Can anyone explain to me what GL means by this? Not the song, just the line "It's cold on the shoulder". Thanks in advance for any input.

Can anyone explain to me what GL means by this? Not the song, just the line "It's cold on the shoulder". Thanks in advance for any input.

i took the line literally, that it's cold on the shoulder of a road, i.e. when one is walking. gord often sings of road weariness and traveling, so i just always thought he meant that.

i took the line literally, that it's cold on the shoulder of a road, i.e. when one is walking. gord often sings of road weariness and traveling, so i just always thought he meant that.

Yep, that's what I always figured it meant. It's cold on the shoulder of the road compared to being in the cars going down the road with the heater on. Course you could take it a step further and assume from the context in which it appears, that the shoulder of the road is a metaphore for someone who choses to refrain from getting involved in relationships and life, and prefers instead to be "on the shoulder" of life, rather than on the road. It may be safer on the shoulder, but it's colder and lonely.

quote:Originally posted by jbt:
i took the line literally, that it's cold on the shoulder of a road, i.e. when one is walking. gord often sings of road weariness and traveling, so i just always thought he meant that.



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What lies behind us and what lies before us are small matters compared to what lies within us.

--R.W. Emerson

Yep, that's what I always figured it meant. It's cold on the shoulder of the road compared to being in the cars going down the road with the heater on. Course you could take it a step further and assume from the context in which it appears, that the shoulder of the road is a metaphore for someone who choses to refrain from getting involved in relationships and life, and prefers instead to be "on the shoulder" of life, rather than on the road. It may be safer on the shoulder, but it's colder and lonely.

quote:Originally posted by jbt:
i took the line literally, that it's cold on the shoulder of a road, i.e. when one is walking. gord often sings of road weariness and traveling, so i just always thought he meant that.



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What lies behind us and what lies before us are small matters compared to what lies within us.

--R.W. Emerson

Hitch hiking, from NB. to ONT. It's December,24th, your on the shoulder, of the road, and it's cold. Dont want to get hit by a truck, so your on the inside{RIGHT} of the yellow line. Which is the shoulder.

'Cold On The Shoulder.'

Hitch hiking, from NB. to ONT. It's December,24th, your on the shoulder, of the road, and it's cold. Dont want to get hit by a truck, so your on the inside{RIGHT} of the yellow line. Which is the shoulder.

'Cold On The Shoulder.'

Interesting, JJ. Sounds like a partial reference to "10 Degrees And Getting Colder".

And oddly enough, that song is from the album, "SUMMER Side Of Life"! :D

You are correct my good man, 2 beautiful Lightfoot Treasures. The Summer Side Of Life, album was almost has good as, Back Here On Earth.

Red Shea was definitely the best guitar player of the 2.

But I know what you mean "10 Degrees And Getting Colder," on Summer...lol...JJ.

You are correct my good man, 2 beautiful Lightfoot Treasures. The Summer Side Of Life, album was almost has good as, Back Here On Earth.

Red Shea was definitely the best guitar player of the 2.

But I know what you mean "10 Degrees And Getting Colder," on Summer...lol...JJ.

"Your love belongs to us" - what does Gord mean by that? Was he a closet hippie who advocated communal living? Ha!

It's amazing that such an old thread is brought back to the forefront. I think it speaks volumes for the Lightfoot magic.

Personally, I drew a conclusion from the album cover itself. The woman over his right shoulder. The past that one regrets.

In summary, heck I don't know. I think it was Rez who once posted that he had asked Lightfoot what "Shadows" was about, and Lightfoot replied, "If I told you, it wouldn't be yours".

RMD

You are correct...it was Rez who GL told '...it wouldn't be yours'

Take it from the horse's mouth (Songbook liner notes)

3/5. COLD ON THE SHOULDER
We've all been there. Sounds to me like someone who has been away from his lady for a long time and wants to get her back. Maybe he's promising to change his ways, but he definitely will do whatever it takes to get back in her good graces. The loneliness and remorse is getting to be a little too much, it's a little bit cold out there, so he's coming back in to stay.
________
BMW R3

I wasn't too sure whether I should start a new "topic" or revive an old thread.... well my choice is obvious at this point. I came upon this one looking to see if my "quesion" had already been answered. some interesting takes on "cold on the shoulder".

My silly question of the day is this: In the song "10 degrees and getting colder" is that 10 degrees Fahreneit or 10 degrees Celsius? If it's Celsius it's not too bad, a bit chilly perhaps. If on the otherhand it's 10 degrees Fahreneit that's just plain cold, and no doubt his feet are nearly frozen!!
oh and by the way, good to be back on corfid again! I missed y'all.

I always took it to be Fahrenheit because of the coldness, e.g. "for his feet are almost frozen". Ten Celsius is somewhere around 50 Fahrenheit, cool but well above freezing.

I always took it to be Fahrenheit because of the coldness, e.g. "for his feet are almost frozen". Ten Celsius is somewhere around 50 Fahrenheit, cool but well above freezing.