While it has been confirmed that the band has officially retired, former members Alan Doyle and Séan McCann have continued performing in their own solo careers typically including music from Great Big Sea in their setlists.
The band played its first official concert on March 11, 1993, opening for The Irish Descendants at Memorial University of Newfoundland in St. John's, Newfoundland. The founding band members included Alan Doyle (vocals, guitar, bouzouki, mandolin), Séan McCann (vocals, bodhrán, guitar, tin whistle), Darrell Power (vocals, bass, guitar, bones), and Bob Hallett (vocals, fiddle, accordion, mandolin, concertina, bouzouki, whistles, bagpipes).
Power, McCann and Hallett had already been playing together in another band. In the winter of 1989, the band, a six-piece with guitar, bass, fiddle, accordion and mandolin played its first show at the Memorial University's winter carnival talent show under the name "Newfoundland Republican Army" or NRA, and won first prize. The band's only other appearance as NRA was later that winter at the university "Grad House". The band then dropped the fiddler, accordion player and the name.
The band found its new name as original bassist Jeff Scott rented an apartment on Rankin Street, St. John's, where the members first met and discussed the formation of the band. As a four-piece, the band first appeared as "Rankin Street" at a little pub in downtown St. John's called "The Rose and Thistle", playing for $100 and beer. They played through Sean McCann's stereo system, as renting a PA would have cost more than the night's earnings. Susan Hickey (guitar and vocals) left the band months later to attend school in Halifax and was replaced by Darrell Power. The band gained much popularity playing such local pubs as Bridget's and Greensleeves. In 1991 Jeff Scott was replaced by Jackie St. Croix on bass. The band released one recording on cassette titled "Rankin Street".
In 1997, the band reached the top ten of the Canadian RPM pop chart with "When I'm Up (I Can't Get Down)", a cover of a song by the British folk group Oysterband. They performed at the 1999 Stardust Picnic festival at Historic Fort York, Toronto.
The band won the Entertainer of the Year award at the East Coast Music Awards for every year between 1996 and 2000. In 2001, they decided not to submit their name for nomination in order to allow other bands to compete. They have also been nominated for several Juno Awards, including Group of the Year in 1998, 2005, 2009, and 2011.
Darrell Power retired from Great Big Sea in 2003 to spend more time with his family and friends. Supporting members of the band include Canadian freelance drummer Kris MacFarlane (2002) (drums, accordion, guitar, backing vocals) and Murray Foster (2003, formerly of the band Moxy Früvous) (bass, backing vocals).
In late 2005, the band released its long-awaited "traditional" album, The Hard and the Easy, on which they recorded their favourite Newfoundland party songs. The title of the album comes from a line of the song "Tickle Cove Pond", one of two songs on the album about a horse falling through ice.
On June 13, 2007, the band announced they would return to the studio with producer Hawksley Workman. On March 14, 2008, the band announced that the title of the new album would be Fortune's Favour, borrowing a phrase from one of the songs on the album, "England". The album was officially released on June 24, 2008 across all of North America.
On February 23, 2010, band member Séan McCann released his debut solo album Lullabies for Bloodshot Eyes to pleasing critical success.
On July 13, 2010, Great Big Sea released their new album Safe Upon the Shore in North America. Alan's "From the Road" blog on the band's website, originally confirmed its production in an April posting, speaking also of the album's subsequent release in July. "Nothing But A Song" was the first single off the bands' ninth studio recording, with a subsequent tour kicking off at the end of the summer 2010.
Great Big Sea announced a 'greatest hits' album titled "XX" in October 2012, accompanied by a 20th anniversary tour with 32 dates in 28 cities across the US and Canada which kicked off on March 5, 2013 in Los Angeles and finished in St. John's on April 23, 2013.
In 2013, McCann announced that he would be leaving the band at the end of the XX tour, much to the dismay of his bandmates. Struggling to maintain his new sobriety, he told his bandmates in January of 2013 that XX would be his last tour with the band, but the rest of the band and its management refused to announce this publicly. Finally, in November 2013 with XX almost over, McCann announced his departure himself in a tweet, feeling that the fans needed to know. While largely vilified by Great Big Sea fans with little said by the band or management to counter this view, McCann claims he was devastated by how Great Big Sea ended and wishes it could have gone differently.
Following McCann's departure, the remaining band members spent a year or so trying to find an amicable way that they could continue without him. Eventually coming to the realization that they didn’t want to go on like that, and happily retiring the band.
Can't Stop Falling
Great Big Sea Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I wasn't working undercover, I wasn't trying to pretend
But when you walked across the dance floor, just like the moon across the sky
I knew that I would have to see more, I knew that I would have to try
I look into your eyes and I realize
Oh no, I can't stop falling
My heart betrays me
Won't someone save me?
She jumped aboard the brown line, I accidentally caught her eye
She told me she was born a Libra, and I told her I was Gemini
She made suggestive conversation, then she lightly brushed my hand
Overcome by her temptation, we jumped off down by the strand
And in the English night, oh I realize it again
Oh no, I can't stop falling
My heart betrays me
And I know, I'll start to feel it all again
Won't someone save me?
She asks me to come inside, we could just talk for a while
I wonder if I should, but her touch, her touch, it feels so good.
I look into your eyes, and I realize it again.
Oh no, I can't stop falling
My heart betrays me
And I know, I'll start to feel it all again
Won't someone save me?
Great Big Sea's "Can't Stop Falling" tells the story of a chance encounter between two people who probably weren't expecting to find love or even a friend. The song's narrator recounts how he runs into a woman, and he is surprised by the immediate chemistry between them. The lyrics suggest he wasn't looking for anything serious, but he couldn't help falling for her, especially when she looks him in the eye. He tries to resist and asks for help, but his heart betrays him.
The verses of this song recount how the singer and his love interest meet, and how she joins him on the train. She initiates a subtle yet suggestive conversation with him, which culminates when she touches him lightly on the hand. The instrumentals of this song are quite upbeat and fun, but the lyrics are more reflective, as the singer struggles with his emotions. At the climax of the song, the woman invites him inside her house to talk, and he will soon have to choose whether he wants to pursue something more serious than a one-time encounter.
The phrase "can't stop falling" suggests that love is not under the singer's control. It's something that can happen accidentally or without intention, especially when two people connect as naturally as the characters in the song. Ultimately, the song reflects on the thrill of falling in love and the uncertainty that comes when one is unsure about how to proceed.
Line by Line Meaning
I wasn't looking for a lover, I wasn't looking for a friend
I wasn't actively seeking a romantic partner or friend
I wasn't working undercover, I wasn't trying to pretend
I wasn't trying to hide my true intentions or pretend to be someone I'm not
But when you walked across the dance floor, just like the moon across the sky
But when you walked across the dance floor, you caught my eye and captivated me like the moon in the sky
I knew that I would have to see more, I knew that I would have to try
I felt a strong desire to get to know you better and pursue a relationship
I look into your eyes and I realize
When I look into your eyes, I have a moment of clarity or realization
Oh no, I can't stop falling
I can't help but fall in love with you
My heart betrays me
I can't control my feelings and my heart takes over
And I know, I'll start to feel it all again
I know that my emotions will resurface and intensify
Won't someone save me?
I feel overwhelmed by my feelings and wish someone could rescue me from them
She jumped aboard the brown line, I accidentally caught her eye
She got on the train and I unintentionally made eye contact with her
She told me she was born a Libra, and I told her I was Gemini
She shared her zodiac sign and I shared mine as a means of getting to know each other
She made suggestive conversation, then she lightly brushed my hand
She flirted with me and touched my hand in a suggestive manner
Overcome by her temptation, we jumped off down by the strand
I was unable to resist her charms and we got off the train together by the beach
And in the English night, oh I realize it again
In the darkness of the night, I am reminded of my feelings towards her
She asks me to come inside, we could just talk for a while
She invites me to come inside and have a conversation with her
I wonder if I should, but her touch, her touch, it feels so good.
I question whether or not I should accept her invitation, but her touch is very enticing
I look into your eyes, and I realize it again.
When I look at you again, I am reminded of my intense feelings for you
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: ALAN DOYLE, SEAN MCCANN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Avanti Broad
Run Runaway, Mari Mac! These guys encompass all social/political thoughts/ideas/stereotypes, etc. One of the greatest Canadian bands. Great Big Sea - live long, live strong!
Sammie Gracia
I still remember the guy that introduced me to this band. I dont remember his name because of how long ago it was, but I am grateful for him showing me a great band. Thank you.
Corn Queen
These songs are always a joy hear
shaner10age
Wow! Great song!
ATeamsHannibal
this is why great big sea should be Canada's official band
ravynramon
Proud sons of Newfoundland, I miss home every time I hear their music.
innerauthor
I mean, as great as the song is
Barb Van Harn
What can I say but..... RUN RUNAWAY!
Champ675
THE NEXT WWE DIVA!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Champ675
Nothing like the airplane spin!!!!