4 underrated Tragically Hip songs you are missing out on

The Tragically Hip was too Canadian. That is not written to be critical of the band, but more critical of how other audiences were not more open to the excellence of the band. Lyrically and musically, they excelled.

Perhaps, they were a bit out of their time. They made music in the 1990s and 2000s that would have been a better fit in the 1970s. The group was not about popularity, but they still had to be confused as to why the United States was not more accepting. That is the loss of Americans, however, and not the band.

Led by frontman Gordon Downie, fantastic both live and lyrically, the rest of the band was not there simply to back him up. The Hip was a group in the greater sense of the word. But, still...those lyrics were genius. And while every fan of the band will know the following songs well, so should every other music lover.

Four underrated songs by the extremely underrated Tragically Hip

"Are We Family" (2004)

The song might be about how every living creature is intermingled with every other living creature, and maybe that is a bit too universal for many American fans, but the melody and instrumentation are achingly beautiful. Plus, the way Gord Downie sings, "Here he goes, 'Give me ten bucks and a head start'/Here's where he goes, 'The puzzle's pulling apart'" is ridiculously perfect.

Even if you did not know what Downie was singing about, you might have this song on heavy rotation because it simply makes one's soul whole. The meaning is definitely something fewer people appear to be believing in, sadly.

"Grace, Too" (1994)

In contrast to "Are We Family," "Grace, Too," sounds a lot like every Pearl Jam album post Vs. This is a rock song, sure, but it borrows heavily from 1970s rock. Not arena rock or the rock one might hear on the radio that is truly pop, but the kind of down-and-dirty songs that make up the real bones of the genre.

"Grace, Too" is also deeper than previous Tragically Hip. There is something more sinister in the depths of the song. Scary, even. And yet...perfect.

"Bobcaygeon" (1999)

There are several lines in the song that rank among the best ever written. Heck, the final four verses stanzas might make for a whole semester of how to write good songs. Only, few people write lyrics as easily as Downie did. And, yes. Like every song on this list, every Tragically Hip fan knows "Bobcaygeon" well, but so should the rest of the world.

The lyrics in this song specifically would make Morrissey proud. Like these words: "'Til the men, they couldn't hang/Stepped to the mic and sang/And their voices rang/With that Aryan twang/I got to your house this mornin'/Just a little after nine/In the middle of that riot/Couldn't get you off my mind." Genius.

"Blow At High Dough" (1989)

Like nearly everything the Hip did, this song is certainly referential to Canada. It could have lots of meanings. Supposedly, the title of the song is a phrase that Downie's mother used when she thought her children were being a bit too full of themselves.

Or the song might be a reference to a Kingston speedway that was torn down so industrialists could build a quarry to mine ore. Whatever the meaning, and there are likely several, the song rocks. Plus, the Hip plays with sonics on this tune in a way few bands can.

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