Great Canadian Songbook Part 3 (Period 4)
Comment Section now fixed! Start voting!!
Which song should represent Canada?
Scenario: The Olympics are coming and the Canadian government has tasked you with finding a song that will represent Canada at the next Olympics
Your task will be to answer the following in the comments section of your block’s Songbook. Listen to as many of the songs as you can and read their justification.
- Vote for a song based on the criteria above and explain why.
- Vote for another song, we’ll call this “personal fave”, may or may not be your original song but a song that you like and why.
- Most importantly, INITIAL your comment.
Tribe Called Red “Electric Pow Wow”
This song belongs in the Great Canadian Songbook because it blends Indigenous and contemporary music into something catchy and distinctly Canadian.
Tragically Hip – “50 Mission Cap”
I think that “50 mission cap” by the tragically hip should be in the great Canadian song book because,the tragically hip is one of the most iconic Canadian bands. “50 mission cap” should be in the song book because they sing about Bill Barilko scoring the Stanley cup finals winning goal for the “Toronto Maple Leafs” then going on a fishing trip that summer and disappearing and when the “Toronto Maple Leafs” won the Stanley cup 11 years later Bill Barilko’s body washed up on the shore. This is why I think the song should be in the Great Canadian Song Book.
C.B.
“Running Back To Saskatoon” – The Guess Who
Winnipeg’s The Guess Who are one of Canada’s greatest musical exports, but that never stopped them from writing about the country they came from. “Running Back To Saskatoon” showed their love of Canada in full force, including a laundry list of small towns and references to grain elevators, prairie tunes and Moosomin. You don’t get much more Canadian than Moosomin.
K.C.
Gordon Lightfoot-“The Canadian Railroad Trilogy”
I think “The Canadian Railroad Trilogy”, by Gordon Lightfoot, should be in the Canadian Songbook because it talks about one of the things that helped create this country that we live in now: The Canadian Railroad. The beginning of the song talks of how the land used to be before the railroad was built “[l]ong before the white man and long before the wheel”. It then goes on about how the railroad was built, during the long days in the blazing sun, and how they only lived on energy from stew and whiskey. The song highlights many of the hardships that had to be faced in order for the railroad to be built. Many people died in the making of the national railway, and that was not unmentioned, so the song doesn’t try to glaze over the bad parts. It speaks true about the situations of the railway construction and is a part of Canadian history, which is why it should be in the Canadian Songbook.
Ryan K.
Ron Angel “The Chemical Workers”
The Chemical Workers Song by Ron Angel is a song about the sombre times and terrible work conditions Canadians had to face. It represents a sad time in Canada’s history that is important to be remembered dearly, and to be used as a learning opportunity of one of the challenges Canada as a country has overcome. These dangerous conditions led to constant injuries, pain and often, fatality.
Drake – “Weston Road Flows”
Note: There is no youtube clip for this song. Go to https://open.spotify.com/track/1DYKbBG7YwQFytu2iRvhXt?si=EIPE6dqa to hear the song.
This song deserves to be in the Canadian song book because the song was made by Drake, a Canadian artist. Drake was born in Toronto. It also deserves to be in the song book because it used to be in the top 10 of the Canada top 50 playlist on Spotify. Drake also uses the line “You was ridin’ TTC Metro” in this song. He uses many Toronto references and he also raps about the big apple and the Toronto nightclub called Fluid. In “Weston Road Flows”, Drake mentions a former Toronto Raptors player named Vince Carter, and his famous dunk in 2000. Also the album views is basically based in Toronto. All in all, this song should be in the Canadian song book because it is by a Canadian artist, and it refers to Toronto. KM
Ralph Chaplin – “Solidarity Forever”
I think “Solidarity Forever” by Ralph Chaplin, should be included in the Great Canadian Songbook because the lyrics are about the workers who built the country. The lyrics of the song talks about the difference between the working class and the employing class as well as how the people who built the country were treated. This can be related to how the people who build the Canadian Pacific railroad were treated. This song was also sang at multiple union rallies in Canada and has inspired other songs. These are the reasons why I believe that this song should be included in the Great Canadian Songbook.HT
City and Colour – “Coming Home”
The song “Coming Home”, by City and Colour highlights Dallas Green’s (he’s the lead singer) history in Canada. Dallas Green, one of Canada’s more popular singer and songwriters was born and raised in St. Catharine’s, Ontario. I think one of City and Colours songs should be in the Canadian Songbook because most of their members are Canadian, they identify proudly as a Canadian band (, and incorporate some Canadian scenery in their music videos. They have done a lot of work with Spencer Burton and Gord Downie (if you’re familiar with him, he passed away just recently) who are also both renowned Canadian singers and songwriters.
I think that the song should be in the Canadian Songbook because not only does it incorporate Canadian scenery, it promotes it. For example, in the lines “I’ve been through the Rockies, I’ve seen Saskatoon I’ve driven down the highway 1 just hopin’ that I’d see you soon”, he sort of exemplifies Canada’s great terrain and vastness. This however, is embedded within the main focus of the song which is about a girl. Finally, City and Colour follow the genre melodic acoustic folk music and indie rock which makes them apart of Canada’s newer sound. JE
K’naan – “Wavin’ Flag”
This song should be apart of our Canadian songbook as it makes references to the waving flag. Describing how when he is older he will be stronger, just like the waving flag. The flag resembles freedom and strength, standing tall in the sky inspiring those acting beneath it. As Canadians we are united by the maple leaf representing our country by the actions we decide daily. In order to portray the best of our potential as a nation we must inspire our youth to make good choices as they are the future leaders to this glorious country. The song also mentions how when he gets back from a tough time “they” (referring to Canadians) will be there to encourage him. This Canadian author rose to success with this song being chosen as Coca-Cola’s promotional anthem for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. K’NAAN’s background as Somalian makes this song especially more meaningful as he feels proud to be called Canadian and excepted. It is important to support Canadian singers for they represent us in the music industry, making an impact on the world’s view of Canada.PB
Stompin’ Tom Conors – “The Hockey Game”
I think “The Hockey Song” by “Stompin’ Tom” Connors is one of the most iconic songs of Canada and deserves to be in the “Canadian songbook”. Tom Conners was born in February 9, 1936 and died on March 6, 2013. He was a Canadian country and folk singer-songwriter. Focusing his career on his native home, Canada. His songs have become part of the Canadian cultural landscape. Three of his best-known songs are Sudbury Saturday Night, Bud the Spud and The Hockey Song; which is played at various games throughout the National Hockey League; including at every Toronto Maple Leafs home game. This is an iconic Canadian song, about a hockey game, because what Canadian doesn’t love hockey? This influenced Canadian culture and the stereotype that all Canadians play and love hockey. Canadians weren’t the only ones who loved “Stompin’ Tom” Connors. His influence went well beyond our borders. The popularity of Connors’ “The Hockey Song” was in both Canada and the U.S. NR
This song should be in the Canadian songbook because it represents what Canada is all about winning, being with friends, and hockey. this song is insanely patriotic and portrays Canada in a way of fun, sport and unitedness. it is in no way discriminatory or negative it clearly brings out lots of cultures while at the same time being older sounding, catchy and upbeat. this is the perfect song for the songbook because it fits perfectly into the criteria and clearly screams out its Canadian roots. by Jordan
Tragically Hip – “50 Mission Cap”
The song, “Fifty-Mission Cap”, by The Tragically Hip was created as a tribute to the late Bill Barilko. Bill Barilko was a famous hockey player for the Toronto Maple Leafs who scored the winning goal for the Stanley Cup in 1951. The summer of 1951, described as “that summer” in the song, Bill went on a “fishing trip” with a friend and “disappeared” when the plane he took home crashed. The loss of Bill and the lack of remains was thought of as a curse on the Leafs as they faced an eleven year losing streak. When they Leafs finally won the cup again after those 11 years, Bill’s remains were found a short while later. Bill’s disappearance is summarized in the opening lines of the song “Bill Barilko disappeared that summer, he was on a fishing trip, the last goal he ever scored won the Leafs the cup, they didn’t win another ‘til nineteen-sixty two, the year he was discovered”. This song should be in the Canadian Song Book because not only is hockey something that all Canadians hold close as the song states- “I stole this from a hockey card, I keep tucked under” , this song, created by a Canadian band, honours a legendary, Canadian hockey player, whose number 5 remains retired to this day showing that Canada appreciates all those that make a difference. DM
Gordon Lightfoot – “Canadian Railroad Trilogy”
I think this song Canadian railroad trilogy by Gordon Lightfoot should be included in the great Canadian songbook because it tells the story about the building of the railroad in the early 1800s and speaks of the beautiful outdoors, two things that Canada is known for. The chorus talks about the railroad built to connect the rest of Canada and how many folks looked forward to what this railroad brought to Canada. It also talks about how many forgotten navvies whose manual labour built this great railroad. Perhaps one of the greatest songs written about this period time, it reflects beautifully on one of the greatest accomplishments and optimism Canadians have felt.AC
Michael Buble – Maple Leaf Forever
My choice for Canada’s new anthem is Michael Bublé’s “The Maple Leaf Forever”. With its upbeat tempo, imagery depicting Canada’s scenery, and lyrics pertaining to Canadian ideologies and national symbols, it would be a perfect choice for an anthem.
Examples of the imagery in this tune include the opening line “Oh land of blue unending skies, / Mountains strong and sparkling snow, / A scent of freedom in the wind, / O’er emerald fields below.” The title of the song itself, “O Maple Leaf Forever”, quite obviously references one of Canada’s national symbols, the Maple Leaf. Many lines song pay homage to Canadian ideologies, including, but not limited to: “To thee we brought our hopes, our dreams / For thee we stand together” and “Of courage, peace, and quiet strength, / Of the Canada that I love.” BH
Michael Mitchel – “Canada in my Pocket”
The song that I chose is called “ Canada in my pocket” by Michael Mitchell. I chose this song because it explains a simplified version of some of the things that Canada represents. In this song you can hear Michael explaining some of our currency as in the penny, nickel, quarter and a dime in the chorus of the song. Michael explains how the maple leaf is something significant to us as well as the beaver. This song shows Canada as a beautiful country filled with all these symbols, while it also explains the history of our country. I think this song should be in the Canadian Songbook because the song shows people that we live in a great country filled with lots of important animals and symbols, as well as being a beautiful sight to see. – AM
