Absolutely shattering track.
Gord gently rocking all of us, leaving us in the crib with the news of his diagnosis like a bomb about to go off. A man with cancer maybe looking to make a quiet exit, but our eyes on him, watching him the whole time. Would he really leave us, could he just leave us? He comes back to rock us gently again with a new album, MMP, he comes back again to rock us more than gently with a cross-country tour so we can say our goodbyes. He comes back again to give us Secret Path and open our eyes a little wider, and open up his soul to us in interviews and public appearances because we can't just say goodbye to him. He goes to leave us again, and comes back again with news of Introduce Yerself. He backs out of the room, but can't even leave us like that. He has to give us this gift before he goes, so that really he never has to leave us.
And he ties it all to something that so many of us can relate to at such a basic, intimate level.
Absolutely shattering.
Ct
Beautifully written post. Thanks for that. :thumb:
And I agree, it's a stunning song. I was completely floored when I first listened to it.
Started my first listen last night and got to track 3. Couldn't get past it. That song hits too close to home right now. Shit.
I can't stop listening to and singing this song; so simple and yet it captures the early days of parenthood so completely that I'm hooked.
So appreciative that Gord was able to capture this and that we've been given this wonderful gift.
Shane
gsmacleod Wrote:I can't stop listening to and singing this song; so simple and yet it captures the early days of parenthood so completely that I'm hooked.
So appreciative that Gord was able to capture this and that we've been given this wonderful gift.
Agreed. I have a 5 and 7 year old...and the picture he paints of putting your newborn to bed is so vivid and accurate. My kids are still young, so not a lot of time has passed since those early days, but man does this song ever strike a chord personally. Over on the of
TATH Thoughts and Insights thread I posted a link to a radio interview Gord gave when TAHT first came out...shortly after Gord became a dad for the first time and he talked about the effect this had on him. Here's what he had to say:
"When I’m 20 years hence I’ll look back on this period and feel very proud of the fact that, you know, you could be needed 100%...you know, beyond anything anyone ever needed from you before, and you did ok. It’s good to be really absolutely and totally needed…and I really thank my baby for all that stuff." (Quote from here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jdvqti8RZ0A&t=4m33s
Literally 20 years later he records a song expressing his gratitude and thanks for this exact period of time.
Moof_Milker Wrote:Agreed. I have a 5 and 7 year old...and the picture he paints of putting your newborn to bed is so vivid and accurate. My kids are still young, so not a lot of time has passed since those early days, but man does this song ever strike a chord personally. Over on the of TATH Thoughts and Insights thread I posted a link to a radio interview Gord gave when TAHT first came out...shortly after Gord became a dad for the first time and he talked about the effect this had on him. Here's what he had to say:
"When I’m 20 years hence I’ll look back on this period and feel very proud of the fact that, you know, you could be needed 100%...you know, beyond anything anyone ever needed from you before, and you did ok. It’s good to be really absolutely and totally needed…and I really thank my baby for all that stuff." (Quote from here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jdvqti8RZ0A&t=4m33s
Literally 20 years later he records a song expressing his gratitude and thanks for this exact period of time.
Put it Off has always struck me for two reasons; the kick ass poetry but also was the first time I paused to think how much having kids would change a person. I was 21 when I first heard the album and was still very mired in the arrogance and selfishness of youth. When I heard this track, I recall thinking that obviously parenthood would change a person but I had never thought about how much my parents would have given up for me.
Now, 20 years later, I have a 4 and 7 year old and, like you, this track just hammers me with the recollections of what it was like putting my kids to bed.
Shane
This is a beautiful song, but I'll admit to being partial to 'Spoon,' myself - I love how that song captures the unique relationship between parent and kid. Of course, it helps if you like Spoon :wink:
Killer Whale Tank Wrote:This is a beautiful song, but I'll admit to being partial to 'Spoon,' myself - I love how that song captures the unique relationship between parent and kid. Of course, it helps if you like Spoon :wink:
I don't think I've ever heard a song by Spoon that this is certainly another one of my favourites.
Now to find some Spoon to check out!
Shane
Spoon is another emotional rollercoaster for me. I made sure my son has been listening to the Hip since he was a baby and when the tour was announced last year, I had to make sure that he was at a Toronto show with me so that he could say, at 10 years old, that he had seen Gord Downie live, and that his first concert was The Tragically Hip with his dad.
I was driving in the car with him listening to "Spoon" and I tried to explain to him what it was about, and I just broke down sobbing, and he started sobbing too.
I've been listening to that song telling my younger son (5) that Helping is the only thing; Helping is all there is; Helping is the best thing you can do. What a song and what a message.
ct
gsmacleod Wrote:Killer Whale Tank Wrote:This is a beautiful song, but I'll admit to being partial to 'Spoon,' myself - I love how that song captures the unique relationship between parent and kid. Of course, it helps if you like Spoon :wink:
I don't think I've ever heard a song by Spoon that this is certainly another one of my favourites.
Now to find some Spoon to check out!
Shane
Christ almighty Shane. They're an outstanding group.
Gimme Fiction, A Series of Sneaks, Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga, Transference, They Want My Soul, Hot Thoughts.... I love all of those albums!
It'd be awesome if Spoon experienced a discernable uptick in sales as a result of that track :music Nice to imagine, anyhow.
sean.bonner Wrote:gsmacleod Wrote:Killer Whale Tank Wrote:This is a beautiful song, but I'll admit to being partial to 'Spoon,' myself - I love how that song captures the unique relationship between parent and kid. Of course, it helps if you like Spoon :wink:
I don't think I've ever heard a song by Spoon that this is certainly another one of my favourites.
Now to find some Spoon to check out!
Shane
Christ almighty Shane. They're an outstanding group.
Gimme Fiction, A Series of Sneaks, Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga, Transference, They Want My Soul, Hot Thoughts.... I love all of those albums!
No idea how I've missed them; definitely going to check them out ASAP!
Shane
gsmacleod Wrote:I don't think I've ever heard a song by Spoon that this is certainly another one of my favourites.
Now to find some Spoon to check out!
No idea how I've missed them; definitely going to check them out ASAP!
Shane
yeah man play The Underdog from Ga . . . then Trouble Comes Running from Transference
and never look back.
Just play "The Rent I Pay," and all will become clear.