Duxford Girl

More liner notes to a mixed CD of BR for a friend of mine who is just joining the cult. My notes about the songs are mostly what I take away when I listen. Stage Door – Palace of Gold (2002)
This was from the album Palace of Gold. It was the first new album release after I became a big fan of BR. The whole album had a bit of a feel of sitting around burning incense (and possibly other things). This album had extensive brass work on it making it one of my favourites.

As the story goes, Greg Keelor originally wrote this for Baz to release on his solo album but couldn't quite let go of it when he was finished writing. Consequently, Baz usually sings a verse or two of this in concert.

I know I can't hide this fear inside
Still my friends understand
Things have worked out
Much as you had said
Ain't no mystery what I need
Is understanding
And your sweet sympathy
A steel string guitar and a little weed
And someone to keep me company
Someone to keep me company
Down the alley and
Through the stage door
Sometimes I wonder
What I
What I do it for
Ain't no mystery what I need
Is understanding
And your sweet sympathy
A steel string guitar and a little weed
And someone to keep me company
Someone to keep me company
*
C'Mon – Small Miracles (2007)
The first big release off the latest album Small Miracles. To launch this album BR busked in front of Union Station in Toronto. This prompted the following conversation at work one morning:

VIA Engineer: Morning RTC, calling to acknowledge our TGBO.

CND (me): Sure, but first I've got a bone to pick to VIA guys.

VIA: Uh oh, what'd we do this time.

CND: Last week, BR was playing right outside the station and you didn't drag in Jim Cuddy and put in on the radio.

VIA: If I would have known that I would have been outside listening.

Passenger trains are a pain in the fanny to run but if the VIA guys are BR fans, then they're all right with me.

Anyway, this is also notable in that it probably has the best BR video ever produced.

Remember you told me how the good will fall
Well talk is cheap but I remember it all
You kissed my cheek yeah I admit
It turned my head just a little bit
I see your picture now everywhere
Collins Bay down to Reading Square
You say good luck to the people you meet
You never set foot on any of their streets
That was the day that we rode together
Times like that are now gone forever
C'mon c'mon c'mon c'mon
C'mon down with us
C'mon c'mon c'mon c'mon
C'mon down with us
Climbing the ladder and watching your step
Burnt-out vans up to corporate jets
You used my trust yeah that ain't tough
I hung around cause I'm stupid enough
That was the day that we rode together
Times like that are now gone forever
C'mon c'mon c'mon c'mon
C'mon down with us
C'mon c'mon c'mon c'mon
C'mon down with us
C'mon down down down
That was the day that we rode together
Times like that are now gone forever
C'mon c'mon c'mon c'mon
C'mon down with us
C'mon c'mon c'mon c'mon
C'mon down with us
The bigger they are the farther they crawl
Don't be afraid you never got that tall
You make a big deal about your neighbourhood friends
But it's such a drag just to see you again
That was the day that we got stoned together
Times like that are now gone forever
C'mon c'mon c'mon c'mon
C'mon down with us
*
Love Never Lies – Palace of Gold (2002)
I have very specific memories of this song. I won't elaborate but the karmic music gods were, I believe, trying to make a point. Although I always liked the song, it was never a big hit and I found it prophetic that it was being played in a public place that I never would have expected to hear it.

Well I take my time
Never notice changes anyway
But lately I've been waking up to
All that we've done, change that has come
There's just no escaping the damage we do
But we get along
Going through our paces in the world
And maybe I could always be fooled
But you brought me here, you're making it clear
You're taking the veil I look through
Love never lies
Love never sneaks around at night
Love won't turn its back on you when you turn out the light
Love won't ever walk away carelessly
That's the way that love is, darling
Not the way it is for you and me
Well I'm coming down hard
And I just can't stop myself
And no matter what I pretend
Or which scene I choose it's just no use
We're already reaching the end
'Cause love never lies
Love never sneaks around at night
Love won't lie there silently when you turn out the light
Love won't turn its cruel hand on you senselessly
That's the way that love is, darling
Oh that's the way that love is, darling
Not the way it is for you and me
*
Florida – Diamond Mine 1989
It was hard to pick which version of this song to put on the CD because I love the version from the live “Just Like a Vacation” where Greg tells his story about cleaning up tar prints with his tears and his six pack. In the end, though, I chose the original as I've always liked the very retro feel of the song.

I remember Florida
The land of endless malls
Images of Elvis flicks
Convertibles and blondes
And I remember crying
As you walked away along the shore
The last words I heard you say were what a bore
And I remember drinking
In those air-conditioned bars
Putting all my quarters in a jukebox
With big silver stars
And I remember Nat King Cole
Singing a song about the rain
Oh I'm feeling blue again
Oh I'm feeling blue again
And it was just like a vacation
Yea I'm sure we had us some fun
Yea it was just like a vacation
And I swear we even sat out in the sun
You see my mother owned a trailer home
On West Broward past A1A
And to beat the North wind
We took a spin
To that tin can by the sea
Well I thought she was mine
But she was just passing time
She even passed out of town in my car
And left me with Nat King Cole
And the silver stars
Nat King Cole and the silver stars
And it was just like a vacation
Yea I'm sure we had us some fun
Yea it was just like a vacation
And I swear we even sat out in the sun
*
Where I Was Before – Small Miracles (2007)
Another nice ballad with some horn in it. What can I say, I'm a sucker for brass.

Can’t get used to what you told me You said better brace yourself
There's changes coming in I wake up to a brand-new story
Stop the clock that's ticking on the shelf
Then let it all begin
Now I know that I'm right here where I was before
Chasing all my ghosts around
Maybe I worry what I will say
Now I'm only 3 hours away
Living in between the pages
Watching the strangers come and go Just life that’s passing by
It all keeps coming down in stages
Only hurts the ones you know No matter what you try
Now I know that I'm right here where I was before
Chasing songs from town to town
Maybe I worry what I will say
Now I'm only 3 hours away
Some things aren't meant to last
Like a day that burns up fast
Turn away and then it's gone
Sun comes the red sky morning
I pray that the trouble all has passed
Just something that I dreamed I must have missed all of your warnings
I guess we played too fast Much closer than it seemed
Now I know that I'm right here where I was before
Making all my plans alone
Maybe I worry what I will say Now I'm only 3 hours away
Maybe I worry what I will say Now I'm only 3 hours away
*
This Town
It's no secret that I hate living in Calgary and that I would have left years ago if I wasn't unable to because of my marriage. The line “you don't have to love this town” rings pretty true for me. I'm glad I bought ski equipment this year. Those big pointy things out West (W-E-S-T) are the only good thing about this place.

Walking through these empty streets this town is dead
Rain is coming harder now upon your head
You can't get far enough away
What's it matter anyway You never win
They handed you a map to show you where to go
Gave you everything but what you need to know
You know your friends enough to say
Where they'll be on any day
Come what may
Surprise surprise The morning sun is in your eyes
Get up throw that life away
Yesterday is yesterday And lies they lied
They said you get what you deserve in life
But that's just not the way it seems You end up living someone else's dreams
It's true It follows you around You don't have to love this town
Friday night beneath the bridge just one more time
You wish that you could leave this dirty town behind
There never seems to be a way
Hold on for another day
You will find
Surprise surprise
The sun that hits your lonely eyes
It wipes out every other day
Yesterday is yesterday
And lies they lied
It's not what you deserve it's what you try and try and try again Failing's just a step along the way
It's true There's no one here for you In time you wait and you will find
The ones who never let you down
You don't have to love this town
*
Trust Yourself – Casino (1990)
I need to learn to do this a lot more.

Someday soon
I don't know when
Your little world
Will come crashing in
Don't think twice
I'll be around
Turn your back
Someone's gonna let you down
You know that it's true
Nobody led you on
They left that to you
Now you'll be alone
When the sun comes up
With your tattered little dreams
And a broken cup
Then you'll have to
Trust yourself
And don't believe in anymore lies
You waste your time
Think too much
Really make a mess
Of the things you touch
Poor little bird
With a broken wing
Better look around now
You know you're losing everything
It's just a game
Thought you had it all lined up
But somehow that's changed
Now you'll have to run
And not get caught
And you'll have to hide
If you like it or not
Then you'll have to
Trust yourself
And don't believe in anymore lies
Someday soon
And it won't be long
You'll ring the bell
But they'll all be gone
They took your jewels
And your statues too
Left you with a pile of things
You never learned how to use
Here it comes again
You showed us where it all began
Well here's where it ends
And you'll be alone
When the sun comes up
Tattered little dreams
And a broken cup
Then you'll have to trust yourself
And don't believe in anymore
Trust yourself
And don't believe in anymore
Trust yourself
And don't believe in anymore lies

Fallen From Grace – Tremelo (1997)
Ever wake up one day and realize that your life has fallen spectacularly apart and that you're pretty darn sure that it's your own damn fault?

The sun won't ever shine
Not like it used to do
And there will be moonlight in the sky
Won't mean a thing to you
Friends and relations say you've changed
They say it is written in your face
Better get used to living like this
Now that you've fallen from grace
And you will walk across the floor
As the night becomes day
There will be trouble coming round
Sent down to test your faith
And when the friends you used to wait for
Stop coming around to your place
You better get strong somehow
Now that you've fallen from grace
Better get used to the sorrow
Better get used to the pain
Don't even worry about tomorrow
You know it's only today all over again
(repeat)
Never mind the paper and the pen
They can't help you anymore
Forget about the music
That used to lift up your soul
And when the lover
That you lean on
Turns round and shows you a stranger's face
Better get used to living like this
Now that you've fallen from grace
Better get used to living like this
Now that you've fallen from grace
*
Somebody Waits – The Days In Between (2000)
...and then you realize that somehow, it's going to get better.

Now I think I know why
You sounded so strange on the telephone
It's hard when you discover
What keeps you going keeps you all alone
Dreams so real you thought the smoke might never clear
Now you hide it all behind endless cigarettes and tears
Somebody waits for the time I know will never come
You get yourself so high
Then you fall down feeling blue
One day you'll wake up and realize you've had enough
There's a thousand shining moments
Waiting just to happen to you
Wait until you're stronger
There's no sense leaving when you're down so low
Well it takes the heart a little longer
To see the point in finally letting go
You lose your touch out there standing in the rain
When it's all too much you feel like slipping down again
Somebody waits for the time I know will never come
You get yourself so high
Then you fall down feeling blue
One day you'll wake up and realize you've had enough
There's a thousand shining moments
Waiting just to happen to you
Somebody waits for the time I know will never come
You get yourself so high
Then you fall down feeling blue
One day you'll wake up and realize you've had enough
There's a thousand shining moments
Waiting just to happen to you
*
'Til I Am Myself Again – Casino (1990)
Life goes through its cycles and I'm not sure we're ever done with falling off some cosmic horse and re-inventing ourselves (we hope) for the better.

Also, this is a great song in concert. We like to watch Jim dance.

I want to know where my confidence went
One day it all disappeared
And I'm lying in a hotel room miles away
Voices next door in my ear
Daytime's a drag
Night-time worse
Hope that I can get home soon
But the half-finished bottles of inspiration
Lie like ghosts in my room
I want to go
I know I can't stay
But I don't want to run
Feeling this way
Til I am myself
Til I am myself
Til I am myself again
There's a seat on the corner I keep every night
Wait til the evening begins
I feel like a stranger from another world
But at least I'm living again
There are nights full of anger
Words that are thrown
Tempers that are shattered and thin
And the moments of magic
Are just too short
They're over before they begin
I know it's time
One big step
I can't go
I'm not ready yet
Til I am myself
Til I am myself
Til I am myself again
I had a dream that my house was on fire
People laughed while it burned
I tried to run but my legs were numb
I had to wait til the feeling returned
I don't need a doctor to figure it out
I know what's passing me by
When I look in the mirror
Sometimes I see traces of some other guy
I want to go
I know I can't stay
But I don't want to run
Feeling this way
Til I am myself
Til I am myself
Til I am myself again
*
Don't Get Angry – Are You Ready (1995)
Again, not a big hit but one of my favourites. Lots of trumpet.

The worst part about getting hurt by someone we really love is not being able to hate that person in the end. I think we all hope that they're in the same boat as we are but I highly doubt that that ever happens.

If you see some picture of us
Lying on the bed
Some old memory haunts you
Gets stuck inside your head
Don't get angry about it
And wish wed never been
Don't get roped into a corner
And try changing everything
Don't get paralysed with fear
And stand there wondering
What to do
Just forget it girl
And I will too

If you're on our corner
And you run into our friends
If they ask about me
Start wondering where I am
Don't get angry about it
Feel like you're caving in
Don't start crying again
And go and tell them everything
Don't you walk away believing
You will never make it through
Just forget it girl
And I will too

If some rainy afternoon
You're crying in your bed
Cursing every detail
Bout the day that we first met
Don't get angry about it
Start throwing everything
Don't get struck dumb in your steps
Each time you hear the doorbell ring
Take some comfort in knowing
These are things that I will do
I cant forget it girl
Though I try to
I cant forget it girl
Though I try to
*
Head Over Heels – Five Days in July (1993)
Sometimes we fall so hard we just don't care beyond the moment.

Sun breaks I can't wait
Til I'll be on my way again
I'm sick and tired of waiting
With nothing to do
Watching the rain through a crack in the window
It's the little things that get you through
Like the same sun rising on me
Is rising over you
Walking and talking
Birds in the sky
You tell your secrets
How gracefully you lie
That's the way you come to me
I'm head over heels
And I'm always gonna be
That's okay I love the way you come to me
I guess we're tempting fate
A little too long it seems
Standing in this heat
Is just like floating in a dream
I've been torn apart put back together
With a couple of pieces in wrong
I'm holding up now
But I won't be for long
Tossing and turning
Like waves in the sea
You show myself to me
You let me down easily
That's the way you come to me
I'm head over heels
And I'm always gonna be
That's okay I love the way you come to me
I know one night together
Won't make up for ten apart
But I'm steady as rain
Nothing ever changes in my heart
Throw open the windows
Pull back the covers
I don't care what we do
I've been standing for hours
Now I get to fall down with you
Walking and talking
Like birds in the sky
You show myself to me
How easily you lie
That's the way you come to me
I'm head over heels
And I'm always gonna be
That's okay I love the way you come to me
*
Try – Outskirts (1987)
I have this album on LP. This was BRs first big hit. Jim Cuddy's falsetto on this pretty much turns every straight woman I know into a big puddle of mush.

Don't tell me I'm wrong
Cause I've been watching every move that you make
Hearts you steal with your make-up and heels
Trouble for the men that you take
Every time you walk in the room
I couldn't even be sure of a smile
You were never the same way twice
But I'm falling in love
Night after night - oh it's crazy
So many people who said
Girl you've got nothing but time
Oh you are a shining star
Don't you worry about what you're leaving behind
Every time you walk in the room
I couldn't even be sure of a smile
You were never the same way twice
But I'm falling in love
Night after night - oh it's crazy
Oh you got to try try try
Don't you know you've got to try try try
Oh baby you try
Every time you walk in the room
I couldn't even be sure of a smile
You were never the same way twice
I'm falling in love
Night after night - oh it's crazy
Oh you got to try try try
Don't you know you've got to try try try
Oh baby you try
*
Photograph – 5 Days in July (1993)
I like the fact that fact that the speaker of this song has no regrets and no shame about his lack of resolution.

Started out so simple
Everything so innocent and plain
She was in a doorway
And I was walking nowhere down the main
She whispered something softly
And stepped into the light
Can you help me out she said
I'm a little lost tonight
One day love just hits you with a flash
Lights go off around you like some photograph
She said her bags were stolen
All they left her was the camera on her arm
She told me she was new in town
Only two weeks off the farm
Why did I believe her
Heaven only knows
She looked into my eyes
And my resolution goes
One day love just hits you with a flash
Leaves you staring blindly like some photograph
Pictures of two fools
Laughing at the world
Smiling as only good luck does
Truth is you're not even looking at me girl
All the time I was falling
You kept on stalling
Sizing up how big a fool I was
Woke up in the morning
I don't think that I had been asleep too long
The room was dark and empty
I could see that all my clothes and money were gone
I've run out of excuses
And people I can blame
If she ever asked me too
I'd do it all again
One day love just hits you with a flash
Leaves you staring blindly like some photograph
*
Montreal – Casino (1990)
People come and go in our lives. If we're smart we realize that the people who still bump around in our minds long after the fact probably left us with something of who we are.

We met in Montreal
Far from the crime
Moving in circles
Running with so little time
Sat and we talked
About rumours and lies
Stayed til the sun hit the floor
You wore the dress
From the old market stall
People and places
Said you were forgetting them all
I don't know if I
Believed you or not
As I stared at you outside your door
Those were the times
That was our life
I probably couldn't change
One little thing if I tried
Moments together mapped out
Like the stars in the sky
Now you're in the things that I do
Still I miss talking to you
Late in your bed
You said don't you be sad
Think of how lucky we are
For the things that we've had
Life that's around me
I'm letting it go
But you stay up here in my head
Those were the times
That was our life
I probably wouldn't change
One little thing if I tried
Moments together mapped out
Like the stars in the sky
Now you're in the things that I do
Still I miss talking to you
*
Find a Way to Say Goodbye – Palace of Gold (2002)
I think that sometimes we stay too long in places of our lives that we'd be better off walking away from.

I think I'm finally getting tired of this game
Every night goes just the same
You try to talk to me about your sorrow and your pain
But I end up walking out on you again
I watch you lying on the bed
Curtains blowing ‘round your head
I see the pictures of the two of us in time
A world we left so far behind
Now I get comfort in the night
Losing my head to the colours and the lights
You know I tried to be what you want me to be
But I always come up short, I know
I'm not the one you really need
Now I don't wonder, no I don't wonder at all
Why the same things that once held us up
Are the reasons now we fall
Maybe we won't come through
Maybe it's all been a lie
Til we find a way to say goodbye
And as I'm walking out the door
I know I've been here many times before
But I could never take the sorrow from your face
Or sweep the darkness from this place
Now I get comfort in the night
Losing my head to the colours and the lights
I tried to be everything that you want me to be
But when I wake up in the night
I know I'll never be the one you need
Now I don't wonder, no I don't wonder at all
Why the same things that once held us up
Are the reasons now we stumble and fall
Maybe we won't come through,
Maybe we're wasting our time
Til we find a way to say goodbye
*
Western Skies – Lost Together (1993)
This song reminds me that in spite of how much I hate living in Calgary, there's salvation an hour away. Some people wait their whole lives to ski the Rockies or even just visit. I'm lucky enough to be able to take a “mental health break” from work (I think this used to be called playing hookey) load up the KIA and hit the slopes for a day.

Well I'd rather be
Walking through the tall pine trees
High
Up above Lake Louise
And I'd rather be
Chasing after shooting stars
Than waiting for this dumb 503 TTC
I'd like to see
The sun set behind Saddle Mountain
And listen to the wind whisper my name
Yea this world and me don't fit
One of us is going to have to quit
Oh how I miss those western skies
And I'd rather be
Back in the Rocky Mountains
Than sitting in some bar on Queen St.
And I'd rather be
Walking through the high meadow
Than watching the latest war on my TV
So please don't you stand in my way
I just got to get out of this place
If I waste another day
I'm sure the sun will forget my name
Oh how I miss those western skies
Oh to see the sunset in her eyes
Oh to see the sunshine in her eyes
And I'd rather be
Lying by the Bow River
Just watching the clouds go by
Yea I'd rather be
Anywhere else than here tonight
Than stuck in the city
But through the pain
Good things will come
After the rain the sun
But that don't mean much to me
Stuck in the city
Oh how I miss those western skies
*
Rose Coloured Glasses – Outskirts (1997)
It's probably not good to go through life wearing rose-coloured glasses all the time. On the other hand, blatant cynicism isn't necessarily a good thing either.

She sees the world through rose-coloured glasses
Painted skies and graceful romances
I see a world that's tired and scared
Of living on the edge too long
Where does she get off telling me
That love could save us all
Save us all
She takes my hand and leads me to nowhere town
No matter where I stand it's always neutral ground
And in the cool of the evening blue
I feel so tired and alone
Where does she get off telling me
That love could save us all
Save us all
And it's day after day
I keep hanging around can you tell me why
Night after night I know I should leave
But there's something in those eyes
That keeps me hanging on I'm hypnotised
It breaks my heart and I don't know why
Tell me why tell me why
She sees the world through rose-coloured glasses
Painted skies and graceful romances
See a world that's tired and scared
Of living on the edge too long
Where does she get off telling me
That love could save us all
And it's day after day
I keep hanging around can you tell me why
Night after night yeah I know I should leave
But there's something
Day after day after day after day
And I don't know
Day after day after day after day
And I don't know why
*
Bulletproof – Palace of Gold (2002)
Trying to be “strong” all the time wears people out. Hurray for “mental health days”! I'm slowly learning that it's okay to admit that I need down-time sometimes.

Tell me one more time again
Just like I didn't hear you
Like I don't know what's going through your mind, I do
I play the same game too
I know it's hard to stop
Even when you want to
Now the moon lights up your face
And I can see you're crying
You never liked me to see you cry, it's true
I've done some crying too
The hardest part about it
Is trying to hide it from you
It must be great to be so strong
Never needed anybody's help to carry on
But we're so scared of the silence and the tricks that we use
We're careful and we're cunning, but we're easily bruised
I don't want to lie about it
I'm not bulletproof
Well I finally found the way
To hide from all your glances
Til the waiting game we play is through
I can, but what's the use
When all I really want to do is hide out with you
It would be great to be so strong
You never needed anybody's help to get along
We're so scared of the silence and the language that we use
Yeah we're careful and we're cunning, but we're easily bruised
I don't want to kid about it
I'm not bulletproof
Tell me one more time again
I guess I didn't hear you
I don't know all the secrets that you keep inside
I tried the same thing too
But they all come pouring out of me when I'm talking to you
It must be great to be so strong
You never needed anybody else's help to carry on
But I'm not waking up each morning with forgiveness I can use
No I'm careless, and I'm cruel, but I'm still easily bruised
I'm so tired of lying about it
I'm not bulletproof
No, and I'm not going to lie about it
I'm not bulletproof