Best known for their raucous live performances, the band became one of the most commercially successful Canadian rock bands of the 1990s. Over their career the band enjoyed nationwide radio-play in Canada and had several Juno Award nominations. Their musicianship is typically tight and energetic, their music usually heavy and rough; lyrics range from break-ups to addiction, damnation to necrophilia.
The band signed to MCA Records in 1993 and released Picture of Health, with the original drummer Mark Gibson, but he left the band after touring for Picture of Health was over. Dale Harrison was recruited for the follow-up Teeth and Tissue in 1995. The band broke more ground in 1996 with Juno Award nominations for Best Group and Best Rock Album, while releasing Smile and Wave that same year. Three years passed before Nickels for Your Nightmares was released, in which time Carr and Harrison became fathers and Dillon recovered from a drug addiction. The band would release one more album, on BMG, entitled The Oracle of Hi-Fi, before a break up in 2003
Frontman Hugh Dillon has appeared in several films, including the mockumentary Hard Core Logo. He has also played a main role as one of the police officers in the popular show, Flashpoint, shown on CBS/CTV. He heads the Hugh Dillon Redemption Choir.
The original band members reunited in February 2011 for a mini tour. They released the album, titled Love + Fury, on 14 May 2013.
Three Angels
Headstones Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They know my face
They set a place for me tonight
Well I can't disappoint them
So I guess I'll join them
They've been waiting on me forever
I've been down on earth and in this town
Man there's got to be something better
New suit, New tie
Real nice service for me when I die
New suit, cufflinks, and a new tie
Real nice service for me when I die
That's the thing about living
When you get there
You're seldom forgiven
And all your best friends
Are people you just met
You can take 'em or leave 'em
They're sitting in this barroom
I guess that beats the hell
Out of loneliness - sweet loneliness
In the song Three Angels by Headstones, the lyrics talk about three angels setting a table for the singer. The angels know his face and have set a place for him at the table. The singer feels like he can't disappoint them so he joins them. The angels have been waiting on him forever, while he's been on earth looking for something better. He talks about how there will be a new suit and tie with a nice service for him when he dies. The song speaks about the harsh reality of life, how when you get there, you are seldom forgiven and all your best friends are people that you just met. The singer would rather be at the bar with his new friends, than be alone and lonely.
The song portrays the themes of afterlife, life and death, and the harsh realities of life. The lyrics seem to suggest that death may not be as bad as living, as we can see from the lines "That's the thing about living, when you get there, you're seldom forgiven and all your best friends are people you just met." This suggests that perhaps life can be a difficult and unforgiving journey, where we are constantly struggling to find our place in the world. But in death, we may find peace and be surrounded by those who have been waiting for us.
Line by Line Meaning
Three angels setting a table for me tonight
Three heavenly beings are preparing a table for me tonight, indicating that they have been waiting for me to join them and celebrate my new beginning.
They know my face
The angels are familiar with me and have been waiting for me for a long time.
They set a place for me tonight
The angels reserved a spot for me and are anxiously awaiting my arrival.
Well I can't disappoint them
I want to do justice to their expectations and ensure that I don't disappoint my heavenly hosts.
So I guess I'll join them
I acknowledge the angels' invitation and will accompany them to their heavenly abode.
They've been waiting on me forever
The angels' wait for me has been long and never-ending, indicating their unwavering commitment to me.
I've been down on earth and in this town
I have spent my life on earth and in this town, and I am ready for a change.
Man there's got to be something better
I believe there is something better in existence that is waiting for me, and the angels may be showing me the way.
New suit, New tie, Real nice service for me when I die
I will be dressed and prepped handsomely while being taken care of in a luxurious manner after I pass away.
New suit, cufflinks, and a new tie, Real nice service for me when I die
It is foreshadowed that I will be pampered like a VIP as a part of my funeral service.
That's the thing about living, When you get there
The excitement and mystery of life exist in the journey, and it is only when you reach the other side that everything comes to light.
You're seldom forgiven
It seems to be unlikely that people will forgive someone completely, without holding on to some level of blame or wrongdoing directed at the other party.
And all your best friends, Are people you just met
The people you meet in unexpected places may transform into the best of friends and provide the most meaningful relationships.
You can take 'em or leave 'em
Choosing the people worth keeping in your life is entirely left up to you, as it is a very personal preference.
They're sitting in this barroom, I guess that beats the hell, Out of loneliness - sweet loneliness
It is better than sitting alone in this barroom or anywhere else, remembering the kind of misery loneliness brings by its side.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: HUGH RUSH DILLON, MARK MALCOLM GIBSON, TRENT CARR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@KariGreenwood
this song was played for my dad when he passed away 13 years ago & it still makes me cry <3
@ajalcorn
"And all your best friends are people that you just met..." Love this song!
@sierral8188
Glad the drummers my uncle. So proud.
@manonchampagne1392
serious.... i would be proud....
@headstoner6769
Sierra Levesque that's truly awesome
@scottmccredie1118
One of my fav songs!!!! Thank god they are Canadian!!
@xKELxPAYNE
just know because we jam to this its got at least a couple 100 from us..... thanks and thumbs up.
@MayPhoenix
My favorite Headstones song. The boys will always hold a special place in my heart.
@fordfnatx
best canadian band!
@moneywelder
2019 and I'm still jamming to this band !