In 2004, George Canyon competed in Nashville Star 2. He placed 2nd in the competition, but became very well known in Canada and garnered much support, being the only Canadian to make the cut for the competition. Since the competition has ended, he has received many accolades from fans and the industry alike. These include a number 1 hit about a still-born baby called "My Name," a Juno Award for Best Country Recording of the Year (for his album One Good Friend), and, most recently four Canadian Country Music Awards (CCMAs) including Male Vocalist of the Year and the Fan Choice Award.
Canyon is known for his support of SHARE (Share Pregnancy and Infant Loss Support, Inc. serves those whose lives are touched by the tragic death of a baby through early pregnancy loss, stillbirth, or in the first few months of life) and Animas Canada (company who makes insulin pumps, which George himself uses). His song "My Name" is reflective of why he has associated himself with SHARE.
George says:
"I co-wrote this song with Gordie Sampson from the perspective of an unborn baby. A close friend and his wife had a miscarriage, and I witnessed the pain they went through losing a baby. I wanted to write a song to help people cope with that trauma and somehow bring a positive light to the subject"
For photographs and additional information visit George's official website, www.George Canyon.com
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George's Band:
Joe Butcher (bass)
Stuart Cameron (guitar)
Erick Hedrick (guitar)
Shane Guse (fiddle and mandolin)
Adam Dowling (drums)
Mike Little (keyboards)
All Or Nothing
George Canyon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Of my last five bucks of gas.
I'm standing here with my hand out
Wondering how long bad luck can last.
Sent the money to the ex-wife,
But the check won't clear.
I'm burried in zeroes clean up to my ears.
My hail Mary must have missed her train
'cuz I can barely afford a rainy day.
I'm taking my swing, breaking the bat in two.
It ain't like I have jack to lose.
I guess you could say I'm down to my last shot,
Well it's all or nothing - nothing's all I got.
I'm gonna finish off that invention
That's gonna make me a millionaire.
Maybe focus my attention
On all the money hidden right out there.
Starting today I'm gonna turn it around
If I can just get one foot firm on the ground.
My hail Mary must have missed her train
'cuz I can barely afford a rainy day.
I'm taking my swing, breaking the bat in two.
It ain't like I have jack to lose.
I guess you could say I'm down to my last shot,
Well it's all or nothing - nothing's all I got.
Starting today I'm gonna turn it around
If I can just get one foot firm on the ground.
My hail Mary must have missed her train
'cuz I can barely afford a rainy day.
I'm taking my swing, breaking the bat in two.
It ain't like I have jack to lose.
I guess you could say I'm down to my last shot,
Well it's all or nothing - nothing's all I got.
Ya, I guess you could say I'm down to my last shot,
Well it's all or nothing - nothing's all I got.
The lyrics to George Canyon's "All or Nothing" due to their apparent simplicity, seem easy to decipher at first glance. But the song's main theme is the struggle of a person burdened by financial problems who is willing to take great risks in life to change their circumstances. Upon running out of gas, the singer is left stranded, and with his last bit of money, he sends it to his ex-wife, but it won't clear.
He realizes he has to hit rock bottom to start climbing back up again. "I'm taking my swing, breaking the bat in two. It ain't like I have jack to lose," he sings. The singer's hail Marys failed him, leaving him desperate to resolve his situation by hitting it big with an invention he has always been working on. The idea is finally about to become a reality. The song's powerful message of hope is evident when the singer decides to take his last shot, as all he has is nothing. The chorus serves to emphasize this point through repetition. The song encourages people never to give up, no matter how difficult their circumstances may seem.
Line by Line Meaning
I parked my car where it ran out
I had no more gas left in my car when I parked it.
Of my last five bucks of gas.
I used my last five dollars to buy gasoline.
I'm standing here with my hand out
I am broke and begging for help.
Wondering how long bad luck can last.
I am questioning why I am going through such a rough patch.
Sent the money to the ex-wife,
I sent some money to my former spouse.
But the check won't clear.
The payment I sent did not go through.
I'm burried in zeroes clean up to my ears.
I am in a lot of debt.
My hail Mary must have missed her train
My last-ditch effort failed to solve my financial problems.
'cuz I can barely afford a rainy day.
I can barely afford to save money for a rainy day.
I'm taking my swing, breaking the bat in two.
I am putting all my effort into taking a chance to turn my life around.
It ain't like I have jack to lose.
I have nothing to lose by trying to make a change.
I guess you could say I'm down to my last shot,
This is my final chance to make things better.
Well it's all or nothing - nothing's all I got.
I have nothing to fall back on, so I need to put everything into this one attempt to improve my situation.
I'm gonna finish off that invention
I am determined to complete my idea for an invention.
That's gonna make me a millionaire.
I believe that my invention will bring me wealth.
Maybe focus my attention
I might put my energy towards something else.
On all the money hidden right out there.
I am hopeful that there are financial opportunities out there for me to discover.
Starting today I'm gonna turn it around
I am determined to make a change, starting today.
If I can just get one foot firm on the ground.
I need to start with a small, achievable goal.
Ya, I guess you could say I'm down to my last shot,
This really is my last chance to make things right.
Well it's all or nothing - nothing's all I got.
I need to throw myself into making a change, because I am out of options.
Contributed by Brooklyn F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.