Nothing tragic about The Hip

Canada's 80s heroes The Tragically Hip will receive its country's National Arts Centre Award for 2008, considered quite an honor from what I've read in publications up north.

The band -- known simply as The Hip to its legions of fans -- formed in 1983 in Kingston, Ontario, borrowing their name from a skit in the 1981 home video "Elephant Parts." Inducted into Canada's Music Hall of Fame in 2005, The Hip is still together today and is working on a new studio album.

They'll accept the award in early May -- along with actor Eugene Levy, who's getting a lifetime achievement award. Way to keep the 80s theme going, my Elsinore-chugging friends!

Though they're the kings of Canada, a lot of U.S. music fans are probably drawing a blank right now. So here's a quick primer of their signature hits:

Comments

[Walter Cox]

Wha? You didn't include "Courage", one of my favorite tunes ever, or "Grace, Too"?

[Greg L]

Ugh. I'm Canadian, I went to school in Kingston, and I can't stand the Tragically Hip. While their song writing is good, I just don't like their sound nor Gord Downey's nasally voice - I think it's predominantly the latter that does it. Obviously there are lots of people that like them -- I'm just not one of them.

[jane]

I have a good friend who lives in Montreal that LOVES these guys and has been trying to get me to listen to them for years. Now's as good a time as any for a primer, I suppose...

[Walter Cox]

Greg L, if you're Canadian, your only two choices for "my favorite band" are The Hip and Honeymoon Suite.

And how we in the States can latch on to Celine Dion instead of The Hip is beyond me.

[Bassnote]

Walter, on Monday night I was walking into the Bradley Center in Milwaukee, to see Bruce Springsteen, and the marquee showed an advertisement for an upcoming Celine Dion concert. I turned to my wife and said, "I'm almost ashamed to go into a building that Celine Dion will be playing in." My wife and a few people within earshot agreed with me.

I do not embrace Celine Dion, and I have not embraced the Hip either. Not that I hate them, I just never listened to them. They just flew outside my radar. I think the only song of theirs I have is 'New Orleans Is Sinking.'

[Ray]

Speaking of Canadian Bands... Is anyone else out there a Cowboy Junkies fan?

Just curious...

[DoctorDrew]

Holy Cr@p. I was shocked to see a mention of The Hip on this site. Awesome band.

Although my favorite Canadian band of all time is Lowest of the Low (pre first break up)

[jane]

Duh. It just hit me -- "Elephant Parts" was Mike Nesmith's project that he financed with his inherited Liquid Paper fortune. It also won, if I'm remembering correctly, the first music video Grammy.

[Marissa]

Ray, I dig Cowboy Junkies.

[Walter Cox]

I have Lay it Down by the Junkies. "Common Disaster" was playing on my car stereo when I hit a dead deer at 75 mph the night I graduated from college.

[Douglas Arthur]

When I lived in Buffalo for 14 years, I grew to appreciate the Hip quite a bit and I highly reccommend their 1997 album Phantom Power, which includes one of my favorite tunes: Fireworks, but it is a solid album all the way around. I know it isn't 80's but I have to give a shout out every now and again to something good from elsewhen in the universe. You won't be disappointed!

[Ray]

Sorry for the threadjack with the Cowboy Junkies question.

I just recently found out that the CJs have released a new CD called "Trinity Sessions Revisited".

The first Trinity Sessions album was incredible. I also really like Black Eyed Man and Lay It Down.

[Jason]

The Trinity Sessions Revisited is awesome. Check out Sweet Jane. It will take away.

[Al]

If you guys want a heck of an album, check out "Fully Completely" by the Hip. It's the one that vaulted them into households all over Canada.

Love these guys.