New Orleans and The Hip
I don't know if this is the right thing to do... or the wrong thing to do... and I'm going to stay out of the argument for now... I'll just pass along the story... (No, I'm not wimping out, I just really haven't decided where I stand on the issue)...
In 1989 (some 16 years ago) a little Canadian band called the Tragically Hip recorded a song called "New Orleans is Sinking". They became HUGE Canadian music icons and "New Orleans" became probably their biggest song and definitely one of their signature tunes. (Try playing as a cover band in Canada without knowing "New Orleans is Sinking" and you're likely to get lynched!) I imagine more Canadians under the age of 45 know the lyrics to "New Orleans is Sinking" than the national anthem.
Well, we all know what's going on down in New Orleans right now... So when Canadian and American radio stations start dropping the song from their current rotations you have to ask... is it the right thing to do... or the wrong thing to do?
Last night the Hip opened for the Rolling Stones in Moncton, and interestingly enough, they didn't play "New Orleans" themselves. Makes me think that they think, it's a good idea not to connect the song with the disaster in any way.
Here's the lyrics, remember this was written back in 1989... But there are references to flooding, dirt, disaster, fire and smoke. Gord Downey the prophet?
In 1989 (some 16 years ago) a little Canadian band called the Tragically Hip recorded a song called "New Orleans is Sinking". They became HUGE Canadian music icons and "New Orleans" became probably their biggest song and definitely one of their signature tunes. (Try playing as a cover band in Canada without knowing "New Orleans is Sinking" and you're likely to get lynched!) I imagine more Canadians under the age of 45 know the lyrics to "New Orleans is Sinking" than the national anthem.
Well, we all know what's going on down in New Orleans right now... So when Canadian and American radio stations start dropping the song from their current rotations you have to ask... is it the right thing to do... or the wrong thing to do?
Last night the Hip opened for the Rolling Stones in Moncton, and interestingly enough, they didn't play "New Orleans" themselves. Makes me think that they think, it's a good idea not to connect the song with the disaster in any way.
Here's the lyrics, remember this was written back in 1989... But there are references to flooding, dirt, disaster, fire and smoke. Gord Downey the prophet?
"New Orleans Is Sinking"
Bourbon blues on the street
loose and complete
Under skies all smoky blue-green
I can Forsake the
Dixie dead shake
So we dance the sidewalk clean
My memory is muddy
what's this river I'm in
New Orleans is sinking and I don't want to swim
Colonel Tom What's wrong?
What's Going On
You can't tie yourself
up for a deal
He said" Hey North you're south shut you big mouth You gotta
do what you feel is real."
Ain't got no picture postcards ain't go no
souvenirs
My baby she don't know me when I'm thinking about those years
Pale as a light bulb hanging on a wire
Sucking up to someone just
stoke the fire
Picking out the highlights of the scenery
Saw a little
cloud looked a little like me
I had My hand in the river
My feet
back up on the banks
Looked up to the lord above and said "Hey man thanks"
Sometimes I fell so good I gotta scream
She says Gordie baby I know
exactly what you mean
She said, she said I swear to god she said
My
memory is muddy what's this river I'm in
New Orleans is sinking and I don't
want to swim
Gratuitous Hot Canadian Chick
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