"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.
other side
Cross Canadian Ragweed Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Tired of walkin' around alone
Gettin' used to myself gettin' older
But not accustomed to getting' spit on
I've been takin' too much lately
And myself not takin' my share
So watch out steppin' stone walkin' over me
People I've had it up to here
Spent my whole life lookin' back
Not lookin' ahead to see
Trying to keep my feet on track
Doin' what was expected of me
Kick my shoes off so they can't trace me
Leave no forwarding address
Before they all drive me crazy
And I leave 'em all in a bloody mess
I've gotta ride
Fly high
Everybody gonna eat my dust
I gotta move so I won't rust
Got me a one way ticket to the other side
And I gotta ride
Maybe folks will think I'm dead
Maybe even change my name
Maybe they'll forget about me
Forget that I ever came
I'll come back one day just watch me
Back when I think I deserve
You know they're all gonna drive me
Yeah they're gonna drive me to a ball of nerves
I've gotta ride
Fly high
Everybody gonna eat my dust
I gotta move so I won't rust
Got me a one way ticket to the other side
And I gotta ride
I've gotta ride
Fly high
Everybody gonna eat my dust
I gotta move so I won't rust
Got me a one way ticket to the other side
And I gotta ride
In Cross Canadian Ragweed's song Other Side, the lyrics tell a story of a person who has grown tired of constantly looking over their shoulder and walking alone. They are getting used to getting older, but not accustomed to being spit on. The person has been taking too much lately and not receiving their fair share. They are warning others to watch out when walking over them, as they have had enough. The person has spent their entire life looking back and doing what was expected of them. They are ready to break free and leave no trace behind. They have a one-way ticket to the other side and they are ready to ride.
The song is about breaking free from expectations and living life on your own terms. It is a call to action, encouraging listeners to take control of their own lives and not let others walk all over them. The lyrics are relatable to anyone who has felt trapped by societal norms or expectations placed upon them. It is a powerful message of self-determination and personal empowerment.
Line by Line Meaning
Gettin' tired of looking over my shoulder
I am exhausted from constantly feeling like someone is watching me or something bad will happen.
Tired of walkin' around alone
I am tired of feeling lonely and isolated, without anyone to share my experiences with.
Gettin' used to myself gettin' older
I am becoming more accustomed to the idea of getting older, but it is still a difficult concept to accept.
But not accustomed to getting' spit on
Despite getting older, I am still not used to being treated poorly or disrespected by others.
I've been takin' too much lately
I have been tolerating too much negativity and abuse from others recently.
And myself not takin' my share
I have not been standing up for myself or taking my fair share in situations where I should.
So watch out steppin' stone walkin' over me
Be careful not to take advantage of my kindness or good nature, because I will not tolerate it forever.
People I've had it up to here
I am fed up with the way people have been treating me and I am at my breaking point.
Spent my whole life lookin' back
I have spent most of my life dwelling on the past, rather than looking forward to the future.
Not lookin' ahead to see
I have not been planning or preparing for the future, and have been living in the present and past only.
Trying to keep my feet on track
I have been trying to stay on the right path and not let my past mistakes or regrets derail me.
Doin' what was expected of me
I have been following the expectations and norms set for me by society and those around me, rather than pursuing my own desires.
Kick my shoes off so they can't trace me
I want to disappear or run away from my current situation, leaving no trail or way for others to find me.
Leave no forwarding address
I want to sever all ties and connections to my past life, and start fresh with no way for anyone to contact me.
Before they all drive me crazy
I want to escape from the people and situations that are negatively affecting my mental health and well-being.
And I leave 'em all in a bloody mess
I am considering using extreme and violent measures to escape my current situation, even if it means hurting others.
Maybe folks will think I'm dead
I hope that by disappearing, others will assume I am dead and stop looking for me or bothering me.
Maybe even change my name
I am considering changing my identity and starting a new life with a different name.
Maybe they'll forget about me
I hope that by disappearing, others will eventually forget about me and move on with their lives without me in it.
Forget that I ever came
I want to erase my entire past and existence from the memories of those who knew me.
I'll come back one day just watch me
Despite my desire to escape and disappear, I know that I will eventually come back to face my problems and confront those who hurt me.
Back when I think I deserve
I will return when I feel that I have improved or changed enough to deserve a better life than the one I left behind.
You know they're all gonna drive me
I am aware that the people and situations I want to escape from will eventually push me to my breaking point and force me to make a change.
Yeah they're gonna drive me to a ball of nerves
The stress and pressure I am under will eventually take a toll on my mental health and make me anxious and unstable.
I've gotta ride
I need to take control of my life and make changes to improve my situation.
Fly high
I need to aim high and have big aspirations for my future.
Everybody gonna eat my dust
I am determined to succeed and leave those who doubted or hurt me behind, while I race towards my goals.
I gotta move so I won't rust
I need to keep moving forward and making progress, so that I don't become stagnant or complacent in my life.
Got me a one way ticket to the other side
I am committed to making a permanent change in my life and leaving my past behind for good.
And I gotta ride
I am determined to take charge of my life and make changes to improve my situation, no matter how challenging it may be.
Lyrics © Bluewater Music Corp.
Written by: CODY JAY CANADA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind