"Thief" - Our Lady Peace

I find most people either love or hate Raine Maida, the lead singer of Our Lady Peace. There is really no middle ground; he has a very unique voice that will either rub you the wrong or right way. Regardless of whether you are a fan of Maida, there is no denying that he is an extremely talented song-writer. "Thief" was one of the singles released off of their third studio album, "Happiness...Is Not a Fish That You Can Catch."

I like the song, but the story behind the song is why I chose to write about it. The song is actually in honor of a young girl from Kitchener, Mina Kim, who died of a cancerous brain tumor. The band outlines this in the liner notes for the CD. At the end of the song is a clip of Mina Kim singing "Little By Little" with Maida's wife, Chantal Kreviziuk.

Brain Cancer

The "Thief" in the song refers to the brain tumor affecting Kim. I've heard cancer referred to as a lot of things, but probably nothing as appropriate as a "thief". Essentially that's what cancer does; it steals your health, and in most cases your life. It also steals you from your family and friends. I don't think anyone can understand how horrible cancer is until they experience it. Maida alludes to that thought in the line " I can't see that thief that lives inside of your head, but I can be some courage at the side of your bed." He's admitting that he has no idea what she is going through but at the least he can be there for her.

If you or anyone close to you has been affected by cancer this song will hit home big time. Listen with Kleenex on hand.

I don't want to understand this horror
There's a weight in your eyes
I can't admit
Everybody ends up here in bottles
But the name tag's the last thing you wanted


As the world explodes
We fall out of it
And we can't let go
Because this will not go away
There's a house built out in space
I can't see that thief
That lives inside of your head
But I can be some courage at
The side of you bed
I don't know what's happening
And I can't pretend
But I can be your, be your


Someone help us understand
Who ordered this disgusting
Arrangement, time and the end
I don't want to hear who walked
On water, because the hallways are empty
And the clocks tick
As the world implodes
We fall into it
And we can't go home
Because this will not go away
There's a house built out in space
I can't see that thief
That lives inside of your head
But I can be some courage at
The side of you bed
I don't know what's happening
And I can't pretend


It's a long, long get away
It's a long, long get away
Make it home again
Make it home again
It's a long, long get away
It's a long, long get away


I can't see that thief
That lives inside of your head
But I can be some courage at
The side of you bed
I don't know what's happening
And I can't pretend
But I can be your, be your