Narrowly missing obscurity, Staggered Crossing is back in a big way with the indie release of their third studio album, Burgundy and Blue. The album weights in with the best of what Canada has to offer.
“Staggered Crossing has found its way back into a groove and return with the stellar Burgundy & Blue.”
-Jon Bruhm, The Halifax Coast
Staggered Crossing, was formed in 1996 by Julian Taylor (vocals & guitar), Dan Black (Bass), David Marshall (Guitar), and Jeremy Elliott (Drums). The quartet has been friends and band mates since their high school days growing up in Toronto.
In less than two years, the band would come to develop a dedicated fan base, and in late 1997 had attracted the attention of Frank Davies, president of The Music Publisher. This relationship led to another great feat for Staggered Crossing when the band signed with Warner Music Canada in 1999. Soon after, Staggered Crossing signed on with Ralph James and The Agency Group to assist in the development of the band.
The band’s self-titled album was released in February 2001. The album would go on to sell over 13,000 copies across Canada and Staggered Crossing watched their monster lead-off single “Further Again”‚ reach #6 on the Canadian rock charts where it stayed for more than 12 weeks in 2001. Their second single, “A Million Works of Art”‚ reached the #31 position on the Canadian Music Charts.
The debut album was voted Best Contemporary Music Recording of the Year at Universities and Colleges from the Canadian Organization of Campus Activities (C.O.C.A).
The band’s sophomore record, Last Summer When We Were Famous was recorded n the spring of 2002. The album was produced by ex-Wilco member Jay Bennett, distributed by Outside Music and released in August of 2002. With support from Canadian Rock Radio, Much Music and MTV, the independently released “Business As Usual” kept the band in the public eye.
Recorded and produced by Staggered Crossing and Ed Zych, the bands third album, Burgundy and Blue, merges different musical genres into one collective fusion.
“The up tempo and philosophically upbeat Burgundy and Blue continues the StagX concept but opens up their palette to include synth, pop and reggae sounds.”
-Ric Taylor of View Magazine
Staggered Crossing has written some of the catchiest hooks and melody lines in Canadian rock and appeared and performed on the Mike Bullard show with Canada’s Prime Minister in 2001. During the show, it was announced that Staggered Crossing was Jean Chrétien’s favourite band!!!
More info can be accessed at www.staggeredcrossing.com
San Francisco
Staggered Crossing Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Passing by the Golden Gate bridge
Left my woman and child there stranded
Still don't know why I did
It was late in the evening
And something just felt right
You can run around this old town
Everytime I go out on the evening
I seem to be losing my head
Heading out of old San Francisco
It's something I just kinda did
Everytime I go gambling my life away
Thing just turn out to be peaches-and-cream
There'll be good times and bad time around here
Heading out of old San Francisco
Heading down Mexico way
Got my jacknknife, my handbag and six string
And I'll soon be on my way
It was late in the evening
And something just felt right
You can run around this old town
Keeping it together even if don't feel right
Everytime I go out on the evening
I seem to be losing my head
Heading out of old San Francisco
It's something I just kinda did
Everytime I go gambling my life away
Thing just turn out to be peaches-and-cream
There'll be good times and bad time around here
The lyrics to Staggered Crossing's song "San Francisco" paint a picture of a man who is leaving his loved ones behind in San Francisco for what seems to be no apparent reason. He passes by the iconic Golden Gate Bridge and heads towards Mexico, equipped with a jackknife, handbag, and six-string guitar. The man's internal monologue reveals that he often feels like he's losing his head when he goes out in the evening, but something about this particular night just felt right.
This song touches on themes of restlessness and self-destruction. The singer of the song seems to be someone who is always on the move, never content to stay in one place for too long. He admits that every time he goes gambling, he ends up losing everything, but still seems to be drawn to it. The repetition of the line "It's something I just kinda did" reinforces the idea that this character doesn't always know why he does the things he does, but he can't seem to stop himself.
The song also highlights the juxtaposition between the beauty of San Francisco and the darker aspects of the singer's personality. The Golden Gate Bridge, a symbol of hope and possibility, stands in contrast to the man's impulsive and potentially dangerous behavior. Overall, "San Francisco" is a complex and introspective song that offers a glimpse into the mind of a restless soul.
Line by Line Meaning
Heading out of old San Francisco
Leaving behind San Francisco
Passing by the Golden Gate bridge
Seeing the Golden Gate Bridge while leaving
Left my woman and child there stranded
Abandoned my family without a clear reason
Still don't know why I did
Not understanding my own actions
It was late in the evening
The time of day when the decision was made
And something just felt right
A feeling of justification for leaving
You can run around this old town
Staying in San Francisco, keeping things together
Keeping it together even if don't feel right
Maintaining a facade of stability despite internal conflict
Everytime I go out on the evening
When I go out at night
I seem to be losing my head
Feeling out of control
It's something I just kinda did
Taking action without reason or foresight
Everytime I go gambling my life away
Risking everything without regard for the consequences
Thing just turn out to be peaches-and-cream
Results can be surprisingly good
There'll be good times and bad time around here
Life is a mix of highs and lows
Heading down Mexico way
Leaving for Mexico
Got my jacknknife, my handbag and six string
Bringing only a few possessions on the journey
And I'll soon be on my way
Departing soon
Contributed by Kaylee I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.