"From the prairie city of Saskatoon, Canada come the Sheepdogs, 4 young gentlemen who revel in the joy of rock n roll so wholeheartedly, it's downright contagious. Sporting the long-haired looks of their musical forefathers, the lads make the most of their 2 guitars, bass and drums combo. Soulful vocalizations, everybody harmonizing, old-school guitar chops winding, riffing and chiming, and a grooving rhythm section that keeps it all going. Having already cemented their reputation as dynamic performers in their hometown, the Sheepdogs now turn their attention to spreading their affection for rock n roll cross-country. They have spent the last year covering the great white north, playing from Vancouver island to Montreal. They have played festivals, headlined a bill during 2007's Junofest, opened for the likes of Matt Mays and el Torpedo, and performed before thousands at 2006's Saskatoon Centennial Celebration. In January 2007 they released their debut LP Trying to Grow, a collection of guitar-driven originals that recall classic rockers like the Stones, CCR, and the Kinks. The album's title-track was featured in a province-wide campaign in their native Saskatchewan. Early 2008 has already seen the completion of their follow-up album, which mixes elements of southern rock and moody soul with gleeful straight-forward rockers. Once again, the boys are hitting the road, spreading their rock n roll revival to the rest of Canada."
-Bill Shakespeare, August 2007
Band Lineup:
Ewan Currie - lead vocals, guitar
Leot Hanson - backing vocals, guitar
Ryan Gullen - backing vocals, bass
Sam Corbett - backing vocals, drums
http://www.thesheepdogs.com/
I Don't Get By
The Sheepdogs Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I just sit around wondering why?
Hold my hand
Take me from this land
No need to ride up to the heart of the storm
When you get close you feel your heart has nothing to go on
Can't chase the face, the sound you writes away
I don't get by
I just sit around wondering why?
Hold my hand
Take me from this land
I don't get by
I just sit around wondering why?
Hold my hand
Take me from this land
Don't take it in by the sights you see
You feel the sounds of this world will get the better of me
Acting very strong, like you have no choice
Now you don't you hear me singing to you with a brother's voice
I don't get by
I just sit around wondering why?
Hold my hand
Take me from this land
I don't get by
I just sit around wondering why?
Hold my hand
Take me from this land
I don't get by
I just sit around wondering why?
Hold my hand
Take me from this land
I don't get by
I just sit around getting high
Hold my hand
Take me from this land
I don't get by
I just sit around
wondering about the purpose and meaning of life. The singer expresses his own feelings of confusion, helplessness, and frustration, as he tries to navigate his way through life's challenges. He admits that he does not get by, he simply sits around, unable to find answers to his questions. He longs for someone to hold his hand and guide him away from this land of uncertainty and despair.
The lyrics suggest that life is a storm that one cannot escape, but must learn to weather. The singer advises against chasing after fleeting pleasures and distractions. He emphasizes the importance of staying grounded and not letting external influences control one's emotions and actions. The repetition of the chorus underscores the singer's desire for guidance and assistance in finding his way in life.
Overall, the lyrics of "I Don't Get By" convey a sense of existential anxiety and a longing for connection and meaning. Through his raw and emotive vocals, the singer captures the universal struggle of trying to make sense of the world and one's place in it.
Line by Line Meaning
I don't get by
I am not doing well
I just sit around wondering why?
I spend my time lost in thought trying to figure out why things are the way they are
Hold my hand
Help me through my troubles
Take me from this land
Remove me from this situation
No need to ride up to the heart of the storm
There is no need to put oneself in danger and seek out the center of the conflict
When you get close you feel your heart has nothing to go on
When one is near the center of a conflict, they feel lost and unsure of their next move
Can't chase the face, the sound you writes away
Chasing after someone or something can lead to false hopes and can result in failure
I told you too late and now there is nothing to say
I missed my chance to speak my mind, and now it's too late to change anything
Don't take it in by the sights you see
Be careful not to let the things you see affect you too much
You feel the sounds of this world will get the better of me
You feel as though the chaos of the world will overpower you
Acting very strong, like you have no choice
Putting on a brave face, even when you feel like there is no other choice
Now you don't you hear me singing to you with a brother's voice
Now listen to me, as if I were your brother, offering comfort and support
I don't get by
I am struggling
I just sit around wondering why?
I am constantly pondering my situation
Hold my hand
Help me through this difficult time
Take me from this land
Get me out of this place
I don't get by
I am not doing well
I just sit around wondering why?
I am once again lost in thought
Hold my hand
Please offer me comfort and support
Take me from this land
Help me escape from my current struggles
I don't get by
My struggles continue
I just sit around wondering why?
I am still trying to figure out why things are so difficult
Hold my hand
Please continue to offer me support
Take me from this land
Help me leave behind my struggles and find a better place
I don't get by
I am still struggling
I just sit around getting high
I am attempting to escape my problems through drug use
Hold my hand
Please still offer me support
Take me from this land
Help me find a way out of my current state of mind and life
Contributed by Ruby Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.