[SteveK2151]

Hey folks, I'm writing this one feeling somewhat inspired listening to Now For Plan A for the umpteenth time and something struck me... Now, that being said I have no knowledge of Gord's wife's illness or anything that they went through, but lets imagine my scenario played out with anyone who has what could be a horrible illness. I'm thinking that there is a story told between "Now For Plan A" and "Done and Done"... I wanted to throw this out there... maybe I'm late to the party and everyone realized this when they bought the album, but here goes.

Now For Plan A: What would any married couple do when faced with a grave illness: Plan A. Best doctors, best nurses, lets talk about this... do our research... there is no such thing as Plan B. "Nothing short of everything's enough" . Only Plan A for the one you love.

The Modern Spirit: Immediately after your life shaken, you make it a point to live everything to the fullest, knowing that you may be on
borrowed time, but believing (as one must) that they are going to survive. "Driving it like we stole it"

About This Map: This one is pretty self explanatory I think... you can only try and do everything for so long... So now we are at a time to evaluate. "Here we are here, the exit is there..." Figuring out how far we are along down this path, and questioning everything "You certain, certain?". Ultimately deciding on a decision that leads to....

Take Forever: What exactly is forever? To a man, forever ends when our heart ceases to beat. Whatever decision was made, could be a decision who's outcome could "Take Forever"... take all the time we have left on this mortal earth....

Done and Done: This song really grips at my heartstrings, but I imagine a husband and wife, one sick and dead tired, on their way to sleep... the other just waiting to hear anything that the other wanted to say and holding on to every last word. "You always get your way", could be the sick one falling aleep after another very long day with their lover lying beside them just wanting one last word... "Talk about me".... I don't care what you talk about, talk about anything, talk about me, just let me hear your voice.


Thoughts on this?

Again, sorry if everyone else has realized this and I'm the last one to see it.

[wpghipfan]

Steve, this is brilliant. Seriously. You may not have hit the nail on the head for some folks here (as always, Gord's lyrics are open to interpretation), but for me, what a perfect observation. Thanks for this!

Rory
Halifax

[thebends]

Yes, I agree - especially in light of the interviews Gord has done recently and how he describes his writing process, before and after they got the news. As always his lyrics are open to interpretation but there is an unmistakable theme that runs through the album. He mentions in the Strombo interview that he felt helpless, couldn't do anything about it and describes feelings of anger, fear, and impatience ... "clamouring to help". I thought it was most poignant when he talked about being a contributor to the "illusion machine" for many years (in terms of his writing), and that this time around illusion wouldn’t cut it, it had to be clear and real.

[cochise]

Ya, I could probably buy into this............

[BIGVDOGG]

pretty sure drip,streets,and transformation were all pre-illness.

[direwolf74]

pretty sure drip,streets,and transformation were all pre-illness.

Can't remember which interview it was, but I'm pretty sure Gord mentioned that We Want to Be It was mostly inspired by a Madeline Kahn quote from Alan Arkin's memoir "An Improvised Life". Here's what I found after a quick google search:

"Arkin remembers making a movie with Madeline Kahn (probably Simon from 1980), having the what-brought-you-to-acting conversation. When she replied "I wanted to be the music," at first Arkin was confused. Then he realized, "We don't want to do it, we want to be it. Only we don't know it. No one tells us this." He dedicates his book "to everyone who wants to be the music."

In the album's liner notes, the song is dedicated to Alan Arkin and Madeline Kahn.

[Flamenco]

Yes, I agree - especially in light of the interviews Gord has done recently and how he describes his writing process, before and after they got the news. As always his lyrics are open to interpretation but there is an unmistakable theme that runs through the album. He mentions in the Strombo interview that he felt helpless, couldn't do anything about it and describes feelings of anger, fear, and impatience ... "clamouring to help". I thought it was most poignant when he talked about being a contributor to the "illusion machine" for many years (in terms of his writing), and that this time around illusion wouldn’t cut it, it had to be clear and real.

I agree the writing and words are more direct on NFPA.

But I think their earlier work (EP, UTH, RA) was less "illusion machine" and more stories. I think as the writing style matured the "illusion machine" has become a direct part of the writing style.

[jgardz]

I thought we was saying "allusion", not illusion. Kinda makes more sense contextually I think. He's doing less alluding in his writing, I.e. being more direct and personal.

[thebends]

I thought we was saying "allusion", not illusion. Kinda makes more sense contextually I think. He's doing less alluding in his writing, I.e. being more direct and personal.

Good point, I assumed it was "illusion" but phonetically the terms are almost identical. "Allusion" actually makes more sense but I think the point is still relevant either way.

[jgardz]

al·lu·sion/əˈlo͞oZHən/
Noun:
An expression designed to call something to mind without mentioning it explicitly; an indirect or passing reference.
The practice of making such references, esp. as an artistic device.


Illusion/iˈlo͞oZHən/
Noun:
A false idea or belief: "he had no illusions about her".
A deceptive appearance or impression: "the illusion of togetherness".

I'm thinking allusion....it's a minor point, but clarifies his statement

[canuckeh]

i'll toss this up, perhaps the 'LA' mentioned in Now For Plan A isn't ol' Los Angeles but rather his wife, Laura?

of course this is a nothing comment if A isn't the start of her middle or maiden name (I actually have no idea) but if it is, I see it as a tremendous yet subtle way to include her in the lyrics

[ron]

I heard the interview about we want to be it. But the more i listen to it with the reference to the Drip drip drip might refer a person who was having Chemo .

[direwolf74]

I heard the interview about we want to be it. But the more i listen to it with the reference to the Drip drip drip might refer a person who was having Chemo .

That's certainly an interesting interpretation, and you might be right. The great thing about Gord's lyrics is that they can mean different things to different people. On this record he's opened himself up in a way that we've never seen, which I find fascinating. It'll be really interesting to see how this experience influences the way he writes on future songs and albums. Will he continue to write in such a deeply personal style? Or will he go back to being more cryptic with his lyrics? I guess we'll find out on the next album.

[Stayhip]

I heard the interview about we want to be it. But the more i listen to it with the reference to the Drip drip drip might refer a person who was having Chemo .

Exactly what I thought after I saw the interview.

[Stayhip]

Hey folks, I'm writing this one feeling somewhat inspired listening to Now For Plan A for the umpteenth time and something struck me... Now, that being said I have no knowledge of Gord's wife's illness or anything that they went through, but lets imagine my scenario played out with anyone who has what could be a horrible illness. I'm thinking that there is a story told between "Now For Plan A" and "Done and Done"... I wanted to throw this out there... maybe I'm late to the party and everyone realized this when they bought the album, but here goes.

Now For Plan A: What would any married couple do when faced with a grave illness: Plan A. Best doctors, best nurses, lets talk about this... do our research... there is no such thing as Plan B. "Nothing short of everything's enough" . Only Plan A for the one you love.

The Modern Spirit: Immediately after your life shaken, you make it a point to live everything to the fullest, knowing that you may be on
borrowed time, but believing (as one must) that they are going to survive. "Driving it like we stole it"

About This Map: This one is pretty self explanatory I think... you can only try and do everything for so long... So now we are at a time to evaluate. "Here we are here, the exit is there..." Figuring out how far we are along down this path, and questioning everything "You certain, certain?". Ultimately deciding on a decision that leads to....

Take Forever: What exactly is forever? To a man, forever ends when our heart ceases to beat. Whatever decision was made, could be a decision who's outcome could "Take Forever"... take all the time we have left on this mortal earth....

Done and Done: This song really grips at my heartstrings, but I imagine a husband and wife, one sick and dead tired, on their way to sleep... the other just waiting to hear anything that the other wanted to say and holding on to every last word. "You always get your way", could be the sick one falling aleep after another very long day with their lover lying beside them just wanting one last word... "Talk about me".... I don't care what you talk about, talk about anything, talk about me, just let me hear your voice.


Thoughts on this?

Again, sorry if everyone else has realized this and I'm the last one to see it.

I thought alot about the meaning behind the lyrics after I saw Gord's interview. Your intpretation is brilliant and in fact it gave me chills!