Oh man, who are the Tragically Hip?! Only Canada's band. There's such a wonderful story there if you're actually interested in putting in some time to go down the rabbit hole. Their final show of their final tour was broadcast across the entire country commercial free. Every bar in the country, every resterant with a tv. We just stopped whatever we were doing and cried while we said goodbye to the band of our lives. When Gord died the Prime Minister (our version of a president) went on tv, crying, to announce his demise. The flags flew at halfmast and we were just shell shocked. That final concert was seen by almost 2/3 of the country if that gives you an indication of just what this band means to us Canadians. Forever will the Hip be the storytellers of our lives (at least of my generation). Hell, I'm crying just thinking about it. There's a great docmentary about their farewell tour across the country as they said goodbye to their fans (called long time running, it's available on youtube. The final song "ahead by a century" is one of their biggest hits. Just don't judge Gord's vocal's by this tour. By the time of the tour the treatments for the cancer had robbed him of his voice along with his memory - he needed multiple monitors just so he could sing the lyrics. I was at that show and it will always be one of the most loved, most heartbreaking nights of my life. The love in the air was palpable. For one night the country united. Stranger hugging stranger. Old, young and in-between). The guys wrote about Canadian things. I could go on for days about their great works but if you follow their discography for yourself you will NOT be dissapointed. Long live the Hip (in Gord we Trust)
When Gord Downie and the Hip did their last show before he passed from cancer, 11 million Canadians tuned in to watch. Canada's population at the time was 39 million. That's how much he and his band were/are loved.
The Tragically Hip is the soundtrack to my life. I am from Kingston and from my high school days .. watching them in our town bars, to my 20’s .. seeing them in concert at many many venues, to my 30’s… listening and singing to them around a camp fire, to my 40’s and moved to tears when watching their final concert, knowing it would be their last. Knowing that I would never get to experience the joy and rush of seeing my favourite band perform again, as I had numerous numerous times. To the dead stop moment, having to pull my car over to the side of the road, and cry inconsolably for the loss of a man I didn’t know personally but felt was my best friend as he touched me so deeply with his music. The Tragically Hip has been the music soundtrack of my life and I will forever love every song, cherish every concert experience and never forget the memories. “No Dress Rehearsal, This Is Our Life”
I saw them live for the first time in Virginia on July 4, 1990. While I'm not Canadian, many years later while watching their farewell show and knowing what was happening, I had a Canadian friend say that my tears made me a Canuck for a day.
Canada! We out here! The Hip is and always will be a National Treasure, they significantly impacted multiple generations of Canadians and will continue to. Rest in Paradise Gord!
Well now. All us Canadian fans of your channel are gonna crawl out of our igloos, push aside our polar bear pets and crack open a proper beer to tell you about The Hip. I'll leave most of that to them and just say that they are the chroniclers of our country like Springsteen, Dylan, Cash, etc. sung about America.
Why does everyone here have to play into stereotypes? We have so much diversity and nuance from coast to coast, province to province. Canada never had a homogeneous culture. Our variety of life has always been our strength. Basically, I’m sayin’ yer all a bunch of hosers, eh!
Early in the morning in Kingston, Ontario on the day of their last concert I walked and cried. This band defined my early life and I still cry about Gord's death. I live in Kingston and went to the same high school and university. I love these people. Go down their rabbit hole. Listen to "Blow at High Dough", "Looking for a Place to Happen", "Locked in the Trunk of a Car", "Grace, Too", "Ahead by a Century", Wheat Kings" and on and on...
I know how you feel. Saying in other comments, I was at the last Toronto show. Me and everyone around me crying our eyes out by the end of the show. The Hip will always be the main soundtrack of my life. Weather it's just lounging around the house, or spending a nice summer day with people I love and care about, having a good time. There is NEVER a bad time to listen to The Hip. Grace Too and Ahead by a Century got me through some rough times.
There's tons of Hip songs that are musically and lyrically incredible. Grace, Too. Three Pistols. Nautical Disaster. Locked in the Trunk of a Car. Darkest One. The Verge. Trickle Down. Blow at High Dough. 38 Years Old. The list goes on n on. The band was a soundtrack to millions of lives.
Been a fan my whole life and loved every album in a different way. I had always said it was a testament to their music when I could say my 3 favourite Hip songs were on the same album and yet it wasn't my favourite album. A song that has recently become a new fav "It's A Good Life If You Don't Weaken"
To state that The Hip defined a generation of music lovers in Canada is an understatement, this group brought joy, inspiration, thoughtfulness, and compassion to a lot of young people who needed to hear a voice, I am forever grateful to have lived thru all their creativity
For those of us who were lucky to catch their last shows, you know the power of our rising emotions as we watched a Canadian legend perform for us as he was dying. We all had tears in our eyes and sorrow but Gord….man did he have our backs. He stood strong for us and we carry him in our hearts.
Was at the last Vancouver show...so much emotion in the building...and many moments with Gord giving a look or a gesture that acknowledged we were all saying goodbye. hard to see him quite frail but I'm grateful I was there.
As a Cuban who found in Canada freedom and a lover of rock, could not be more happy that you choose what I consider the best Hip song. For 27 yr I've been listening the Hip and I dont get tire of it and I dont think I ever will. That song is my favorite and I'm glad you found the Hip. Welcome to the Hip lovers club!
The Hip are considered a national treasure. The lead singer had cancer and went on a last tour. It was broadcast on cbc for free across all of Canada. Most Canadians can tell you where the watched this concert and still shed a tear at Gord's passing. People had backyard parties with projectors and broadcasts in theatres across the country.
I was one of the people that threw a back yard party. It was a beautiful night , we brought the tv out and hung it on our shed. Partied with 16 of our best friends . We all cried when it was over. Yeah I remember , god bless Gord.
I was at the last show in Toronto. It was a night I'll never forget. The amazing music, the insane performance by Gord and the band. And the emotion in the building was so overwhelming. Such an amazing night. RIP Gord. Always a legend in my eyes.
The city of Burlington, Ontario, had a large screen at Spencer's Park, down by the lake, for all to celebrate, and cry at their last concert. The day Canada shutdown, to say goodbye.
Haha. We had a massive backyard party. Set up a projector and had a buddy who’s a dj bring some equipment with him. Invited all the neighbours from my area. Almost 150 people on my tiny 6 acre hobby farm. It was an amazing night with great friends to see off a legend on his final show.
Eh, not quite. Rush is on a whole different level than the Hip. They were inducted into the Order of Canada in the 90s, the Hip was only inducted because of Gord's illness in 2017
I have to admit, it's a little weird how many reactors have been discovering the Hip recently. I grew up in rural Northern Minnesota in the 80's. The Hip were standard on regional rock radio then. This is, in part, the soundtrack to summer nights cruising my VW. Seen them many times since and have told anyone who will listen that they need to hear The Tragically Hip. Might I recommend "Grace, too". Or maybe "Ahead by a Century"?
Gord was a poet, he was often referred to as the "Barstool Bard". All songs by The Hip are credited to the entire band. Early on they desided the best way to make the band work was for everyone to be credited equally. Gord said that it wasn't a Hip song untill they had all played their part in creating it.
You gotta hear the live version that has Gord start talking about "the killer whale tank" while the band just jams away. Friggin hilarious! Search for it. Insane live track.
Theres a clip of Pearl Jam playing Wrigley Field and Eddie Vedder acknowledging Gord and the Boys on the night of their last concert in Kingston. He dedicates Light Years to them. Always made me happy knowing that even though they never made it big outside of Canada, at least their peers recognized their unbelievable talent.
Canada has a special connection to Louisiana. The Cajuns are descended from Acadians who were expelled from their home in Nova Scotia Canada. Some managed to return, many went to Louisiana.
I believe they recorded this song actually in New Orleans, my interpretation of the lyrics was that it was about a night of partying drinking, possibly something more that made them feel like they themselves were sinking and they didn’t want it to stop. Even though this song was recorded way before hurricane Katrina, after the storm the band would not allow it to be played over the airwaves in the US and Canada out of respect for the victims. The Hip are Canadian Legends, Gord Downie was an Icon and they will forever be Canada’s band. ❤
Fun story: growing up the owner of the tiny little radio station in my home town was a bit of a control freak and had an ongoing argument with his DJ over who should have more control over what songs they could or couldn't play. When Hurricane Katrina happened he gave the DJ a crazy list of songs he couldn't play (apparently included pretty much anything with "wind" "rain" "storm" etc. as a major theme, stuff like "It's Raining Men" and Garth Brooks' "The Thunder Rolls"). The DJ decided that was the last straw, so he put New Orleans is Sinking on repeat, locked the door to the studio, slid his resignation letter and the one key to the studio door through the mail slot, and went fishing. The owner was too cheap to let the cops kick the door in so this song played over and over for 4 hours until he could get a locksmith in from the nearest city to pick the lock.
after a night of partying ( and Vomiting) the lyric "my hands in the river, my feet back up on the bank" made so much sense. Vomit goes away, fresh water comes in .
The last concert they performed was played on TV in canada, viewed by 11.7 million viewers. That is almost a third of Canada's population. They were truly loved. A great loss.
I believe this number is drastically underestimated. Pretty sure it was based on viewership ratings for the CBC show but they can't possibly account for all of the gatherings across the country to watch this. Bars, parks, living rooms, back yards etc. full of people watching. Our neighbour set up a big screen and projector in the back yard and the entire neighbourhood was there watching.
@@jklimtsc basically the entire downtown of my city was closed down for "Hip Day". Streets closed to cars, live music playing outside on every block, patios filled with people mid day and then we all went to our big main square and thousands of us watched together on a giant projection screen outside one of our government buildings. One of my favorite days.
Not to mention the thousands of people that saw the tour live, and those who partied outside of venues if they couldn't get in, innumerable ppl touched, for so many years
As a Canadian I've been listening to the Hip for decades and I can say without a doubt they have one of the coolest band names there's ever been. The Tragically Hip 🇨🇦
Gord Downie was truly a great Canadian. Thanks for the reaction Sebs! Lots of great stuff here to check out. "50 Mission Cap" is one example. Crank this one!
Definitely need some more Hip reactions, they have such an awesome discography. I'd recommend checking out Blow at High Dough, Ahead By a Century, or Bobcaygeon.
Gord Downey is a poet. You picked that up pretty quick. Happy to have seen these men multiple times and miss them dearly. Maybe one day they can do a tribute tour with someone else on vocals. If they need our/my money, they can have it!
I’m 75 and saw the Hip many times, including at the Grey Cup in Ottawa. I saw them at the Metropolis in Montreal which is a smaller venue - even though they had sold out the Bell Centre before. Fantastic talent. I cried with all the other Canadians watching his last concert.
Thank you for acknowledging one of our amazing Canadian bands. Another fantastic Canadian artist that I'm sure you would love just as much is Colin James. Please check out Chicks, Cars, and the Third World War - Just Came Back - Voodoo Thing - and Why'd You Lie.
Oh man, Colin James. Never a bad song. His version of These arms of mine is my fave. Atlanta Moon. I'm from Saskatoon & got to see him many times. I wound up marrying a Texan and when I made him listen to Colin on a road trip I never saw my cd's again - they never left his truck, lol. We played him at my husbands funeral & I can't help but cry when I hear the early stuff.
Actually, no. The lyrics are worth more than a moment. Gord Downey was such a deep poet. I think the Hip song Bobcaygeon is one of my pieces of poetry, there is a stanza so beautiful I won't forget to the grave. Sometimes people get hung on up on locations brought up in songs, or the story line through which the sentiment is expressed, but they are just illustrations. A delivery system for the message. His messages are largely how experiences have shaped him, changed his way of seeing the world as he fumbled, almost by accident, onto a path of enlightenment. Play Bobcaygeon at a party in Canada with Bommers, Gen X, Millenials, and every body stops what they are doing and holds their beer up and sings along. It's quite sweet really. So yes, read the lyrics. Don't assume you will immediately understand it. The challenge will be not to get stuck on Gord's story, but it is to take the theme, and see where it applies to your own life. Experience, Observation, Partiscipation, Processing, then the changed man or woman emerges.
Spent many formative summers at a trailer park (our trailer was on water's edge so that was great) just outside Bobcaygeon. For MANY years when I would mention the great little place near by, the look was always "what's a bobycageon?". In memory of my dad who's soul died the day we had to close it up for ever, I was blown away the The Hip thank god knew that sweet little town!!! RIP dad Miss you beyond words.
Your comments on the meaning of the song were perfect. Alot of the bands songs have stories that are easier to follow and some are like New Orleans. The band wants u to have your own feeling or interpretation of what it is talking about. And u got that perfectly
Canadian here who grew up on The Hip, thx for doing this. I would definitely love to watch you discover more of their tunes. You will NOT be disappointed! Also here for Tool! ❤🌀👊🏻
thanks from canada for checking out the hip!!! 🥰🙂 their last concert was a gem, broadcast all across canada, with groups gathered in every city and town to watch the last concert together. the lead singer, gord downie, was one of our great canadian poets. his lyrics take the listener anywhere and everywhere. most canucks know hip songs word for word, but songs meanings can be interpreted in many ways. someday, you should check out the final concert. gord is clearly suffering from the effects of the cancer...using a teleprompter on the stage to help him remember his own lyrics...and he passed not long after. it was a hell of a great show, a very emotional event for all canadians. we love and loved gord and miss him dearly.
Gord writes poetry a lot like TS Elliot did when he wrote the Wastelands. the best way to think of it is like you are walking through a crowded party and picking up pieces of conversations here and there. they don't necessarily mesh, but sometimes they do. Gord should always be praised for his poetic talents and his stage presence. Just amazing.
I was 12 years old when I saw this group perform live at my boarding school's "Tea Dance"...A great Canadian band through and through. The Vancouver show for Pearl Jam this past May, Eddie Vedder incorporated lyrics from "Bobcaygeon" during the song "Daughter".....RIP Gord. #respect
Aw, the Hip! Welcome to one of Canada's most beloved bands! ❤❤ Gord Downie was a poet and an incredible front man. The music came from his soul and vibrated outwards. Twist my Arm 100th Meridian Wheat Kings Cordelia Little Bones Ahead by a century I would also like to suggest another Canadian band called Rush. They had a 40 plus year career. To see some amazing guitar work please check out Working Man live in Cleveland. You just got another subscriber. Cheers 🇨🇦
Thank you so much …they are the best! So much good music .. look up wheatkings … pigeon camera … boots or hearts ..such a great band …miss you Gordie …#theGordfather
The concert portions of this video were shot in the MacEwan Hall Ballroom at the University of Calgary, which is where I’ve worked for the last 35 years. The scene on the television with the skull is from a friend’s film studies student project.
Funny thing...OK, I'm old...I'd never heard of The Tragically Hip until I was reading the wikipedia article on Michael Nesmith's classic video Elephant Parts and saw mention of them taking their name from a part of it. Now I've got several of their songs on my playlist for the car.
Nobody had a mind for painting a masterpiece with their words better than this man!🇨🇦 We still all miss you Gord💙🎤💙 You'll live forever though in your art!! 🇨🇦🎸🇨🇦
A really good buddy at work is from England, and introduced his friends and kids to the hip several years ago when he went back for a visit when his grandkids were born. They are his son’s favorite band now, and is an obsession for their circle of friends over there across the pond. I’ve been a huge fan of theirs since 96, when I had a roommate in the ski resort I worked in who was obsessed. He played their music 24/7, and claimed to have been to 12 of their concerts.
Great song and awesome guitar riff-- I don't know much about this band being from America and all-- But IF they've got live performances on youtube I will definitely check it out-- Live is always best-- Very sad story about Gord And you're right that's a great guitar riff
Do listen to the album version as well. It might give you a better appreciation for Gords stage antics. Studio and live Hip are two great but different experiences. 🎉🎸🔥🤯🇨🇦😎
Just the Basics here: The Tragically Hip sold millions of records in Canada, but in the US they couldn't give them away. However, along the border (Buffalo, Detroit, Rochester, Akron, Pittsburgh, any and all Heavy Rock towns) they were known as a fucking Excellent Live act. Many peeps south of the border anxiously waited for this band to come back to thier area. In Canada they remain a institution, especially since Gord Downey died. I always enjoyed hearing them on the radio, but I never collected them. Whether you bring up The Hip or RUSH, or any other Candian band, the coments will be filled with Canuck excitement. I haven't scrolled down yet, but I am willing to bet it is all Canadians gushing about this band and future listening recommends.
Sebs you really need to check into more of The Hip. They have such a great music library. You will be very impressed with these guys. Thanks for this video.
You ain't a true Canadian if you aren't a Hip fan. I had the joy of seeing them on their last tour, the very last show in Toronto. One of the most emotional shows I've been to, since everyone in the building knew it was the end of the road because of Gord's health issues. Think it was the only show I've been to where myself, and everyone around me were crying at the end of the show. The Hip will always have a place in my heart. You really should check out their whole library, so many amazing songs.
I saw them in Edmonton on that last tour. Definitely more emotional and a different vibe than any of their other shows I went to but it was beautiful all the same
I'm ambivalent at best regarding them - except where this song is concerned, and I absolutely despise it. Can't really say why, perhaps because it's so ridiculously overplayed on the radio. But it's one of a very few songs that I will silence if it's at all under my control.
I'm so glad I found you groovin to our National treasure! RIP Gordie "who walks amongst the stars"... look up the significance of his indigenous name too... so much you need to know about him @sebsduran
Every summer they would play on the rotating stage of Ontario Place and Gordie would lay on the handrail and pretend to swim during this song...ahhh memories.... He actually steamed on stage. He is a poet!
I grew up in Alexandria Bay NY, which is just across the border from Kingston, ON Canada...eh? Spent my youthful late teens and early 20's in Ktown at the "Kingston ballet", AJ's and Stages night club. Poutine at closing and the drive back to the States with The Hip on the truck sound system. Anyone doubt me? I'm OG Hip, Upstate NY. Rest In Peace Gordo and to the rest of the Hip...keep doing what you do! We love you now as we always did...Rob, Paul, Johnny and Gord...
Love from Canada, Brother. I'm happy you discovered "The Hip" Gord Downie was a MONSTER singer song writer. There was a write in campaign to the Prime Minister of Canada at the time to name him the official Poet Laurette of our country. Gord was a true wordsmith. If you can find it, check out Live At The Roxy
As one of your Canadian listeners, I am so pleased that you liked The Tragically Hip, who are well-loved here. There's much more where that came from. I would really like to hear you react to Ahead by a Century.
Who are The Tragically Hip? The first Canadian Rock band ever to blow my mind I spent my high school years hearing songs like New Orleans Is Sinking (video featured, above), Ahead By A Century and At the Hundredth Meridian on the radio at work and over the PA system at school. I first heard of The Hip on a compilation tape called "This Is Music '92" (contained The Hip's song, "Twist My Arm", off their Road Apples album). Hearing "Twist My Arm" persuaded me to buy Up To Here on cassette (I listened to Up To Here so much that my walkman ate the tape). I still have my original UTH CD. I tuned into their final concert and was bawling by the end. If you like what you see, above, you gotta check out their other albums. And after checking out every last Hip album, check out the guys' solo stuff (Gord Downie, Paul Langlois/Paul Langlois Band, Gord Sinclair and Strippers Union with Rob Baker). The guys' solo albums sound different from everything Hip, but they don't disappoint.
For anyone wanting to do a deep dive on The tragically hip, the lead singer Gord Downey, and their music, check out the meaning of their songs. Gord is not just a great singer and musical artist, he is a poet and most importantly a storyteller. Check out “50 mission cap”, “never kissed a girl”, and “wheat kings”. Beautiful songs, great lyrics, and amazing stories. I’ve only seen them in concert once, right before Gord came out public with his cancer diagnosis, and let me tell you that I was so grateful to have seen them perform live. EVEEY single song that they performed was not just music, it was Gord performing and almost acting out the lyrics on stage. He never stopped moving, and lived each song in the moment and the audience just happened to be lucky enough to be there. Incredible.
Great song by a great band! I'm liking your taste in music. Another really great song from that same time frame as this called A Girl Like You, by The Smithereens. I always associate these two songs with each other, as I bought both CDs on the same trip to the headshop after I heard them on the radio.
This song was also an ODE to Pete Segars BIG muddy.... If you'd like to see this band when they were in this MODE of writing, check out their Tragically Hip at the Misty Moon full show. I was lucky to be there (I'm 54) the lead singer stirred up a fenzy and we were all soaked in sweat!! It is here on RU-vid.. and I guarantee it will be one of the most moving live sets you've ever watched.. I think this song was recorded live off the board that night.
Thanks for listening to our boys. This song references the war of 1812, when Canada/ British were attacked by the Americans. Anyway the song was pulled from radio after hurricane Katrina, out of respect for our now American allies. 😁
Fun fact, you mentioned that all the band members are credited as writers. That is how the band worked, every song, all of them were equal parts on each song. Over all the albums.
You don't want to go too deep? .... You don't want to go too deep? ....Gord Downie meant for you to go deep -- as deep as you possibly could- with all his lyrics. This whole song IS a metaphor. It is not just a 'fun' tune with a great guitar riff! Gord Downie was a GREAT poet revered and genius song writer who was acknowledged by all Canadians, whether rock fans or not, as one of our national treasures. The Hip did their farewell tour just before Gord passed, and the final concert was back in their hometown of Kingston Ontario. It was nationally televised... and millions upon millions of people watched and wept. Even our Prime Minister attended the concert in person. I am always so stunned by how little Americans know of the rich culture of their northern next door neighbour. It would be the equivalent of Canadians being totally ignorant of the likes of American bands like the Eagles, or Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers...Shaking my head.
Our band plays this, although I don't hit all those lead bits. Even the rhythm is arpeggiated. Great song. The Hip were that generation's Guess Who. The Canadiana band of a generation or two.
