The band began in 1983 as a Vancouver-based folk trio called Evesdropper, consisting of John Mann, Geoffrey Kelly and J. Knutson. They soon changed their name to Spirit of the West, and independently released a self-titled album in 1984 before signing to Stony Plain Records, an Edmonton, Alberta roots music label.
Stony Plain released Tripping Up the Stairs in 1986. Following that album, Knutson left the band and was replaced by Hugh MacMillan.
1988's Labour Day was the band's first major success, spawning the popular single "Political" and making the band a major name on the folk festival circuit. After that album's tour, MacMillan took a temporary hiatus from the band. He was replaced by Daniel Lapp and Linda McRae, but returned before the band's next album was recorded. When MacMillan returned, Lapp left the band but McRae stayed on. (As a result, Lapp never actually appeared on a Spirit of the West recording. He pursued a solo career, however, releasing a number of albums of experimental jazz/folk/electronic fusion.)
On the strength of "Political", Warner Brothers Records signed the band, and Stony Plain released a compilation, Old Material 1984-1986 in 1989. In 1990, the band's major label debut, Save This House was released, spawning the singles "Save This House" and "Home For a Rest" (which is still considered a classic frosh week anthem at universities across Canada.)
Following that album, the band toured England with The Wonder Stuff, and decided to bring in a drummer and experiment with a more rock-oriented sound. Vince Ditrich was brought in, and the band's 1991 album, Go Figure, was the result.
Although the album retained the band's folk influences, it was more hard rock than any of the band's previous efforts, and this proved controversial among the band's fans. The album included a rock rendition of "Political", and at one show in London, Ontario, the audience presented the band with a petition demanding that they play the original version of that song. Despite the controversies, however, it became the band's mainstream commercial breakthrough, and won them many new fans in the alternative rock scene.
In 1993, the band released their most successful album, Faithlift, and scored their biggest hit single, "...And if Venice is Sinking". 1995's Two Headed, in turn, garnered significant airplay for the single "Tell Me What I Think". However, the album was not as successful on the charts, or as critically hailed, as its predecessor.
In 1996, the band performed two shows with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra. The band included some of their hits in these shows, but also included an album's worth of songs written specifically for the occasion, and the new songs were released as Open Heart Symphony that year. (Some of the hits performed at those shows are available on the compilation Hit Parade.) Also in 1996, McRae left the band amicably to pursue a solo career, performing her last show on New Year's Eve of that year. She went on to release a solo country album in 1997, and then formed the alternative country band Cheerful Lonesome.
The remaining members recorded 1997's Weights and Measures as a four-piece, working with members of The Wonder Stuff, Capercaillie, Fairport Convention and Jethro Tull to round out the studio effort, and added Tobin Frank for their concert tour. However, with the music industry's emphasis having shifted by this time toward more mainstream pop-oriented performers, Warner put little effort into promoting the album, and dropped the band from their roster after the tour.
After Weights & Measures the band took a hiatus, although they continued to perform live, and remained a popular concert draw. During the hiatus, Mann, Ditrich and Kelly all released solo albums, Mann pursued acting roles, MacMillan worked as a session musician and producer, and Kelly and Frank recorded with The Paperboys.
The band's first new album in seven years, Star Trails, was released on July 6, 2004 on MapleMusic Recordings.
In 2005, "Home For a Rest" was named the 22nd greatest Canadian song of all time on CBC Radio One's 50 Tracks: The Canadian Version.
Mann was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimers' disease (disclosed in Sept 2014) and Ditrich has liver disease. The group gave its final performances in April 2016 at the Commodore Ballroom in Vancouver.
The band performed a reunion set at Spirit of Canada, a benefit concert for Alzheimer's awareness at the Commodore Ballroom on November 19, 2017. The concert's lineup included Odds, Barney Bentall, Dustin Bentall, Jim Byrnes, Kendel Carson, Jim Cuddy, Alan Doyle, Colin James, Sarah McLachlan, Ed Robertson, Shari Ulrich and Spirit: The Next Generation, an act consisting of the band members' children. Before the show, the performing musicians participated in a group recording of the band's signature song "Home for a Rest" as a tribute to Mann.
John Mann born September 18, 1962 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, died November 20, 2019.
Political
Spirit of the West Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
By myself for not being what you
Thought you had found
Pulled hard in two directions by a
Desire to learn
And my old affections
When I tried to share my world with you
The people I had grown to love
They shrank under your scrutiny
Became the ones you'd hate
Why did everything, every little thing
Every little thing
With you and me have to be so political?
Everything, every little thing
Every little thing
With you and me have to be so political?
I was feeling a little underwhelmed
About hanging around with you and
Feeling over cautious
Every word, every little look, every little sigh
Every little phrase
Put me deeper in your doghouse
You'd let me out to run across your world
I ran into a wall you told me I built it
Then you'd reel me in, ream me out, pick me up
Push me out again
And then repeat it
Why did everything, every little thing
Every little thing
With you and me have to be so political?
Everything, every little thing
Every little thing
With you and me have to be so political?
Everything, everything with you and me was
Too busy tripping on my tongue
To try and stand my ground
And I can still see myself crying in your lap
Asking you, are you happy with the man you have found?
I'm grateful for what you did for me
I can see things now I never would have seen
And today I thought about what could have been
But could never be for you and me
'Cause everything, every little thing
Every little thing
With you and me had to be so political
Everything, every little thing
Every little thing
With you and me have to be so political?
Everything, everything
With you and me was so political
Oh political
In this song, "Political" by Spirit of the West, the singer expresses his frustration and disappointment with a relationship that has become too "political" and complicated. He feels torn between his desire to learn and grow as a person, and his old affections for someone who does not share the same interests and values. He tries to share his world with this person and introduce them to the people he loves, but they are unable to tolerate them and instead become critical and hateful.
The singer feels trapped and underwhelmed in the relationship, constantly walking on eggshells and struggling to express himself. The other person creates conflict, picking fights and putting him down. Despite his efforts to please them and make the relationship work, it becomes clear that they are incompatible due to their differing views and attitudes. In the end, the singer acknowledges that he has learned from the experience, but regrets that it could never work out between them.
Line by Line Meaning
I was tired of being put right down
I was fed up with constantly being criticized and devalued.
By myself for not being what you Thought you had found
I felt like you expected me to be someone I'm not and were disappointed with who I really am.
Pulled hard in two directions by a Desire to learn And my old affections
I was torn between wanting to discover new things and holding onto my past experiences that I cherish.
When I tried to share my world with you You could not seem to tolerate
You were close-minded and unable to accept the things that were important to me.
The people I had grown to love They shrank under your scrutiny Became the ones you'd hate
The people I cared about became the target of your judgment and criticism, causing you to dislike them.
Why did everything, every little thing Every little thing With you and me have to be so political?
I'm questioning why every aspect of our relationship had to become a power struggle and politics, instead of just enjoying each other's company.
I was feeling a little underwhelmed About hanging around with you and Feeling over cautious
I was starting to feel uninspired and hesitant about spending time with you because of our constant political battles.
Every word, every little look, every little sigh Every little phrase Put me deeper in your doghouse
Your constant judgment and scrutiny made me feel like I could never do anything right.
You'd let me out to run across your world I ran into a wall you told me I built it Then you'd reel me in, ream me out, pick me up Push me out again And then repeat it
You would let me explore your world, but when I made a mistake, you would blame me for it and repeat the cycle of pushing me away and pulling me in.
Too busy tripping on my tongue To try and stand my ground And I can still see myself crying in your lap Asking you, are you happy with the man you have found?
I was too preoccupied with trying to please you that I lost sight of who I am, and even when I did try to stand up for myself, it only led to more conflict and tears.
I'm grateful for what you did for me I can see things now I never would have seen And today I thought about what could have been But could never be for you and me
Despite the difficulties, I'm still grateful for the things I learned from you and how they've helped me grow. However, I also realize that our relationship could never have worked out.
'Cause everything, every little thing Every little thing With you and me had to be so political
Once again, I'm emphasizing how every aspect of our relationship was turned into a game of politics and power struggle.
Oh political
The word 'political' is repeated to drive home the point that politics and power struggles were at the heart of our relationship.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Geoffrey Kelly, John Fraser Mann
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
I'mNOTyou
I was tired of being
put right down
by myself
for not being
what you
thought you had found
pulled hard in
two directions
by your (deeds ?) I'd learned
and my own affections
When I
tried to share
my world with you
you could not seem
to tolerate
the people
I had grown to love
they shrank under your scrutiny
became the ones you hate.
Why did everything, every little thing, every little thing
with you and me
have to be
sooooo political?
Everything
Everything little thing, every little thing
with you and me have to be
soooooooooooo political?
I was feeling
a little underwhelmed about
hanging out with you and
feeling
overcautious...
every little word, every little look, every little sigh
every little phrase
put me deeper in your doghouse
You let me out to
run across your world
I ran into a wall
you told me I built it
then you
reel me in, ream me out, pick me up,
push me out again
And then repeated
Why did everything, every little thing, every little thing
with you and me
have to be
sooooo political?
Everything
Everything little thing, every little thing
with you and me have to be
soooooooooooo political?
Too busy
tripping on my tongue
to try and stand my ground
and I can still see myself
crying in your lap
asking you
"Are you
happy
with the man you have found?"
I'm grateful for what you did for me
I can see things now
I never would have seen
and
today I thought about what
could have been
what could never be
for you and me
cause
everything, every little thing, every little thing
with you and me
had to be
sooooo political
Everything
Everything little thing, every little thing
with you and me had to be
soooooooooooo political
everything
everything
with
you
and
me
was
soooooooooooooooo
political
aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah oh
Political
(*Disclaimer* I may have gotten some of the words wrong...hate away if you need to.*)
arumrunner
John, you brought so many people so much joy with your music, thank you so much.
Justin Peters
Sad tonight but thankful to have experienced John Mann and SOTW live numerous times back when ... Canada wouldn’t be to me what it is without you. Nor would my University experience be as complete without this song. Thanks eh. RIP
Colin MacLean
One of my all-time favourite Canadian bands, and John Mann was one of my all-time favourite performers. Couldn't beat their live shows. My best memories will be of the times I saw them in different settings, in different parts of Canada. From crowded bars, to outdoor concerts with a string orchestra. Loved Spirit of the West. Thank you John Mann for the music, your social conscience and your showmanship.
Stephen Lisson
They were one of my all-time favourite bands as well Colin. I knew that the poor man was going through a terrible time with this dreadful disease, so it is a blessing in disguise that he will not have to suffer anymore. However, it's still horrible news. I loved this band and I certainly loved John. He was one of the best frontmen, not just in Canadian music, but in world music. He was a pleasure to see on stage, getting the crowd into the music. All I can say is that I know he'll be up there, making wonderful music with Gord Downie. Two incredible icons, of Canadian music, gone but never forgotten. May he Rest in Peace and my deepest condolences to his wife and family.
hippomancy
fave song by my fave Canadian band. saw them in Halifax, Toronto, and Vancouver, clubs each time. nice bunch people on stage and off. talented and sociable, with active consciences. most musicians who pass, you think just "oh well, no more music". but John's passing made me genuinely sad. a life well lived, a music well-played. just no more Spirit in spirit of the west...
Duncan McCockiner
Poor guy, I had no idea of his struggle the past few years.
RIP, John Mann. May your spirit always be remembered, in every direction.
LadyMarushka
Thank you for all the wonderful music that touched our lives and set our memories to such a beautiful soundtrack.
SupaKlown
One of the most beautiful songs I've ever heard. A true canadian classic, complicated and poetic.
Michelle Sim
John you will be missed! Thank you for so many years of great music!
Michelle MacQuarrie
This made me want to cry just a little bit. Their legacy is that we will always have the music.I just wish I could have seen them more live.