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Sam Roberts — Brother Down
Album: We Were Born In A Flame
Avg rating:
7.1

Your rating:
Total ratings: 807









Released: 2003
Length: 4:17
Plays (last 30 days): 0
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One life to live but we're doing it wrong
You see, got my brother down cause it's nothing to me
Everyone's saying that it's wrong to cheat
But there's no other way to get my life on easy street

Someone else telling you what you're living for
Been knocking you down, now you're looking for more
The only sound you hear is a closing door
Been looking for peace but they're bringing you war
Rich man's crying cause his money's time
And poor man's smiling cause he knows he ain't blind
There's a man over there says he's tougher than me
But i got eyes that can see through fantasy

I think my life is passing me by
I think my life is passing me by

Take it all back cause it don't mean nothing
If you give it away and you're looking for something back
Wake up every morning when there's nothing there
No reason to die but no reason to care

Someone else telling you what you're living for
Been knocking you down now you're looking for more
The only sound you hear is a closing door
Been looking for peace but they're bringing you war
One life to live but we're doing it wrong
You see, got my brother down cause it's nothing to me
Rich man's crying cause his money's time
Poor man's smiling cause he knows he ain't blind

I think my life is passing me by
I think my life is passing me by
Comments (74)add comment
Bumped up to 9 “I think my life is passing me by .. no reason to live but no reason to care.”
Posted 1 year ago by staygood    [ Reply ]
For the past 10 years (minus 2 for the pandemic) my wife and I have celebrated our anniversary by spending a night at Sunpeaks Ski Resort near Kamloops, BC on the July long weekend for the free outdoor concert.  The headliner was always a Canadian music artist or band - including Blue Rodeo, Burton Cummings, Serena Ryder, and one year, the Sam Roberts Band.   They were a rockin' good fun performance, and our first exposure to this more "current" artist.

What stood out for us that year was the crowd, which was usually white-haired rockers like ourselves, but that year included a much younger audience of families with kids.  The ending was still the same , however, a pristine grassy hillside devoid of trash.  

Gotta love a crowd that cleans us after itself!


Posted 1 year ago by dandueck07    [ Reply ]
That year cannot be right--this song cannot have been around since 2003 and I'm just hearing it now. Fantastic.
Posted 2 years ago by bkrans9    [ Reply ]
 On_The_Beach wrote:
Good Canadian kid!


Don Cherry is a nut job but The Sam Roberts Band rocks! I saw them a few years ago in San Diego at The Casbah and I was one of maybe 40-50 people in the audience. They didn't care and they put on a great show. 

Their newest albums are a little too "pop" for me, but their older albums (this included) are second to none. The SRB will never not be on my playlists. 
Posted 3 years ago by johnalexford    [ Reply ]
"Good Canadian kid!"
Alas, Don said one too many controversial things, and got cancelled.
It's a shame he couldn't have kept his comments to hockey, because on that front he was quite entertaining and insightful.
Posted 4 years ago by On_The_Beach    [ Reply ]
Sometimes, a great song gets watered down from too much airplay. Not so with this gem from Sam Roberts- in fact, bumping from 8>9 today. Other songs from this excellent artist please!
Posted 4 years ago by jmddj    [ Reply ]
 trempel wrote:
I'm constantly amazed by how much good music exists thta I've never heard before.
 
I'm constantly amazed how much repetition and mediocrity I heard before the internet, streaming, RP and other venues that boosted not ignored or strangled so much good music we never heard on FM.  
Posted 4 years ago by kingart    [ Reply ]
Kind of a Jose Gonzales vibe here... I like!
Posted 4 years ago by Jelani    [ Reply ]
I can't believe this album is 17 years old. It got a lot of well-deserved airtime on Canadian radio stations. 
Posted 4 years ago by alexandersmcmillan    [ Reply ]
 shakylegs wrote:
Last spring, Sam Roberts and bandmates led my son's 5th grade class, performing at the school spring concert. He's got my respect.
 

I'm Canadian; that is very , VERY cool!  
Posted 4 years ago by nottheusualkind    [ Reply ]
Last spring, Sam Roberts and bandmates led my son's 5th grade class, performing at the school spring concert. He's got my respect.
Posted 5 years ago by shakylegs    [ Reply ]
Great lyrics
Posted 5 years ago by bluecshells    [ Reply ]
Great song; killer echoes of early Jane's Addiction, among other things going for it. Yeah, hard to believe it's not played more often
Posted 6 years ago by coloradojohn    [ Reply ]
Just got here via PSD....was amazed at how little it's been played.   Pretty good tune.
Posted 10 years ago by NeuroGeek    [ Reply ]
Great track from an overall solid album!! {#Good-vibes}
Posted 10 years ago by d48m02h    [ Reply ]
There's a brother down! ....Link, Julie, Pete...Keep the Faith!!  This song really sticks in the old cranium, an ear worm if there ever was one.
Posted 15 years ago by peter_james_bond    [ Reply ]
 robco1 wrote:
This is quite likable. Lots of Perry Ferrel channeled, but that's not a bad thing. The claps don't bug me (but then my favorite song right now is PT's "Trains").
 

It's weird, because this guy's voice doesn't really sound like Perry Farrell, now that I really listen to it, but I always thought this was one of his songs, too.

Posted 16 years ago by Danimal174    [ Reply ]
A good song with a serious case of the clap(s).  {#Lol}
Posted 16 years ago by HarrO    [ Reply ]
 robco1 wrote:
This is quite likable. Lots of Perry Ferrel channeled, but that's not a bad thing. The claps don't bug me (but then my favorite song right now is PT's "Trains").
  Yep. Agree. Same here!


Posted 16 years ago by siandbeth    [ Reply ]
richerich wrote:
Got alot of play up near the can-us border over the last year (& LOTS of play in Canada of course...)
Ah Ha! I thought so! I suspected that this guy must be canadian simply by the number of canucks posting on this forum!
Posted 16 years ago by aeknust    [ Reply ]
This is quite likable. Lots of Perry Ferrel channeled, but that's not a bad thing. The claps don't bug me (but then my favorite song right now is PT's "Trains").
Posted 16 years ago by robco1    [ Reply ]
Only thing good about this song is the end!!
Posted 16 years ago by sarahbean26    [ Reply ]
Kdubba wrote:
You have that so right, not bad tune, kill the claps!
More cowbell!
Posted 17 years ago by palad1    [ Reply ]
kazuma wrote:
It's okay I guess, but those freakin' hand claps are driving me nuts.
You have that so right, not bad tune, kill the claps!
Posted 17 years ago by Kdubba    [ Reply ]
Death_to_Clear_Channel wrote:
When did Perry Farrell change his name to "Sam"?
true that - when this came out on the radio i figured it was jane's addiction. but after some time a distinguishment has been made.. kind of a bad way to start things off. it's like wearing a costume on your first day to school.
Posted 17 years ago by davin    [ Reply ]
I tremendously dislike SR. Very much so. He's got a face you wouldn't get tired of hitting. But this one? Solid 7.
Posted 17 years ago by SmilinJimmy    [ Reply ]
It's okay I guess, but those freakin' hand claps are driving me nuts.
Posted 17 years ago by kazuma    [ Reply ]
Possibly the worst song on an otherwise decent album
Posted 17 years ago by volvo245    [ Reply ]
CubsFan wrote:
sounds like something out of Manchester early '90s
A huge compliment...one hopes.
Posted 17 years ago by WonderLizard    [ Reply ]
th3boon wrote:
just hope he comes out with another album, saw him with sloan a couple years ago, great show
He does in fact have a new album. It is being played on RP. It is fantastic!
Posted 17 years ago by cpugeek01    [ Reply ]
passsion8 wrote:
Me, too. And, the song's in Mono!
I think it's bunged up all the way through, not just at the beginning. :)
Posted 18 years ago by Happygirl    [ Reply ]
Zep wrote:
I'm sure there is an MP3 borf at the very opening of this file. I've heard lots of these little swishy noises and this sounds like one of them. It's in the very opening of the song.
Me, too. And, the song's in Mono!
Posted 18 years ago by passsion8    [ Reply ]
I'm sure there is an MP3 borf at the very opening of this file. I've heard lots of these little swishy noises and this sounds like one of them. It's in the very opening of the song.
Posted 18 years ago by Zep    [ Reply ]
th3boon wrote:
just hope he comes out with another album, saw him with sloan a couple years ago, great show
He just released a new CD recently. Heard good reviews about it. (click here)
Posted 18 years ago by MusikManiak    [ Reply ]
Ok, I'm an American who has the Canadian copy of the DVD of the SARS/Toronto Concert. Sam Roberts does a set on this DVD that is pretty ok, but the real standout of the the whole damn thing was Kathleen Edwards doing a gutsy, straight up set that kicked butt. So figure me a Kathleen Edwards fan now.
Posted 18 years ago by Daveinbawlmer    [ Reply ]
th3boon wrote:
just hope he comes out with another album, saw him with sloan a couple years ago, great show
How come there is no Sloan at RP?
Posted 18 years ago by the_bink    [ Reply ]
Must turn up volume!
Posted 18 years ago by El_Penguino    [ Reply ]
Death_to_Clear_Channel wrote:
When did Perry Farrell change his name to "Sam"?
I don't hear Perry Farrell at all.
Posted 18 years ago by Tireux_De_Roche    [ Reply ]
When did Perry Farrell change his name to "Sam"?
Posted 18 years ago by Death_to_Clear_Channel    [ Reply ]
Ha. a couple of guys from Etheopia commented on the music playing here in my shop. RP crosses cultures and brings them together.
Posted 18 years ago by Faithful_Fool    [ Reply ]
'Bout time haven't heard this in a while ....though I own the CD...I'm a RP junkie my CD's are jealous!!
Posted 18 years ago by Peyote    [ Reply ]
just hope he comes out with another album, saw him with sloan a couple years ago, great show
Posted 19 years ago by th3boon    [ Reply ]
I'm constantly amazed by how much good music exists thta I've never heard before.
Posted 19 years ago by trempel    [ Reply ]
Neat Sam Roberts story-a few years back, I took my 15 year old kids and their freinds to see SR. On the way we stopped at macDonalds, and found Roberts and his band in the line up. They were tired from the road, but went out of their way to be nice to my kids. I was impressed.
Posted 19 years ago by MCKY    [ Reply ]
sherp wrote:
Good to here Sam on RP. Took me a minute to realize I was listening to RP and not a local radio station filling up theri CANCON requirements. Gret tune.
Amen, excellent riff quitar
Posted 19 years ago by NiceGuy2005    [ Reply ]
sherp wrote:
Took me a minute to realize I was listening to RP and not a local radio station filling up theri CANCON requirements.
Exactly! Haven't heard this for a while, but this song really, really began to grate on me after hearing it the first two or three hundred times.
Posted 19 years ago by REM    [ Reply ]
Good to here Sam on RP. Took me a minute to realize I was listening to RP and not a local radio station filling up theri CANCON requirements. Gret tune.
Posted 19 years ago by sherp    [ Reply ]
gregorbill wrote:
I think this guy's "been caught stealing" from Jane's Addiction.
Right on.
Posted 20 years ago by Dais    [ Reply ]
reminding me a lot of Beta Band right now. good stuff.
Posted 20 years ago by Platypus    [ Reply ]
streetsintherain wrote:
saw this guy open up for Guster...and he was horrible.
I saw him open for the tragically hip and he and his band were great. They blow guster away IMO.
Posted 20 years ago by Keegs    [ Reply ]
I think this guy's "been caught stealing" from Jane's Addiction.
Posted 20 years ago by gregorbill    [ Reply ]
a great groove...
Posted 20 years ago by spicytomato    [ Reply ]
saw this guy open up for Guster...and he was horrible.
Posted 20 years ago by streetsintherain    [ Reply ]
A_Nonny_Mouse wrote:
He's wee to boot. 5' 2" or some thing...I loved destroying my girlfriends dreams of him. Hehe
Thanks alot for destroying mine too!!! My sister and I have been drooling over him for months....I've seen him in concert twice (amazing both times) and never really noticed. Proves that it's not what you've got but what you do with it that counts......ha ha
Posted 20 years ago by Bootsy    [ Reply ]
sounds like something out of Manchester early '90s
Posted 20 years ago by CubsFan    [ Reply ]
A_Nonny_Mouse wrote:
He's wee to boot. 5' 2" or some thing...I loved destroying my girlfriends dreams of him. Hehe
Really ? Well ya know those long tall drinks are certainly an eyeful, but they take up a lot of room in bed and aren't always that manouverable. An athletic little guy who can turn on a dime, on the other hand......
Posted 20 years ago by philarktos    [ Reply ]
He's wee to boot. 5' 2" or some thing...I loved destroying my girlfriends dreams of him. Hehe
Posted 20 years ago by A_Nonny_Mouse    [ Reply ]
RichardPrins wrote:
reminds me of Gomez a bit...
right on -- with a dash of blind melon just for spice.
Posted 20 years ago by rah    [ Reply ]
Posted 20 years ago by indigo_xia    [ Reply ]
reminds me of Gomez a bit...
Posted 20 years ago by R_P    [ Reply ]
Heathen wrote:
WHAT!! Another great Canadian artist ;) Sam Roberts is amazing and a great live act too.
and absolutely gorgeous, 'though way scruffy:
Posted 20 years ago by philarktos    [ Reply ]
very cool tune. i definitely have to check these guys out more.
Posted 20 years ago by Platypus    [ Reply ]
I gave it a 10. This is such a rich and original sound.. The chorus pause slow down isn't my favorite... But at any rate, this is a keeper you could pick up in 10 years and wonder if it came from the 60's the 80's or yesterday.... Without that corny shortcut cowbell or twisty guitar cranks...
Posted 20 years ago by plundis    [ Reply ]
mc_hammer wrote:
amazing live performer.
That's not the half of it mc. Live, if you get the chance, don't miss these guys. They may be the dirtiest looking humans on the planet, but man, can they play.
Posted 21 years ago by tungsten    [ Reply ]
excellent canadian artist. amazing live performer.
Posted 21 years ago by mc_hammer    [ Reply ]
WHAT!! Another great Canadian artist ;) Sam Roberts is amazing and a great live act too.
Posted 21 years ago by Heathen    [ Reply ]
Great track!! Wish I was driving to this!! ;)
Posted 21 years ago by BigCalm    [ Reply ]
yup, i love this song, his voice reminds me of elliot smith for some reason. well, a more upbeat elliot smith...
Posted 21 years ago by pattyann    [ Reply ]
Another great song from the great white north.
Posted 21 years ago by Geed    [ Reply ]
Hmm, I like it.
Posted 21 years ago by Byte_Me    [ Reply ]
Boosiewolf wrote:
I don't think I've heard of this artist, but I like him! It almost sounds like something I would've listened to on college radio in the late 80's.
Never heard of him before, but despite this song dripping with cheese, I like it...
Posted 21 years ago by charlesr    [ Reply ]
Ah Yeah! Long live Montreal's Roberts. This guy has a great sound -- listen to the rest of the album. It's pretty damn good stuff. Got alot of play up near the can-us border over the last year (& LOTS of play in Canada of course...)
Posted 21 years ago by richerich    [ Reply ]
I don't think I've heard of this artist, but I like him! It almost sounds like something I would've listened to on college radio in the late 80's.
Posted 21 years ago by Alexandra    [ Reply ]