You can’t have a Canadian music blog without mentioning the Tragically Hip at least once. It was only a matter of time before this was written, I bet you were almost waiting for it. Bobcaygeon, Ontario has never been the same since this band’s conception. Where do you even begin to write about these guys?

I can’t remember when I heard my first Tragically Hip song. It had to have been in my dad’s car, as an outro to a segment on an AM station, surely. I do remember when I fell in love with my first Tragically Hip song though.

I was gifted a well-loved copy of Phantom Power by a family member and fell in love with the track, Membership. It is still my favorite Tragically Hip song to this day, the drums and the vocals drown everything out until the chorus of the song – it is so well produced and incredible to listen to for the first time.

What was your first Tragically Hip song? I think a lot of people feel unusually attached to this band, do you have a strange love for the Tragically Hip? In my hometown on every street corner is some form of a Tragically Hip cover band, small Canadian towns would never have survived without this band.

Emanuel Pedro / Pexels

They are an older Canadian band, having released their debut self-titled album in 1987. Despite this, I find their fanbase to be split rather evenly between young and older fans. The love for this band is passed down through generations in Canada, and especially here in British Columbia.

The legacy that the sound and music of The Tragically Hip left behind has inspired an entire generation of music here in British Columbia. Their strong, melodic guitar and deep bass, as well as an energetic drummer with a sharp snare are all elements that have influenced Canadian music.

I think it is safe to say that all alternative rock with that roots/folky feel can be traced back to origins beginning with a Tragically Hip album somewhere.