This is probably an exercise in futility, but i'd imagine if a bunch of people post this thread could become awesome like most threads that generate a bunch of interest.
I only have two: Note the eeeerie similarity of "the kids don't get it" and "pretend." Anyone have any clue what they mean if they are linked? If you think they're linked, what links them other than some common lyrics?
Also, even though the final song, world container, has a melody that reminds me a bit of a meatloaf ballad, I can't help but wonder if this is a message about it being the end of the road for the hip?
You think this is the last new album?
"Don't forget?" "How'd it get so late so early?" "What you'll find there are all flaws in progress?"
Any ideas? Comments?
I believe they are nowhere near the end of the road...there was so much energy on stage night it was mind blowing.
I think they have another album left in the tanks, maybe more. I am so impressed with WC there has to be more to come. They're not slowing down...in other words, I think we don't have to worry about a Farewell Tour just yet.
As far as the interpretations go...there are others on the board that are incredible at that stuff.
I do know that part of Lonely End of the Rink relates to Gord's time as a goalie playing minor hockey and his father always being at his end of the rink with him in net while the other parents were at the other end hoping for some offense. At least that was what I took from The Hour on CBC on Sunday.
I'd like this thread not to die. I don't think the Hip are done, i can't remember who said it, or what interview it was, but the interviewer asked "What's something you want to do that you haven't done already?" and someone (maybe Rob Baker) said "Perform to an end." So i don't think they're done.
I think most of the title track (world container) can be translated to gord's dissapointment with the result of the last canadian election. I also kinda thought that the "all songs are one song" line might translate to the conservative's obsession with war. Like don't forget those who gave their life kind of thing. Also the "he's the one who couldn't imagine all you people living in peace" line is definetly political and likely about Harper.
Iunno maybe it's a bit farfetched but these are my interpertations. Excluding the "living in peace" line which someone else pointed out and was likely my starting point
I thought I heard somewhere that the song World Container was a political stab directed at Bush, just what I hear but some of it makes sense.
-"He's the one who couldn't imagine all the people living life in peace."
-"Laugh at a funeral or two."
From what I gather, just reading the liner notes now, it seems like it most certainly has more to do with the Bush administration and the troops in Iraq than the 'impending' dissolution of the Hip. The whole 'World Container' theme conjures up images of troops being sent abroad; 'When the country quits on you, it must be dinner, and the Himmler on this one is that theres no desert'... waning support for the mission (not the troops, but the mission), and how it isn't going to get better...
Ry already pointed out the possibility of reference to Bush with the 'Peace' line... 'Laugh and laugh 'til all the chameleons turn black, laugh and laugh 'til your told please don't come back'... well, there has been US-troop related controversy... I think we've all seen those pictures... and the troops of course might not feel so welcome, or be welcomed...
'Flaw in progress' (the mission), '...one song and that song is don't forget' (their noble cause and courage)... 'how'd it get this late so early' (the length of the once assumed short mission)...
the term 'incredulous' is quite interesting... faked interest, but from who?
I don't really know, I don't even pretend to try and understand what Gord is talking about eleven percent of the time...
Family Band? Whats the group consensus on this one? I'm going to assume thats its about the Hip in the US, and their inherent lack of interest in the success they didn't achieve there... 'Honest Rock'n'Roll...handclaps (pop music)...small groups, people smoking, a shade shy of true wickedness... things they'll miss, things they'd rather be doing (with us (you))...
It should be noted that I have had a few beers (perhaps this belongs in the beer thread), and that I was one of the few that thought Grace, Too was about prostitution in that bizarre thread circa '04...
i think WC (the song) pertains to Bush and Harper...and anybody greedy in general...trying to own the world...as if it could be bought and put into a container...
yer not the ocean has something to do with globabl warming i suspect...the receeding coastlines ect...
i figured out the line about trees in fly thanks to Overtime: the legend of guy lafleur, Rejean Lafleur says to Guy: "A man is not a tree, he can move about as he pleases"...which makes sense in the context of the song...travelling...
it's already been deducted that Family Band is about young bands on the road, strugglin to get by ect...
the one that puzzles me the most is The Drop-Off...
all in all i'd say this is a very deep album lyrically (although they always are, this one seems especially so)...many hours spent under my thinking cap are going to be required to get it all sorted out...
This is great.. keep them coming!
das_hips: I had a few beers when I started this thread, so you're right on target. In fact I'd recommend it.
Darkest Canuk:
All I can say about the drop off is that you die if you swim past it (i.e. your presence is gone). As for what it is? I haven't yet figured that out either.
The Darkest Canuck Wrote:i...and anybody greedy in general...trying to own the world......
You mean like The Brain??
Damn I miss that cartoon
man cochise Pinky and the Brain is so out on DVD now, you should get it, i also miss it but im too broke to afford it.
Anywho I've got many different lyrical interpretations behind these songs, however; i'm gonna keep them to myself partly because I want to partly because of sloth (how deadly is that). I would like to mention that there is a couple of lines from this album that blow me away every time. case in point;
"How'd it get this late so early"
"laugh and laugh till they till you please dont come back"
"Coast line rising like a pair of glowing thighs"
"you can't pretend/yes i can! Yes, I can! YES I CAN!!" (talk about defiance)
"love is the only virtue there is"
"Whats gripping the city aint hitting the town"
"One day I'll make some honest rock n' roll" (the irony isnt lost on me)
Many many more one liners that i absolutley relish; however, I just woke up so i'm still not into the day.
I was immediately struck by the Water/Environmental references when listening to the album...reinforced when you look at the liner artwork rapt with landfills, red oceans and a hidden sleeve Love Canal like barrels, not to mention a Global Warming halo wrapped around NA on the CD itself …
as for the drop off - it might act as a warning (or perhaps a statement) that we have indeed gone past the saturation point of the planet …
you are just a lake
made to take it
and take and take and take
"Whats gripping the city aint hitting the town" - Family Band
"It’s gripping the city and hitting the town" - Pretend
"I’ll be gripping the city, I’ll be hitting the town" - Kids Don't Get It
I've been wondering why the variation of this line appears in three songs on the album. There is noticeable repetition in some of the lyrics/themes on World Container that makes it very unique.
i think it's a climate metaphor possibly...just one theory though...
good call on the drop-off, stuckatcuse, that makes sense...
puckstopper Wrote:"Whats gripping the city aint hitting the town" - Family Band
"It’s gripping the city and hitting the town" - Pretend
"I’ll be gripping the city, I’ll be hitting the town" - Kids Don't Get It
Reminded me of "It's an anthem in the suburbs and in the city they just don't care" - from an intro to Poets in 1998 - Bill's Bar in Boston (its one of the bootlegs I like to listen to.)
i figured out Rink...
"oh to join the rush...jump into the rush..."
it's about....
RUSH! hehehehehehehehehehehe!
he's a neeeeeeeeeeewwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww woooooooooooooooooooooooorld maaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaan
j/k