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.
The Bootleg Saint
Sam Roberts Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
He's been gone, keepin' on, keepin' on for your freedom
Black boots, brown skin he has chemical roots
He's taking back the city one sinner at a time
He'll sacrifice if you pay the price
He remembers a time when everything was alright
Then old Captain Industry who sold his soul at Wounded Knee
Bought himself a little property
The Saint had found his enemy
He'll sacrifice if you pay the price
The laws might sleep, but they never die
Lions for sheep, an eye for an eye
He wears a ring with the brand of a three-legged dog
His rose-colored glasses cut through the fog
The laws might sleep but they never die
Lions for sheep, an eye for an eye
He came down on a storm cloud hard as the Amazon rain
Took him on, took him on and on
And you can pay your respects in the form of a check
He's taking back the city one sinner at a time
He'll sacrifice if you pay the price
The laws might sleep but they never die
Lions for sheep, an eye for an eye
The Bootleg Saint, well he walks the line
Between an everyman hero and a waste of time
"The Bootleg Saint" by Sam Roberts is a song about a mysterious, almost mythic figure who comes to the aid of the downtrodden and fighting against injustice. The song paints him as a kind of messiah figure who is willing to sacrifice himself for others, but who also demands that they pay a price for his help. He has "chemical roots," which suggests that he might be a kind of alchemist, and he wears a ring with the brand of a three-legged dog, which could be a symbol of resilience or adaptation.
The song also references the idea of a time when everything was better, when "we had water from wine, the streets were alive." This could be a reference to the biblical story of Jesus turning water into wine, in which case the Bootleg Saint is a kind of secular, contemporary version of the savior figure. Alternatively, it could be a nostalgic reference to some time in the past when things were better, suggesting that the Bootleg Saint is a rebellion against the present state of things.
Overall, the song is a call to action, a plea for help in fighting against the powers that be. The Bootleg Saint is a symbol of hope and resistance, a figure who can help the oppressed raise their voices and fight their oppression.
Line by Line Meaning
Come make your complaint to the Bootleg Saint
The Bootleg Saint invites people to bring their troubles to him.
He's been gone, keepin' on, keepin' on for your freedom
The Bootleg Saint fought for people's freedom while remaining hidden.
Black boots, brown skin he has chemical roots
The Bootleg Saint's physical appearance is reflected by his resilience and unstoppable nature.
He's taking back the city one sinner at a time
The Bootleg Saint aims to redeem the city by helping people reform their wrongdoings one by one.
He'll sacrifice if you pay the price
The Bootleg Saint will do whatever it takes, as long as there's a willingness to pay for it.
He remembers a time when everything was alright
The Bootleg Saint recalls a time when things were better than they are now.
We had water from wine, the streets were alive
In the past, people were carefree and things were better.
Then old Captain Industry who sold his soul at Wounded Knee
Captain Industry, a greedy businessman who lost his sense of morality, entered the picture.
Bought himself a little property, the Saint had found his enemy
Captain Industry got himself some possessions, and the Bootleg Saint saw him as a foe.
The laws might sleep, but they never die, lions for sheep, an eye for an eye
Corrupt powers may rest, but they will not be defeated by the masses who lack power and the truth.
He wears a ring with the brand of a three-legged dog
The Bootleg Saint is marked by the symbol of a dog that has lost something valuable.
His rose-colored glasses cut through the fog
Despite the obstacles, the Bootleg Saint views life with a positive perspective.
He came down on a storm cloud hard as the Amazon rain, took him on, took him on and on
The Bootleg Saint arrived on the scene dramatically and continued fighting tirelessly.
And you can pay your respects in the form of a check, he's taking back the city one sinner at a time
The Bootleg Saint accepts forms of payment in order to accomplish his goal of redeeming the city.
The Bootleg Saint, well he walks the line, between an everyman hero and a waste of time
The Bootleg Saint is not your typical hero, but he could be one if his sacrifices and efforts pay off in the long run.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Sam Lewis Roberts
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Katherine Jelich
🎵 And you can pay your respects in the form of a cheque 🎵
Love this tuuuuuuune 😍 Love this whole album 🔥
Emily G's Music & More
Great song!
C Six
Damn great song
tokyo bandito
this album is insane do some mushys evryone!
David Knowlton
Thank you WERU