In 2004, Victoria Canada had been thrown into the spotlight due to the success of garden city hipsters HOT HOT HEAT. Right in the midst of that was Leeroy Stagger, who had HHH's seal of approval as touring support for the band and musical contemporary early on. "I wasn't ready and nothing really came about for me throughout that time period" recalls Stagger, but he did manage to release the critically acclaimed "Dear Love" album, a “Whiskeytown-esque” tinged alt- country rock gem produced by Victoria's own Tolan Mcneil, (Neko Case, Carolyn Mark) and attract the attention of Vancouver Independent label "Boompa Records". In 2006, Boompa released Stagger’s "Beautiful House" album, produced by Canadian musical treasure "Danny Michel". The single "Just in Case" was featured in two episodes of ABC’s acclaimed series “Grey’s Anatomy”, as well as a multitude of other television shows and films.
In 2007, Boompa released Stagger’s first “coming of age and voice” record "Depression River". The album showcased a more matured songwriting talent and confident voice. The record was followed up with a 2-month U.S. tour, as well as a handful of U.K. and European dates.
In 2008, halfway through recording his follow up to “Depression River”, Stagger’s life changed dramatically. He found sobriety. "It was like a huge weight had been lifted off of me, it was either booze or my career and I think I made the right choice", and it showed in the recording process. His songs had evolved, and came from a purer, clearer perspective. Stagger enlisted “Depression River” producer John Ellis to man the helm for the project, as well as drummer Pat Steward (Brian Adams, The Odds), bassist Tyson Maiko and guitar player Kevin Kane (Grapes of Wrath). Entrenched in Ellis' studio in the small town of Ashcroft B.C., the result had been 2 years in the making. The beautifully crafted, " Everything is Real" record is an eleven-song masterpiece of music from the heart and soul of the young troubadour. In addition to Stagger’s core band, the record features musical guests Bobby Furgo (Leonard Cohen Band), Tim Easton (New West Records) Evan Phillips (The Whipsaws) and Neal Casal (Ryan Adams and the Cardinals). The title track is rollicking 3-minute classic, reminiscent of early 70's New York punk rock, while the stunningly imaginative "Red Bandanna" evokes the poetry of early Lucinda Williams’s material.
Stagger is also a member of the folk trio Easton,Stagger,Phillips, with acclaimed American songwriters Tim Easton and Evan Phillips, The trio will release there first full length "One for the Ditch" this summer on Stagger’s newly formed "REBELTONE RECORDS."
With a performing history opening shows for the likes of The Pixies, Ron Sexsmith, Tegan and Sara, Kathleen Edwards, George Thorogood, Joel Plaskett, The Drive by Truckers and Jason Isbell just to name a few, Stagger is no stranger to the stage. Thriving on live performance, he is truly happy when he is on the road playing and connecting personally with his loyal fans
Stagger now resides on the prairies of Canada in Lethbridge, Alberta.
Maria
Leeroy Stagger Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We'll keep on travellin' this four lane road
You know I carry this troublesome loathe
But Maria, you're out of my mind
Pity my heart belongs to another
The one I love, soon be a mother
So go home tonight to your sister and brother
Give back my beads and think of the night
Tell me a story as you drink your wine
We talk softly but the voice to the line
Maria, you're out of my mind
Cast your spell, sing us a song
So love's all you got but it came out wrong
And I save my penis and I move along
But Maria, you're out of my mind
I can never be with a woman so blue
The words came fast, means they're for you
Should I was bleedin', terribly true
Maria, you're out of my mind
This cold memory as warm how you plays
With your Cherokee eyes, your beautiful face
I say good night, disappear without a trace
Cuz Maria, you're out of my mind
I saw you there from across the room
With your cigarette as your sweet perfume
Saw a woman I'd've know in a whoresque costume
Maria, you're out of my mind
Remind me again, we'll never be lovers
I'll think of you here, from out of the covers
While the hero drinks fast I can surely recover
2x Maria, you're out of my mind
Leeroy Stagger's song "Maria" is a melancholic and nostalgic song that talks about a past lover named Maria. The song starts with the singer telling us that the shores are empty, and the nights are cold, but he is still traveling on this four-lane road, carrying a troublesome loathe on his mind. However, the chorus tells us that Maria is out of his mind, indicating a want to move on from the past.
We learn that the singer's heart belongs to someone else, and she is soon to become a mother. Therefore, he asks Maria to go home to her sister and brother tonight. They share wine and talk softly, and even though Maria casts a spell, the singer knows that he can never be with a woman so blue. He saw her across the room, smoking a cigarette like her sweet perfume. Even though she reminds him that they will never be lovers, he can still think of her and recover.
The lyrics create a sense of longing and regret, with the singer reminiscing about a past passion that cannot be rekindled. The melody reinforces this melancholic tone, with slow and mellow guitar sounds perfectly complementing the somber lyrics.
Line by Line Meaning
The shores are empty, the nights are cold
The environment around me is desolate and lonely
We'll keep on travellin' this four lane road
We will continue to move forward in our journey
You know I carry this troublesome loathe
I have a deep-seated resentment or hatred within me
But Maria, you're out of my mind
I have moved on from my past with Maria
Pity my heart belongs to another
Unfortunately, my heart is already committed to someone else
The one I love, soon be a mother
The person I love is about to become a mother
So go home tonight to your sister and brother
It's time for you to return to your family
Cuz Maria, you're out of my mind
I have no more thoughts or feelings towards Maria
Give back my beads and think of the night
Please return my belongings and reflect on the past
Tell me a story as you drink your wine
Entertain me with a tale while you enjoy your drink
We talk softly but the voice to the line
We speak in hushed tones, not wanting to be heard
Maria, you're out of my mind
I've spent enough time thinking about Maria and moved on
Cast your spell, sing us a song
Enchant us with your song and magic
So love's all you got but it came out wrong
You may have tried to show your love, but it didn't work
And I save my penis and I move along
I'll keep my dignity and move away from this situation
But Maria, you're out of my mind
I've truly let go of any attachment I had to Maria
I can never be with a woman so blue
I don't see myself being with someone who's sad like you
The words came fast, means they're for you
The words I'm saying are true and meant for you
Should I was bleedin', terribly true
Even if I was hurt, I would still be honest with you
Maria, you're out of my mind
Maria is no longer occupying my thoughts
This cold memory as warm how you plays
This distant recollection of you is still emotionally charged
With your Cherokee eyes, your beautiful face
You had captivating physical features, like your Cherokee eyes and pretty face
I say good night, disappear without a trace
I'll say goodbye and leave without being noticed
Cuz Maria, you're out of my mind
There's nothing more for me to say about Maria
I saw you there from across the room
I noticed you at a distance
With your cigarette as your sweet perfume
Your cigarette smoke smelled pleasing to me
Saw a woman I'd've know in a whoresque costume
I saw a woman dressed in a provocative outfit who reminded me of someone else
Maria, you're out of my mind
I'm not thinking about Maria anymore
Remind me again, we'll never be lovers
Confirm once again that we can never be romantically involved
I'll think of you here, from out of the covers
I'll still remember you from my bed
While the hero drinks fast I can surely recover
I'll be able to recover and move on even though it may take some time
Maria, you're out of my mind
I'm completely over Maria
Contributed by Grace C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.