Tim Tamashiro muses on 3 reasons we love The Tragically Hip

This weekend you might feel like you're 19 again when the Tragically Hip are in concertSaturdaynight on CBC Television.

You might have made plans to get together with friends to watch the show. There's going to be beer and food and you're going to sing along with the songs and hopefully dance wildly.

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I may be the "jazz guy" on CBC Radio 2 as host ofTonic, but I also have a personal connection with The Hip.I worked with MCA Records Canada from1990-1994.

The Tragically Hip were our band to support and promote. I've worked dozens of events with the band andgiven outhundreds of CDs, concert tickets, T-shirtsand posters to record store and radio station staff. I chatted with each member of The Hip backstage. I set up meet and greets. I worked their singles at radio.

One thing has always been abundantly apparent: everyone loves The Tragically Hip.

Why do we love The Tragically Hip so much? Here are three reasons (of many).

1. They areroad warriors

The Tragically Hip didn't have to leave their hometown pub. They were praised and popular at home in Kingston,playing at Alphie's Pub at Queens University. But then they hit the road.

They toured to small joints across Canada like The Farside Pub at Red Deer College and Louis' at The University of Saskatchewan. I remember them blowing away the crowd at RDCwhereI was a student at the time.

It was 1988 and we partied like rock stars.I remember Gord Downie's odd dancing. He danced and sang so hard he sweat right through his T-shirt. It was obvious that every show with The Tragically Hip would become a must-attend party at colleges and universities across the country.

The Hip never let us down. They toured constantly. They never made us wait too long for their return. Love The Hip for being so dedicated.

2. They brought us together with friends

If you've been to a show with The Tragically Hip there's a good chance you went with a large group of your favourite people. You'd soak in the energy in the room and sweat it out through your pores.

You couldn't dance badly or look foolish. Gord Downie is on stage.

What on earth is he doing? Is he twitching? Is Gord spinning on his ass on stage? What is Gord talking about? It doesn't matter, it's as cool as hell. He was dripping with sweat and the band drove the music and the beat like an 18-wheeler.

Everybody got a little drunk. Everybody sang along. Everybody had the best time ever. Love The Hip for giving us those great times.

3. They gave us a songbook to sing

From their very first albums, including theirself-titledrelease in 1987, The Tragically Hip started building a songbook for Canadians to sing.

In 1989, with the release of their second album,Up To Here, there weresongs like New Orleans is Sinking, 38 Years Old and Boots and Hearts. Then came Little Bones, Twist My Arm and Three Pistols on their third release, Road Apples.I remember working for MCA Records in 1992 when Fully Completely was released.

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The radio stations played track after track from the album every chance they could. Courage, Locked In The Trunk of a Car and At The Hundredth Meridian all became smash hits and were added to the ever-expanding Hip songbook. Then there was Grace, Too, Ahead By A Century and the song that was never a big hit single but the nation loved it anyway: Fifty Mission Cap (my personal favourite).

Thank you for the thick stack of songs for us to sing in the car and around camp fires. Thank you for songs about Canada.

These are only three reasons for loving The Tragically Hip. There are countless many more personal reasons.

To "The Gords," Rob, Johnny and Paul, it's been such a joy to be your fans. You have given us so many reason to recognize and celebrate our Canadian glowing hearts.

I'm hosting a viewing partythis Saturdayin Calgary at The Last Straw Ale House in Tuscany in your honour. I promise to lead the sing-along. Dancing is encouraged.

Saturdaynight's show of The Tragically Hip in Kingston is like the gold medal hockey game of Canadian music. Everyone will be watching and cheering. There may also be a few salty tears.

Sing with your own glowing hearton Saturdaynight on CBC Television, CBC Radio One and Two and online at CBCMusic.ca. For more information about The Tragically Hip visit CBCMusic.ca/thehip.