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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Pushed
Craig Cardiff Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I wasn't sure if I could come by
All our angry words didn't hold much water
In the face of all your, of all your pain
I said a night with Ani Difranco, the Rheostatics, and Pierre Trudeau
A few beers should fix us up just right
I'm feeling older than, than I've ever felt
So, and I pushed you, and you pushed harder
And I pushed you, and you pushed farther
And I pushed you, and then you
You pushed me away
You pushed me away
Maybe you'll always be angry
Maybe when we're eighty we'll talk if you make it and we'll say
None of this ever really mattered
Now that we figured out what matters more
I said a night with Ani Difranco, the Rheostatics, and Scott Denoa
A few beers should fix us up just right
And I'm feeling older than, than I've ever felt
In the whole span of my life
I pushed you, and you pushed harder
And I pushed you, and you pushed farther
And I pushed you, and then you
Pushed me away
In these lyrics, Craig Cardiff reflects on a past conflict with someone, likely a friend or loved one, who was involved in an accident. He starts by acknowledging the distance between them, unsure if he should visit the person due to their previous arguments. The anger expressed towards each other seems insignificant in the face of the pain the other person is going through.
The mention of spending a night with Ani DiFranco, the Rheostatics, and Pierre Trudeau, along with a few beers, suggests the singer's attempt to find solace or distraction from their own emotions. However, despite these efforts, the singer feels older and more burdened than they ever have in their entire life. This suggests that the weight of the conflict and the accident has deeply affected them emotionally.
There is a repeated motif of pushing, symbolizing the push and pull dynamic within their relationship. The singer acknowledges that they have pushed the other person, and likewise, the other person has pushed back, even pushing them away. It's a metaphor for the cycle of conflict and distancing that has characterized their relationship.
Towards the end, the singer acknowledges the possibility that their friend or loved one may always hold onto their anger, and that it may take a long time for them to reconcile, potentially not until they are old and have gained perspective. However, the singer also suggests that, in the grand scheme of things, the conflicts they had are not as important as they once seemed. They have realized that what truly matters is figuring out what is truly important.
Overall, these lyrics speak to the complexities of relationships and conflicts. It explores the lingering impact of past arguments, the desire for reconciliation, and the recognition of what truly matters in life.
Line by Line Meaning
This is a song I wrote after I heard about your accident
I wrote this song in response to learning about your accident.
I wasn't sure if I could come by
I wasn't certain if I could visit you.
All our angry words didn't hold much water
Our arguments and disagreements were insignificant.
In the face of all your, of all your pain
Considering the pain you were experiencing.
I said a night with Ani Difranco, the Rheostatics, and Pierre Trudeau
I suggested that spending an evening with specific people could help us.
A few beers should fix us up just right
Having a few beers would be the perfect remedy for us.
I'm feeling older than, than I've ever felt
I feel incredibly old, more than ever before.
In the whole span of my life
Throughout the entirety of my existence.
So, and I pushed you, and you pushed harder
So, I exerted pressure on you, and you resisted with even greater force.
And I pushed you, and you pushed farther
I continued to push you, and you distanced yourself even more.
And I pushed you, and then you
I persisted in pushing you, and then you
You pushed me away
You rejected me and pushed me aside.
Maybe you'll always be angry
Perhaps you will always harbor anger.
Maybe when we're eighty we'll talk if you make it and we'll say
Possibly, when we reach the age of eighty, if you survive, we will converse and reflect.
None of this ever really mattered
None of this truly had significance.
Now that we figured out what matters more
Now that we have discovered what is truly important.
I said a night with Ani Difranco, the Rheostatics, and Scott Denoa
I proposed that spending an evening with specific people could help us.
A few beers should fix us up just right
Having a few beers would be the perfect remedy for us.
And I'm feeling older than, than I've ever felt
And I feel incredibly old, more than ever before.
In the whole span of my life
Throughout the entirety of my existence.
I pushed you, and you pushed harder
I exerted pressure on you, and you resisted with even greater force.
And I pushed you, and you pushed farther
I continued to push you, and you distanced yourself even more.
And I pushed you, and then you
I persisted in pushing you, and then you
Pushed me away
Rejected me and pushed me aside.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Craig Cardiff
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind