On The Floor of Heaven is considered by many of those who got to hear it upon its initial release in 1993 as one of the great, unheralded achievements of the alt-country movement. Out of print for more than 15 years, the roots rock masterpiece is now reissued as a two-disc Deluxe Edition via Bumstead Records on June 1.
Formed in Vancouver in the early 1990s, The Blue Shadows consisted of guitarist and singer Billy Cowsill – who began his career as leader of the legendary American bubblegum group The Cowsills (of "The Rain, The Park & Other Things" fame) – and Canadian roots rocker Jeffrey Hatcher – who enjoyed cult success in the 1980s fronting Jeffrey Hatcher & The Big Beat. Together with drummer J.B. Johnson and bassist Elmar Spanier (later replaced by Barry Muir), the quartet forged a style built on the rustic sounds of classic country fused with the pop sensibility of The Beatles and tight harmony vocals that have drawn flattering comparisons to the Everly Brothers.
From the opening fiddle-fueled blast of "Coming On Strong" to the haunting climax "Is Anybody Here," On The Floor of Heaven is a feast for fans of hardscrabble country and 60s pop, packed full of Hatcher and Cowsill's inventive songwriting and immaculately nuanced vocal harmonies, the quartet's muscular rhythmic punch and Hatcher's tasteful, twangful touches on lead guitar. Songs such as "When Will This Heartache End?" or the anthemic, mournful title track are both throwbacks to a classic era before country and rock and roll went their separate ways and timeless in the stories the songs tell and the emotions they evoke.
Despite releasing two albums, garnering critical raves and touring extensively around North America, The Blue Shadows never managed to reach beyond a wildly devoted cult following and they broke up in 1996. Cowsill passed away in Calgary in February 2006. One of his last wishes was for a reissue of On The Floor of Heaven so it could finally find a wider audience.
On The Floor of Heaven: Deluxe Edition includes:
- The classic 12-track album with remastered audio
- A full disc of outtakes and cover songs including tracks originally recorded by George Jones, Merle Haggard, Joni Mitchell and Michel Pagliaro.
- All new packaging
- Downloadable detailed history of the band and song-by-song notes written by Jeffrey Hatcher available at www.bumstead.com/theblueshadows
The time is right for The Blue Shadows to finally cast a giant shadow across music history.
Coming On Strong
The Blue Shadows Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's cuz you're driving me crazy
And if I'm reading you wrong
Just let me know that I am
And if I'm carrying on
It's just because I can't help it
You see I've waited so long
Whoever is making the rules
Is going to wind up the winner
I know the loser's the fool
Who never tries it
Who never give it a chance
We've been acquainted so long
But did you know I was feeling
A hurt so deep and so strong
Well then you I found
Whoever is making the rules
Is going to wind up the winner
I know the loser's the fool
Who never tries it
Who never give it a chance
I might have waited too long
To let you know what I'm feeling
Now baby baby you know
Just why I'm coming on strong
I'm coming on strong
I'm coming on strong
Why I'm coming on strong
In the song "Coming on Strong" by The Blue Shadows, the singer expresses their strong feelings for someone and how those feelings have led them to act differently than they might normally. The opening line, "If I'm coming on strong, it's 'cause you're driving me crazy," sets the tone for the rest of the song. The singer is implying that their behavior is a direct result of their intense emotions for the other person. They are reading all of the signs as positive and hopeful because that's what they want to see, but they acknowledge that they might be misinterpreting things. The singer begs for honesty, saying that if they are wrong about how the other person feels, they need to know.
As the song continues, the singer talks about how they have waited a long time to feel these feelings for someone. They talk about the risks involved in putting themselves out there and trying to make a connection. They say that whoever is making the rules - presumably, the rules of love - will come out ahead, but that the real loser is the person who never takes a chance. The singer is no longer willing to be the person who doesn't take a chance, and they are hoping that the other person feels the same way. They say that they may have waited too long to reveal their feelings, but they are coming on strong now, and they hope that the other person understands why.
Overall, "Coming on Strong" is a song about taking risks and being honest about your feelings. The singer is so caught up in their emotions that they can't help but express themselves strongly, even if it means potentially being vulnerable or getting hurt. They're willing to take that risk because they feel that the connection they could have with the other person is worth it.
Line by Line Meaning
Now if I'm coming on strong*
I'm displaying strong feelings towards you, and it's probably because you're making me crazy with desire.
It's cuz you're driving me crazy
The person's actions or presence are making the singer feel a deep-seated sense of passion and longing.
And if I'm reading you wrong
The singer is questioning whether their feelings are being reciprocated or misunderstood.
Just let me know that I am
They are hoping the other person will be honest with them and reveal their true feelings.
And if I'm carrying on
The singer is being very expressive and emotional.
It's just because I can't help it
Their innermost feelings are bubbling to the surface and they can't hide them any longer.
You see I've waited so long
They have been holding these feelings of love and longing inside for a very long time.
Please don't you put me down
They are asking the other person not to reject their feelings, but to accept and validate them.
Whoever is making the rules
The person or people who are dictating how relationships should be conducted.
Is going to wind up the winner
The singer is suggesting that strict adherence to relationship protocols may not lead to real happiness in the end.
I know the loser's the fool
If one person in the relationship is not willing to take a chance on love, they may end up regretting it later.
Who never tries it
The person who is too afraid to express their feelings and take a chance at love.
Who never give it a chance
The person who never allows themselves to become vulnerable enough to possibly find love.
We've been acquainted so long
The singer and the other person have known each other for a long time.
But did you know I was feeling
Although they may have known each other for a while, the other person may not have realized the depth of the singer's emotions.
A hurt so deep and so strong
The singer has been hiding these feelings to protect themselves from being hurt, but the pain of their love has been building up inside of them.
Well then you I found
Only after meeting the other person did the singer realize that they may have found someone worth opening up to.
I might have waited too long
The singer acknowledges that they may have kept their feelings hidden for too long, and regrets not expressing themselves sooner.
To let you know what I'm feeling
They are admitting that they have not been honest with the other person about their emotions.
Now baby baby you know
The singer is asking the other person to acknowledge that they understand their true feelings.
Just why I'm coming on strong
The singer is trying to help the other person understand the strong emotions that they are feeling.
I'm coming on strong
The singer is being very direct, passionate and bold about their romantic intentions.
I'm coming on strong
Reiterating the point that the singer is being very forthright and passionate about their feelings.
Why I'm coming on strong
The singer is attempting to explain their innermost feelings to the other person.
Contributed by Andrew P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.