"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/
Yes It Is
The Sheepdogs Lyrics
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It's got to be the way it is
Everything's the way it is
It's got to be the way it is
Everything's the way it is
It's got to be the way you say it is
I'll be the heartache, but it won't be long
A little fame and I know it's true
You can feel it and it's coming for you
No matter how hard I've tried to stay
I feel you pulling me further away
Aye, aye, aye
Ooh, ooh, ooh
Aye, aye, aye
Ooh, ooh, ooh
Everything's the way it is
It's got to be the way it is
Everything's the way it is
It's got to be the way it is
Feeling young is a trivial game
You getting older, but you stay the same
You look good when you shaking my way
But let me think of something awful to say
Yeah, ooh, ooh, ooh
Yeah, ooh, ooh, ooh
Everything's the way it is
It's got to be the way it is
Everything's the way it is
It's got to be the way it is
I step back and take a total view
It takes a minute, baby it's hard to do
No matter how hard, I try to change
Nothing's better, if you stay the same
Aye, aye, aye
Ooh, ooh, ooh
Aye, aye, aye
Ooh, ooh, ooh
Aye, aye, aye
Ooh, ooh, ooh
Aye, aye, aye
Ooh, ooh, ooh
Everything's the way it is
It's got to be the way it is
Everything's the way it is
It's got to be the way it is
The Sheepdogs's song "The Way It Is" is an introspective piece on the human existence and the inevitability of life circumstances. The repetition of the phrase "Everything's the way it is, it's got to be the way it is," highlights that the way things are is a natural state of being, and trying to change it is futile. The singer is resigned to this fact, yet is still holding onto hope for a better future, where they can achieve fame and recognition for their accomplishments.
The lyrics also introduce the idea of aging, as the singer notes that "Feeling young is a trivial game, you getting older, but you stay the same." The realization that time marches forward, regardless of how much we try to hold onto youth, is a sobering one. The singer is left to ponder whether it is better to accept and embrace the natural progression of life or attempt to resist it and struggle against it.
Overall, the lyrics promote acceptance of the way things are while still holding onto hope for a better future.
Line by Line Meaning
Everything's the way it is
The world is as it is, and we must accept it as it is.
It's got to be the way it is
Things cannot be any different than they currently are.
It's got to be the way you say it is
If you say something is a certain way, then it must be that way.
I'll be the heartache, but it won't be long
I may cause pain or upset to others, but it won't last forever.
'Til I get to where it's coming on
I will continue pursuing my goals until I achieve them.
A little fame and I know it's true
Even a small amount of fame can be validating.
You can feel it and it's coming for you
The feeling of impending success or achievement is a powerful motivator.
No matter how hard I've tried to stay
Regardless of my efforts to resist or stay the same,
I feel you pulling me further away
I cannot resist the forces that are causing me to change or move on.
Feeling young is a trivial game
Trying to maintain a youthful appearance or attitude is ultimately unimportant and meaningless.
You getting older, but you stay the same
Despite aging, some people resist change and refuse to adapt.
You look good when you shaking my way
You appear attractive or alluring when you move in a certain way.
But let me think of something awful to say
However, there may be negative aspects or flaws that make you less attractive in my eyes.
I step back and take a total view
I try to examine things objectively and see the big picture.
It takes a minute, baby it's hard to do
This is a difficult process that requires time and effort.
No matter how hard, I try to change
Even if I attempt to make changes,
Nothing's better, if you stay the same
Things may not improve or be better if I resist change and maintain the status quo.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Ewan James Currie, Patrick James Carney
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind