Born in Pointe-Claire, Quebec, he attended Loyola High School and McGill University. Roberts formed the band William in 1993. The band's name was changed to Northstar in 1996. Although the band gained some notice in independent rock circles, they couldn't break through to a national audience, and broke up in the late 1990s. Roberts' bandmate George Donoso went on to significant success in indie rock circles with The Dears, but Roberts struggled for several years afterward.
In 2000 Roberts began his solo career by independently releasing his first studio album, Brother Down. The album was largely unsuccessful but the title track would later go on to be re-recorded and re-released on a six-song EP titled The Inhuman Condition. The EP sold slowly at first, but by the summer of 2002 Roberts was all over the Canadian airwaves: his first single "Brother Down" had become one of the biggest Canadian hits of the year, and the follow up single "Don't Walk Away Eileen" quickly followed suit.
Roberts then signed to Universal Music, releasing his full-length debut, We Were Born in a Flame, in 2003. That album's singles, "Where Have All the Good People Gone?", "Hard Road", "Brother Down" and "Don't Walk Away Eileen", became major hits, especially in Canada.
The band's album Chemical City, produced with Joseph Donovan and released on April 11, 2006, got major radio play in Canada after its release, especially the single "The Gate".
The band's latest release, the album Love at the End of the World (May 20, 2008), included the song "Them Kids", which reached #1 on the Canadian indie chart (the R3-30), and also #1 on CFNY's Thursday 30 chart.
The band released the album Collider on May 10, 2011.
Mind Flood
Sam Roberts Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When it gets heavy now, will you let it fall?
And as the loon cries it opens minds
The stream reflects these Northern climes
Through these days we walk the line
Sixteen dollars and a couple of dimes
There've been a number of times
Cross the plains till they start to climb
Down to the valley where the river winds
Sing it for me, sing it for me
When the water comes down, get yourself up high
Grey skies, the waters rise
Mind flood's gonna break the bank
Will it wash us away now? Will it wash us away now?
Blue skies, the river dries
A light goes out before your eyes
Till the break of day now, till the break of day now
Sing it for me, sing it for me
When the water comes down, get yourself up high
Goin' down to the river now, mind flood's got my head in the gutter
Will it wash us all away?
You come to with a shiver now,
Flash back eighth grade with a stutter
Will it wash us all away?
If love is a cult we are all believers
Cruel, passionate underachievers
Fools lashing out at the dreamers
Kiss the enemy and kill the redeemer
We are indeed a dying breed
We are the people of the sky
So when the river floods and you're made from mud
Get yourself up high
Sing it for me, sing it for me
When the water comes down, get yourself up high
Goin' down to the river now, mind flood's got my head in the gutter
Will it wash us all away?
You come to with a shiver now,
Flash back eighth grade with a stutter
Will it wash it all away?
Goin' down to the river now, mind flood's got my head in the gutter
Will it wash us all away?
Whoa, come and wash it all away, all away
Get yourself up high
The wolf's eyes have found their prize
And you have found your place in it all
"Mind Flood" by Sam Roberts is a song that encourages listeners to be prepared and adaptable for unexpected situations. The first verse poses the question of whether one will be ready for a challenge when it arises. The song repeatedly mentions the river and water with various degrees of intensity, symbolizing unpredictable forces that can bring chaos and danger, yet also bring clarity and renewal. The loon's cry represents a call to attention and reflection, and the Northern climes suggest a sense of distance and isolation, as well as harshness and beauty.
The chorus sings about the mind flood, which can "break the bank" and wash everything away, leaving people exposed and vulnerable. The fluctuating weather and colors of the sky reflect the ever-changing moods and emotions that people experience. The second verse portrays a sense of instability and uncertainty, as people struggle to understand and cope with the events around them. Love is portrayed as both a binding force and a destructive one, and the people of the sky are characterized as a unique and endangered species.
The song ends with the image of the wolf's eyes, which suggest both predator and prey, strength and cunning, and a sense of determination to survive. Overall, "Mind Flood" is a powerful and moving song that challenges listeners to embrace life's challenges and to stay resilient and hopeful in the face of adversity.
Line by Line Meaning
When it comes calling, will you heed the call?
Are you prepared to answer the call when it comes?
When it gets heavy now, will you let it fall?
Are you willing to let go when things get too difficult?
And as the loon cries it opens minds
The loon's cry has a transformative effect on the listener's state of perception.
The stream reflects these Northern climes
The river is a reflection of this specific area of the world.
Through these days we walk the line
We must walk the line and be careful in our choices in life during difficult times.
Sixteen dollars and a couple of dimes
A reference to the challenges faced by those living in poverty.
There've been a number of times
There have been several occasions where one has been lost.
Took a step back, couldn't read the signs
One has misinterpreted the signs and is now confused.
Cross the plains till they start to climb
One has crossed a flat area of land that eventually becomes hilly.
Down to the valley where the river winds
Heading down to a low area where the river flows through a winding path.
Sing it for me, sing it for me
Requesting someone to sing a song about the current events.
When the water comes down, get yourself up high
When disasters occur, it is important to move to high ground to stay safe.
Grey skies, the waters rise
The impending danger is evident and the waters are getting higher.
Mind flood's gonna break the bank
The overwhelming thoughts and feelings will reach a tipping point.
Will it wash us away now? Will it wash us away now?
The flood may potentially sweep people away and cause destruction.
Blue skies, the river dries
After the flood, everything will return to normal and the river will go back to its usual state.
A light goes out before your eyes
Losing sight of something important that was previously present in the individual's life.
Till the break of day now, till the break of day now
The situation must be resolved before daybreak.
Goin' down to the river now, mind flood's got my head in the gutter
Heading to the river while feeling overwhelmed with negative thinking.
If love is a cult we are all believers
Love has the power to greatly influence people's decisions and beliefs.
Cruel, passionate underachievers
People who are driven by their emotions, but fail to achieve their goals.
Fools lashing out at the dreamers
Those who have given up on their aspirations, and criticize those who still hold onto theirs.
Kiss the enemy and kill the redeemer
Ironically befriending one's enemies while simultaneously betraying those who help or inspire them.
We are indeed a dying breed
Human's are fading in this world.
We are the people of the sky
We are descendants of the sky.
So when the river floods and you're made from mud
When a disaster strikes and knocks you down, remember your roots and get back up.
Whoa, come and wash it all away, all away
Creating an illusion of washing the problems away, leaving a fresh start.
The wolf's eyes have found their prize
Analyze the fact that the animal has found its prey.
And you have found your place in it all
You too have found your place in the world as a predator or prey.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Sam Lewis Roberts
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
SolonSaturn Gaming
When it comes calling, will you heed the call?
When it gets heavy now, will you let it fall?
And as the loon cries it opens minds
The stream reflects these Northern climes
Through these days we walk the line
Sixteen dollars and a couple of dimes
There've been a number of times
Took a step back, couldn't read the signs
Cross the plains till they start to climb
Down to the valley where the river winds
Sing it for me, sing it for me
When the water comes down, get yourself up high
Grey skies, the waters rise
Mind flood's gonna break the bank
Will it wash us away now? Will it wash us away now?
Blue skies, the river dries
A light goes out before your eyes
Till the break of day now, till the break of day now
Sing it for me, sing it for me
When the water comes down, get yourself up high
Goin' down to the river now, mind flood's got my head in the gutter
Will it wash us all away?
You come to with a shiver now,
Flash back eighth grade with a stutter
Will it wash us all away?
If love is a cult we are all believers
Cruel, passionate underachievers
Fools lashing out at the dreamers
Kiss the enemy and kill the redeemer
We are indeed a dying breed
We are the people of the sky
So when the river floods and you're made from mud
Get yourself up high
Sing it for me, sing it for me
When the water comes down, get yourself up high
Goin' down to the river now, mind flood's got my head in the gutter
Will it wash us all away?
You come to with a shiver now,
Flash back eighth grade with a stutter
Will it wash it all away?
Goin' down to the river now, mind flood's got my head in the gutter
Will it wash us all away?
Whoa, come and wash it all away, all away
Get yourself up high
The wolf's eyes have found their prize
And you have found your place in it all
JD
So good to witness live.
Nicole Friesen
One of my favourite songs...ever. I get goosebumps. Huge Sam Roberts fan for a long time now.
Moonblazed
Quite possibly their best track ever.
SolonSaturn Gaming
When it comes calling, will you heed the call?
When it gets heavy now, will you let it fall?
And as the loon cries it opens minds
The stream reflects these Northern climes
Through these days we walk the line
Sixteen dollars and a couple of dimes
There've been a number of times
Took a step back, couldn't read the signs
Cross the plains till they start to climb
Down to the valley where the river winds
Sing it for me, sing it for me
When the water comes down, get yourself up high
Grey skies, the waters rise
Mind flood's gonna break the bank
Will it wash us away now? Will it wash us away now?
Blue skies, the river dries
A light goes out before your eyes
Till the break of day now, till the break of day now
Sing it for me, sing it for me
When the water comes down, get yourself up high
Goin' down to the river now, mind flood's got my head in the gutter
Will it wash us all away?
You come to with a shiver now,
Flash back eighth grade with a stutter
Will it wash us all away?
If love is a cult we are all believers
Cruel, passionate underachievers
Fools lashing out at the dreamers
Kiss the enemy and kill the redeemer
We are indeed a dying breed
We are the people of the sky
So when the river floods and you're made from mud
Get yourself up high
Sing it for me, sing it for me
When the water comes down, get yourself up high
Goin' down to the river now, mind flood's got my head in the gutter
Will it wash us all away?
You come to with a shiver now,
Flash back eighth grade with a stutter
Will it wash it all away?
Goin' down to the river now, mind flood's got my head in the gutter
Will it wash us all away?
Whoa, come and wash it all away, all away
Get yourself up high
The wolf's eyes have found their prize
And you have found your place in it all
Tundra Turtle
Only here trying to find an actual definition page to prove that Mind Flooding is a real phrase and not just an NLSS meme but this is pretty good.
Mr. Fly High
My Favorite song from Sam Robert ! And also a very good song to listening when you'r high 👌
smokeyvv
🤝
Tyler Sims
This is great. Happy to have discovered ya'll.
H i!
This is fairly epic.
PoshJeck
H i! Very epic, legendary song