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
Rock & Roll Song
Valdy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A writer of songs about freedom and joy
A hall had been rented and I was presented
As the kind of a singer that all could enjoy
As I climbed up the stair to the stage that was there
It was obvious something was missing
I could tell by the vibe they wouldn't be bribed
They weren't in the mood to listen
They yelled out
Play me a rock 'n' roll song
Don't play me songs about freedom and joy
Play me a rock 'n' roll song
Or don't play me no song at all
I played them some songs about peace and contentment
The things that I've come to believe in
When I was through to a chorus of boo
Some track star yelled thank God he's leaving
Now someone play me a rock 'n' roll song
I've had it to here with your flowers and beads
Play me a rock 'n' roll song
Or don't play me no song at all
Well if I played you a rock 'n' roll song
It wouldn't be fair 'cause my head isn't there
So I'll leave you with your rock 'n' roll songs
And make my way back to the country
Still I hear play me a rock 'n' roll song
Don't give me music that I don't want to hear
Play me a rock 'n' roll song
Well I should have stayed at home with a big case of beer
Play me a rock 'n' roll song
Or don't play me no song at all
The lyrics of Valdy's song "Rock'n'Roll Song" depict the experience of a musician who is invited to perform in a new town, but the reception of the crowd is not as warm as anticipated. The singer introduces himself as a renowned writer of songs about freedom and joy, but the audience is disappointed and demands to hear a rock 'n' roll song instead. Feeling the pressure to please the crowd, the singer tries to play songs about peace and contentment, but he is met with boos and jeers. He then realizes that he cannot force the audience to appreciate his music and decides to leave, concluding that he should have stayed in the country instead.
The lyrics demonstrate the tension that can arise between an artist's desire to express their own unique message and the expectations of the audience. The song also touches on the idea that music can be viewed as a commodity, with some listeners only interested in a certain genre or style rather than appreciating the artistry behind a specific piece. Ultimately, the lyrics convey the message that musicians should follow their own artistic vision rather than trying to please everyone.
Line by Line Meaning
I came into town as a man of renown
Valdy entered the town with a great reputation
A writer of songs about freedom and joy
He specializes in creating music that revolves around the concepts of happiness and liberation
A hall had been rented and I was presented
There was a venue arranged for him, where he was introduced as a performer
As the kind of a singer that all could enjoy
People were told that he is an artist that everyone can appreciate
As I climbed up the stair to the stage that was there
As he went upstairs to get to the stage that was set up
It was obvious something was missing
He could sense that something was not quite right
I could tell by the vibe they wouldn't be bribed
He realized that the audience was not interested in being influenced
They weren't in the mood to listen
People were not interested in hearing him
They yelled out
The crowd shouted
Play me a rock 'n' roll song
They requested him to perform a rock and roll song
Don't play me songs about freedom and joy
They didn't want to listen to songs that were uplifting
Or don't play me no song at all
They were so particular about their liking that they didn't want to hear anything else against it
I played them some songs about peace and contentment
Valdy then decided to play some songs that spoke about peace and tranquility
The things that I've come to believe in
These were things that he firmly believed in
When I was through to a chorus of boo
However, he was met with a negative response from people in the form of boos
Some track star yelled thank God he's leaving
Someone even said out loud that they were happy that he was leaving
Now someone play me a rock 'n' roll song
The audience had their heart set on a rock and roll song and they wanted someone to play it for them
I've had it to here with your flowers and beads
They were unhappy with the kind of music being played and wanted something different
Well if I played you a rock 'n' roll song
Valdy herself was not in a suitable state of mind to perform a rock and roll song
It wouldn't be fair 'cause my head isn't there
He felt that he was not in a good enough headspace to produce good quality rock and roll music
So I'll leave you with your rock 'n' roll songs
So, he decided to let them enjoy their music and leave the venue
And make my way back to the country
He returned to his country
Still I hear play me a rock 'n' roll song
However, even after he left, people were still requesting a rock and roll song
Don't give me music that I don't want to hear
They were very particular about the kind of music they wanted
Well I should have stayed at home with a big case of beer
They joked that they should have just stayed at home, drank beer and not come to the concert at all
Or don't play me no song at all
They would rather not hear anything if they couldn't hear the music they wanted to hear
Lyrics Ā© Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: VALDEMAR HORSDAL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@darrenh116
This is the most Canadian song of all time. Guy gets booed off stage and so he writes a fantastically self-deprecating song about the experience and ends off by saying he should have stayed home and drank beer. Brilliant.
@nancylivingstone4767
Just love this song
@nancylivingstone4767
love this song!
@horty519
Bad day at work and wanted to chill. Your comment made me laugh - thanks!
@EldestSauce
I think that line is about someone in the audience saying they should have stayed home, not Valdy.
@darrylpurcella2961
No l
@canucklehead11
I haven't heard this song in years, it just popped into my head for some reason. Great tune.
@vincentlussier8264
Brings me back to the early 70s when rock was at its very best!šØš¦āļø
@simonfettig1945
I just got to do sound for Valdy last night here in medicine hat. If you ever get a chance to see him it's 100% worth it. This man is the most kind hearted, down to earth person I've ever had the pleasure to work with. He loves what he does and it shows
@Hemingway2go
I LOVE this song. Used to listen to Canadian radio as a kid growing up in North Dakota and would pray that CKRC or CKY would play this one.