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
Radio #9
Craig Cardiff Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Says it's time I get my act together
And I say would I could were I clever
Rachel calls me up to say it's over
And all the stories from the road
And all the people that you've met
And all the things you said you'd do
And we are experiencing signal loss
Houston I think we've got a problem
Houston please come in, transmit
I need to be sure you're receiving
Are you receiving?
Why don't you radio home?
Why don't you radio home?
Why don't you radio home?
Old bars, alcohol and cigarettes
Late to rise late to show and late for bed
You say you're this self contained unit
How having me around would only ruin it
And all the stories from the road
And all the people that you've met
And all the things you said you'd do
Are all the things that you never did
And we are experiencing signal loss
Houston I think we've got a problem
Houston please come in, transmit
I need to be sure you're receiving
Are you receiving?
And I said
Why don't you radio?
Why don't you radio?
And why don't you radio home?
And why don't you...
And why don't you radio home?
Why don't you radio home?
Why don't you radio home?
Radio home
Radio home
The song "Radio #9" by Craig Cardiff is a sad and introspective piece about a failed relationship and the loneliness that comes with life on the road. The first verse is about a phone call from Rachel, presumably the singer's ex-girlfriend, telling him that it's over and that he needs to get his act together. The singer responds by saying he wishes he could be clever enough to salvage the relationship. The second verse seems to be a reflection on the past and the missed opportunities that have led to the current state of affairs. The singer is haunted by the things he's said he would do and the people he's met on the road, but hasn't followed through on any of it, leading to a sense of regret and disillusionment.
The chorus of the song is an appeal to someone or something to respond, to connect, to alleviate the loneliness. There's a sense of urgency and desperation in the repeated line "Why don't you radio home?" The metaphor of radio transmission seems to be a way of expressing the isolation that the singer feels. He's sending out a signal, but is unsure if anyone is receiving it, which mirrors his emotional state. In the final verse, the singer seems to be addressing himself, asking why he can't find a way to connect with others, and why he can't "radio home" himself.
Overall, "Radio #9" is a poignant and introspective song about the difficulties of maintaining relationships and a sense of community while living a nomadic lifestyle. The song's melancholy tone and haunting melody make it a powerful expression of loneliness and isolation.
Line by Line Meaning
Rachel calls me up to say it's over
The singer receives a call from Rachel ending their relationship.
Says it's time I get my act together
Rachel suggests that the singer needs to improve their behavior.
And I say would I could were I clever
The singer expresses a desire to be more intelligent and capable.
And all the stories from the road
The artist reflects on their experiences while traveling.
And all the people that you've met
The artist remembers the individuals they've encountered on their travels.
And all the things you said you'd do
The singer recalls the promises they made but did not fulfill.
Are all the things that you never did
The promises made by the singer were not kept and remained unfulfilled.
And we are experiencing signal loss
The artist implies that their communication with others is not strong.
Houston I think we've got a problem
The artist references communication issues experienced by NASA space missions.
Houston please come in, transmit
The artist calls for communication from their partner, using a NASA-inspired reference.
I need to be sure you're receiving
The singer wants reassurance that their message is being received and understood.
Why don't you radio home?
The artist pleads with their partner to communicate better and make contact with home.
Old bars, alcohol and cigarettes
The singer describes their unhealthy habits and lifestyle.
Late to rise late to show and late for bed
The singer is consistently tardy in all aspects of their life.
You say you're this self contained unit
The singer's partner claims to be self-sufficient and self-sustaining.
How having me around would only ruin it
The artist's partner believes that their presence would negatively impact their self-sufficiency.
And I said Why don't you radio?
The artist again requests for better communication from their partner.
Why don't you radio home?
The singer continues to plead for their partner to reach out to their home.
Radio home
The singer again implores their partner to make contact with their home.
Contributed by Declan G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.