Top 10 Blue Rodeo Songs

Feature Photo: Earl Andrew, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

This Top 10 Blue Rodeo Songs list presents the best Blue Rodeo songs like “Somebody Waits,” “Til I Am Myself Again” and many more. When high school buddies Jim Cuddy and Greg Keelor opted to take their musical act to a professional level after graduating from university, the two found it difficult to achieve commercial success in their Toronto, Ontario, Canada roots during the late 1970s. Hoping to further their career as recording musicians, Cuddy and Keelor moved to New York City during the early 1980s. While there, they met with Bob Wiseman, a fellow Canadian, who was a keyboardist and producer.

As a trio, they returned to Canada in 1984, forming the country-rock group we know today as Blue Rodeo. Shortly after, the trio added Cleave Anderson and Bazil Donovan to the lineup. Starting in 1985, the popularity of Blue Rodeo earned them a fan following in Toronto before producing and releasing the group’s debut album, Outskirts, in 1987. This, however, was merely the starting point of what became one of Canada’s premier rock bands that would have more than simply an impressive discographic portfolio to their name.

Blue Rodeo Legacy

Two years after the release of Blue Rodeo’s highly successful Outskirts album, it was followed up in 1989 with the release of Diamond Mine. It became certified platinum by Music Canada three times over. The group’s third album, Casino, was released in 1990 and had since become certified platinum twice over, as did 1992’s Lost Together. Five Days in July was certified platinum six times in Canada after it was released in 1993, making it the most commercially successful album to the band’s credit within the nation. 1995’s Nowhere to Here became a double-platinum seller while 1997’s Tremoto became single platinum.

Upon the turn of the twenty-first century, Blue Rodeo recorded and released nine more studio albums where all except for the final three have so far become either certified gold or platinum within Canada. Aside from the total roster of eighteen studio albums, Blue Rodeo also has four live albums, a compilation album, and a box set to their credit. In total, there were fifty-eight singles released over what has so far become over four decades’ worth of world-class music that has turned these world-class musicians into international rockstars.

Top 10 Blue Rodeo Songs

#10 – After the Rain

When “After the Rain” was released in 1992, it became one of the most performed songs in Canada despite it only peaking as high as number thirty on the RPM Canada Top Singles chart. From the album, Casino, “After the Rain” remains an all-time favorite ballad. This tear-jerking classic has since become a favorite piece played at funerals, memorials, and as an apologetic number among fans who see “After the Rain” as more than just some great song. The lyrical plea to make amends was so beautifully played out by Jim Cuddy’s lyrics that it could almost come across as haunting. When it comes to choosing favorite songs from Blue Rodeo, “After the Rain” is an easy winner as a soul-searching number that deserves to be appreciated for the artistic beauty it is.

#9 – What Am I Doing Here

Released as a single in 1991 from the album, Casino, “What Am I Doing Here” became a number seventeen hit on the Canadian Adult Contemporary chart, a number thirty-three hit on RPM Canada Top Singles chart, and a number forty-one hit on the RPM Canadian Country Tracks chart. Perhaps a question everybody asks from time to time, “What Am I Doing Here” was performed in a manner that can truly be called a timeless piece as Blue Rodeo has made a stellar career out of bringing forth the least offensive music any listener could possibly enjoy as an easy-listening number. Whether listened to as a country song or as a mild rock song, “What Am I Doing Here” is yet one of many singles released from Blue Rodeo that serves as a reminder of why they’re so well-favored by fans and music critics.

#8 – Somebody Waits

From the album, The Days in Between, “Somebody Waits” was the final hit of the 1990s for Blue Rodeo as it peaked at number eight on the Canadian Adult Contemporary chart in 1999. On the RPM Canada Top Singles chart, it was a number twenty-nine hit and charted as high as number forty-five on the RPM Canadian Country Tracks chart. Blue Rodeo’s “Somebody Waits” played out as a song that could have been released as a hit in the 1960s, 1970s, and even the 1980s as it felt as if a piece of each decade was mixed together into a song that came across as playful from start to finish. Perhaps that was the point behind the song as it made reference to waiting for special moments to come, even though history has demonstrated such moments come by working for it instead of just idly sitting and hoping for the best.

#7 – Rain Down on Me

“Rain Down on Me” was a hit single released from the album, Lost Together, which peaked as high as number eleven on the RPM Canada Top Singles chart in 1992, and at number twenty-three on the RPM Canadian Country Tracks chart. On the Canadian Adult Contemporary chart, “Rain Down on Me” charted as high as number twenty-six. “Rain Down on Me,” as a ballad, saw the narrative address a woman of interest to rain her love upon vocalist Jim Cuddy, who once upon a time thought he had the concept of romance figured out until she taught him otherwise. Among country music fans, as well as rock fans, “Rain Down on Me” has served as a song of choice often played at weddings and anniversary celebrations, thanks to the appeal it has to all music-loving age groups.

#6 – It Could Happen to You

“It Could Happen to You” served as a song that Blue Rodeo had not lost their touch as a world-class recording artist that still knew how to put out impressive hits that would grace the music charts. In 1997, it became a number-four hit on the RPM Canada Top Singles chart and was a number eight hit on the Canadian Adult Contemporary chart. This country-rock group also witnessed “It Could Happen to You” become a number twenty-three hit on the RPM Canadian Country Tracks chart.

Best known for their acoustic style, Blue Rodeo’s “It Could Happen to You” shared various scenarios of events that could happen to anyone. This easy-listening performance demonstrated why the group has maintained itself as a bridge between the country music genre and rock as fans as they share their mutual appreciation for one of Canada’s best musical talents that still remain a favorite.

#5 – 5 Days in May

The first of six singles released from the album, Five Days in July, was “5 Days in May,” and peaked as high as number four on the RPM Canada Top Singles chart and at number five on the Canadian Adult Contemporary Chart. On the RPM Canadian Country Tracks chart, it peaked as high as number sixteen. One of the biggest appeals behind Blue Rodeo’s music is the genius ability to mix country and rock together with sounds that work for both audiences in a manner that brings them together. “5 Days in May” was a tale revolving around a couple who make the most out of their time together, whether it be a few days in the month of May, or during any other time of the year for that matter.

#4 – ‘Til I Gain Control Again

“‘Til I Gain Control Again” was a single released from the album, Five Days in July. On the RPM Canadian Country Tracks chart, it was a number twenty-four hit. The original version of this song was recorded by Emmylou Harris before it was made immensely popular by Crystal Gayle in 1982 when she turned it into a number one hit on the US Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. This song has been covered many times over, including Blue Rodeo’s version that graced the Canadian music charts from late 1994 until early 1995. As a ballad, “‘Til I Gain Control Again” was a fantastic lyrical delivery of someone pouring his soul out, flaws and all, in a manner that easily made this song such an easy-listening favorite.

#3 – Head Over Heels

On the RPM Canadian Country Tracks chart, “Head Over Heels” became a number four hit for Blue Rodeo, as well as a number sixteen hit on the Canadian Adult Contemporary chart, and a number thirty-three hit on the RPM Canada Top Singles chart in 1995. From the album, Five Days in July, “Head Over Heels” was one of six hit singles that justifiably earned the album become certified platinum six times with Music Canada. The opening harmonica led the way to Blue Rodeo’s classic acoustic performance that has earned this country-rock group a solid reputation as artists that has the rare ability to cater to country music fans, as well as the fan base dedicated to rock songs.

#2 – Try

Since the 1987 release of “Try” from Blue Rodeo’s debut album, Outskirts, this Canadian country-rock band finally achieved the stardom level beyond the city limits of Toronto, Ontario. As one of the group’s signature songs, “Try” was a beautifully performed ballad that featured the narrator singing about a love interest who was never the same way twice, according to his perception of her. This song served as the key reason why Outskirts became a four-time platinum seller in Canada and why they have since been regarded as one of Canada’s top new bands at the time. On the RPM Canada Top Singles chart, “Try” peaked at number six while on the RPM Canadian Country Tracks chart it became a number one hit.

#1 – Til I Am Myself Again

“Til I Am Myself Again” became one of Blue Rodeo’s biggest hits after it was released as a single from the group’s third studio album, Casino. In 1990, it became a number one hit on the RPM Canadian Country Tracks chart, a number two hit Canadian Adult Contemporary Chart, and a number three hit on the RPM Canada Top Singles chart. It also peaked at number nineteen on the US Billboard Alternative Airplay chart and at number thirty-seven on the US Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks chart.

The twelve-string guitar used in “Til I Am Myself Again” was noted for a sound performance that was reminiscent of The Byrds, giving a melodic, yet nostalgic feel to this incredible hit number. As a narrative, Blue Rodeo wondered what happened to their confidence, hoping whatever route they choose it will be the right ticket to become themselves again. Just like “Try,” “‘Til I Am Myself” has since become one of Blue Rodeo’s signature songs that keep the fans coming back for more.