A classic introvert/extrovert combo, Reid now performs with his saucy wife and long-time song-writing partner Carolyn Victoria Mill (aka Carly Jamieson). Along with winning the John Lennon Songwriting Contest for their first co-write RAIL, this creative couple wrote their way into the Vancouver Folk Music Festival by winning 1st prize in the Pickin’ a Folk Star Contest. True entertainers, these masters of the burgeoning House Concert circuit thrive on creating intimacy, with tales and talents that simply must be experienced live. True entertainers, these masters of the burgeoning House Concert circuit thrive on creating intimacy, with tales and talents that simply must be experienced live.
Their catalog and repertoire have a wide ranging appeal with compelling originals plus unique interpretations. ‘Dear Leonard: The Cohen Collection’ is a luminous tribute to Leonard Cohen, turning the master into the muse with seven compelling covers plus the haunting title track – an original open letter to the man himself. This homage joins Reid’s much-loved ‘The Presley Sessions Revisited’, a tribute to the 50s era greats including Elvis, Orbison, The Platters and more. A perennial favourite, his unusual collection of winter-themed music ‘Songs For A Winter’s Night’, is a unique holiday record you will want to play long after the tree comes down. ‘Juniper’s Kitchen’ is this husband and wife’s first recording singing together, with all original alt-country duets that are a little Johnny and June meet Fleetwood Mac, and all about the songs.
Reid and CVM have just released a new all original album recorded in Schull, Co. Cork Ireland, with producer Kieran Kennedy (Maria Doyle Kennedy). Titled ‘Me Daza’ which is Cork slang for ‘most excellent’ or ‘just right’, – tho the direct translation is ‘I’m dying’ – but aren’t we all? There is nothing traditional about this record, or this dynamic duo. Mature themes range from loving a woman during and after ‘The Change’, to Ireland’s abortion referendum, to coping with mental illness and social media – call it a soundtrack for the second act.
Husband and wife together 17 years, Reid and Carolyn are unique in that they have a kind of Bernie Taupin / Elton John relationship on the songwriting front, however, with a woman often writing the lyrics to be sung by a gifted male vocalist. They wrote each song together, with the exception of ‘Don’t Go Down’ written by the late great Fergus O’Farrell (Interference) and Glen Hansard (Swell Season, The Frames). Fergus’ was a much admired Schull local whose vocals appear posthumously as he passed away (duo to complications of Muscular Distrophy) before he was able to properly release the track himself. All of this unbeknownst to Reid and Carolyn when they chose the tune from a selection of potential Irish covers sent by their producer.
It was Canadian/Irish legend Mary Margaret O’Hara who introduced artist and producer at a Toronto concert where she had joined Reid’s band for the night. Kieran and his wife (actor Maria Doyle Kennedy) also enjoy a musical partnership, and have created many beautiful albums together under her name. That night a friendship was struck and plans were set in motion that went on to inspire an epic trip to the Emerald Isle, and perhaps their most daring record to date. There is nothing traditional about this record, or the dynamic duo behind it.
Keep an ear open for singles they release on a regular basis…plus their upcoming project on Pigeons (!) and the causes of homelessness. You won’t want to miss what they do next!
Better Man
Reid Jamieson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Takes all you can to make a stand
Sometimes you can’t get up again
A chore to shake the upper hand
You might get by without a plan
Can always take the test again
Until they make you pay the man
In the end
It’s not worth knowing
You just pretend
You know where you’re going
Get back up again
But you’re always falling down
So hard to be the better man
You play it safe yet still offend
Wait around till the weekend
Where you can break
instead of bend
You hang on ‘til the bitter end
Give what it takes
and make amends
There’s no check out just try again
And hope that you still want it then
In the end
It’s not worth knowing
You just pretend
You know where you’re going
Get back up again
But you’re always falling down
(even further than you
thought you’d be)
always falling down
(they catch you sleeping
there’s no time to bleed
always falling down
(there’s always someone
you forgot to be…)
So hard to be the better man
Takes all you can to make a stand
Sometimes you can’t get up again
A chore to shake the upper hand
In Reid Jamieson's song "Better Man," the lyrics capture the struggle of trying to live up to the expectations of being a better person. The song acknowledges that it is difficult to constantly strive for improvement and maintain one's integrity. The opening lines express the challenges of being the better person, as it requires a great amount of effort and determination to take a stand or overcome obstacles. Sometimes, despite our best efforts, we find ourselves unable to get back up again, feeling defeated.
The lyrics highlight the internal conflict of wanting to do the right thing but struggling to maintain a sense of control and confidence. The line "You’re gonna fake the confidence" suggests that sometimes we portray a facade of being confident and in control, even when we actually feel unsure or uncertain. Despite this, the lyrics emphasize the importance of perseverance and not giving up. The line "Get back up again, but you’re always falling down" portrays the recurring cycle of trying, failing, and getting back up again.
The song also touches on the idea of constantly striving to be better and how this can be exhausting. The line "You play it safe yet still offend" suggests that even when we try to do the right thing, we may inadvertently hurt or offend others. The lyrics also mention the need for forgiveness and making amends, recognizing that mistakes are a part of the journey towards becoming a better person.
Overall, "Better Man" conveys the internal struggle and complexity of trying to be a better version of oneself, acknowledging that it is a continuous process filled with ups and downs.
Line by Line Meaning
So hard to be the better man
It is extremely difficult to be a morally superior individual
Takes all you can to make a stand
It requires all of your effort and strength to assert yourself
Sometimes you can’t get up again
At times, you are unable to recover from a setback
A chore to shake the upper hand
It is burdensome to regain control or dominance
You might get by without a plan
It is possible to manage without a specific strategy
Can always take the test again
You can always attempt something anew
Until they make you pay the man
But eventually, you will face the consequences
You’re gonna fake the confidence
You will feign self-assurance
In the end
Ultimately
It’s not worth knowing
Knowing the truth or reality is not worthwhile
You just pretend
You simply pretend or make believe
You know where you’re going
You are aware of your destination
Get back up again
Rise again after falling down
But you’re always falling down
However, you continuously experience failures
You play it safe yet still offend
You adopt a cautious approach, yet manage to upset others
Wait around till the weekend
You patiently wait for the weekend to arrive
Where you can break instead of bend
At that time, you can assert yourself rather than submitting
You hang on ‘til the bitter end
You hold on until the very end, despite difficulties
Give what it takes and make amends
Offer what is necessary and reconcile
There’s no check out just try again
There is no option to give up, only to try again
And hope that you still want it then
And hope that you still desire it at that point
(even further than you thought you’d be)
(even beyond what you anticipated)
they catch you sleeping there’s no time to bleed
If they catch you off guard, there is no time for weakness
there’s always someone you forgot to be…
There will always be someone you neglected to become
Lyrics © Songtrust Ave
Written by: CAROLYN VICTORIA MILL, REID ALLAN JAMIESON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind