The group was formed in 1988 in Winnipeg, Manitoba by vocalist Daniel Greaves, guitarist Joey Serlin, bassist Pete Loewen and drummer Sammy Kohn. Serlin was a comic fan and named the group after the DC comic. They released their debut album, McLaren Furnace Room, in 1992. (The album was named for one of the band's rehearsal spaces, the furnace room of the McLaren Hotel in Winnipeg.) The single "Cracked" garnered the band significant airplay on rock stations, but was quickly eclipsed by the anti-spousal abuse anthem "Run and Hide", which became the band's breakthrough hit.
Loewen left the band, and was replaced by Ken Tizzard. The band's 1994 album In the Trees confirmed their place in Canadian rock with the hit singles "Boneyard Tree", "All Uncovered" and "Lusitana".
Their 1996 album Brand New Day was not as well-received by critics or audiences -- "Zoom", "Incarnate" and "Shut Up" were moderately successful singles, but none achieved the kind of success that the band's earlier singles had. 1998's Silent Radar was the band's return to commercial success, with the hit singles "Stereo", "Any Day Now" and "Brighter Hell".
Their 2001 album Slomotion saw the exit of Sammy Kohn and the remaining members experimenting with more industrial textures. As if prepared for a bad reception, the band also packaged the album with a second greatest hits disc. The album was, indeed, poorly received by fans and critics, with only the single "Absolutely Anytime" gaining any radio airplay.
The band subsequently broke up. Greaves went on to form Doctor with Rob Higgins, Tizzard joined Thornley, and Serlin appeared on Ryan Malcolm's debut album before forming his own new band, Redline.
In 2009, the band reformed and started touring again.
Any Day Now
The Watchmen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Look around, I grew up, I fell down
Nothing changes, nothing changes
Except the red lights
Nobody changes, nobody changes
want to see them tonight
Everybody gather 'round
I'm feeling like a one-legged man
Always made to take a stand
Any day now, it will come
I walk in and just laugh it off
And all the heads turn
Familiar faces help me shake the cold off
Everybody gather 'round
Everybody drink it down
I'm feeling like a one-legged man
Always made to take a stand
Any day now, it will come
Sounds like bullshit, but did you ever notice
This whole town of ice and snow
Gets you running
Chasing something
What it is, I'll never know
Just hope one day that it shows
Any day now, it will come
The Watchmen's song "Any Day Now" is a melancholic yet motivating reflection of a life lived in a frozen town. The lyrics convey a sense of stagnation and frustration with the lack of change in the town and its people. The smooth grooves of the rhythm section and the tight harmonies of the vocalists give depth to the emotive nature of the song.
The opening lines set the scene: "Touching down, it's a frozen town; Look around, I grew up, I fell down." The coldness of the town and the singer's past failures are presented as inextricably linked. The chorus reinforces this theme, suggesting a feeling of detachment and isolation from those around him despite the shared experience of inhabiting the same, unchanging town. "Nobody changes, nobody changes; want to see them tonight."
Line by Line Meaning
Touching down, it's a frozen town
Arriving in this frigid town where everything feels cold and unchanging
Look around, I grew up, I fell down
Surveying the area, reminiscing on growing up here, and remembering past mistakes
Nothing changes, nothing changes
Despite the passage of time, things remain the same in this town
Except the red lights
The only difference is the red traffic lights controlling the few cars on the empty streets
Nobody changes, nobody changes
People here are stagnant and resistant to change
want to see them tonight
Still looking for some kind of connection with the familiar faces in this town
Everybody gather 'round
A call for people to come together and socialize
Everybody drink it down
Encouragement to enjoy a drink and relax
I'm feeling like a one-legged man
Feeling out of place and disadvantaged
Always made to take a stand
Obligated or forced into taking action, even when it is difficult
Any day now, it will come
Hopeful anticipation for something to change or happen soon
I walk in and just laugh it off
Entering a situation with a lighthearted attitude to alleviate stress or discomfort
And all the heads turn
Drawing attention or admiration from those around you
Familiar faces help me shake the cold off
Recognizing and interacting with people you know can create a sense of warmth and comfort
Sounds like bullshit, but did you ever notice
Acknowledging that what is being said may sound untrue or unrealistic
This whole town of ice and snow
Referring to the harsh and unwelcoming environment of the town
Gets you running, chasing something
Motivating you to pursue something, even if you are uncertain what it is you're seeking
What it is, I'll never know
Acceptance of the mystery and confusion of the pursuit
Just hope one day that it shows
An expression of optimism for one day discovering that elusive something
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: DANNY GREAVES, JOEY SERLIN, KEN TIZZARD, SAMMY KOHN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@DragK101
For those who don't know, they are a band from Winnipeg, and this song is about coming home to Winnipeg. I feel honoured to live in the same city that they grew up and formed in.
@YamsPickard
i really wish these guys were still around amazing voice and musicianship not to mention the lyrics are amazing
@r2woh1
Underrated, so much talent. Way to go guys! And yeah this song should have been the opener to the Jets.
@whichwayfilms
For the past few years, I've been attempting to write a screenplay and I've always had this song in the back of my head whenever I plan out the story. It's sort of become the unofficial theme of the screenplay.
@kanadiankreme
Hockey Night In Canada used this classic in a video montage to reflect on The Winnipeg Jets prior to their season opener. Was very special. Great job as usual HNiC!
@purple.budgie7839
Best Canadian band EVER. Love love love them Can't wait to see the in Vancouver next month!!
@kcdesert05
Another great Canadian band! This song reminds me of Alden, New York. 1998 was a great year, and alot of fun for us in Alden. To Steve, Terra, 'Shell, Jeff, Chris, Liz, Tanya, Rich, Brian, Debbie, Lauk's Landing, Alden B and G, and esp. Kelly....thanks for the memories, y'all! Now that it's almost time for me to take off into the sunset, I'll miss you guys, and look forward to being all together again, another place another time. CH.8 UNDERGROUND!
@niblogrape
I live in Wales in the UK and have never really seen these guys. Quite odd to put a face to a sound. Miss this band - they had a profound effect on me. My favourite song of theirs. Wish more Canadian bands would make it to Britain.
@justiceforu77
saw them live back in the day, best live show ive ever seen, i love u guys!!
@arifjinha
I saw for the first time in london in 1994, my first year away from home at western, the very next week during thanksgiving they played my home town ottawa. that was an incredible and crazy time in my life - the watchmen were my favourite band for awhile... and they were amazing live, one of the live performances, a kind of super-charged energy that the lead vocals smooth out brilliantly.