The story of Bill Barilko is a strange one. (from ‘The 11-year mystery of Leafs’ ‘Bashin’ Bill Barilko’,’ Toronto Star, ) That it inspired Downie to write a song that combined the mystery of Barilko’s disappearance with a cap given to elite bomber pilots of the allied air forces during World War II is even stranger. The industry too often created pop stars and flashes-in-the-pan in the hopes of cashing in on the latest fad and obscuring real music. Downie remarked that the inspiration for these lyrics came from his critical assessment of the music industry. The song’s chorus refers to fireworks exploding in the distance, emulating heaven, and replacing stars. You held my hand and we walked home the long way We all squeezed the stick and we all pulled the trigger If there’s a goal that everyone remembers Related: Top 10 Montreal Canadiens Goal Celebrations He won the Stanley Cup twice, first with his famous flying Cup-winning goal in 1970. Considered one of the greatest hockey players of all time, Orr was a defenseman for Sinden’s Bruins (of course).
The song is also about growing up and about the first flush of love that can displace even the great Orr.
#GORD DOWNIE MUSIC SERIES#
Paul Henderson and Bobby Clarke of Team Canada celebrate Henderson’s series-winning goal in Game 8 of the 1972 Summit Series between Canada and the Soviet Union at the Luzhniki Ice Palace (Photo by Denis Brodeur/NHLI via Getty Images) It was the defining moment for a generation. The ’72 summit series was a great moment for Canada and Paul Henderson’s series-winning goal is the most famous goal in Canadian hockey history. The song references the 1972 Summit Series, hockey legend Bobby Orr. The 1972 Summitt Seriesįireworks is the third single from the Hip’s sixth studio album, Phantom Power. Hockey, as a central part of Canadian identity, found its way into many of their songs. Downie famously wore his Boston jersey in the music video for Courage (for Hugh MacLennan). This was no doubt influenced by his godfather Harry Sinden, former coach of the Boston Bruins. To me, the power of his lyrics and of the meaning of the songs justify retracing some of these steps. I came to those pieces only after I started writing this one.
Bob McKenzie released an excerpt of his 2014 book, Hockey Confidential, in which he traced the history of the Tragically Hip and hockey. Justin Cuthbert did something similar previously. I am not the first to try and connect Gord, hockey, and music.
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