In Violet Light

In Violet Light brought a few changes to the Hip's traditional production landscape. The band recorded parts of the album in the Bahamas, and brought in British heavyweight producer Hugh Padgham (Phil Collins, Sting, Paul McCartney). Padgham's influence is evident throughout the album in the dreamy, phasing guitar riffs, but for the presence of such a powerful producer, the Tragically Hip's sound still rings true from start to finish, especially with Downie's trademark turns of phrase in lyrics for the song "It's a Good Life if you Don't Weaken." I don't know exactly what a "forget-yer-skates dream" is, but I remember grabbing on to that line right away. Another line that has stuck with me for years — and remains one of my favourite verses in music — lives in the second verse of "The Darkest One":

"Come in, come in, come in, come in, From thin and wicked Prairie wind, come in. It's warm and it's safe here and almost heartening, Here in a time and place, not lost on our imagination."
- The Tragically Hip, "The Darkest One"