Downie’s last album sets record straight
In the face of his own mortality, Gord Downie chose to celebrate life, love and connections.
Those are strong currents that run through the Tragically Hip frontman’s farewell album, Introduce Yerself, a series of 23 love letters in song. Each one is addressed to a person or place that left an indelible impression on his life.
Written in the months after Downie had terminal brain cancer diagnosed in December 2015, he began working on the album, which is out today, through an organic collaboration with Broken Social Scene’s Kevin Drew.
In an interview with the New York Times, Drew said after first hearing of Downie’s condition he emailed his friend instrumentals he was inspired to create. Within hours, Downie sent back recordings with his vocals laid overtop. Plans took shape to properly record the first batch of songs in early 2016 at the Hip’s recording studio in Bath, Ont. Another 10 tracks were laid down in February this year.
Introduce Yerself pays homage to the good times Downie shared with friends, moments of emotional intimacy and, perhaps, even ties up a few loose ends. Sometimes, the context is hazy and to whom he is speaking is often a mystery.
The album is best experienced on a set of headphones, which commits the listener to hanging onto every word of each story from Downie, who died last week at 53. Here are four tracks and the stories behind them:
First Person — Setting a sombre tone, Downie offers flashes of what seem to be early memories of his mother, Lorna. “First person, this is the gift of my life,” he sings. “First person to lean down and kiss me goodnight.” The song drifts toward Downie repeating “goodbye” against the haunting sound of a piano and an intensifying kick drum that evokes a heartbeat.
Introduce Yerself — One of the songs Downie wrote after his invasive brain surgery, it begins while he’s riding in the backseat of a vehicle with a friend. His memory is deteriorating and he’s struggling with the name of his driver, even though he feels he should know him. He writes “Introduce Yerself” on his hand and pokes his friend, hoping the suggestion might ease the tension. Downie talks about how that moment stuck with him. On Christmas Eve, he decided to tattoo the words on his hand. But the tattoo shop was closed and the phrase was never inked, though Downie immortalized his idea on the album cover.
You and Me and the B’s — Downie’s hockey obsession was no secret, so it’s appropriate that one of the album’s most upbeat songs pays tribute to the sport. His younger brother Patrick shares the spotlight in this memory, with Downie singing about their shared love for the Boston Bruins. “We talked about them nearly every day, for over 40 years now,” he sings. “We talked about other stuff nearly every day too, with the B’s you could never lose.”
My First Girlfriend — Downie reflects on his first relationship, with someone six years his senior. He frames their connection with a cinematic vigour. “You read books all the time and made me want to read books over my head,” he sings. “You had long blond hair to your waist and didn’t give a damn.” Eventually his lust takes over and Downie tries to make a move. She rejects his advances and tells him off.