Political (song)
Encyclopedia
"Political" is song by Spirit of the West
. One of the band's most famous songs, it originally appeared on the 1988 album Labour Day
. The song was written by John Mann
.
Despite the band's reputation for writing politically
-themed songs, "Political" is in fact about the end of a personal romantic relationship. The verses detail the friction that led to the couple's breakup, and the chorus confirms that "Everything, every little thing, every little thing/With you and me had to be so political." Although the song was not a mainstream chart breakthrough for the band, it garnered them significant airplay on CBC Radio
, CFNY
and campus radio
stations throughout Canada. This expansion of the band's audience led to a major label deal with Warner Music Canada
, who released the band's next studio album, Save This House
, in 1990.
On 1991's Go Figure, Spirit of the West's first rock album, the band recorded a new rendition of the song. Although the lyrics remained identical (except for the word "little" being dropped from the chorus), the melody was moderately different and the instrumentation was more electric and rhythm-heavy. The 1991 version was released as a CD single, with the B-sides "Home for a Rest
", "Sad But True" and "Again and Again and Again".
However, the new version proved controversial: at a concert in London, Ontario
during their tour to promote that album, fans presented the band with a petition
demanding that they play the original version of the song. As a result, on subsequent tours the band have always performed a third version of the song, which retained the rock instrumentation of the remake while reverting to the original melody.
In a 1993 concert performance on Public Radio International
's Mountain Stage
series, Mann explained some of the song's backstory, stating that the song was written about a real relationship Mann had once had, which ended while the couple were travelling in New York City. This performance appears on the album Upfront! Canadians Live from Mountain Stage
. It was later revealed in the book Have Not Been the Same: The Can-Rock Renaissance 1985–1995 that the song was written about Mann's relationship with Jean Smith
of the band Mecca Normal
.
In 1995, "Political" was included in the band's concert with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra
. The version recorded at that show appears on their 1999 greatest hits
compilation Hit Parade
.
In 1999, "Political" was named one of CFNY's "Top 1002 New Rock Songs of All Time", ranking 524th. It ranked immediately ahead of The Verve Pipe
's "Photograph" in 525th place, and behind Sting's "If You Love Somebody Set Them Free" in 523rd.
During Spirit of the West's 2009 live performances opening for Great Big Sea
, the two bands have been known to perform the song together, with singers from each band alternating verses.
Spirit of the West
Spirit of the West are a Canadian folk rock band, who were popular on the Canadian folk music scene in the 1980s before evolving a blend of hard rock, Britpop, and Celtic folk influences which made them one of Canada's most successful alternative rock acts in the 1990s.-Early years:The band began...
. One of the band's most famous songs, it originally appeared on the 1988 album Labour Day
Labour Day (album)
Labour Day is a 1988 album by Spirit of the West.The album's best-known song is "Political", which was the first song to gain widespread airplay for the band on campus radio and CBC Radio One...
. The song was written by John Mann
John Mann (musician)
John F. Mann is a Canadian rock musician and actor.-Music:He is the lead vocalist for the folk rock band Spirit of the West...
.
Despite the band's reputation for writing politically
Politics
Politics is a process by which groups of people make collective decisions. The term is generally applied to the art or science of running governmental or state affairs, including behavior within civil governments, but also applies to institutions, fields, and special interest groups such as the...
-themed songs, "Political" is in fact about the end of a personal romantic relationship. The verses detail the friction that led to the couple's breakup, and the chorus confirms that "Everything, every little thing, every little thing/With you and me had to be so political." Although the song was not a mainstream chart breakthrough for the band, it garnered them significant airplay on CBC Radio
CBC Radio One
CBC Radio One is the English language news and information radio network of the publicly-owned Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. It is commercial free and offers both local and national programming...
, CFNY
CFNY-FM
CFNY-FM, promoted under the branding 102.1 The Edge, is a Canadian radio station, broadcasting at 102.1 FM. The station rose to prominence in the 1970s and 1980s due to its freestyle DJing format and unique choice to play alternative music...
and campus radio
Campus radio
Campus radio is a type of radio station that is run by the students of a college, university or other educational institution. Programming may be exclusively by students, or may include programmers from the wider community in which the radio station is based...
stations throughout Canada. This expansion of the band's audience led to a major label deal with Warner Music Canada
Warner Music Canada
Warner Music Canada is the Canadian division of Warner Music Group. The label previously operated as WEA Canada, the Canadian subsidiary of WEA International, which later changed its name to Warner Music International in 1990. It was founded in 1967 as Warner Reprise Canada Ltd...
, who released the band's next studio album, Save This House
Save This House
Save This House is a 1990 album by Spirit of the West.It was the band's first album for Warner Music Canada, and their first with Linda McRae. Although still a relatively traditional folk album, its release on a major label meant that it was the band's first album to expand their fan base...
, in 1990.
On 1991's Go Figure, Spirit of the West's first rock album, the band recorded a new rendition of the song. Although the lyrics remained identical (except for the word "little" being dropped from the chorus), the melody was moderately different and the instrumentation was more electric and rhythm-heavy. The 1991 version was released as a CD single, with the B-sides "Home for a Rest
Home For a Rest
"Home for a Rest" is a song by Canadian folk rock band Spirit of the West, from their 1990 album Save This House. Although never officially released as a single, it is the band's most famous song and is considered a classic of Canadian music....
", "Sad But True" and "Again and Again and Again".
However, the new version proved controversial: at a concert in London, Ontario
London, Ontario
London is a city in Southwestern Ontario, Canada, situated along the Quebec City – Windsor Corridor. The city has a population of 352,395, and the metropolitan area has a population of 457,720, according to the 2006 Canadian census; the metro population in 2009 was estimated at 489,274. The city...
during their tour to promote that album, fans presented the band with a petition
Petition
A petition is a request to do something, most commonly addressed to a government official or public entity. Petitions to a deity are a form of prayer....
demanding that they play the original version of the song. As a result, on subsequent tours the band have always performed a third version of the song, which retained the rock instrumentation of the remake while reverting to the original melody.
In a 1993 concert performance on Public Radio International
Public Radio International
Public Radio International is a Minneapolis-based American public radio organization, with locations in Boston, New York, London and Beijing. PRI's tagline is "Hear a different voice." PRI is a major public media content creator and also distributes programs from many sources...
's Mountain Stage
Mountain Stage
Mountain Stage is a two-hour music radio show, first aired in 1983, produced by WV Public Broadcasting and distributed worldwide by National Public Radio and the Voice of America's satellite radio service. Hosted by Larry Groce, the program showcases diverse music, from the traditional to modern...
series, Mann explained some of the song's backstory, stating that the song was written about a real relationship Mann had once had, which ended while the couple were travelling in New York City. This performance appears on the album Upfront! Canadians Live from Mountain Stage
Upfront! Canadians Live from Mountain Stage
Upfront! Canadians Live from Mountain Stage is an album released in 1994 on Blue Plate Music and BMG Music Canada, which compiles live performances by Canadian artists who have appeared on the American radio series Mountain Stage....
. It was later revealed in the book Have Not Been the Same: The Can-Rock Renaissance 1985–1995 that the song was written about Mann's relationship with Jean Smith
Jean Smith
Jean Smith is a Canadian musician, best known as the lead singer of the Vancouver-based band Mecca Normal, as well as a painter, novelist, lecturer and filmmaker...
of the band Mecca Normal
Mecca Normal
Formed by Jean Smith and David Lester in 1984, Mecca Normal is a two-piece indie rock band from Vancouver, Canada. Smith writes lyrics and sings in a style that is often confrontational and laced with feminist themes; Lester's melodic yet dissonant guitar swirls and loops around her vocals...
.
In 1995, "Political" was included in the band's concert with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra
Vancouver Symphony Orchestra
The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra is a Canadian orchestra performing in Vancouver, British Columbia. Over 240,000 people attend its live performances each year. It was founded in 1930 and plays in 12 venues. Its home is the Orpheum theatre. With an annual operating budget of $9.5 million, it is the...
. The version recorded at that show appears on their 1999 greatest hits
Greatest hits
A greatest hits album is a music compilation album of successful, previously released songs by a particular artist or band...
compilation Hit Parade
Hit Parade (album)
Hit Parade is a 1999 album by Spirit of the West.The album is a compilation, and marked their final release for Warner Music Canada. Despite the album's title, not all of the songs on the album were released as singles, and some songs which were notable singles are not present...
.
In 1999, "Political" was named one of CFNY's "Top 1002 New Rock Songs of All Time", ranking 524th. It ranked immediately ahead of The Verve Pipe
The Verve Pipe
The Verve Pipe is an American rock band from East Lansing, Michigan. It was formed in 1992 by Brian and Brad Vander Ark, Brian Stout and Donny Brown.-History:...
's "Photograph" in 525th place, and behind Sting's "If You Love Somebody Set Them Free" in 523rd.
During Spirit of the West's 2009 live performances opening for Great Big Sea
Great Big Sea
Great Big Sea is a Canadian folk-rock band from Newfoundland and Labrador, best known for performing energetic rock interpretations of traditional Newfoundland folk songs including sea shanties, which draw from the island's 500-year-old Irish, English, and French heritage...
, the two bands have been known to perform the song together, with singers from each band alternating verses.