It's a Good Life If You Don't Weaken Lyrics

Lyric discussion by oxejin 

Cover art for It's a Good Life If You Don't Weaken lyrics by Tragically Hip, The

I think the lyric of the song is actually an argument AGAINST the title. Something Gord probably heard before, and decided he didn't agree with.

It seems that this song is about choice. And how we're forced to make these choices that affect our life, even when we are not "ready" to make these choices. "shaky movements", "improvisational skills", speak about someone who is unsure of themselves. the smoke is clearing and the paths are coming clearer, and he/she must decide.

gord seems to also be speaking of keeping to the essentials.. "a current health to stay, let's get friendship right, get life day-to-day".. and this might also be about that too "forget yer-skates-dream full of countervailing woes".. and the rest of it.. the next four lines are actually my favorite in the song..

I think it's all about choice, based on limited information, and made with limited experience.

kind of reminds of the bridge in "Courage".

@oxejin all these years later I wonder if he means that we have to "settle" to have a "good" life. The testament to a great song is that I still can't figure out the meaning. Maybe that's the point.