"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.
Late Last Night
Cross Canadian Ragweed Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yeah, I'm feeling like I usually feel after I feel alright
I don't wanna hear another word about morning
I can't take the light
Could you try to keep it down I was up kinda late last night
There's something inside this world that's gone so wrong
There's a gap between the rich and the poor a million miles long
Could you try to keep it down I was up kinda late last night
I was down at the bar like the fool I am
Dancing on the table to Son of Slam
I met a whole lot of people I still don't know
I just rolled in an hour ago
Could you try to keep it down
Try to keep it down
Try to keep it down I was up kinda late last night
I don't wanna hear about your Lollapaloza tour
Man, I just woke up and where I am I couldn't say for sure
I ain't the kinda guy to come and break all of you records
But then again I might
Could you try to keep it down I was up kinda late last night
Could you try to keep it down
Try to keep it down
Try to keep it down I was up kinda late last night
The lyrics to Cross Canadian Ragweed's "Late Last Night" is a song about the aftermath of a wild night out. The singer in the song is asking for quiet because they stayed up late the previous night and are feeling the effects. The lyrics suggest that the singer is feeling a sense of disillusionment with the state of the world and the huge gap between the rich and the poor that seems to exist. The singer also seems to be somewhat apathetic towards the idea of social activism, despite their admiration for those who take a stand against injustices.
The song features a somber and tired tone, as the singer is dealing with the physical and emotional toll of staying up late and possibly engaging in reckless behavior. They mention dancing on a table at a bar and meeting people they still don't know. Despite the fun they may have had, they are left feeling drained and regretful.
The chorus "Could you try to keep it down, try to keep it down, try to keep it down I was up kinda late last night" is repeated throughout the song and emphasizes the singer's need for peace and quiet after a long and exhausting night.
Line by Line Meaning
Could you try to keep it down I was up kinda late last night
Asking for quiet because they were up late and feeling the aftermath
Yeah, I'm feeling like I usually feel after I feel alright
Feeling the effects of partying and trying to recover
I don't wanna hear another word about morning
Not wanting to be reminded of the early hours after a long night out
I can't take the light
Sensitivity to light due to being up late
There's something inside this world that's gone so wrong
Commentary on societal issues and inequality
There's a gap between the rich and the poor a million miles long
Emphasizing the extreme wealth gap and unfair distribution
I dig the fact that you and your friends, you wanna stand up and make it right
Appreciating activism and efforts to address societal issues
I was down at the bar like the fool I am
Acknowledging engaging in questionable behavior
Dancing on the table to Son of Slam
Describing partying behavior and dancing to music
I met a whole lot of people I still don't know
Recounting meeting new people while out and about
I just rolled in an hour ago
Returning home recently
I don't wanna hear about your Lollapaloza tour
Not interested in hearing about someone else's experiences
Man, I just woke up and where I am I couldn't say for sure
Feeling disoriented and unsure of their surroundings
I ain't the kinda guy to come and break all of your records
Not striving for fame or accolades
But then again I might
Playful acknowledgement of potential for greatness
Lyrics © KEITH SYKES MUSIC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: TODD SNIDER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
BigRedPower59
Thanks a million for FINALLY posting the studio version of this!
Ryan Backus
This video was posted in 2014... you can unbunch your panties.
Charlie Clark
This band rocks!! Are they still playing together?