Here's the deal. Name your favourite (or, if you can't decide, one of your very favourite) Canadian songs. Since I opened this thread, I get first dibs. Mine is The Mary Ellen Carter by the late Stan Rogers. What I like most about it is that it's a song that speaks to struggle, perseverence, fierce loyalty, collective dedication and redemption. There's nothing sophisticated about it and it doesn't ascend any grand musical heights but it does enshrine what I like to believe are core, Canadian values. If you're not familiar with it, just click on this:
So what's your favourite Canadian song and why?
k-os: Man I Used To BeA simple song, it's about a man's search for self. I like the break dancing in the music video.
ReplyDeleteHey Troy. Thanks for that. I'm not fond of rap (the whole 3-chords thing) but this was more than decent. But, is this Canadian? Just curious.
ReplyDeleteCheers
Mos
I hate to do this to you, but I can only second your nomination.
ReplyDeleteYou know what I like most about "The Mary Ellen Carter"? The narration is being told the night BEFORE they try to raise the boat. We never find out whether or not the ship does, in fact, rise again.It's not a story of heroic success or the triumph of man against nature: what's important is the trying.
Many over the years. But given the current situation i Canada. Brian Adam's "Cuts like a Knife" lyrics like:
ReplyDeleteThis wouldnt be the first time
Things have gone astray
Now youve thrown it all away
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m36qRP7zPEk
Really hard choices...
ReplyDeleteI'd have to go with Gordon Lightfoot's "If You Could Read my Mind".... but that could easily change depending on the day....
As for a link, here's a rap version of "Sundown" by Elwood...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vUO4y5_P-Bg
I've got a couple:
ReplyDelete"Wild Eyes" and "Then Came the White Man" by the Stampeders.
There are too many good songs by Canadan artists: Triumph's "Lay it on the Line", "Follow Your Heart" etc; The Santers "Mistreatin' Heart"; Troopers "We're Here for a Good Time" (acutally most songs off their Hot Shots album)
PS Who can forget about Stompin' Tom Connors?
Hey Mound, well I'm going with We Run, by Strange Advance, for sentimental reasons. Someone I looked up to loved this song. He died much too young, and every time I hear it, it reminds me of him.
ReplyDeleteOkay, I'd like to add one more. This one for the overall message. Here are some of the lyrics.
"all that i cherish, what i hold
precious to me is not gold
treasures of the heart
cannot be bought, cannot be sold"
Pauper In Paradise, by Frozen Ghost
P.S, as Big Winnie points out, there are so many great songs by Canadian artists, these are the ones that came to mind.
ReplyDeleteCherniak_WTF, Gordon Lightfoot is a favourit of mine too. He is an icon in music and art industry.
ReplyDeleteCount me in on the Gordon Lightfoot thumbs up.
ReplyDeleteAlso a long time fan of Leonard Cohen (Bird on a Wire) and, a few years ago discovered Angel Forrest out of Quebec.
Thanks all, some interesting picks. I wasn't into the 80's music but it doesn't sound too bad. Leonard Cohen (Sassy), there's an obvious choice. And Gordy Lightfoot to boot. No one mentioned his great "Canadian Railroad Trilogy."
ReplyDelete"No one mentioned his great "Canadian Railroad Trilogy."Almost did, but went for something more universal in appeal.
ReplyDeletek-os is one of Toronto's.
ReplyDeleteSo much to chose from.
ReplyDeleteGilles Vigneault's Mon PaysJoni Mitchell's
RiverHonestly, there are so many fantastic songs to chose from past and present. At some point I wish Joel Plaskett of Love This Town fame should do a mournful cover of the iconic Snowbird. I love the song and the lyrics are actually very dark. I'm just not a fan of Anne Murray's voice or arrangement.
I'm also a huge fan of Issa/Jane Siberry. This song always cheers me up immensely:
One More Colour
Great picks, BY. I can't remember when I last listened to Mon Pays. Thanks for that.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, would it be rude to ask about the Beijing reference?
Hey Mound, Beijing York is a nom de plume that I created for myself decades ago. It's fanciful but my parents did nick name me China and it stuck all through my childhood.
ReplyDeleteLightfoots "Canadian Railroad Trilogy"
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DNwtB3akea8&feature=related
Oops! Just saw you mentioned the Trilogy in comments, MoS. I'll look for something else.
ReplyDelete