In honour of The Tragically Hip’s latest album, We Are The Same, released April 7th, here’s a brief series that demonstrates the manner in which I expect my students to approach poetry — without any research, and without any input from those who may know Gord Downie’s purposes for each song. I will analyse and speculate on each song’s possible meanings. For me, the poetry of TTH’s music is great literature; among the best.
Track #7: The Exact Feeling
FIRST IMPRESSIONS
Title
- the ex-act feeling: My favourite theme of theirs is reflecting on songwriting, singing, and performing… I find myself looking for it in every song
Interesting Words
- “I got no more innarest”
- “The perimeter, the ceiling / Just to dribble somewhere new”
Images
- Performing — in a circus ring, as a busker, at a concert
Favourite Quote
Not the singularity
Of a thousand million dreams
Not a prosperity that means
I never have to say a thing
Possible Paraphrase
“Here comes that feeling that I always get when I’m here in front of a crowd. But, do I still want it? Yes! It’s all I’ve ever wanted. I remember when I had to try so hard to please a crowd. Now, I’m here. I’m drunk on the very idea of singing. And I want this to continue. I don’t want to go anywhere. Let’s make this tour last forever… because it feels great.”
SUMMARY
I like to hear about where The Tragically Hip gets their inspiration and perhaps I spend time looking too hard for that… Perhaps this is a stretch to suggest that the feeling they get from performing live is their motivation to write, sing, and tour?
