Top 5 Overlooked Canadian Songs Of All Time, Ever / Le Premier Cinq Chansons canadiennes Négligées, Jamais
First of all, let's just get this out of the way: Canadians say 'eh.' They say 'eh' after questions, and after statements. After tentative inquiries, and after spirited exclamations. 'Eh' can be used anytime. And any article about Canada in a non-Canadian publication must say 'eh' somewhere. So here it is. 'Eh.' Let's move on, eh?
It's Canada Day (and thanks to a garbage strike, a stinky one in Toronto)! Today marks 142 years since Canada first gained independence following a tear-filled, bloody coup that removed the widely loathed Snow People from power*. Since then, Canada has thrived, building a society built on vibrant social policy, hockey, and cultural acceptance, in that order. And Canada, as a beer-drinking, fun-loving country, likes to rock. Hard. The undisputed kings of Can-rock, of course, are undoubtedly Rush. But what of their lesser-known, outside of Canada, brethren? Glad you asked. For no reason other than to salute our musical Canuck chums, here's a completely random list of awesome rock that we American heathens may not be aware of. Open a Molson Canadian, or more preferably, an Export, and settle in.
5. "Big League," Tom Cochrane
You may only know Tom Cochrane thanks to his "Life Is A Highway." If you were around in the '90s, you know how huge that song was. And if you've ever been in a crowded bar late at night when some d-bag throws "Life Is A Highway" onto the jukebox, you know how annoying it sounds when sung by twenty or thirty drunk people. But before his US breakthrough, Cochrane was a big name in Canada. In the winter of '89, this tear-jerker of a tale, the true story of a hockey prospect killed in a car accident, made an impact on Canadian radio. "Not many ways out of this cold northern town..." Preach on, brother.
4. "Wash Your Face In My Sink," Dream Warriors
"My Definition Of A Boombastic Jazz Style" was the hit, but this tune by Toronto duo Dream Warriors is just as catchy, and less well-known. Such an early '90s hip-hop style on this one.
"So please listen
Up not down
For down is the devil
So roll like a boulder and not like a pebble
You roll like a rock, you roll like a rebel"
3. "I Am Here", The Grapes Of Wrath
In the '80s, a nearly endless parade of bands aimed to ape R.E.M.'s melodic, slightly psychedelic jangle. Most have been deservedly forgotten. Some, however, have been undeservedly forgotten, like Kelowna, BC's The Grapes Of Wrath. A beautifully mysterious verse exhales into a wonderful, subtle, uplifting chorus. Let's stop forgetting them and start remembering them.
2. "Somebody's Out There," Triumph
One of the best Canadian bands ever was a hard rock trio featuring a bassist with long dark hair, a blond guitarist, and a manic drummer with a huge kit. That's right, Rush fans—Triumph! Poor Triumph was always in Rush's shadow, and much of it was their fault—the 1986 video below features singer Rik Emmett staring through graphically treated binoculars... just like the artwork on Rush's Power Windows, which came out the year before. Also in this video? A hot blond voyeur on a balcony, peering through her telescope, with blinds in the window... kinda like Rod Stewart's "Infatuation"! Triumph... they didn't even try to be original. Who cares, though, they rocked. Would you like to see every cliche of '80s performance video in one four minute video? Ready for the most effin' awesome synth intro you've ever heard? Good, because it's all right here, embedded for your listening pleasure!
1. "On The Loose," Saga
Ultimately, Canadian rock must be able to sound good in a plethora of social situations: the bar, the cottage, the drive to the cottage, the AOR station, the rink. Ideally, there should be a hint of prog. A lyrical declaration of individuality/freedom. Some instrument dexterity. And a cool, one word name. Saga, congratulations on having our Number 1 overlooked Canadian song! "No one can stop us, tonight we're on the loose."
Postscript: Fine, here's some Rush, hosers.
* Or something.
