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.
Deliver Me
The Blue Shadows Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Looking right at me
I can feel it settling down on me
Over me
Come deliver me from this night
When I left you standing so alone
Then I started wondering
Oh please come to me
Come deliver me from this night
Ahh that love we had found
Well we drove it underground
Deliver me
This canyon's on fire now
And I'm wondering
How much longer will it be
Till it comes tumbling down
Over me
Come deliver me from this night
Ahh that love we had found
Well we drove it underground
Deliver me
Yeah all that love we had found
Well we drove it underground
Deliver us from our yesterdays
Hold us together if it can't be done
Deliver us from all that might be
If we get what we think we want
Ahh deliver me
Driving at midnight and the moon is still
Looking right at me
I can feel it settling down on me
Over me
Come deliver me from this night
Ahh that love we had found
Well we drove it underground
Deliver me
Oh please deliver me
Come on now deliver me
Come on now deliver me
Deliver me from this night
Deliver me
Deliver me
Come on come on come on now deliver me
From this night
Deliver me
Come on, come on deliver me
From this night
The Blue Shadows's "Deliver Me" is a song that speaks of a longing to escape from the weight of past love and hurt. The lyrics are symbolic and use the imagery of driving at midnight with the looming moon in the sky to convey the journey of someone trying to find relief from their pain. The song's opening verse describes feeling the weight of the night settling down on the singer, almost like a physical burden that they cannot bear. They call out for deliverance from this feeling, a help to escape from the darkness that has enveloped them.
The chorus of the song emphasizes the need for deliverance, as the singer wonders if they will ever be able to escape the pain that has enveloped them. Here, the song hits its emotional high point, with the plea for release echoing outwards, accompanied by a driving melody that matches the desperation in the lyrics. Deliverance is something that must be given, and the song speaks to the idea that sometimes we need help to get through life's difficult moments.
As the song progresses, it becomes clear that the source of the pain that the singer is feeling comes from the memory of a love that was lost. However, instead of wallowing in their hurt, the singer recognizes that they need to move on and seeks deliverance from the weight of the past. The final sections of the song speak to the idea that we must let go of what has already happened and accept what might be to come, to keep moving forward and find happiness in the present.
Line by Line Meaning
Driving at midnight and the moon is*
The singer is driving at midnight and staring at the moon. It seems like the moon is staring right back at the singer.
Looking right at me
The moon is focused on the singer.
I can feel it settling down on me
The moon's presence feels heavy and ominous to the singer.
Over me
The moon's effect is over the artist's entire being.
Come deliver me from this night
The artist is asking for help and relief from the moon's eerie presence.
When I left you standing so alone
The singer abandoned someone who needed them.
Then I started wondering
The singer began to feel guilty about leaving that person behind.
But I don't mind saying it now
The artist is now ready to apologize for leaving and regrets not doing it sooner.
Oh please come to me
The artist is asking for forgiveness and reconciliation from the person they left behind.
Ahh that love we had found
Well we drove it underground
Deliver me
The love between the artist and the person they left is now hidden or suppressed, and the artist is still asking for help and relief.
This canyon's on fire now
Something that was once stable and steady is now erupting and chaotic.
And I'm wondering
The artist is concerned and uncertain about what's happening.
How much longer will it be
The singer is questioning the duration of the chaos.
Till it comes tumbling down
The singer is dreading the inevitable end to the chaos.
Yeah all that love we had found
Well we drove it underground
The hidden or suppressed love between the singer and the person they left behind is still affecting them.
Deliver us from our yesterdays
The artist needs help moving on from past mistakes and hurts.
Hold us together if it can't be done
The artist asks for help maintaining a positive relationship if forgiveness and reconciliation aren't possible.
Deliver us from all that might be
If we get what we think we want
The singer asks for guidance and protection from the possible negative consequences of getting what they want.
Ahh deliver me
The singer repeats their plea for help and relief.
Come on now deliver me
The artist urgently asks for help and relief.
Deliver me from this night
The artist still needs help and relief from the moon's eerie presence and the chaos in their life.
Deliver me
Deliver me
Come on come on come on now deliver me
The artist continues to repeat their plea for help and relief.
From this night
The singer needs help and relief from the uncertainties and chaos in their present situation.
Contributed by Lily W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Lorédana (Lor)🖤Thérèse *MoyocoyotziN*🔥
ThanXXX mi amor🔥♥️🔥♥️🔥♥️🔥♥️🔥♥️🔥 Ik hou FriggiN VééL VaN JoU 🔥♥️🔥♥️🔥♥️🔥♥️🔥♥️🔥♥️🔥♥️🔥
Driving at midnight and the moon is
Looking right at me
I can feel it settling down on me
Over me
Come deliver me from this night
When I left you standing so alone
Then I started wondering
But I don't mind saying it now
Oh please come to me
Come deliver me from this night
Ahh that love we had found
Well we drove it underground
Deliver me
This canyon's on fire now
And I'm wondering
How much longer will it be
Till it comes tumbling down
Over me
Come deliver me from this night
Ahh that love we had found
Well we drove it underground
Deliver me
Yeah all that love we had found
Well we drove it underground
Deliver us from our yesterdays
Hold us together if it can't be done
Deliver us from all that might be
If we get what we think we want
Ahh deliver me
Driving at midnight and the moon is still
Looking right at me
I can feel it settling down on me
Over me
Come deliver me from this night
Ahh that love we had found
Well we drove it underground
Deliver me
Oh please deliver me
Come on now deliver me
Come on now deliver me
Deliver me from this night
Deliver me
Deliver me
Come on come on come on now deliver me
From this night
Deliver me
Come on, come on deliver me
From this night
Jennifer Gearhart
The most insanely talented band destroyed by the father. If Bill could have just got alway from the drugs he would have just taken the world. What’s been done cannot be undone and the abuse is carried forward. Amazing man and soul deep music. What a loss.
Patrick Hackett
Jeffrey's song along, with Billy's massive knowledge and talent created a perfect song.
Chai'naMarie03
Couldn't agree more!!
Kerpin09
Perfect is the correct word
MikeBlitzMag
The legendary Billy Cowsill! He is greatly missed.
John Stodalka
Why wasn't this a huge hit? Perfection
Gary Keenan
Should be a big hit was what I thought too!
Madge Almightyvoice
@Gary Keenan KLM go Jo Jo Fu hi Jo hop. bFu
Kerpin09
Because quality and commercial success aren’t aligned . If they were this would be a huge hit
Lyndy C
Unbelievable…. I only found it in past three months and I play it every day… soooo good!