Episode Details

Every Wednesday night at 8pm ET, we spin the wheel and land on one randomly selected Tragically Hip song — then we discuss, debate, and dissect it with three panelists and a very opinionated live chat.

This week, the wheel landed on “Leave” from In Violet Light (2002) — and we got into the groove, the two-part structure, Gord’s bird-heavy storytelling, and where this track sits in the album’s pacing (aka: the unsung bridge between heavy hitters).

Next week’s random pick: “Wild Mountain Honey” from Music @ Work.

This Week’s Song

Song: “Leave”

Album: In Violet Light (2002)

Producer: Hugh Padgham

Format: Live panel + chat discussion (one song, one hour, no wrong takes)

Panelists

• Andrew (Winnipeg)
• Patrick (Toronto)
• Craig (Langley) (also plays in the Hip tribute band Gift Shop)

What We Talk About (Highlights)

• Album “go-to” picks right now: World Container, In Violet Light, and We Are the Same
• Why “Leave” feels like an album track / deep cut — and why that’s not an insult
• The band’s groove (Sinclair + Fay love all over this one)
• The song’s structure: essentially two halves instead of a standard verse/chorus/bridge pattern
• Lyrical rabbit holes: quotes, birds talking to birds, and that killer line: “How do we learn to hurt?” (discussed, not solved — because Gord)
• Live history note from the panel: “Leave” appears to have been played live only a handful of times (per setlist research mentioned on the stream)
• Chat check-in: one-word reactions and a great listener description of the track as a “start the day” song — gentle, moving, pointed but laid back

Timeline (from the stream transcript)

• [0:38] jD sets the table: the On Shuffle format + “no wrong takes”
• [1:47] Introductions: Andrew (Winnipeg), Craig (Langley), Patrick (Toronto)
• [3:36] “Go-to Hip record right now” discussion
• [10:43] Song discussion begins: first impressions + where “Leave” fits
• [18:31] Music deep-dive: groove, dynamics, structure (two-part feel)
• [24:09] The “birds” thread expands (and yes, people noticed)
• [35:31] Live-performance chat + setlist mention
• [48:09] Wheel spin: next week’s song is “Wild Mountain Honey”
• [49:54] Panelist plugs + shoutouts
• [53:01] Breadcrumbs teased for upcoming stuff + community reminder

Next Week

🎶 Next song: “Wild Mountain Honey” (Music @ Work)

🗓 When: Wednesday at 8pm ET

💬 How to participate: Jump into the live chat and bring your takes.

Panelist Plugs (as mentioned on-stream)

• Andrew: Head Full of Radio (podcast) + Alphabet Soup (University of Manitoba radio show; archives mentioned)
• Patrick: The Deep Cover Show (on hiatus; returning around early February per the stream)
• Craig: Plays in Gift Shop (Hip tribute band)