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
Roll Man Roll
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 © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: VALDEMAR HORSDAL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Brian B
on Hot Rocks
I can't find my earlier post so I'll say it again. The song is not about rocks that are hot. It is about radioactive materials being transported to a dump-site in the US. That is why he says, 'that was it for the fishermen there' or 'that was it for the farmers there' or 'the cows were lying all around' it is becuase the radioactive materials spilled and killed everything all around..
Brian B
on Hot Rocks
Boarded a boat on a border town
I had to take any job I could find, even one that involved running illegal hot rocks across the US border on a small boat.
It was the only job I found,
My need for work led me to take a job running hot rocks, even though it was risky and illegal.
Running hot rocks to the USA
I was smuggling hot rocks from Canada into the USA.
Can't tell you why, but the couples went weird
I don't know why, but something about the hot rocks made the people on the boat act strangely.
Up on a reef and over she veered
The boat hit a reef and capsized, spilling the hot rocks into the water.
Lying in a shallow resting place
The hot rocks came to rest in a shallow area of the water.
Now there's hot rocks filling the bay,
The bay is now filled with hot rocks that spilled from the boat.
That was it for the fisherman's say
The fishermen can no longer catch fish in the bay due to the hot rocks.
Laying in the stillness, the memory fades
As time passed, the memories of the hot rocks incident began to fade.
Stillness all around her, hot rocks filling the bay
The bay was now still and devoid of fish due to the hot rocks filling it.
The fisherman swear, as only fisherman can.
The fishermen were adamant that the hot rocks had ruined the fishing in the bay.
There's no fish here, ‘cause of the hot rocks.
According to the fishermen, the hot rocks had driven away all the fish in the bay.
Now I am a trucker, I'm a union man
I got a job as a truck driver and joined a union.
I've driven every road in this land.
I've covered the whole country in my truck driving career.
And I have had let a load get away.
I lost a load of hot rocks while transporting them in my truck.
Nobody wanted that job but me,
No one else was willing to take the job of transporting hot rocks, but I did it anyway for the money.
Running hot rocks for the AEC –
I was now transporting hot rocks to a facility belonging to the AEC (Atomic Energy Commission).
taking them to their resting place.
I was delivering the hot rocks to a place where they would be stored permanently.
But I never quite made it to hot rocks park,
I never reached the facility where I was supposed to deliver the hot rocks.
something happened out there in the dark.
Some unknown event occurred that caused me to lose control of the truck.
And the truck went off the road,
My truck went off the road and crashed.
and the trailer lost it's load
The hot rocks spilled from the trailer during the crash.
Now there's hot rocks, everywhere.
The hot rocks were now scattered all over the place due to the accident.
That was it for the farmin' there.
The hot rocks had contaminated the land, making it unsuitable for farming.
Lying in the stillness, Dairy Cattle all around
The cows in the area appeared calm, but the hot rocks still posed a danger to them.
Look like their sleeping, But hot rocks never break down.
The cows appeared to be sleeping but the hot rocks would never decompose and would always be dangerous.
Farmer's swear, as only farmer's can
The farmers were convinced that the hot rocks had permanently ruined their land.
You can't grow food here, 'cause of the hot rocks.
The hot rocks had made the land unsuitable for growing crops.
Now I am a father and I'm concerned,
As a father, I worry about the impact these hot rocks will have on future generations.
It seems the kids have already learned
The children already know about the dangers of hot rocks and the damage they can cause.
That if you don't play with fire,
The children understand that if they don't take risks, they won't get burned by things like hot rocks.
you won't get burned.
If you don't take risks or do things that are dangerous, you won't face negative consequences.
Now I'm concerned for what we leave,
As an adult, I worry about the legacy we're leaving behind for future generations.
Hot rocks up the dealer's sleeve.
People continue to deal and transport hot rocks, despite the danger they pose to the environment and people's health.
And the cards are passed around
People continue to take risks and handle hot rocks, even though they know the potential consequences.
Hot rocks never break down.
The hot rocks will never dissipate or decompose, meaning they will always pose a risk to the environment and people's health.
This man swears, as only this man can
The singer is convinced that the presence of hot rocks in the park is causing serious problems.
You can't play ball in hot rocks park
The hot rocks have made the park unsafe and unusable for activities like sports.
See that place glowing in the dark
The hot rocks emit radiation that causes them to glow in the dark.
Lock up the gates to hot rocks park.
The park should be closed off and prohibited from public access due to the danger posed by the hot rocks.
Brian
on Hot Rocks
The song is about transporting radioactive material, not rocks that were hot.
Brian
on Hot Rocks
Valdy's song "Hot Rocks" tells a tragic story of a trucker who took on the dangerous job of running hot rocks to its final destination. The song starts with the trucker losing his previous job and taking the only one he could find, which was to run hot rocks to the USA. The deliveries were causing problems for the sea creatures and fishermen as the hot rocks ended up in the water. At first, the memory of the incident may have faded away, but the impacts of the hot rocks were too severe. Eventually, the trucker left his job and became a father. He worries about the future generations and the threat of hot rocks that are still lying around. The song ends with a warning to everybody to lock up the gates to hot rocks park.
The message behind "Hot Rocks" is apparent, and the lyrics are filled with metaphors and symbolism. The song is an environmental protest highlighting harmful activities that people engage in without thinking about the long-term consequences. The hot rocks are a metaphor for a perilous substance or activity, which results in severe damage to the environment. The fishermen and farmers represent the people affected by such activities.