www.justinrutledge.com
Rutledge has released three albums, No Never Alone, The Devil on a Bench in Stanley Park and Man Descending. His fourth album, entitled, "The Early Widows" was released in May 2010 on Six Shooter Records.
Rutledge's musical style is often compared to that of American alt-country singer Ryan Adams. His influences, both of the literary and music world, include Leonard Cohen, Hank Williams, Richard Brautigan and E.E. Cummings.
In 2006, Justin Rutledge was named Toronto singer-songwriter of the year by NOW magazine.
Rutledge has toured Canada, the UK, the United States and Europe, and has played shows with Kathleen Edwards, Jim Cuddy, Blue Rodeo, Hawksley Workman, Luke Doucet and Dolly Parton.
His critically acclaimed lyrics are sometimes linked by music writers to his time as a university English major; he was editor-in-chief of a University of Toronto literary journal.
History
Early life
Justin Rutledge was born and grew up in the Junction neighbourhood in Toronto, a working class community centered around an intersection of four railway lines. He was raised in an Irish-Catholic family and grew up with aspirations of becoming a writer. To that end he studied English literature, with a major in modern poetry, at the University of Toronto. He dropped out after three years of school as his musical career got in the way. Rutledge told Macleans in an interview that his backup plan would be to finish his university studies in English "if this music thing doesn't work."
No Never Alone (2004-2005)
No Never Alone is Justin Rutledge's first album. In order to pay for the recording he worked as a bartender. Rutledge has remarked, "I would often do a studio session during the day, and then head straight to work until 4 or 5 in the morning"
The album earned Rutledge considerable praise, particularly in the UK, where he was compared to Ryan Adams by Comes With a Smile, who also proclaimed that "A major new talent has landed". Additional UK praise came from Uncut magazine who referred to Rutledge as “a master of gothic understatement” and NME describing the album as "an incredible breakthrough".
It was only receiving this attention in the UK that 'No Never Alone' was released in Rutledge's native Canada.
The Devil on a Bench in Stanley Park (2006-2007)
Rutledge's second album, "The Devil on a Bench in Stanley Park" was released through Six Shooter Records on October 6, 2006. "Devil on a Bench" is actually Rutledge's second attempt at a sophomore album - He spent a year recording his first attempt, tentatively titled In the Fall, before he scrapped it. He was unsatisfied with the album, and has explained, “I thought a sophomore album should have just a bit more of an assured sense about it. A second step forward should be a step up the ladder as opposed to just asserting your presence. You’re not just saying, ‘hey, I’m still here. You’re saying, ‘hey I’m here and I’ve challenged myself and I’ve hopefully done something that I haven’t done already. In order to challenge himself and create the album he wanted, Rutledge wrote a new batch of songs and recorded them in eight days with his band - opting for a more live recording style.
"The Devil on a Bench in Stanley Park" was nominated for a Juno award in the category "Roots & Traditional Album of the Year: Solo" and received the Galaxie Rising Star Award at the Edmonton Folk Festival.
[edit] Man Descending (2008)
Man Descending
Justin Rutledge's third album, "Man Descending" was released on April 8, 2008 through Six Shooter Records. The album is named after a 1982 collection of short stories by Guy Vanderhaeghe, also called "Man Descending". Rutledge was inspired by a line from Vanderhaeghe's book, "A man descending is propelled by inertia; the only initiative left him is whether or not he decides to enjoy the passing scene." He says of the line, "It really resonated with me. As I continued to read the stories, I realized that all these characters in the book were dealing with the same kind of static or inertia in their lives. I kind of took little threads and wove them into songs."
The album features Ron Sexsmith, Jenn Grant, Catherine MacLellan, Hawksley Workman, Melissa McClelland, Joey Wright, Jim Bryson as well as "What Rutledge calls the best band in town; David Baxter, Bazil Donovan and Blake Manning; Burke Carroll and Bob Packwood."
"Man Descending" was long-listed for the Polaris Music Prize.[17] Other praise for "Man Descending" in 2008 included the #5 spot on Exclaim's Wood, Wires & Whiskey top 10 and a nomination for Contemporary Album of the Year at the Canadian Folk Music Awards.
According to an interview, "Compared to 2006’s The Devil On A Bench In Stanley Park, Rutledge feels Man Descending is a much more patient, intimate and mature album, despite recording it in just three days."
The songs "Alberta Breeze" and "San Sebastian" were written for "In The Fall:" - the album that Rutledge scrapped in 2006, and were rerecorded for Man Descending.
In 2009 Justin Rutledge took part in an interactive documentary series called City Sonic. The series, which featured 20 Toronto artists, had him reflecting on his time performing at the Cameron House.
The Early Widows (2010)
The Early Widows is Justin Rutledge's fourth album, released in May 2010 on Six Shooter Records. Justin wrote several songs with a single character in mind from author Michael Ondaatje's Novel Divisadero after collaborating with Ondaatje on a theatrical adaptation of the novel. Michael Onjaatje also co-wrote several of the songs receiving official credit for the single Be A Man.
The album is produced by Canadian singer-songwriter Hawksley Workman (also credited as a musician on the album) and also features Canadian singer-songwriter Oh Susanna.
Out Of The Woods
Justin Rutledge Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I think we're out of the woods for good
I think that we should be out of the woods
I think you're out of your head
I think you're out of your head, she said
From the edge of the bed you're out of your head
We shouldn't get out of the way
We shouldn't get out of the way, you say
Did you suddenly say
Get out of the way?
Is it true what has happened to you?
What has happened to you?
You were the valley below
You were the weight of the snow
You were the weight of the snow
The weight of the snow
Is it true what has happened to you?
Is it true what has happened to you?
What has happened to you?
You were the valley below
You were the weight of the snow
You were the weight of the snow
You were the valley below
You were the weight of the snow
You were the weight of the snow
The weight of the snow
The weight of the snow
In Justin Rutledge's song "Out Of The Woods," the lyrics paint a picture of a troubled relationship and the struggle to find resolution and peace. The repeated line "I think we're out of the woods" suggests a desire to escape the difficulties and challenges that the couple has faced. It could symbolize a longing for a fresh start or a belief that they have finally overcome their issues.
The lyrics also indicate a sense of instability in the relationship. The line "I think you're out of your head" suggests that one partner may be acting irrational or losing touch with reality. The phrase "from the edge of the bed you're out of your head" implies that this behavior is affecting their intimacy and connection.
The repeated question "Is it true what has happened to you?" adds a layer of uncertainty and confusion. It could signify a lack of understanding or disbelief about the changes that have occurred in the relationship. This line captures the singer's attempt to grasp the reality of the situation, to comprehend the pain or transformation that their partner has undergone.
The imagery of the valley and the weight of the snow metaphorically captures the burdens and challenges that this relationship carries. The valley below represents a place of deep emotional struggle, while the weight of the snow symbolizes the emotional weight and pressure that the couple shares.
Overall, "Out Of The Woods" reflects on the complexities of a troubled relationship, the hope for resolution, and the lingering uncertainty in trying to understand one another's experiences and emotions.
Line by Line Meaning
I think we're out of the woods
I believe that we have overcome our difficulties or challenges
I think we're out of the woods for good
I believe that we have permanently resolved our problems and are now in a better situation
I think that we should be out of the woods
I believe that it is necessary for us to have overcome our challenges and be in a better state
I think you're out of your head
I believe that you are acting irrational or crazy
I think you're out of your head, she said
She expressed her opinion that you are acting irrational or crazy
From the edge of the bed you're out of your head
You are behaving irrationally or crazily while sitting on the edge of the bed
Is it true what has happened to you?
Is it accurate that something significant or unexpected has occurred in your life?
We shouldn't get out of the way
We should not move aside or avoid confronting a situation
We shouldn't get out of the way, you say
You express the view that we should not move aside or avoid confronting a situation
Did you suddenly say
Did you unexpectedly speak or utter something
Get out of the way?
Move aside or avoid confronting the situation?
You were the valley below
You symbolized the lower, less desirable position in a relationship or situation
You were the weight of the snow
You were the burden or heaviness in the relationship or situation
The weight of the snow
The burden or heaviness of the situation
Is it true what has happened to you?
Is it accurate that something significant or unexpected has occurred in your life?
What has happened to you?
What event or circumstances have unfolded in your life?
The weight of the snow
The burden or heaviness of the situation
The weight of the snow
The burden or heaviness of the situation
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Justin Rutledge
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind