As mentioned previously, Americans don’t know much about Canada (or, as the stereotype goes, anything). To make amends, I’ve compiled a chronological collection of the 15 greatest Canadian songs that have been gifted to the US and the rest of the world. Keep in mind that by greatest, I don’t necessarily mean great—just really popular outside the Great White North.
“The Weight” by The Band (1968)
While this group did have one American, it formed in Toronto, releasing this classic track the year after getting together.
“American Woman” by The Guess Who (1970)
Lenny Kravitz introduced this song to younger generations with his cover, but it was the group from Winnipeg that first made it the hit that it was.
“Big Yellow Taxi” by Joni Mitchell (1970)
You may know this song thanks to covers by multiple other artists, but the original belongs to the iconic singer-songwriter from Fort Macleod, Alberta.
“Heart of Gold” by Neil Young (1972)
Born in Toronto and part of the music scene in Winnipeg, Young turned himself into a legend with tunes like this one.
“You Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet” by Bachman-Turner Overdrive (1974)
Hailing from Winnipeg, BTO hit it big with this track (among others).
“The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald” by Gordon Lightfoot (1976)
Lightfoot was born in Orillia, Ontario, and established himself as a folk-rock star. You know when an entire song is devoted to the plight of a Great Lakes freighter carrying iron ore to the Rust Belt—later inspiring the name of a beer—it’s going to make this list.
“Tom Sawyer” by Rush (1981)
Formed in Toronto, Rush went on to become the gold standard among progressive rock bands. This is arguably their most recognizable work.
“The Safety Dance” by Men Without Hats (1982)
Founded in Montreal, Men Without Hats achieved worldwide recognition with one of the more danceable jams among this collection of Canadian songs.
“Summer of ’69” by Bryan Adams (1985)
Adams was born in Kingston, Ontario, and this tune helped seal his fate as one of the best-selling music artists of all time. I don’t particularly love it, but a ton of other people do.
“Life Is a Highway” by Tom Cochrane (1991)
Born in Lynn Lake, Manitoba, Cochrane blessed us with this tune that was on the radio a lot.
“You Oughta Know” by Alanis Morissette (1995)
Morissette was born in Ottawa and broke onto the international scene with the first single from her album Jagged Little Pill. If you came of age in the 1990s, this song was right there with you.
“Call Me Maybe” by Carly Rae Jepsen (2011)
Jepsen grew up in Mission, British Columbia, and at the age of 25 released what has to be one of the all-time catchiest songs.
“Sorry” by Justin Bieber (2015)
Bieber, born in London, Ontario, requires no introduction. Honestly, I’m sorry I had to put this on the list, but there was just no way around it.
“One Dance” by Drake featuring WizKid and Kyla (2016)
Drake has become synonymous with Toronto (although he may have a few homes in the US as well).
“Starboy” by The Weeknd featuring Daft Punk (2016)
Abel Makkonen Tesfaye, better known as The Weeknd, was born in Toronto, eventually achieving sufficient fame to play the Super Bowl! Here’s just one of many chart-toppers.
Obviously, I left off some big-time Canadian songs by some big-name Canadian artists—Tragically Hip (who never really penetrated the American market), Shawn Mendes, Diana Krall, Celine Dion, Avril Lavigne, Michael Bublé, Shania Twain, Nelly Furtado, k.d. lang, Sarah McLachlan, Alessia Cara, Arcade Fire, Leonard Cohen, Corey Hart, Nickelback, Barenaked Ladies, Crash Test Dummies, and Our Lady Peace, to name a few—leaving some serious room for debate.
Feel free to set things straight—and remind me where Canada is—in the comments.
16 Responses
Thanks for the compilation of this music, many songs are a trip down memory lane! One point of debate – missed Celine Dion’s song from Titanic, the iconic ‘My heart will go on’.
Yes, that could definitely be considered a questionable omission! We’ll call it editor’s choice 🙂
What, no Cockburn?
You’re right! To not at least mention Bruce Cockburn (born in Ottawa) was an oversight—“Wondering Where The Lions Are” (1979) is probably the one Americans would know best.
The greatest Canadian song ( according to Canada, at least) is Four Strong Winds by Ian Tyson.
Covered by multitudes.
Thank you for that addition! Here is a link to the song, which, as you mentioned, has been covered by a ton of other artists including huge names like Joan Baez, Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan, and Neil Young.
Terri Clark shoul also deserve recognition. She is very proud to say she is Canadian
Thank you for the addition! Terri Clark was born in Montreal and raised in Medicine Hat, Alberta. “You’re Easy on the Eyes” was very popular in the US.
Damn; I didn’t make the list! Maybe in 2050…. I’ve been creating “great Canadian songs” (like “The Yukon Doesn’t Care”) and can tell from youtube and spotify that three or four Americans have listened to them already!
Haha. Well here it is, a link to “The Yukon Doesn’t Care” as well as your Bandcamp page. Keep up the good work!
No arguments with your choices but there are dozens more. Was intrigued though that Justin Bieber was born in London, Ontario I was under the impression that he is from Stratford, Ontario
Thanks for reading—totally agree that there are tons of other choices here! With regards to Bieber, it looks like he was born in a hospital in London and (as you mentioned) grew up in Stratford.
Hallelujah by Leonard Cohen. Probably one of the most covered songs of all time and probably the most sung on American Idol-type shows.
That absolutely could (should) be on the list! Here’s the link.
Love the list! I would also argue that Nickelback’s “How You Remind Me” was pretty popular in the US (like you said, not all of these songs/artists are good!) and of course Avril Lavigne’s sk8ter boi, which inspired all us Canadian girls to wear ties with wifebeaters.
Thanks! Those two songs could definitely make the list. I particularly liked “Sk8ter Boi” (though have yet to wear a tie with a wifebeater!). 🙂