He was a member of the London Town Criers during the 1960s and subsequently joined Montreal band The Prodigal Sons. Prior to beginning his solo career, he was based in Victoria working with various artists, including Blake Emmons.
Valdy is the winner of two Juno Awards for Folk Singer of the Year and Folk Entertainer of the Year, and has received seven additional Juno nominations. His fourteen albums have achieved sales of nearly half a million copies, four of which are certified gold. Of Canadian folk artists in the mid-1970s, only Gordon Lightfoot was more popular.
Valdy also appeared on the CBC TV show The Beachcombers as the environmental activist "Halibut" Stu.
Valdy lives on Saltspring Island in British Columbia with his wife Kathleen. His daughter, Chelah Horsdal, is an actress.
His live albums include 'Family Gathering' (A&M) recorded at Massey Hall in Toronto for 1974 release, and 2003's 'Viva Valdy: Live at Last (Rack-On-Tour)'.
Valdy is much in demand on the touring circuit and on any given night, is playing to a packed concert house somewhere - performing some 250 to 300 show dates a year - while he continues writing and recording.
"Few performers are capable of achieving the kind of energy he generates on stage." - Globe and Mail
".....name probably doesn't ring a bell with most Americans, but in Canada this singer and guitarist is a legend." - Anchorage Times
".....unquestionably the most public performer in Canada today, and the most loved." - Macleans
"Valdy is regarded as one of Canada's most distinctive and successful minstrels." - Humber Log
"One of the best evenings of entertainment Confederation Centre has ever seen....a man of formidable talents." Charlottetown Evening Patriot
"Valdy remains one of the country's purest and most credible storytellers." Toronto Star
"He's a master of country, folk, rock and blues, and the catch is that whatever the sound, people know that Valdy is sincere." Saskatoon Star Phoenix
"Valdy's show is a disarming and practical blend of respect for the audience and show business expertise." Edmonton Journal
"Valdy elicited a genuinely warm standing ovation, the real kind, where the applause continues long after the encore is assured." - Winnipeg Free Press
You can visit Valdy's website for more information at his official home page - www.valdy.com
A Good Song
Valdy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But neither am I chained
I am not a wise man
But neither am I rearranged
I am not a new man
But neither am I old
I am not a rich man
But neither can i be seold
I am one
You are another
I have a family
You have mother
And I am not a good man
But neither am I cruel
I am not a learned man
But neither am I a fool
I am not an ordinary man
But neither am I strange
I am not your man
But that can all be changed
No, I am not your man
But that can all be changed
The lyrics to Valdy's song "A Good Song" are a reflection of the complexity and duality that exists within each one of us. The artist talks about how he is not a free man, but neither is he chained. This could mean that he acknowledges that he has responsibility and obligations, but at the same time, he has the freedom to make decisions and actions that can shape his life.
The artist also says that he is not a wise man, but neither is he rearranged. This could mean that he is not perfect, but he has also not lost himself in the quest for knowledge or validation from others. He is comfortable with who he is and does not need to change himself to fit into any mold.
Valdy goes on to say that he is not a good man, but neither is he cruel. This line speaks to the fact that we all have flaws and that no one is inherently good or bad. Valdy acknowledges this and puts forth that he is not a learned man, but neither is he a fool, reflecting that he has knowledge but has not let it define who he is.
The artist then talks about how he is not an ordinary man, but neither is he strange. This could mean that he is unique in his own way and he is not afraid to show it, but at the same time, he is not so different that he cannot connect with others. This line also highlights how we are all unique individuals with our own stories, struggles, and successes.
Finally, Valdy sings "I am not your man, but that can all be changed." Here, he acknowledges that he may not have a particular connection with the listener, but there is always room for that to change. This line also puts forth the idea that it is never too late to connect with someone or to change oneself.
Line by Line Meaning
I am not a free man
I am not completely unrestricted in my actions or decisions
But neither am I chained
But I am not completely restrained or imprisoned
I am not a wise man
I do not have exceptional knowledge or discernment
But neither am I rearranged
But I am not mentally disordered or unbalanced
I am not a new man
I am not recently formed or developed
But neither am I old
But I am not ancient or outdated
I am not a rich man
I do not have great wealth or resources
But neither can I be sold
But I am not easily influenced or controlled by money
I am one
I am an individual
You are another
You are a separate individual
I have a family
I have people who are related to me
You have a mother
You have a female parent
And I am not a good man
I am not morally excellent or virtuous
But neither am I cruel
But I am not deliberately harmful or malicious
I am not a learned man
I am not highly educated or knowledgeable
But neither am I a fool
But I am not an unintelligent or foolish person
I am not an ordinary man
I am not a common or average person
But neither am I strange
But I am not unusual or unfamiliar
I am not your man
I am not specifically committed to you
But that can all be changed
But my level of commitment to you can be altered or amended
No, I am not your man
No, I am not specifically committed to you
But that can all be changed
But my level of commitment to you can be altered or amended
Contributed by Jeremiah B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@joshfarrell377
3 generations of my family have listened to Valdy, I have my dad's original Country Man album (now retired with the purchase of a replacement)the less seen one of him down on his knee. Great memories now my old man is gone. Get a lump in my throat hearing this song
@toddtrojek6521
One great thing about youtube are the numerous videos of Canadians we have in this great country. Also it reminds us folks of some talented people like Valdy I have myself forgotten the last few years. But! Valdy how could I forget him? Oh well! Cheers to Valdy!
@loumuzzin4422
I met Valdy at St Patrick High School in Ottawa in September 1964. I was 19 and just beginning university, he was leaving to go "out West" that week. We jammed, me playing the harmonica, he and several others playing guitars. I distinctly remember playing Four Strong Winds and Yellow Bird. About 25 years later our band opened a concert for him at the Tecumseh Corn Festival. He remembered the St Pat's jam and my friend Doug that brought me there. He was already a star and a legend by then but very friendly and approachable and a superb entertainer.
That jam in '64 and Valdy changed my life because I bought a guitar soon after that and Doug got me started playing it and now, 55 years later, I'm still at it and music is a huge part of my life. Thanks Valdy!
@marshawilson4338
One of my all time favourite songs! Valdy, you are the BEST!
@allan8371
Thanks Valdy. Been a fan for going on 45 years and will continue to be a fan. Peace.
@gerryyee2638
Absolutely timeless Music that puts me in a great mood even after these years. Thanks Valdy.
@MrLesonfireforGod
When I was a child and would visit my father at his house he had no TV in the living room and would play only a few of his albums while we were all working around the house. "Family Gathering" was one of them. I later bought a few Valdy albums of my own and saw him twice in the early 1980's. My two favourite Valdy songs are 'Renaissance' and one called 'Movie Scene', which was a b cut and not a radio hit. I just bought the Classic Collection CD and am listening to 'Hometwon Band' as I write this.
@terryanderson1488
beautiful man beautiful character beautiful song I could listen to Valdy all evening... I love the fluent guitar work.
@barenakedonion
Love Valdy and he is a True Canadian. Underrated as far as the Canadian Music Industry goes
@dalem8332
Love this song! Love Valdys music! Had the pleasure of seeing him 5 times live over the years. Fabulous entertainer! Part of my life musically growing up. ♥️🎼🎶🎵🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦