"My dad was a guitar player. He played with Bob Wills and a little bit with Reba McEntire when she was first starting out," says Ragsdale. "He really didn't want me to be a drummer but I insisted. I found a set of drums in a neighbor's trash one day and hauled them into the cellar. He kind of figured out after about a year that I was serious and finally got me a new drum set. And when he met Cody, he realized his talent and how seriously we wanted to take music, and he really pushed us. He completely drove us up the wall, but later down the road, we realized he did it for a good reason."
Once the band got its chops they moved to Stillwater, Okla., where acts like Mike McClure's Great Divide and singer-songwriter Jimmy LaFave had established enough of a local scene to earn Stillwater the nickname "North Austin" (or, depending on your perspective, "West Nashville"). Inspired by McClure's self-penned Great Divide songs (and more than a little by early Steve Earle), the band quickly grew out of its Merle Haggard and classic rock covers and began focusing on Canada's uncommonly honest and straight-forward originals. A potent foursome of albums -- 1998's Carney, 1999's Live at the Wormy Dog, 2001's Highway 377 and 2002's Live at Billy Bob's Texas -- collectively sold more 70,000 copies to date. Combined with the band's average of 200 gigs a year, Cross Canadian Ragweed cinched a place at the top of the Texas-Oklahoma music totem pole.
"We're a little more rock 'n' roll than other people [from the Oklahoma/Texas scene], and that's not a bad thing," laughs Canada, whose Southern-fried lead guitar licks betray his love of heroes like Stevie Ray Vaughan, Pete Anderson (of Dwight Yoakam fame) and Eddie Van Halen -- not to mention the fact that he's been playing since he was 8 years old.
After building a huge concert following in Texas and Oklahoma, the band decided to look into signing a record deal. In 2003, fledgling label Universal South released a self-titled album (produced by McClure) that the band recorded prior to signing their record deal. They released Soul Gravy in 2004 and Garage in 2005.
Their offical website is at www.crosscanadianragweed.com.
Cry Lonely
Cross Canadian Ragweed Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And you can't hold back your tears
And you're so afraid to be alone
You know I'm always right here
[Chorus:]
You cry lonely
And I come runnin'
I chase your blues away
You cry lonely
But you don't really want me
And I won't be there one of these days
You always say your heart is breakin'
Then you hear the wolf outside your door
I know you, you just use me
Till you don't need me anymore
[Chorus]
Someday when you know you really love me
Your gonna cry my name
And I'll be gone
[Chorus]
I won't be there
When you cry my name
I won't be there
When you cry my name
The lyrics to Cross Canadian Ragweed's song Cry Lonely is a sad and melancholic portrayal of a person who is in love with someone who takes advantage of their presence only when they feel lonely. The song begins with a metaphorical depiction of the rain running down the window as tears. The persona in the song is aware that their lover is afraid of being alone, and they are always there to comfort and chase away their blues. However, the lover only calls upon their presence when they need them and does not genuinely want them.
The chorus of the song is where the true meaning of the song is portrayed. The persona sings that they come running to their lover's rescue whenever they cry lonely, but their lover doesn't really want them. They explain that they know they are being used, and it is only a matter of time before their presence is no longer required. It is a sad portrayal of a love that is only convenient.
The persona in the song is aware of their worth, and they acknowledge that someday, their lover will truly realize that they love them. However, it will be too late, and they will not be there to comfort them anymore. The song ends with a repetition of the chorus and a final statement of not being there when their lover cries their name. It is a powerful and emotional song that depicts unrequited love that is only used for convenience.
Line by Line Meaning
When the rain runs down your window
When you're feeling down and crying
And you can't hold back your tears
You feel like you can't control your emotions
And you're so afraid to be alone
You're scared of being without someone
You know I'm always right here
I'll always be there to support you
You cry lonely
You're crying all by yourself
And I come runnin'
I'm always there to come to your aid
I come to your rescue
I'm here to help you out
I chase your blues away
I try to make you feel better
But you don't really want me
You don't actually want me there
And I won't be there one of these days
I won't be around forever
You always say your heart is breakin'
You're always telling me that you're heartbroken
Then you hear the wolf outside your door
You feel like danger is lurking
I know you, you just use me
I'm aware that you're taking advantage of me
Till you don't need me anymore
Until you no longer require my presence
Someday when you know you really love me
Eventually, when you realize you truly love me
Your gonna cry my name
You're going to call out for me
And I'll be gone
But I won't be there anymore
I won't be there
I won't be around
When you cry my name
When you need me most
I won't be there
I won't be there to help you
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: GARY NICHOLSON, CHRIS KNIGHT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
putang Inamo
One of my all time favorites by this band. This song should have been a freaking HIT, on every Country/Rock radio station in the country.
vulture vomit
To those of you who know its a Chris Knight song...y'all know how well he writes. CCR fans need to look it up!
RangusJ
Came here just to check and see if it was the Chris Knight song lol. I figured it was one he wrote for them
John Harker
As a product of good 70s rock real rock these guys nailed it , 20 to 30 yrs later. Music media consultants have riuned mainstream radio
DangerHenderson_
One night I went to go see a girl that I really liked alot, she told me that said she needed me really bad so I drove a few hrs to be there for her but to my horror when I got there she was asleep... I drove home alone and sad as this song played🥺
Gideon
That’s what’s up brodie
putang Inamo
This song is so amazing. With CCR's catalog of truly amazing songs, they should have been household names. In another time, I think they would have.
Rick
Thank Chris Night
Mark Jaramillo
I'm always down for some good ole' fashioned Country Music this song takes me into deep thoughts great times of my life, I love this jam, along with Whiskey Myers.
Darla Wood
LOVE THIS SONG!!! ME AND MY GIRLS PLAY THIS SONG ON ROCK BAND COUNTRY!!! I'M THE DRUMMER!!!