07-04-2018, 09:12 PM
I recently read 'We are the Next Us' for the first time in many years after it was quoted in a post. I had forgotten that the 'DarklyNurturedDream', 'ColderValues', and 'FeaturelessButFree' of 'Last Night I Dreamed You Didn't Love Me' were concert goers in their original poetic form.
"or go to a show - look down your row.
the lights are on - find people you know.
There’s AnthemSinger standing with his arm
around DarklyNurturedDream.
and Ol’Quintessential listening to HigherThanACBCGuest say;
“I haven’t read them, but I understand them.”
And there’s BrainOfAToaster (he knows when things are done)
next to that girl, CradlingHerKeyCard, whispering,
“this might be my last show, come.”
Check it out! There’s HoldStill and Gently - together again for the very first time.
and MyDoctrineHasFailedMeButMyMusicHasn’t
next to ColderValues, next to FeaturelessButFree.
Hey, even TheEmperorHasNoHook is here and IDon’tWannaTalkAboutItHowYouBrokeMyHeart, she’s here too."
It made me think that 'Last Night', in addition to describing a personal relationship, is also an expression of Gord's insecurities with the fleeting popularity of the band. "You" represents the Hip's diminished mid-2000's fan base and in this case it's a dream that has a strong basis in reality and keeps him up at night.
"Men were turning on their machines, making everything mean, Fires burned, cold values clashed" is a great depiction of the band plugging in and leaving it all on stage. However, this act itself no longer seems sufficient to sustain the relationship. Interestingly Gord doesn't undergo any self-examination but instead throws it back on the fan: "What's happening to you? Why don't you love me like you used to?"
"or go to a show - look down your row.
the lights are on - find people you know.
There’s AnthemSinger standing with his arm
around DarklyNurturedDream.
and Ol’Quintessential listening to HigherThanACBCGuest say;
“I haven’t read them, but I understand them.”
And there’s BrainOfAToaster (he knows when things are done)
next to that girl, CradlingHerKeyCard, whispering,
“this might be my last show, come.”
Check it out! There’s HoldStill and Gently - together again for the very first time.
and MyDoctrineHasFailedMeButMyMusicHasn’t
next to ColderValues, next to FeaturelessButFree.
Hey, even TheEmperorHasNoHook is here and IDon’tWannaTalkAboutItHowYouBrokeMyHeart, she’s here too."
It made me think that 'Last Night', in addition to describing a personal relationship, is also an expression of Gord's insecurities with the fleeting popularity of the band. "You" represents the Hip's diminished mid-2000's fan base and in this case it's a dream that has a strong basis in reality and keeps him up at night.
"Men were turning on their machines, making everything mean, Fires burned, cold values clashed" is a great depiction of the band plugging in and leaving it all on stage. However, this act itself no longer seems sufficient to sustain the relationship. Interestingly Gord doesn't undergo any self-examination but instead throws it back on the fan: "What's happening to you? Why don't you love me like you used to?"