Something that I missed out on growing up in a small town was concerts. Obviously Nipigon wasn't big enough to host a movie theater, let alone a proper stadium. Thunder Bay wasn't much better when I was living there. Nickelbackwas the first live, fairly large concert that I ever saw. Please note this was when Nickelback was considered popular (yes, there was a time), and "How You Remind Me", was the number one single...well pretty much everywhere. When I moved out to Manitoba I was thrilled at the opportunity to attend not only Nickelback concerts...but good concerts as well! The first concert I remember attending at the MTS Centre was Tom Cochrane. I don't remember much else about that night as Winnipeg was hosting Grey Cup that same weekend - but I do remember falling a little bit in love with Mr. Cochrane.
He's gonna ride it all night long
If you don''t know who Tom Cochrane is you will if I mention just one song, "Life is a Highway". It's been covered by approx. 834 people. Besides "Life is a Highway", Tom Cochrane has produced a number of hits such as, "Good Time", "Big Leagues", and "Wish you Well". Born in Lynne Lake, Manitoba, Cochrane is an amazing artist that tends to fly under the radar. He's recieved an Order of Canada for his charity work and patriotism, an Honorary Doctorate and a spot in the Canadian Music Hall of Fame.
I wouldn't say that "White Hot" is my favorite Tom Cochrane song, but it's a great one, with an even greater story behind it. Cochrane explained that he wrote the song after reading "White Heat/Time of the Assassins", by Henry Miller, an essay which details the life of 1800's French poet, Arthur Rimbaud.
Arthur Rimbaud
Cole's notes on Arthur Rimbaud,
French poet, most well known for his work "Season of Hell"
Was gay, his family didn't approve
Quit writing when he was 21, went to Africa and became a Gun Runner, many of his Gun Running routes are still in use today.
In "White Hot", Cochrane embodies Rimbaud and his time in Africa, "I'm white hot, by the Somalian Shore". He sings of Rimbaud missing his lover, Paul Verlaine, "I need you to come see me", and of Rimbaud getting caught selling weapons, "Cast out from the jungle, with no rations or canteen. For selling faulty rifles, to the thieves in Tanzania." "Exhibit A" on why Tom Cochrane is truly one of rock's legends. He took a little known story from history and turned it into a mainstream hit.
Waiting by the shoreline In somalia for your reply I need you to come see me That's no lie The guns are getting closer The sweat pours like dew That fell from the trees in Tripoli In the spring
I'm white hot I can't take it anymore I'm white hot By the somalian shore Yes i'm burning to the core I need rain
Cast out from the jungle With no rations or canteen For selling faulty riffles To the thieves in tanzania
Adventures and misfortune Nothing wagered, nothing gained I have wandered through the desert Found the ocean not the rain
I can remember the nights by the strand in Tripoli We were so much cooler then I had you and my poetry to protect me We were so much younger then I need rain
I'm white hot I can't take it anymore I'm white hot By the somalian shore
I'm white hot Yes i'm burning to the core I need rain, I need rain, I need rain
I can remember the nights by the sea in Tripoli Were were so much colder then I had you and my poetry to protect me We were both soldiers then Bolder then, colder then I need rain, I need rain, I need rain White hot White hot... Water
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