified as a traveler hitch-hiking its way to where it needs to go. Love is not afraid to sit with those who have been discarded by society or to journey through towns that may not welcome them. Love reaches out and holds hands, no matter what.
Overall, "John Wilson" is a poignant song about the risks and rewards of love, and how it is not something to be taken lightly. It is about the power of language and the beauty of connection, and how the unraveling of the heart can lead to even deeper feelings of love and understanding.
Line by Line Meaning
Tell me what was the chemistry
Craig is asking what was the spark that caused John Wilson to stand out and be unique.
That broke open the ribs of your chest
Craig is referring to the overwhelming feeling of love that John Wilson caused in his partner's chest.
Let the heart out to wander
Craig is describing how John Wilson's love caused his partner's heart to freely follow wherever he went.
Into such recklessness.
Craig recognizes that such an intense, all-consuming love can sometimes lead to reckless behavior.
It's dangerous out there in the dark.
Craig understands that life and love can be dangerous and difficult to navigate on your own.
Meanwhile, back there in Ontario
Craig is using this line to transition to a new story or idea.
John Wilson had gone
John Wilson didn't just stand out from other boyfriends - he had left, possibly breaking Craig's partner's heart.
Made all the other boyfriends
John Wilson was so exceptional that he made all of Craig's partner's previous boyfriends seem terrible in comparison.
Look so terrible, terrible!
Craig is emphasizing how much of an impact John Wilson had on his partner's love life.
This is no dress rehearsal!
Craig believes that life is not a rehearsal and we should make the most of every opportunity we're given.
No soundcheck! this is the show!
Craig is emphasizing that this is the real, meaningful part of life, not just a practice run.
If all you wanna do is practice,
Craig questions why someone would only want to practice life, rather than fully engage with it.
Maybe we should let it go...
Craig suggests that if someone isn't fully committed to the relationship, it may be time to move on.
All the countries
Craig is using this metaphor to refer to different aspects of language and communication.
Lined all their words up
Craig is describing how language can be ordered and arranged meticulously.
End upon end
Craig is describing how language can be connected and ordered like a chain.
Were embarrassed
Craig is acknowledging how language can sometimes feel insufficient to express complicated feelings and ideas.
When they discovered
Craig is describing a collective realization or shift in thought around language.
How they had murdered
Craig is making a strong point about how language can rob emotions of their true meaning or value.
The simple perfect of language (like)
Craig mourns the loss of perfect, simple language that can truly convey the depth of human emotion.
Kiss me oh and I'll kiss you too
Craig is describing a moment of intimacy between two people that is deeply reciprocated.
Love me and I will love you
Craig is emphasizing that love begets love, and when you give it you receive it too.
Be gentle with me, I'm as scared
Craig is highlighting the vulnerability and fear that often come with expressing love and affection.
I'm as scared as you
Craig is normalizing the experience of feeling fearful in the face of overwhelming love and emotion.
This is the sound of the heart unravelling
Craig is using this poetic phrase to suggest that the feeling of love can be simultaneously powerful and destructive.
Love had tried to hitch-hike a ride
Craig is personifying love as a figure who is often on the run, trying to find a place to belong.
From thunder bay
Craig is using Thunder Bay, which is a city in Ontario, Canada, as a metaphor for a place of safety or sanctuary.
Had greyhounded most of the ride
Craig is using the Greyhound bus line as another reference to travel and trying to find safety or belonging.
And Sat at the back of the bus by the cans where
Craig is using this line to suggest that love has no real place in society and is often discarded at the periphery of human action.
All the guys out of jail would
Craig is using this image to refer to people who are most marginalized or excluded from society.
Sit and drink themselves to sleep
Craig is painting a picture of people who are deeply damaged and disconnected from society.
Love held their hands
Craig is suggesting that even those who are most marginalized and excluded from society still deserve love and affection.
Love held their hands the whole way home
Craig is using this phrase to suggest that love is not just for the privileged, but for everyone who seeks it.
Through every little town
Craig is emphasizing that love transcends geographic boundaries.
That did not want them back
Craig is acknowledging the reality that not everyone, including entire towns or communities, will welcome love or marginalized people with open arms.
Love leaned in, love was just like that
Craig is underscoring the idea that love is enduring and ever-present in the face of adversity.
This is the sound of the heart unravelling
Craig uses this poetic phrase to suggest that the cycle of love, with all its ups and downs, is an ongoing process of growth and unraveling.
Writer(s): CARDIFF CRAIG
Contributed by Layla E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.