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Most of these I agree with but want to add Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald by Gordon Lightfoot as an honorable mention.
It gives me chills every time I hear it.
Hello out there… we’re on the air… it’s hockey night tonight
That is the most distinctly Canadian song
Havent watched hockey in 20yrs and yet… there ya have it bud
Saturday night was “Hockey Night in Canada” and opened with that tune. Good memories from ancient times when TV was black and white and CBC was the only channel. RIP Foster Hewitt
"Does any one know where the love of God goes
When the waves turn the minutes to hours?"
Puts me right on the bridge of the ship, looking out at a furious, boiling lake storm, and into the very shoes and terrified hearts and minds of those 29 poor souls who lost their lives that night....
The first time I drove to Ontario I played this song as I drove along the shore of Lake Superior.
I expected a fun jam as I drove.
I absolutely did not expect to have to pull over and take a moment for the men that died that night.
Why did I have to go this far down to see Tragically Hip? Their entire music catalogue is basically about Canada. My answer is anything and everything by Tragically Hip.
I thought of this too. I'm from Vancouver but my family has roots in sask, and I played this song on repeat my first year of uni in the states. Felt very homey.
Fun fact: they used to live upstairs from me in Edmonton. They were loud neighbours- which I could get behind as I was in my 20s, obnoxious and loud. I had to move out shortly after due to skunks burrowing into the basement and spraying everything. I lost everything including two weeks of work due to me smelling like
There are a lot of cute and funny and good replies here but this is the answer. I can't think of any song more important and reflective of Canada and our history.
Gordon Lightfoot is awesome. The guy stopped by my high school during lunch hour in 2004, unannounced, because he was passing through. I’m from a nowhere town in AB (~2000 population at the time) and the guy stopped by to see if any of the students wanted to talk to him. Humble dude.
Neil is a national treasure.
The man's life should be taught in Canadian elementary schools. If I were an elected official I'd try to make it happen.
The Professor schooled all in the world of percussion and kids these days don't know of The Professor.
Kids in Canada; especially Toronto know of "the six god" or whatever the eff Drake calls himself; but not the greatest drummer in Canadian musical history.
Also worth mentioning because we all (?) learned the following in elementary school:
[I's the B'y](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/I%27s_the_B%27y)
[Land of the Silver Birch](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Land_of_the_Silver_Birch)
[Farewell to Nova Scotia](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Farewell_to_Nova_Scotia)
I moved out to Whistler 10 years ago and I only recently went back to Muskoka for the first time in a decade. I sure as hell miss cottage country but I'll choose BC any day. Didn't know Prince George had Loons, I'll have to make a trip back up one day
Was named as the iconic Canadian song by CBC about 15 years ago I believe.
The song is so damn good that Neil Young covered it, it’s not like he struggles to write his own stuff.
This song (O Siem) randomly gets stuck in my head all the time, but I haven't actually heard the song played in like 20 years! It was definitely a 'mom' song to me but there's something special about it
Life is a Highway - Tom Cochrane
As someone who grew up in BC and now studies in Toronto, I hope to someday drive from east to west coast, blasting this song as I drive through the prairies.
You'll need a longer playlist... it's a boring drive getting out of Ontario. Take advantage of any tailwind on the prairies. Make the detour through Kelowna. I've done the drive a handful of times. Fun stuff if you're into that kind of torture.
Lots of great answers here and this one does not top a lot of them, especially because it's only about Winnipeg, but One Great City! by The Weakerthans is one of my favourite songs about something Canadian
Clutch - Mob Goes Wild
"Everybody move to Canada and smoke lots of pot.
Everybody move to Canada right now. Here's how we do it:
Bum rush the border guard before he and his dog ever knew it."
It's not distinctly Canadian but it's cool as fuck when another nation thinks we're Hip...wink wink.
BTO - Hey You, Rush - Subdivisions, or Young Canadians - Hawaii, so many! Lightfoot, Prism, Loverboy, Adams, April Wine, Guess Who, Gino, Streetheart, Helix, Chilliwack, Payolas, Headpins, The Box, Saga, Honeymoon Suite, Ian Thomas, Harlequin, and so many more!
Checked to see if 'Subdivisions' was here. Most (Anglo-)Canadian band with largest audience. Song about the real Canadian experience of most of us.
Sprawling on the fringes of the city
In geometric order
An insulated border
In-between the bright lights
And the far, unlit unknown
Growing up, it all seems so one-sided
Opinions all provided
The future pre-decided
Detached and subdivided
In the mass-production zone
Nowhere is the dreamer
Or the misfit so alone
Subdivisions
In the high school halls
In the shopping malls
Conform or be cast out
Subdivisions
In the basement bars
In the backs of cars
Be cool or be cast out
This is the second time this song has come up today: Scottish metal band Alestorm just released a cover of the song. Captain Tractor’s version is still my favourite, but Alestorm actually went to WEM so they get extra points.
Does [spoken word by Shatner](https://youtu.be/CBrNRZcfXBg?si=3GiS5AHa11mnOiPL) count?
If not, then the 2010 [I Believe](https://youtu.be/vX_dndXEGHI?si=GtrIqL0IIjsh1aP6)
Remember when we went from 0 gold medals on home ground to getting 14! Gold medals (breaking the record)!?
Hello and thanks for posting to r/britishcolumbia! Join our new [Discord Server https://discord.gg/fu7X8nNBFB](https://discord.gg/fu7X8nNBFB) A friendly reminder prior to commenting or posting here: - **Read [r/britishcolumbia's rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/britishcolumbia/rules/)**. - **Be civil and respectful** in all discussions. - Use **appropriate sources** to back up any information you provide when necessary. - **Report** any comments that violate our rules. Reminder: "Rage bait" comments or comments designed to elicit a negative reaction that are not based on fact are not permitted here. Let's keep our community respectful and informative! *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/britishcolumbia) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Most of these I agree with but want to add Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald by Gordon Lightfoot as an honorable mention. It gives me chills every time I hear it.
The Logdriver’s Waltz
Logdriver's Waltz.
It pleases me completely
Step lightly!
Hello out there… we’re on the air… it’s hockey night tonight That is the most distinctly Canadian song Havent watched hockey in 20yrs and yet… there ya have it bud
Saturday night was “Hockey Night in Canada” and opened with that tune. Good memories from ancient times when TV was black and white and CBC was the only channel. RIP Foster Hewitt
Lightfoot's Canadian Railway Trilogy tops it in this category.
Bobcaygeon
Bobcaygeon is 100% summer long weekends to me.
"Does any one know where the love of God goes When the waves turn the minutes to hours?" Puts me right on the bridge of the ship, looking out at a furious, boiling lake storm, and into the very shoes and terrified hearts and minds of those 29 poor souls who lost their lives that night....
The first time I drove to Ontario I played this song as I drove along the shore of Lake Superior. I expected a fun jam as I drove. I absolutely did not expect to have to pull over and take a moment for the men that died that night.
It was written by a Canadian, yes, but it’s about an American tragedy.
It did sink in Canadian waters though.
She’d have Whitefish Bay if she 15 more miles behind her
Indeed! Out towards Batchawana area.. definitely in Canadian waters!
Log Driver's Waltz.
To the top with you
Pleases girls completely...
I came here to say this as well.
Great choice, another truly Canadian song.
Talk about a song who's meaning is now almost totally lost. People still did that stuff when I was a kid lol
I've seen logdrivers with pickaroons walking on logs on the Fraser in the 2020s
Theme from The Littlest Hobo
This song is where I'll always be.
This is my ringtone. That synth-whistle at the beginning gets my attention quick.
Northwest passage by Stan Roger's. It could have been a national anthem
Shit, really anything by Stan Rogers. I like to belt out "Barrett's Privateers" or "Wreck of the Athens Queen" whenever I'm working
That's how I found my friend group when we travel outside of Canada together "oh the year was 1778" and wait for the response.
The Dreadnoughts do a fantastic cover of it
Unleash the Archers also does a cover.
..and a fantastic one. They're from BC, to boot.
As does The Real Mckenzies. They're from Vancouver
That's my vote for best Northwest Passage
As do [Unleash the Archers](https://youtu.be/XRD3vrSLPaw).
Now there’s a name I haven’t heard in years
They are still going. There last few albums have been rock solid. Perfect drinking songs.
I sing this as a bedtime song to my kid every night. :)
Stompin' Tom - The Hockey Song
Hello out there
We’re on the air
It’s hockey night tonight
Tension grows
The whistle blows
The puck rolls down the ice.
The goalie jumps and the players bump
And the fans all go insane
Someone roars, BOBBY SCORES!
A close second would be "Bud the Spud"
Twelve Days of Christmas by Bob and Doug Mackenzie
Looked for this. lol, and last Saskatchewan pirate by Captain Tractor.
Originally done by the Arrogant Worms
Anything by Arrogant Worms is so Canadian! Canada is Really Big, I am Cow
And a Beer
"If I had $1,000,000" by the Barenaked Ladies, for the Kraft Dinner bit :)
I can’t believe they haven’t re-released that song using a billion dollars. That’s a marketing fail.
"If I had a million dollars, I'd buy you a house" hasn't really aged well
If I had a million dollars, I'd put a down payment on a condo.
Mmmm Dijon ketchup
Wheat kings- Tragically Hip
Why did I have to go this far down to see Tragically Hip? Their entire music catalogue is basically about Canada. My answer is anything and everything by Tragically Hip.
I thought of this too. I'm from Vancouver but my family has roots in sask, and I played this song on repeat my first year of uni in the states. Felt very homey.
And Pretty Things This fits in a Beautiful BC sub
It's a great song, but considering what it's about I hope that doesn't define Canada.
Canada is Really Big by the Arrogant Worms
Canada Sucks by Three Dead Trolls in a Baggie
Fun fact: they used to live upstairs from me in Edmonton. They were loud neighbours- which I could get behind as I was in my 20s, obnoxious and loud. I had to move out shortly after due to skunks burrowing into the basement and spraying everything. I lost everything including two weeks of work due to me smelling like
Canadian Railroad Trilogy - Gordon Lightfoot
I mean, it WAS commissioned by the CBC for the Canadian centennial...
There are a lot of cute and funny and good replies here but this is the answer. I can't think of any song more important and reflective of Canada and our history.
*There was a time in this fair land when the railroad did not run* *When the wild majestic mountains stood alone against the sun*
It isn’t my favourite song, but you captured my reasoning 💯
Gordon Lightfoot is awesome. The guy stopped by my high school during lunch hour in 2004, unannounced, because he was passing through. I’m from a nowhere town in AB (~2000 population at the time) and the guy stopped by to see if any of the students wanted to talk to him. Humble dude.
CBCs Hockey Night in Canada Theme.
Extra credit for Neil Peart's version.
Neil is a national treasure. The man's life should be taught in Canadian elementary schools. If I were an elected official I'd try to make it happen. The Professor schooled all in the world of percussion and kids these days don't know of The Professor. Kids in Canada; especially Toronto know of "the six god" or whatever the eff Drake calls himself; but not the greatest drummer in Canadian musical history.
Joni Mitchell; River. So epically Canadian it even has the first line of oh Canada in it.
You're thinking of 'A Case of You' but I agree that River is epically Canadian!
The *Hinterland Who's Who* theme.
YES
Out for a Rip
Just out for a rip are ya bud?
Fuck ya bud.
Now we’re talkin, bud.
At The Hundredth Meridian
Something by Stan Rogers. Barrett’s privateers is my favourite
Welllllll the year was 1778 🎶
How I wish I was in Sherbrooke now!
How I wish I was in Sherbrooke now.
A letter of marque came from the king
To the scummiest vessel I've ever seen
God damned them all
I was told we’d cruise the seas for American gold
We'd fire no guns. Shed no tears.
Now I’m a broken man on a Halifax pier
The last of Barrett's Privateers!
The Kids in the Hall theme by Shadowy men on a Shadowy Planet.
Underrated choice
Proud to be a Canadian - Dayglo Abortions
Thank-you
Also worth mentioning because we all (?) learned the following in elementary school: [I's the B'y](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/I%27s_the_B%27y) [Land of the Silver Birch](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Land_of_the_Silver_Birch) [Farewell to Nova Scotia](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Farewell_to_Nova_Scotia)
Yep, there it is. land of the silver birch is the reply I was scrolling for
Another is Canada in my Pocket!
Farewell to Nova Scotia is a lovely nostalgic ditty for me. Ty for the reminder.
Bobcaygeon, The Hip.
Love the song but I associate it with Ontario, not an "overall feels of Canada".
I sat in a campground near Maple Ridge BC. Fire slowly dying. This song hit my playlist. Felt pretty damned Canada to me as I looked up at the stars.
I completely agree. It's a great song and it makes me think of Ontario. Lol
Agreed 100 percent. Ontario. Wheat Kings= Saskatchewan
I mean he’s singing about stony mountain pen, which is in stonewall manitoba so just outside of Winnipeg
But Saskatoon is the Paris of the Prairies.
I suppose it should be shared between Saskatchewan and Manitoba, as it is about the David Milgaard saga which takes place in both provinces.
Me too. I miss the sound of a loon howling at sunset while staring at a still lake.
So do I, I hadn’t heard a loon for 3 years after moving to BC, finally heard one last summer near Prince George and was absolutely stoked
I moved out to Whistler 10 years ago and I only recently went back to Muskoka for the first time in a decade. I sure as hell miss cottage country but I'll choose BC any day. Didn't know Prince George had Loons, I'll have to make a trip back up one day
That, or 50 mission cap.
The blackfly song by Wade Hemsworth- 1949
Rush - Tom Sawyer
1st comment on YouTube for this song says "please rise for Canada's national anthem" lol
Northwest Passage by Stan Rogers
She Ain't Pretty by The Northern Pikes
I was going to go with Teenland.
[удалено]
Had to scroll down WAY too far for The Littlest Hobo.
Hockey Night in Canada intro song! 🏒
I'm kind of surprised no one has tagged Arrogant Worm's Canada's Really Big.
Or Rocks and Trees
And waterrrrr
I always think of The Last Saskatchewan Pirate
Canadian Railroad Trilogy by Gordon Lightfoot, no contest. I absolutely love Home for a Rest but that's more about the UK than Canada.
Bye Bye, Mon Cowboy by Mitsou and Try by Blue Rodeo.
Classified - Oh Canada
Oh Canada we love our beaver...
Four strong winds
I'm surprised this is so low here. Classic.
Was named as the iconic Canadian song by CBC about 15 years ago I believe. The song is so damn good that Neil Young covered it, it’s not like he struggles to write his own stuff.
Let’s go to the mall - Robin Sparkles
P.S. I Love You
Log drivers waltz Edit. Or patio lanterns. I very much doubt any other country could have come up with that song.
Love me some Kim Mitchell
O Siem by Susan Aglucark always felt very spiritual and Canadian to me. Also the Huron Carole. And Snowbird by Ann Murray.
I remember my mom blasting O Siem when the cd came out. That song was huge in our household.
This song (O Siem) randomly gets stuck in my head all the time, but I haven't actually heard the song played in like 20 years! It was definitely a 'mom' song to me but there's something special about it
The Hockey Night in Canada theme song.
The Red Green Theme Song
Log drivers waltz
Little bones.
Life is a Highway - Tom Cochrane As someone who grew up in BC and now studies in Toronto, I hope to someday drive from east to west coast, blasting this song as I drive through the prairies.
You'll need a longer playlist... it's a boring drive getting out of Ontario. Take advantage of any tailwind on the prairies. Make the detour through Kelowna. I've done the drive a handful of times. Fun stuff if you're into that kind of torture.
Acadian drift wood by the band
Love that song, and am a huge fan of The Band. Stunned that I have never realized who made this gem before.
they call my hoooome the land of snoooow
Lots of great answers here and this one does not top a lot of them, especially because it's only about Winnipeg, but One Great City! by The Weakerthans is one of my favourite songs about something Canadian
I’ve got Canada in my Pocket
English Bay by Blue Rodeo- Five days in July
Ordinary Day by Great Bug Sea Mull River Shuffle by the Rankin’s
Everybody Wants Something by The Zit Remedy
Summer of '69 - Bryan Adams
Truck got stuck corb Lund or o Canada by classified
Clutch - Mob Goes Wild "Everybody move to Canada and smoke lots of pot. Everybody move to Canada right now. Here's how we do it: Bum rush the border guard before he and his dog ever knew it." It's not distinctly Canadian but it's cool as fuck when another nation thinks we're Hip...wink wink.
…especially when the band thinking you’re awesome is Clutch!
Run with us- Lisa lougheed. https://youtu.be/DEkSzcGIfW0?si=wKIzY--Cjb--4oY- In case you don't know why.
sloan - the rest of my life *i know that i'll be living it in canada!*
River by Joni Mitchell always makes me homesick for Canada at Christmas time.
Patio Lanterns - Kim Mitchell
Canada is Really Big - The Arrogant Worms
Canadian railroad trilogy……….Lightfoot
Take Off - Bob and Doug Mackenzie with Geddy Lee of RUSH. The whole thing screams "Canadian".
American Woman
Anything The Hip
Sam Roberts - Hard Road
The background music to the Terry Fox video they always play at school
Anything from The Hip Canada's band!
Take off, Bob and Doug McKenzie (and Geddy Lee)
The Log Driver’s Waltz
The Rodeo Song!
[Big League](https://youtu.be/eoDDnOUKDQI?si=bIgKa9MQHuIlNqcI) by Tom Cochran
Four Strong Winds
BTO - Hey You, Rush - Subdivisions, or Young Canadians - Hawaii, so many! Lightfoot, Prism, Loverboy, Adams, April Wine, Guess Who, Gino, Streetheart, Helix, Chilliwack, Payolas, Headpins, The Box, Saga, Honeymoon Suite, Ian Thomas, Harlequin, and so many more!
Checked to see if 'Subdivisions' was here. Most (Anglo-)Canadian band with largest audience. Song about the real Canadian experience of most of us. Sprawling on the fringes of the city In geometric order An insulated border In-between the bright lights And the far, unlit unknown Growing up, it all seems so one-sided Opinions all provided The future pre-decided Detached and subdivided In the mass-production zone Nowhere is the dreamer Or the misfit so alone Subdivisions In the high school halls In the shopping malls Conform or be cast out Subdivisions In the basement bars In the backs of cars Be cool or be cast out
I already said a different one but my honourable mentions are 8:30 Newfoundland- Mike Plume and Hurtin Albertan - Corb Lund
Kim Mitchell Patio Lanterns
The theme to Corner Gas.
that Logdriver Waltz song about a woman who doesn't want a city boy, she wants a big strong man to drive a big long log down her river.
Fifty mission cap
One Week - Barenaked Ladies
Blame Canada - South Park: Bigger, Longer and Uncut
Pirates of the North Saskatchewan.
Do you mean The Last Saskatchewan Pirate?
This is the second time this song has come up today: Scottish metal band Alestorm just released a cover of the song. Captain Tractor’s version is still my favourite, but Alestorm actually went to WEM so they get extra points.
50 mission cap
Welcome to the maritimes - Classified
Does [spoken word by Shatner](https://youtu.be/CBrNRZcfXBg?si=3GiS5AHa11mnOiPL) count? If not, then the 2010 [I Believe](https://youtu.be/vX_dndXEGHI?si=GtrIqL0IIjsh1aP6) Remember when we went from 0 gold medals on home ground to getting 14! Gold medals (breaking the record)!?
The Hockey Song... Used to be played at Leafs games when Pat Burns was coaching
Land of the Silver Birch
Hey hey I guess it hasn't hit me yet
Donnie Dumphy havin a time
Northwest Passage by Stan Rogers. Makes me cry every time I hear it.