Rick has a sleepover at the Prime Minister’s house. While politicians do appear on our TV shows, on the Mercer Report, Rick goes white-water rafting with the head of the Liberal party. There seems to be so much more access to politicians there than in our system. I’m sure that much of this difference is the way Canada is structured. He puts all American political commentators to shame. Rick Mercer is a great political comedian. I had been a fan of Rick Mercer Report on Canadian TV (we used to be able to get Canadian satellite down here). I read The Mercer Report: The Book over ten years ago. It also showcases what a great songwriter she is because she is apparently a truly fun person to hang out (according to Rick Mercer). After a short guitar solo, she sings following the guitar, “do you know my name, do you know my name?” There’s a short bit near the end of the song that is a real gut punch though. And really once the drums kick in, it’s almost like the drums are the only instrument–like Arden’s voice is the melody and the piano and guitar are there purely as support. While it could go big and heartbreaky with strings and over the tops effects, it stays quiet with the piano and a quiet electric guitar playing a melody deep in the background. What is so compelling about the song is how musically understated it is. It shouts a sense of optimism that’s the only way people can keep going sometimesĪ four note melody picks up the pace and uses a perfect parenthetical voice (the first voice is quieter, almost internal) Then the chorus kicks in and a song that could be maudlin or easily schmaltzy goes in exactly the right place to prevent that.

The bridge comes in with a harmony voice that shows even more pain. “Leave the Light On” is a beautiful song about her mother.Ī slow piano opens before Arden starts singing–her voice sounds wonderful–powerful and exposed. Her father passed and shortly after that her mother began a battle with Alzheimer’s as well. I don’t know much about Arden, but evidently both of her parents suffered significant health problems in the last decade. Now, nearly 25 years later, Arden has other things on her mind. On how to be insensitive, insensitive, ooh, insensitive Maybe, you might have some advice to give The melody is catchy and the lyrics are great:īy the vagueness in your eyes, your casual goodbyes “Insensitive” is a slow song with a bit of mid-90s production. She also appeared extensively on Rick Mercer Report (I found out by reading the book). Jann Arden is a Canadian singer-songwriter who I know pretty much exclusively from her 1994 song “Insensitive.” Arden has also made numerous media appearances over the years, including showing up on Corner Gas, Robson Arms and other shows that I haven’t seen. SOUNDTRACK: JANN ARDEN-“Leave the Light On” (2018).

Rick mercer final report