The year 2008 is shaping up to be a big one for Lacombe, Alberta's Gord Bamford. Gord continues his winning ways with the July release of his third single from the acclaimed "Honkytonks And Heartaches" album. "Postcard from Pasadena" was written by Gord and song writing partner Byron Hill. The award winning Stephano Barberis produced the video for the song and filmed it in the desert atmosphere of Osoyoos B.C.
In January Gord had released his second single and the song "Stayed ‘Til Two" rocketed into the top ten after only four weeks of release. The song, again penned by Gord and co-producer Byron Hill tells the familiar story of the guy who went for "one" and time just slipped away.
It was in early February that Gord also received his first Juno nomination, with the aforementioned album being nominated for "Country Recording Of The Year". An appearance on the 2008 Juno Awards show followed in April, as "Stayed ‘Til Two" reached the top of the national radio and video charts.
In May, Gord was approached by The Calgary Stampede to write a song commemorating the saga and tradition of the cowboy hat. Gord, along with co-writer Hill penned “This Old Hat”. The song was premiered at the Stampede’s Media Conference and gained local play in Southern Alberta. Gord commented on the song, “First of all I was very honoured that the Calgary Stampede asked me to write this song and even more excited that it was well received. The title “This Old Hat” was something that I felt I could write about without having to dig too deep within myself. I was brought up in a rural Alberta town and amongst a family that lives the true Western Heritage. My upbringing was exemplified by hard work and integrity. This song therefore struck a real chord with me as a person and how I strive to live my life.”
Since the release of the album in September 2007, Gord has quickly established himself as one of the "young guns" of country music. The first single "Blame It On That Red Dress" was released to radio in early August and by mid-October was firmly entrenched in the Top Ten in Canada, as well as being the highest charted single by a Canadian artist at that point. The video for "Blame It On That Red Dress" was filmed on the beach in Tofino, B.C. and in early November reached the Number One spot on CMT's Chevy Top Twenty.
In October, 2007, Gord was featured in the cover story of Country Music News, and the publisher Larry Delaney, says of the new album, “…just watch what this one should deliver. It’s the stuff that “Album Of The Year” are made of!!” True enough, the album was selected as Country Music News’ Canadian Album Of The Year.
Gord got his start in the way that many artists do, playing bars, opening for stars too numerous to mention, and saving enough money to go into the studio. Those efforts resulted in the release of his first album “God’s Green Earth” in 2001, followed by the breakthrough release “Life Is Good” in 2004. The album generated six top twenty radio hits and firmly established Gord as an up and coming star on Canada’s country music scene.
Gord spent 2006 doing what he does best – song writing and touring. He once again turned to his writing friends and started putting together songs for what would be his third album, “Honkytonks And Heartaches”. Gord also wrote in earnest with Byron Hill on frequent trips to Nashville, and those efforts resulted in nine songs for the new album. The album was recorded in Nashville and Saskatoon in 2007, with Gord and Byron at the production helm, and noted Canadian producer Bart McKay, spearheading vocal mixing.
Byron says of Gord, “He’s a true country artist and is destined to be a huge star. His very likeable personality will endear him to even the harshest critics of the genre, and those who really know the genre will instantly hear Gord’s roots. Gord Bamford lives it, breathes it and sings it. Alberta better hurry up and name a street after this guy before Texas does. He’s earned his song writing stripes with this album”.
Heroes
Gord Bamford Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
High school
Being cool was a golden rule
Didn't matter what anyone else would say
New shirts that our mamas bought
We were thinking we were mighty hot
My chest sighed
Undisputed champions of the hallway
And we were all heroes
Legends in our own minds
Chasing down dreams on Friday nights
Cruisin' down the back roads
Singin' to the radio
We were all heroes
You might say
Stole the keys to my daddy's truck
That tough old man
I was pushing my luck
The things you do to impress the boys
With six cold old beer
And three good friends
A George Strait tape that never ends
The starry nights and country girls
No better time in this whole world
We were all heroes
Legends in our own minds
Chasing down dreams on Friday nights
Cruisin' down the back roads
Singin' to the radio
We were all heroes
You might say
And I still think about those days
But we grew up and things changed
We were all heroes
Legends in our own minds
Chasing down dreams on Friday nights
Cruisin' down the back roads
Singin' to the radio
We were all heroes
You might say
You might say
We were all heroes
The lyrics to Gord Bamford's song 'Heroes' appear to be a nostalgic reflection on the carefree days of youth. The song seems to be about growing up, and how our ideas of what it means to be a hero change over time. The lyrics describe the innocence and naivety of high school days, where being cool was the most important thing, regardless of what anyone else thought. The song's chorus emphasizes how we see ourselves as heroes, even when we are not, and how we chase our dreams on Friday nights, cruising down back roads and singing along to the radio.
The verses of the song describe different moments from Bamford's youth, such as stealing his dad's truck and impressing his friends, and feeling like the undisputed champions of the high school hallway. These scenarios are relatable, as many of us have a similar memory of trying to be cool and impressing our peers in our teenage years. However, as the song progresses, the lyrics suggest a yearning for the simplicity of those times, with Bamford admitting that he still thinks about those days, but things have changed as he has grown older.
Overall, the song's lyrics convey a message about the innocence of youth and how we view ourselves in that time. It emphasizes that no matter who we are, we all have moments where we feel like heroes, and that's a feeling that is hard to replicate once we grow up.
* 'Heroes' is the lead single from Gord Bamford's 2013 album 'Country Junkie'.
* The song was co-written by Bamford and Byron Hill, who has written numerous hits for country artists, including George Strait and Kenny Rogers.
* The music video for 'Heroes' was shot in Alberta, Canada, and features Bamford driving around in a vintage Ford pickup truck.
* The song was a top 10 hit on the Canadian country charts, and it has been certified Gold in Canada.
* Bamford has stated that the song is one of his favorites to perform live, as it often prompts a nostalgic response from the audience.
* Bamford has won multiple Canadian Country Music Association awards, including Album of the Year in 2014 for 'Country Junkie'.
* 'Heroes' has been covered by a number of artists, including Canadian country singer Tim Hicks.
* Bamford is known for his support of military veterans, and has performed for troops both in Canada and overseas.
* The song's lyrics were inspired by Bamford's own experiences growing up in rural Alberta.
* According to Bamford, the song's chorus was influenced by the George Jones hit 'Who's Gonna Fill Their Shoes'.
Chords:
(Intro): G D Am7 C/G
(Verse): G D Am7 C/G
(Chorus): Em7 D Am7 C/G (x2)
(Bridge): Em7 D C/G Am7 D G
Line by Line Meaning
First day
The beginning of a new journey
High school
A phase of life where one expects to be popular
Being cool was a golden rule
Conformity was highly valued
Didn't matter what anyone else would say
Opinions didn't matter much as long as one was popular
New shirts that our mamas bought
The excitement of having new clothes
We were thinking we were mighty hot
Feeling confident and attractive
My chest sighed
Feeling content with oneself
We were feelin' like cash was free
Feeling rich or invincible
Undisputed champions of the hallway
Feeling superior and unbeatable
And we were all heroes
Feeling like invincible legends
Legends in our own minds
Thinking highly of ourselves
Chasing down dreams on Friday nights
Aspiring to achieve something big over the weekend
Cruisin' down the back roads
Driving around without any destination
Singin' to the radio
Singing out loud to one's favorite tunes
We were all heroes
Feeling invincible
You might say
Perhaps
Stole the keys to my daddy's truck
Taking something without permission
That tough old man
A father who is strict
I was pushing my luck
Feeling daring or rebellious
The things you do to impress the boys
Going to any lengths to impress peers
With six cold old beer
Alcohol as an element of fun
And three good friends
Friendship and companionship
A George Strait tape that never ends
A favorite artist's music that plays non-stop
The starry nights and country girls
Romanticizing the countryside
No better time in this whole world
Thinking that the present was the best time
And I still think about those days
Memories that still linger
But we grew up and things changed
Realizing that things are not the same anymore
We were all heroes
Thinking of ourselves as invincible
You might say
Perhaps
Lyrics © OLE MEDIA MANAGEMENT LP
Written by: Gord Bamford, Duane E. Bjorklund, Casey A Moore, Dean M Pezderic
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind