The Tragically Hip — Stay
Album: My Music At WorkAvg rating:
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Total ratings: 760
Length: 3:17
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You did the best that you could do
You were a great crew
Who tried to nurture and preserve your faith in you
And with the bureau chiefs and the shrugging spies
You could stay but why?
You see a light and then another
And everything you fought for naught is uncovered
You're not a fighter, you're a lover
You got no business in here, brother
So stay, stay
Is it the worst that you could do?
You were a great you
Who tried to nurture and preserve your faith in you
And with the bureau chiefs and the shrugging spies
You could stay and why?
'Cause you see a light and then another
Everything you thought you sought is uncovered
You're a fighter and a lover
And there's no one up above her
So stay, stay
All things being balanced
It's balanced and called balancing
Somewhere beyond everything
And it's being balanced
Not for the sake of balance
But balancing between the throes of learning
And the entire thing
Entirely
Balancing
You were a great crew
Who tried to nurture and preserve your faith in you
And with the bureau chiefs and the shrugging spies
You could stay but why?
You see a light and then another
And everything you fought for naught is uncovered
You're not a fighter, you're a lover
You got no business in here, brother
So stay, stay
Is it the worst that you could do?
You were a great you
Who tried to nurture and preserve your faith in you
And with the bureau chiefs and the shrugging spies
You could stay and why?
'Cause you see a light and then another
Everything you thought you sought is uncovered
You're a fighter and a lover
And there's no one up above her
So stay, stay
All things being balanced
It's balanced and called balancing
Somewhere beyond everything
And it's being balanced
Not for the sake of balance
But balancing between the throes of learning
And the entire thing
Entirely
Balancing
Comments (70)add comment
Nope. Just can’t seem to like this band. Tragically boring to me.
Always happy to hear The Hip, including on RP. And I’m happy the uninitiated get a chance to hear such a great band.
It may be just me, but the instrumental parts remind me a little bit of Cat Stevens.
missionaire wrote:
Amen!
As a Canadian I guess I have to get used to the fact that *any* Hip song now brings tears to my eyes.
Amen!
OK, I rated this an 8 on at least one previous hearing, but it's like I'm hearing it for the first time. What a terrific f'ing tune. This is a unique tone, sound and point of view.
LOVE THIS TUNE!!!!! I HAVE A TERRIBLE VOICE BUT LOVE SINGING ALONG TO THIS ONE.
Another first for me at RP. Why has this fine tune been away from my ears all of my life?
missionaire wrote:
Your friends to the south agree!
As a Canadian I guess I have to get used to the fact that *any* Hip song now brings tears to my eyes.
Your friends to the south agree!
I don't know how hip it is, but the man's singing voice is a tragedy.
As a Canadian I guess I have to get used to the fact that *any* Hip song now brings tears to my eyes.
petrfas wrote:
But no matter what it is Hip!
fairly tragic
But no matter what it is Hip!
fairly tragic
Sounds like the 'Mozzer' singing. 
Go oh oh oh ah oooooo wah oooThat is exactly the one word comment I came to make. This is mutable.
Egrey wrote:
Egrey wrote:
tragic.
tragic.
huebdoo wrote:
Yah, I always loved that line!
"You said you didn't give a fu*k about Hockey - Never heard anyone say that before"
Yah, I always loved that line!
andrewimft wrote:
The Hip remind me of Travis, a UK band huge over there that can't get anywhere in the US. Tried to like Travis and can't, I assume Travis taps into the sociocultural vibe in England and makes some statement that fits with the times over there that doesn't translate here, since their music and lyrics are, to my ear, slightly above average. The Hip are more interesting but musically not that much better. There are just some bands that fit into a time and place in a country that evokes something powerful for those who were there, and I assume that's the case for Travis and the Hip. I can't think of an equivalent popular American band that fell flat in Europe but I'm sure there are some examples.
I still like hearing the Hip and Travis on radio & RP just to get a feel for the popular bands in those countries, and they are good enough for a pleasant listen.
The Hip remind me of Travis, a UK band huge over there that can't get anywhere in the US. Tried to like Travis and can't, I assume Travis taps into the sociocultural vibe in England and makes some statement that fits with the times over there that doesn't translate here, since their music and lyrics are, to my ear, slightly above average. The Hip are more interesting but musically not that much better. There are just some bands that fit into a time and place in a country that evokes something powerful for those who were there, and I assume that's the case for Travis and the Hip. I can't think of an equivalent popular American band that fell flat in Europe but I'm sure there are some examples.
I still like hearing the Hip and Travis on radio & RP just to get a feel for the popular bands in those countries, and they are good enough for a pleasant listen.
As a Canadian - I grew up listening to CONCAN legislated radio (where 30% had to be Canadian content) and hence growing up in the 70's I was inundated with "Wreck of the Edmunds Fitzgerald" and "Snowbird" and the forever scorched into my brain "Clap for the Wolf man" - believe me, they only played maybe four or five artists again and again and again ...
The Hip were different as they talked about Canadian issues, concerns, history - and yet made our feet tap along with the story, something that really hasn't been done before in Canadian rock music.
They aren't as popular as they once were (check Road Apples Album) but they still have a place in our hearts ...
"You said you didn't give a fu*k about Hockey - Never heard anyone say that before"
It's good that there is a distinct difference in thought and feeling in the UK with Travis or the Canadians with the Hip - I want there to be something more to differentiate me from my American brethren than how I say
Pro-cess not Praw-cess
Pro-ject not Praw-ject
Pas-ta not Paws-ta
The he croaks out "STAAAAAAY", makes me want to leave.
Ish. We just heard Barenaked Ladies a while back and now this. Bland music day here at RP?
the_bink wrote:
I stand corrected.
umm... honourary Canadian. :-)
I stand corrected.
soooooo relaxing.
martinc wrote:
Glad to hear that. Maybe you can try and upload those songs to the LRC?
I have to add that the latest CD, We are the Same, is full of great tunes as well. Queen of Furrows and Country Day are two stand outs. They are playing 3 nights here in September at the Art Centre. I have my ticket.
Glad to hear that. Maybe you can try and upload those songs to the LRC?
I have to add that the latest CD, We are the Same, is full of great tunes as well. Queen of Furrows and Country Day are two stand outs. They are playing 3 nights here in September at the Art Centre. I have my ticket.
On_The_Beach wrote:
Fully Completely is without a doubt their high water mark.
After that I would say; Road Apples and Day for Night.
Also worth a look; Up to Here and Trouble at the Henhouse.
Those are the top 5 for sure, IMO. Buy all 5 and you become an honorary Canadian!
umm... honourary Canadian. :-)
Fully Completely is without a doubt their high water mark.
After that I would say; Road Apples and Day for Night.
Also worth a look; Up to Here and Trouble at the Henhouse.
Those are the top 5 for sure, IMO. Buy all 5 and you become an honorary Canadian!
umm... honourary Canadian. :-)
andrewimft wrote:
Fully Completely is without a doubt their high water mark.
After that I would say; Road Apples and Day for Night.
Also worth a look; Up to Here and Trouble at the Henhouse.
Those are the top 5 for sure, IMO. Buy all 5 and you become an honorary Canadian!
Which CD's of theirs do you or others recommend as their best ones?
I'd like to check those out.
I'd like to check those out.
Fully Completely is without a doubt their high water mark.
After that I would say; Road Apples and Day for Night.
Also worth a look; Up to Here and Trouble at the Henhouse.
Those are the top 5 for sure, IMO. Buy all 5 and you become an honorary Canadian!
Just got my ticket for Sept concert here. 3 nights at the Arts Centre. Should be great in venue that size. Says volumes about this band. This could fill the local arena and move on but instead we get three nights to pick from for a smaller venue. Buy any of their CDs.... you get the rest eventually... completely.
Definitely Day for night and fully completely...
andrewimft wrote:
Which CD's of theirs do you or others recommend as their best ones?
I'd like to check those out.
I love the HIP!! They are the only band who would ever regularly take the trip out of the way and visit newfoundland every year. Gord Downey is my lover!
andrewimft wrote:
Which CD's of theirs do you or others recommend as their best ones?
I'd like to check those out.
It would be hard for me to pick a favourite, but I would say 'Road Apples' and 'Music @ Work' are really strong albums. I'd start there :D
Which CD's of theirs do you or others recommend as their best ones?
I'd like to check those out.
It would be hard for me to pick a favourite, but I would say 'Road Apples' and 'Music @ Work' are really strong albums. I'd start there :D
trekhead wrote:
Thanks for making me laugh. Still, a six, even with the Willie reference (I totally dig Willie Nelson).
Channeling Willie Nelson at the beginning there.
Still, an 8.
Still, an 8.
Thanks for making me laugh. Still, a six, even with the Willie reference (I totally dig Willie Nelson).
pdemeester wrote:
This one's not bad but try some of their earlier stuff . . . New Orleans is Sinking, Locked in the Trunk of a Car, Little Bones, endless amounts of poetry.
Which CD's of theirs do you or others recommend as their best ones?
I'd like to check those out.
DisplacedNorthrnr wrote:
The Hip remind me of Travis, a UK band huge over there that can't get anywhere in the US. Tried to like Travis and can't, I assume Travis taps into the sociocultural vibe in England and makes some statement that fits with the times over there that doesn't translate here, since their music and lyrics are, to my ear, slightly above average. The Hip are more interesting but musically not that much better. There are just some bands that fit into a time and place in a country that evokes something powerful for those who were there, and I assume that's the case for Travis and the Hip. I can't think of an equivalent popular American band that fell flat in Europe but I'm sure there are some examples.
I still like hearing the Hip and Travis on radio & RP just to get a feel for the popular bands in those countries, and they are good enough for a pleasant listen.
In my opinion the hip is an average band with a few decent tunes.
I disagree with the "average" description. I think that it is precisely their un-average-ness that has kept them from making it "big" in the American market.
Their lyrics and musical sensibilities are too witty and nuanced for American success, but their music being rather average and not standing out makes it impossible to dent the American market. Contrast that with Barenaked Ladies-- they do have some strong melodic songs that can break through American radio, while they are less subtle and intellectual than the Hip.This one's not bad but try some of their earlier stuff . . . New Orleans is Sinking, Locked in the Trunk of a Car, Little Bones, endless amounts of poetry.
Channeling Willie Nelson at the beginning there.
Still, an 8.
EssexTex wrote:
Great song
I agree. I love "The Bastard" on this one as well.
Great song
mefrombrazil wrote:
beautiful song. where are they from?
Kingston, Ontario (about halfway between Toronto and Montreal).
They're basically the biggest band in Canada with a cult following in other places.
Krow_Pie wrote:
Mmm. Yes, tragic.
This.
Mmm. Yes, tragic.
beautiful song. where are they from?
Art_Carnage wrote:
This Hip needs a replacement.
ha ha ha ha ha ha ha
GaryG wrote: 
Long live The Hip!!! USA, you don't know what you're missing.
Some of us aren't missing them at all. Viva La Hip !!! 
Long live The Hip!!! USA, you don't know what you're missing.
hey bill that audioengine A5 speaker would sound good on this song 
Can't pinpoiny why, but this is one of my favorite HIP songs. Canada's finest export! Almost Molsen! Great song, great CD.
Gordie is a gem of a singer songwriter!
The lead singer sounds a lot like the lead singer of the Hoodoogurus sometimes. (just a thought)
Ummm . . no.
Tragically bad.
heeb wrote:
What's this? 
Gave it a 1.
Although I'm starting to appreciate the TH, this one still isn't very good. Sorta kinda getting used to it (a little), so upped my original 1 to a 3.
Gave it a 1.maxgruv wrote:
I'm a Canadian, and I can't stand the Hip.
right then, your citizenship's been revoked. You're living in the states now anyways...
You'd prefer Backstreet boys or our export Celine?
Wonder why no one's complaining she left Canada?
go
orionblu wrote:
hehe, criticizing The Hip is like a battle cry to a lot of canadians. Being a hip fan is almost a religion.
I'm a Canadian, and I can't stand the Hip.
Tragically off key :headshake:
hehe, criticizing The Hip is like a battle cry to a lot of canadians. Being a hip fan is almost a religion.
In my opinion the hip is an average band with a few decent tunes.
I disagree with the "average" description. I think that it is precisely their un-average-ness that has kept them from making it "big" in the American market.