Andrew and Catherine grew up on opposite sides of the island of Newfoundland – Mount Pearl and Corner Brook respectively. It was in St. John’s where the pair met and began to sing together. One night in 2010, Andrew heard Catherine sing harmony with her brother at a private gathering in downtown St John’s. He had to sing with her. The next day he got up the nerve, left her a note, she acquiesced, and within 48 hours they were singing together on stage. While it was a road from that evening to the formation of Fortunate Ones in 2013, their beginnings are in keeping with one of the core messages they carry. That sometimes the most important decision you can make is to just say YES.
From a musical family, the Allan home was a constant eclectic flow of instruments, singing and the stereo. Catherine studied classical piano, taught herself guitar in secret, and discovered the accordion by chance when her brother brought one home over Christmas in 2011. Musical exploration was the norm. After moving to St. John’s, Catherine’s induction to the East Coast music scene was rapid – performing with Andrew, recording and touring extensively with JUNO award-winning songwriter Amelia Curran, and appearing at festivals with Curran and East Coast songwriter Don Brownrigg.
Andrew James O’Brien launched his music career with a well-received solo album Songs for Searchers (2011) – nominated for Best Pop Recording at the 2012 East Coast Music Awards. He toured heavily in Canada and the UK, opening for artists such as Sharon Shannon and Paul Brady. Catherine accompanied him. It was on a UK tour that they realized the direction their collaboration was taking. The appreciation shown by UK audiences bolstered the pair’s sense of purpose. Their music began to evolve to represent both of their sensibilities, skills and sounds.
Plain and simple, they consider themselves fortunate to pursue their dreams. Their name reflects shared experience with audiences. It is about connecting people of all kinds, to make strangers friends, to elicit feelings of joy, hope, sadness, and contemplation – and the spirit that we are all in this together.
Produced by multi-ECMA winner Daniel Ledwell, THE BLISS was recorded at Lake Echo in Nova Scotia during the winter of 2014, and features guest appearances by East Coast favorites Jenn Grant, Don Brownrigg, and Kinley Dowling. The Bliss was released on JUNO award winning songwriter Rose Cousins’ record label Old Farm Pony Records on February 10, 2015.
Wherever You Go
Fortunate Ones Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
So you leave to the tune of a wandering song
Someday you'll see before too long
That they're gonna miss you when you're gone
So you get in a car with all your plans
You look down to see a stranger's hands
Wherever you go, go with all your heart
The way that you planned it at the start
To go all the way with all your heart
To go all the way with your whole heart
The way that you planned it at the start
Everyone says that it's plain to see
That everyone knows myself but me
We try in our own way just to be
A shade of the people in our dreams
A shade of the people in our dreams
We try in our own way just to be
We try in our own way just to be
A shade of the people that we see
So sing like a bird or like a kid
Remember the days when that's what you did
Where is that smile that used to break
Sunlight in the morning on your face
The lyrics to Fortunate Ones's song Wherever You Go depict the feelings of wanting to escape the constant criticism and judgment of others. The song acknowledges the common experience of feeling like you don't truly know yourself, while also encouraging listeners to pursue their dreams and live life to the fullest. It begins by acknowledging that others often criticize us when we make mistakes, leading us to wander away from their judgmental gaze. Eventually, however, we realize that the people who once criticized us will miss us when we're gone, suggesting that perhaps they didn't fully appreciate us in the first place.
The lyrics then transition to a more positive message of living life with all your heart and pursuing your goals. The line "The way that you planned it at the start" emphasizes the importance of staying true to your own dreams and desires, despite the criticism of others. The following verse reflects on the way that we often try to emulate the people we admire, but ultimately can only be a "shade" of them. Finally, the song concludes with a call to remember to hold onto the joy and innocence of childhood and not let go of the things that bring us happiness.
Overall, the lyrics of Wherever You Go encourage listeners to chase their dreams, stay true to themselves, and remember to find joy in life amidst the criticism of others.
Line by Line Meaning
Everyone tells you when you're wrong
People often criticize you for your actions and decisions.
So you leave to the tune of a wandering song
You leave to fulfill your desires and aspirations.
Someday you'll see before too long
One day you'll realize the significance of your journey.
That they're gonna miss you when you're gone
People will start missing you when you're no longer around.
So you get in a car with all your plans
You start your journey with your dreams and goals.
You look down to see a stranger's hands
You realize that life and its experiences are unpredictable.
Wherever you go, go with all your heart
No matter where you go, pursue it with passion and dedication.
The way that you planned it at the start
Stick to your original plan and aspirations.
Everyone says that it's plain to see
People believe that they know you better than yourself.
That everyone knows myself but me
You try to find yourself but people's opinions overshadow.
We try in our own way just to be
We strive to be true to ourselves and our ambitions.
A shade of the people in our dreams
We try to reflect the qualities of our ideal self.
So sing like a bird or like a kid
Embrace your joyful spirit, and don't hold back on expressing yourself.
Remember the days when that's what you did
Recall the times when you were carefree and authentic.
Where is that smile that used to break
Wonder where your happy demeanor has gone.
Sunlight in the morning on your face
Reference to feeling content and happy.
Contributed by Riley M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@angel_lou555
Everyone tells you when you're wrong
So you leave to the tune of a wandering song
Someday you'll see before too long
That they're gonna miss you when you're gone
So you get in a car with all your plans
You look down to see a stranger's hands
Wherever you go, go with all your heart
The way that you planned it at the start
The way that you planned it at the start
To go all the way with all your heart
To go all the way with your whole heart
The way that you planned it at the start
Everyone says that it's plain to see
That everyone knows myself but me
We try in our own way just to be
A shade of the people in our dreams
A shade of the people in our dreams
We try in our own way just to be
We try in our own way just to be
A shade of the people that we see
So sing like a bird or like a kid
Remember the days when that's what you did
Where is that smile that used to break
Sunlight in the morning on your face
@Valencia0410
Good witch.. I remember Cassie and Sam love you both 💞⚡
@indayliza09
good witch led me here... wonderful song indeed.
@ciarafinley16
Same 😄
@cathidorris8858
Same
@evydidriksen1296
Me too :-)
@InglesparaProva
Same thing
@dianastrauss2847
Me, too. Good Witch did it for me also.
@goldenhorde6944
Just had these guys live in Halifax, felt so proud to be a Canadian!
@amandahall2005
Beautiful I've been praying for such a beautiful song 💗🙏
@rowenaosorio9356
Heartland brought me here❤️❤️❤️