The song was written about Jim Ellison of the band Material Issue (out of Chicago), who committed suicide in 1996. They had met at the CMJ conference in New York City ("It was our third time in New York"). Gord recalls 9 bands a night playing.
Gord recalls Material Issue played just before the Tragically Hip... "We were fifth and sixth on the bill".
Gord recalls that Jim was really sick with a cold and that they had driven all night in a van and Jim was planning on sleeping in the van. Gord and bandmate Paul Langlois invited Jim up to their room to stay with them (rather than sleeping out in the cold in the van) and he did. They never saw Jim again after that night. They wrote this song after hearing that Jim had died.
Thus, the 1st two verses are very literal.
The remainder, as far as I know, is open to interpretation, but it certainly seems like it's filled with regret from Gord that he didn't make more of an effort after their one night together to build a friendship. "I'm too slow. You said any time of the day was fine. You said any time of the night was also fine."
The song was written about Jim Ellison of the band Material Issue (out of Chicago), who committed suicide in 1996. They had met at the CMJ conference in New York City ("It was our third time in New York"). Gord recalls 9 bands a night playing.
Gord recalls Material Issue played just before the Tragically Hip... "We were fifth and sixth on the bill".
Gord recalls that Jim was really sick with a cold and that they had driven all night in a van and Jim was planning on sleeping in the van. Gord and bandmate Paul Langlois invited Jim up to their room to stay with them (rather than sleeping out in the cold in the van) and he did. They never saw Jim again after that night. They wrote this song after hearing that Jim had died.
Thus, the 1st two verses are very literal.
The remainder, as far as I know, is open to interpretation, but it certainly seems like it's filled with regret from Gord that he didn't make more of an effort after their one night together to build a friendship. "I'm too slow. You said any time of the day was fine. You said any time of the night was also fine."