"POETS" - The Tragically Hip || I HATE THIS SONG || Crash Thompson 

Crash, I remember you were naming Todd as one of your biggest inspirations and I just wanted to say that you, Mic The Snare and mister In The Shadows are undoubtedly my favorite music youtubers. Your long-form videos (The rise and fall of..., How To Get Into etc) are like this very well-done documentaries and I am a little bit ashamed to admit how many times have I rewatched every single one of them - they are just THAT good. Besides, there's something else, kinda personal: back in 2015-2016 I've almost stopped listening to rock music entirely. It just stopped being interesting to me for a pretty long period of time. And it was you, who helped me starting to appreciate and like rock again. So yeah, Crash, your approach to making videos is amazing, please don't think otherwise.

Crash, don't sell yourself short. You do contribute a lot to the music sphere. It doesn't matter if your release schedule is all over the place, you do a lot and put out a lot of quality content. Over the years, your videos keep getting better and better. It's quality over quantity. Channels that pump out videos every day or multiple videos every day or every week aren't as good as yours, Todd's, Luke's John's, and many others that I can't possibly list because, if I did, we would be here all day. Don't listen to the haters and just keep doing what you're doing.

Nothing makes me happier than an American talking about my country’s band. They need to be known universally

Oh Crash, you know I value your spicy takes immensely. I LIVE for your spicy takes so much, that if there was ever a "How To Get Into" video on Pink Floyd, I will have entire fireworks displays ready for the moment I hear the phrase, "Animals is underrated, tbh".

This just in: Indiana man banned from Canada for life

Love your take on Poets. I’m Canadian, and, The Hip is my ALL TIME FAVOURITE band. That being said, Poets is not among my favourite songs. As an American fan, you are a rarity, and, have my respect, right off the bat. Basically, if you can deeply appreciate The Hip, you are an honorary Canadian, in my books! I have evangelized to many American friends, on the treasure that is Gord / The Hip…and, Poets is NEVER among the first songs I introduce. You have succeeded in articulating the reasons why. Please produce more Hip content. I’ll be here for it. Respect from your Canadian sister/fellow Hip fan!

I may be an American who disagrees and enjoys this track as a fun track that reminds me of like a goofier indie rock classic from the mid 2000s, like an LCD Soundsystem irony track or a goofier Flaming Lips single. But the thing I always say about criticism is that it’s it’s own art form, and as usual, even when I disagree I have a fun time watching. Entertaining, wonderfully descriptive, and I understand your perspective even if it’s not mine. As usual…keep up the great work.

As a Brit mostly clueless to the Hip who just happened to be in Toronto when Gord Downie died, the outporing and street tributes were quite an experience. I immediately went to learn more about the band. It seems very rare that anyone over here knows their music and Canadians always seem surprised when they find out I know about them.

It’s rather “hip” to be…..I forget where I was going with this.

I have been a fan of you for the longest time Crash. Been a patron for years. Watch your live streams and try to be as active as I can whenever you post a video. I can say that you have really helped me in some of the darkest times in my life. I have been struggling with mental health issues for years. There are times where I am sitting on the edge and just need a reason to take a step off. But creators like you always make me smile. Always make me feel better. Always put me at ease and make me take a step back and hang out here for a while longer. You are special. You make a difference. Please know that. Love you bud. Thank you for introducing me to some great music. I still jam to Arrows In Her to this day since you talked about " It Tired Me All The Same" Anyway thank you for being YOU.

Crash my guy you got me into Pearl Jam as a whole, Van Halen beyond the first two albums, Bad Religion beyond the hits, I could go on and on all day frankly.

You've gotten me into a LOT of music my friend. I know that isn't a ton, but your contributions haven't gone unnoticed. Keep up the great work!

I appreciate the fact when you mentioned pompous artists, I thought of Morrissey, then you slapped a pic of him on the screen after I did 🤣

While taste is subjective, this song features what is possibly the greatest snare sound of all time, not to mention it's simply raw as f***,. I love it and it's easily in my top 5 Canadian band/artist songs of all time.

Crash, with all due respect to Todd and the others, I enjoy your videos the most. From your mocking of Pitchfork reviews to introducing me to bands that become favs (Beast In Black for instance), I really appreciate what you bring to the musical RU-vid landscape

Hey Crash, I’ve been a fan for about 6 years now, and seeing your transformation as a content creator and a person brings joy to my heart, there are very few things that get me as excited as seeing a new upload from you, stay strong man, cheers!

Don't bring yourself down, man. Without you, I would not have expanded my taste into other rock acts and you bring a nice chill vibe to the music sphere

Huge Hip fan. Since '92. I've seen them 30+ times over the years. Post '98 I think I have heard it at every show. I'm right there with you. I skip to Something On almost immediately...Sometimes I give it a charity spin.

I have two points to make. Least important one's first. I personally love Poets (largely because the lyrics are so... venomous yet kind of self-deprecating) but I do kind of think it is a bit tonally dissonant with how fast and hard the rest of Phantom Power is. I don't mind that the music isn't as hard hitting (mainly so the lyrics can take center stage) but it feels kind of weird as the opener to 'Something On' and 'Can't Save The Planet.' I always thought it would be really good as a hidden track at the end or something. The Hip were never my go-to band for fire and fury anyway, so I sort of don't mind the laid-back-ness of it, but I can see how it can feel like a road bump to the fireworks factory for some people. Anyway, SUSAN!

"Poets" feels too mediocre to hate, but maybe that's it's biggest problem.

As always, great video. I've been watching you for a number of years now, found you through Rocked. I love your videos and you are one of the only music critics I listen to. Hell without you I wouldn't have gotten into Spanish Loves Songs and Pup, so thank you for that.

genuinely great video. awesome as always

Stumbled on your stuff today… as one of the other 11 US fans of the hip, I respect the take. I love it because of the live performances though…poets seemed like the time that gord would try out new lyrics and interact(rather than being stuck behind hit acoustic). Also get your point about Gord lyrics being dense. To be honest, when I was discovering them after the fact, one album at a time here “down south”, I would constantly say “this is my least favorite album”… then only after spinning it multiple times and actually getting the lyrics would I realize that it was my new favorite album.

Crash we love hearing you and what you have to say about music, You’ve gotten me into quite a few bands and even more into some bands I was a fan of. We don’t need every music reviewer to be some snobby music douche who talks about meaningless crap about albums, Sometimes you just want a real dude to listen to, And your a real dude. Please keep up the great work man

You're always appreciated Crash. I always click on your notifications as soon as they come up, simply because you're entertaining and mostly my first go-to for a musical opinion or advice on finding new bands. Keep going my dude!

With the polarizing reception of this song, can we say it's The Last Jedi of Hip songs? I 'm kidding. Only of them doesn't represent what they are about and the other is a Star Wars movie. Also, I said this before: Poets: Season one of Parks and Rec Rest of Album: Season 2 upwards of Parks and Rec

stayed for the whole 40mins. love the hip and always appreciate a person who can take the piss out of something they love, kudos. new here, looking forward to checking out your past stuff and whatever you do in the future, peace!

That's interesting, I'm American and everyone I know locally loves the Tragically Hip. My parents have seen them live. Granted, I live in St. Lawrence County which is on the Canadian border. I remember in 2016, everyone at the factory I worked at was talking about trying to catch their farewell tour before Gord Downie passed.

1998, year of The Tragically Hip, Barenaked Ladies, Our Lady Peace and Matthew Good Band on repeat on Canadian rock stations!

The way Crash Thompson speaks of The Tragically Hip is how I feel about Matthew Good. He's a great songwriter, but I have yet to really get to know anyone in America who even brings his name or his work up. Not that he will get the chance now because...sigh.

Now do one or multiple I Love This Song episodes of this band.

I can't find the right words, Crash. Just know that whatever you do, I'll support you.

I’ve been with the same Canadian woman for nearly a quarter-century, so I’ve gotten a pretty decent level of exposure to the Hip just by osmosis compared to most Americans, and I have just never gotten past the feeling that they were like the Canadian equivalent of R.E.M. That’s not to dismiss them outright. It’s just that I’ve only got two ears and so many hours to listen to music, and once it got set in my brain that this was a foreign, not as good version of R.E.M., that was basically it for me ever trying to get into the Hip.

Video hasn’t even premiered yet and I already love it

YOU are the most entertaining person to do it, that’s the difference!

For some Canadian perspective - and as someone mostly on your side with regards to this song, yes we even exist up here - if it's any consolation "Poets" hasn't had anywhere near the lasting impact as their other big hits. Like, my local classic rock station still plays "Bobcaygeon" and "Ahead by a Century" very frequently (along with half of Fully Completely's tracklist) but I don't think I've heard "Poets" much at all since the mid-00s. It was an instant massive hit but definitely didn't stick around past its natural radio cycle.

Crash I’m an Australian who’s a fan of the Tragically Hip, so I’m also coming from this as an outsider as well, and I have to say I dig “Poets”. I totally get why you don’t like it, this video explains your feelings on the song very well, but my main disagreement is the idea that “there isn’t a hook”. I have woken up in the morning with the line “Don’t care what the poets are doing!” running through my head, and the guitar solo (even if not virtuosic or anything) has often popped into my mind. My main issue with the song is probably that it’s redundant, since a better version of poets exists, it’s called “Vapour Trails” and it’s on the same damn album. I like Poets enough to say “leave it on the album”, but I will never understand why “Vapour Trails” wasn’t picked as the album opener.

This has reminded to go back to the HTGI, really need to go through their discog in full! Though, gonna disagree on Eve 6 with ya Crash, Horrorscope is an underrated gem in pop punk. Also his twitter is a treasure, their newer music is so good. Loved this episode too!

Yes do more Hip stuff! there really isnt enough people talking about them..

For what it's worth, you're my favorite creator on the platform. You DO add something new to the conversation. Your opinions. And that's what i come here for (this. And d*ck jokes. 😆) Love from Argentina. 🙏❤️

Opening tracks can make or break it for me when I put on a record for the first time. Same with opening lyrics, which is why Latvia's entry in Eurovision threw me off the chair the first time I heard it.

Speaking as someone who grew up in Buffalo NY (which is basically Canada let be real), they have a pretty solid following there so I grew up on the Hip. It was only once I left that I realized that barely anyone else in the US knows about them so I’m super glad you’re talking about these guys!

0:30 I love how specific the number of vids is on your RU-vid wiki page is and they still felt the need to add a plus sign to it. Lol

Honestly Crash I have never listened to this band before but this song slaps and It's kinda made me interested in hearing more by them! Kinda like when you said Back to School by Deftones was bad, you saying that got me interested, thanks man and keep up the good work, love your videos :)

Just started to watch this video, however I just got floored seeing my old music review channel while you were scrolling through them in the beginning, I don't even know what else to say lol

I'm a Detroiter and a huge fan of The Hip

I'd never heard this song until now and yeah, I get where you're coming from. I can't get past the "dude saying every word in his vocabulary while being slightly drowned out by the Beavis and Butthead theme"-ness of it all.

Crash, I just want you to know I value your take on all things music related have have so for years. If not for you, I wouldn't have ever heard of the Hip or given One Hot Minute a listen. Plus, very few people I know have even heard of Bad Religion (or admit to it). The quality and maturity of your videos has improved over the years and they've kept pace with how I've grown and matured over the years. Finally, I can't say I know you personally but I'm happy to hear you've accepted yourself for who you are and seem to be in a good place. Keep doing what you're doing man for as long as you want to. If I'm ever in Indy, maybe we can grab a beer. Cheers.

I was living in Arizona when Poets came out as the first single for Phantom Power. For some reason Much Music which is the Canadian version of MTV was part of our cable package. I loved the song and the video. I ran out and bought the album and have been a fan ever since.

Babe wake up Crash posted

This is the only song by them I can even remember hearing, or at any rate it's the only one I know the title of, and I remember kind of hating it too (I don't think I've heard it since then). But at the same time "Poets" doesn't feel like it's *worth* hating, it doesn't deserve that much emotion being spent on it. It's just... nondescript. There was an awful lot of just nondescript, generic-feeling guitar rock circulating in the latter part of the 90s after grunge burned out, and I suppose that if I thought about the Tragically Hip at all (they did not exactly make it here in Australia either) I would've considered them part of that based, admittedly, almost entirely on "Poets". Which may be unfair, but it doesn't inspire further listening somehow...

Corner Gas is a fantastic show, by the way.

Hey Crash, do you have a specific, favorite Rush song? If so, it’d be cool if you did an “I Love This Song” video on it.

One of my favorite Hip songs.

Production was constantly letting the hip down in the nineties, all their records sounded like they had been dulled down until World Container which is a shame cause the material in the 90’s was so good. it’s just a shame that whoever was responsible for the sonic tone of the band back then seemed hell bent on declawing the raw energy they have live when it came time to hit record

Hey, I really like your ideas and just plain silliness

I’m Canadian and I grew up with the hip. I’m a huge fan, but I was always bored to tears by Poets.

My American showing but the opening of this song sounds like a super water down CCR song opening…could be the only one hearing this.

You know, come to think of it, the Tragically Hip never had any crossover success in Europe either. At least I don't remember hearing them - or even of them - at the time.

As a big Hip fan, there's a few songs of theirs that if I hear it on the radio, I'll change it immediately. Poets is alright. Not something I'll change but I completely understand why someone wouldn't like it. My hated Hip songs are Blow at High Dough, New Orleans is Sinking, Boots or Hearts. Basically their early stuff, like 80's early. It's just bland. And I don't understand why these songs are considered classics. It was the 90's and early 2000's when they hit their prime.

I appreciate your takes and contributions to the music sphere Crash :). I mean, you defeneded Test for Echo in HTGI Rush and thank god because it was long overdue for that album to get some love

Crash, you’re one of if not my favourite music RU-vidrs. You are funny and amazing and you need to stop selling yourself short.

I was weirdly super into the hip when I was 16. Lol I'm also American. Idk why I got so into them. But I made a lot of friends listen to them on long drives back then

You may not be special, but you are one thing that is important for someone who gets in front of a camera... ENTERTAINING. That's why I keep coming back, at least. Yeah, you may not be as smart as people think you are or have the hottest of takes, but I'd like to think that not many people really care. It's called being an individual with a personal opinion. And didn't you use to say "the only opinion that matters is your own"?

I was going to say when The Tragically Hip did their final tour after Gord Downie found out he had brain cancer, I hope you got the privilege of making it to Canada to see them perform one last time I almost didn't, I'm glad my work had "connections" with a big construction company so I got to see their last show in Edmonton in luxury 😎

Crash, you're valuable to music RU-vid. You're worth a lot more than you think. I've been watching your stuff ever since the series about the Band That Shall Not Be Named and it's all fun and informative. I love watching your HTGI videos despite already being into most of the bands you covered - because I love hearing your perspective on albums I already like. Even if I disagree, I at least understand why a layman would not be able to get into A Farewell to Kings as easily as Moving Pictures. Even if I can tell you didn't care much for that mid '90s bluesy garage rock revival thing the Hip are doing here. I kinda like it (then again, my music taste is so shot, I liked Ride's Tarantula and I think the Goo Goo Dolls are really good), but I can tell that the Hip isn't in their wheelhouse with the "Poets" instrumental.

2:35 yay someone else who understands the pain

Funny because I HATE poets too. But the other kicker is Phantom Power is one of my favorite albums ever (and the Hip is is one of my favorite bands. Even as an American) and the final kicker is... Right after Poets comes what has to be my favorite Hip song in the form of Something On.

Just listened to the song for the 1st time. Pretty sure I & my homies could've written & performed better songs than Poets in 8th grade lol EDIT: I kinda warmed up to the lyrics slightly more now, but my musician homie could've still done better on instruments in high school

39:00 holy shit a Corner Gas reference? God damn that makes me feel Canadian as hell

I do agree with you Crash on poets, I don't think it's an awful song though but it is definitely the weakest song off of Phantom Power. Also, nice to see some Hoosier representation with your shirt

Was all set to check out this band, clicked on all your links and found none of those vids available in my country. Never mind. You can be too hard on yourself sometimes Crash, your a lot less polished than most youtubers but I find that you come at your videos from the perspective of a fan rather than a critic, which is probably why i find your videos so refreshing.

It's not my favourite Hip song, but I don't hate it either.

Okay Crash, you are still good by me. Also, I need to watch Corner Gas again, that show was great.

I find you have a very natural and flowing way of explaining the topics you cover. I appreciate your presence in the music sphere, especially since you’re not torturing yourself trying to like new Weezer lmao. Do what feels best crash, you’re good folk! Edit: heehee I like the song where Gord yells “happy hour”

Crash I'm a Hip fan thanks to you, you ad a lot. And the Video on Tool is a Public Service in how to get into one of the densest bands in rock

I've been one of those 12 for a very long time! Found them on my way to a portfolio review pre highschool. And my friend I was with was like, " I don't like these guys!" The song was Grace Too, and it stuck in my head for two more years before I got there.

Oh shit, I just saw that NFT documentary lol

12:20 based Morrissey trashing as it should be.

24:15 the SUSANS are incoming! I laughed so hard at that, thanks for talking introducing me to the song it's great. On a side note, this is the first I've heard their music and they give me vibes that they're the Canadian R.E.M.

OUR LADY PEACE VIDEO WHEN?! there’s even less RU-vid videos about them.

Brother I live in Buffalo so was introduced to the hip in 87 and am a huge fan .. as are most folks in border states.. that said I do love Poets but.. I do get your point .. as far as trying to crack the US .. I get it.. more importantly your opinion on the SNL appearance. You hit it on the head! This was an opportunity that fell flat on its face. I remember being pumped for the appearance thinking here is the chance for USA to see this kick ass live ! .. in particular what a performer Gord was ! In short they blew it.. weather it was a management decision or the bands they misread the hand . Too bad .. so many people missed out on who and what the hip were and still are! RIP Gord

This video is a year old now. So you probably won't see this. But... I have a question for you. When you as an outsider listen to a Hip song that is pure Canadiana. How does it make you feel? Do you get it? I guess what I am trying to say is. When I listen to a hip song it makes me remember. not imagine. So I am curious what it does for you?

The solo and guitar plays to the song. One of the hardest parts of being a talented musician is dialing it back to play for the song.

Please, Crash. Do more videos about The Hip. The YT needs more HIP CONTENT!

Poets is better than anything on Up To Here and I’ll die on that hill.

A funny thing happened with Sleep Token

I'm American and I don't get what your deal about this song is. If you think the overall soundscape of "Poets" is too laidback, I don't understand why your favorite Hip song is "Bobcaygeon", which I'm not saying is an invalid opinion, but sometimes your musical takes just confuse me. You're such a stickler for energetic music; songs are allowed to have a relaxed feel and tempos that aren't 400 bpm. I think your issue with the riff in "Poets" is just a you thing.

18:13 I howled laughing at that Being originally from Edmonton

I'm Canadian, I also hate Poets and it does nothing for me. I think Nautical Disaster is defiantly in my top 3 hip songs. I like Grace too aswell but i agree with what you said they shoulda played New orleans is sinking for the Americans or Fully completely. I always like to go back and watch the woodstock 99 set Gord is just out there and the Americans don't know what to think of him but it's a great show. Btw the video monologue was really really good man , Really got me thinking about alot of stuff non related to the song but just art in general, Keep up the good work

'Poets' honestly sounds like a Rolling Stones, or a ZZ Top track.

I agree. It’s my 103rd favourite hip song.

As someone that’s never heard this song before, the impression the sound is making is that I feel like I’m listening to a dollar store version of “Takin Care of Business” by Bachman-Turner Overdrive (weirdly enough another Canadian band).

l really like the lyrics too,probably that's what made me enjoy the music way more,same thing with smashing pumpkins lyrics for example,l dig the band and l think the lyrics level up the band for me,shoutout to "mayonaise"

Late to the party ie new subscriber, but gotta jump in here. 1, I'm an American Hip fan and have been one since the 90s (don't do the math please). 2. I am also from a border town and I guarantee if you weren't born in or lived a significant amount of time in a border town you are clueless about band. Unless you're a music critic. 3. The Hip are an intelligent band, Gordy being a poet and philosopher and all. Sometimes we as Americans don't get it because we are all about instant gratification, straight forwardness etc. IOW, not so keen with the simile and metaphor, we are. 4. Gordy (RIP) was also a great performer and as you stated, sold it on stage. Perhaps the dancing in the video was a way to visually express the state of pretentiousness the song was about. See all that irony there? 5. Piggybacking off the above mentioned, yes BNL seemed to read the room regarding "One Week" but a look at their songs in general even now, shows their style is more goofy, the exception being "Brian Wilson". and I am sure others, but I am more educated on The Hip. 6. You ignored the influence of record execs. Perhaps THEY are the ones that insisted Phantom Power open with "Poets". There is also the fact that some artists HATE or grow to hate their own works. Due to record execs, radio over saturation or preference for other songs on their medium. Kind of like how Robert Plant HATES Stairway to Heaven and thought of Kashmir as the quintessential Led Zeppelin song. 7. Most Americans (that aren't on the border) idea of Canadian music is Rush, Alanis Morisette, and (gag) Bryan Adams, with even fewer knowing of Deborah Cox and Alannah Miles. Nowadays, everyone knows about Drake. All of the aforementioned perform in different genres than The Hip. In conclusion, I can't stand "Poets" either and as HUGE of a fan as I am, I count this among their worst compositions. I also can't stand, Bobcaygeon", "Wheat Kings" (though whoever let Bieber cover it should be punished severely) or "Fiddler's Green". I tend to dislike slow, sappy Hip songs. Most ppl who haven't followed the Hip are ignorant of their wide catalog. Most of these poseurs know "New Orleans", "Grace Too" and oh yeah "Poets" Good review though!

tragically hip are so good

Ayo! Don't you sell yourself short. I got into your videos thanks to YT algorithm with ARTV and Rocked. I've enjoyed many of your videos and continue to. Keep it up, man!

Crash, what do you think derailed Matthew Good Band's chances in the United States? (apart from Matthew Good himself).

You're not alone here. I'm a lifelong, diehard Hip fan of 50 years old and fell in love with the band when I was a teenager. By the time PP cam out I had been anxiously awaiting each release for the last 3-4 and waited with bated breath to hear that first single on the radio and it was Poets....didn't love it and it started a run for me of disliking the first single for the next several albums up until MMP.

Love a long haired bald dude like me, keep it going dude