#16 Are we denying a crisis or are we scared of admitting it?

Our 16th favourite song comes from a synthpop virtuoso who was born in Timmins, Ontario but spent her teens in Toronto. Like many Canadians, she was attracted to progressive rock acts Supertramp, The Cure, Depeche Mode, and Björk and soon began pursuing a career in this direction.

In 2006, she got a job with Sony/ATV Music Publishing and composed music for television. Her talents led to a record deal with Sire / Warner Music and her song “Drive My Soul” became a Top 20 hit across Canada. Her debut album The Listening, released in 2009, was certified gold and she won the Juno for Best New Artist.

The woman of whom we are speaking was born Valerie Anne Poxleitner but changed her name legally to Lights. The song that opened her debut album, which she co-wrote with Thomas Salter, has made it here. It’s called “Saviour“.

Lyrics

The night is deafening when the silence is listening
And I’m down on my knees and I know that something is missing.
Because the back of my mind is holding things I’m relying in
But I choose to ignore it because I’m always denying them.

I’m a bit of a manic when it’s not as I plan it
‘Cause I start losing my head and then I get up in a panic
Remember when we were kids and always knew when to quit it
Are we denying a crisis or are we scared of admitting it?

I don’t want to know

[Chorus:]
I just want to run to you
And break off the chains and throw them away
I just want to be so much
And shake off the dust that turned me to rust
Sooner than later I’ll need a saviour
I’ll need a saviour

It won’t ever change if you want it to stay the same
I really hate it but I know it’s hard to choose if you’re chained
And when it’s all you control ’cause you’ve got nothing less to hold
You’re getting tighter and tighter it’s getting harder to let it go

I don’t want to know

[Chorus]

Stand me up and maybe I won’t be so small
Free my hands and feet and maybe I won’t always fall…
Save me

[Chorus]

Summary

Song: “Saviour”
Album: The Listening
Year: 2009
Artist: Lights
Origin: Toronto

To view other songs in the Top 50, click on 50 Favourite Songs in the Categories menu on the right-hand column.

 

#17 I’m a stick of dynamite ready to ignite because of you

An hour’s drive south of Rome, a small town of paper mills was built in a plain on the banks of the Liri, a place called Sora. A baby boy was born there in 1953 and, when but six months old, was taken to Toronto by his parents. Being part of a very musical culture, it comes as no surprise that he developed a passion for the art in his teens. He learned the guitar but, in the end, it was not his string strumming that got him noticed; it was his singing. Toronto band Surrender recruited him as their lead vocalist and they recorded an album in 1979. “Find Your Way” was a radio hit.

In 1983, he left the band to initiate a solo career which saw him swing from rock to AC to jazz. (Alfie) Zappacosta is considered one of the best male vocalists in Canadian pop music. He scored a host of lesser hits like “We Should Be Lovers”, “When I Fall (in Love Again)”, “Overload” (from the Dirty Dancing soundtrack), and “Nothing Can Stand in Your Way”. One of his first hits as a soloist, “Passion“, helped him pick up the Juno for Most Promising Male Vocalist of the Year in 1984. It is our 17th favourite Canuck tune of all-time.

Lyrics

I got a frantic disposition, an all-consuming mission; I’m after you
I’m a stick of dynamite ready to ignite because of you
It’s a desperate situation, a physical frustration
I don’t know what to do

[Chorus:]
And I don’t have pretty things to offer you
No cars no diamond rings
And I can’t afford these things to soften you
Baby, all I’ve got to give to you is passion

I won’t accept the blind rejection, you can hold inspection if you want to
Take a look you’ll realize though there’s madness in my eyes
It’s all because of you
Seething, reeling, caught up in my feelings
God I gotta get through to you

[Chorus]

Seething, reeling, caught up in my feelings
God I gotta get through to you
I’m a stick of dynamite ready to ignite because of you

[Chorus]

Summary

Song: “Passion”
Album: Zappacosta
Year: 1984
Artist: Zappacosta
Origin: Toronto

To view other songs in the Top 50, click on 50 Favourite Songs in the Categories menu on the right-hand column.

 

#18 Any escape might help to smooth the unattractive truth

Of all the songs the foremost Torontonian rock trio ever performed, the most instantly likeable is perhaps “Tom Sawyer”. But another masterpiece of theirs has withstood the test of time; in fact, it is one of those rare songs that one actually finds himself liking more with every repeated listen. The opener of their 1982 Signals album, this song was never a hit but is one of only a handful of delicacies that has been inducted into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame.

Rush’s “Subdivisions” is as brilliant lyrically as musically. Drummer Neil Peart wrote the lyrics which center on the loneliness of suburban life and the pressures experienced by youth in selling their dreams to conform to suffocating conventions: “Be cool or be cast out”. The song was composed by Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson. The music is complex though the melody is simple, features exquisite keyboard solos, and provides a fine example of Peart’s exciting, highly-skilled drumming.

This is Canadian music at its very best.

Lyrics

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

[Chorus:]
(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
Any escape might help to smooth
The unattractive truth
But the suburbs have no charms to soothe
The restless dreams of youth

Drawn like moths we drift into the city
The timeless old attraction
Cruising for the action
Lit up like a firefly
Just to feel the living night

Some will sell their dreams for small desires
Or lose the race to rats
Get caught in ticking traps
And start to dream of somewhere
To relax their restless flight

Somewhere out of a memory of lighted streets on quiet nights…

[Chorus]

Summary

Song: “Subdivisions”
Album: Signals
Year: 1982
Artist: Rush
Origin: Toronto

To view other songs in the Top 50, click on 50 Favourite Songs in the Categories menu on the right-hand column.

 

#19 Wandering through the jungle, facing the rain

Many Canadians have seen John Woo’s acclaimed masterpiece, The Killer, starring Chow Yun-Fat. Also starring in the film was a beautiful woman whom we first saw singing in a lounge until gunfire blinded her (see HERE). Most of us would assume that she was some actress born and raised in Hong Kong. Guess again.

Sally Yeh (also known as Sally Yip) is Canadian. She grew up in BC and, like many Chinese-Canadians, her English was stronger than her Chinese. Because the Canadian music industry had not been welcoming of the 12% of the country’s citizens who are of Asian descent, as a gifted singer, she decided to brush up on her Chinese (learning Cantonese as well) and relocate to China. After several releases and a couple of moves, she finally made it big, so big, in fact, that she became known as the Celine Dion of Hong Kong.

It is important to acknowledge that Canadian singers who become successful in the United States are not the only ones to be honoured. Our very own Sally Yeh became a superstar in the most populated country on earth. In the same year that Bryan Adams topped the charts with his Robin Hood hit (1991), Sally Yeh had the biggest song of the year on the western side of the Pacific. In January, 2011, she was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Golden Needle award in Hong Kong.

Every so often a song comes along that is so beautiful it makes you cry, even a song performed in a language with which you are not fluent. In 1987, Sally Yeh recorded one of the ten biggest songs of the year in Hong Kong—”Jukfuk“. It is sung with heartfelt precision backed with delicate musical arrangement. Halfway through, when the song picks up with bass and drums, it makes you feel like you’re flying. “Jukfuk” is our 19th favourite song of all-time by a Canadian artist.

Lyrics

Because many of you may not have Chinese character support on your web browser, I won’t put up the lyrics here as they may appear as gobbledygook. However, for the many Canadians who can read Chinese (and are learning to), you can view the lyrics HERE in addition to listening to the song.

Summary

Song: “Jukfuk”*
Album: Jukfuk
Year: 1987
Artist: Sally Yeh
Origin: Vancouver

* Assuming your web browser has Chinese character support, the Chinese characters are 祝福 which can be translated as good luck, best wishes, good fortune, blessings, etc. In Mandarin Chinese, the pinyin romanization for Mandarin (standard) Chinese is zhùfú. However, as the song is performed in the Cantonese dialect, we have titled the song with Cantonese romanization which is “Jukfuk”.

To view other songs in the Top 50, click on 50 Favourite Songs in the Categories menu on the right-hand column.

 

#20 Though it brings you closer, it just takes you up again

We’re into the Top 20 now! Lots of gorgeous music coming up and a diversity of styles.

There was a Thomas family in Canada, from the Hamilton area, that was very talented. Dave became a well-known comedic actor. He was the “Doug” half of the McKenzie Brothers and starred in a number of movies and TV series like “Grace under Fire”. Dave’s little brother Ian became a fairly successful progressive rock star in Canada during the 70s and 80s. His biggest hit was “Painted Ladies” in 1973.

Ian Thomas started out in a folk band called Tranquility Base and then worked as a CBC producer. He sometimes recorded under his own name and sometimes as Ian Thomas Band. Several of his songs have been covered by big-name artists: “Hold On” by Santana, “To Comfort You” by Bette Midler, “The Runner” by Manfred Mann’s Earth Band, “Right Before Your Eyes” by America, and “Chains” by Chicago. Australia’s Daryl Braithwaite scored two hits down under with Thomas’ compositions: “All I Do” and “As the Days Go By”.

In 1978, Thomas released his fifth studio album, Still Here, which spawned two radio singles, one of which was a ballad called “I Really Love You“, our 20th favourite Canuck tune of all-time.

Lyrics

You make me out a fool
You think I’m funny
The thing I’m trying so hard not to be

And when you say to call
You don’t answer at all
You tell your friends it’s only me

[Chorus:]
I really love you
Though it goes nowhere
You’re on a Ferris wheel
Ride drive me crazy
Though it brings you closer
It just takes you up again
Ride though it brings you closer
Ride ’til it takes you up again
Ride though it brings you closer
Ride ’til it takes you up again

I dream it’s all a dream
I call your name
You turn around and seem to look at me
The Ferris wheel slows down
You’re back down on the ground
But then you walk right past me

[Chorus]

Summary

Song: “I Really Love You”
Album: Still Here
Year: 1978
Artist: Ian Thomas
Origin: Dundas, ON

To view other songs in the Top 50, click on 50 Favourite Songs in the Categories menu on the right-hand column.

 

#21 Wash away the history

When water stops moving forward, it stagnates, which is why many recording artists choose a more heroic life of creating more fresh and progressive music rather than simply making a fast buck by imitating old and current styles. These are the true artists, more concerned with the art itself than with ringing in the dough and waving to potential groupies through stretch-limo windows.

One such project began in 1981 in Chilliwack, BC . It was an outfit called Moev, consisting of Cal Stephenson and Tom Ferris, who began experimenting with different synthesizer sounds in the latter’s family basement. Charismatic and tar-stick wielding Madeline Morris joined as a singer and Mark Jowett as guitarist. Their music was good enough for release on minor record labels: Noetix in 1981 and Go! Records in 1982. Their music became a staple of university radio and they opened for The Fixx and The Cramps.

Morris departed in 1983 for a solo career and Stephenson took over singing duties. Go! Records folded in the midst of the band’s Toulyev release. Mark Jowett decided to create his own record label to release the group’s material, a label which has now become a force to be reckoned with—Nettwerk Records, based in Vancouver. A recording studio was built called Limited Vision. Singer Michella Arrichiello was recruited and they released Dusk and Desire. “Took out the Lace” became a minor club hit.

Jowett became busy with his new record company and left the band; Arrichiello and Stephenson departed as well. Tom Ferris reformed the band with three new members: bassist and songwriter Kelly Cook, Dean Russell, and keyboardist Anthony Valcic.

The new quartet released Moev’s most well-known album in 1988, the darker Yeah, Whatever. “Crucify Me” was being played on college radio stations as far away as New York. “Properly Sedated” was inspired by George Lucas’ sci-fi film THX-1138. The title-track, “Yeah, Whatever“, was another university radio hit, and it is our 21st favourite song of all-time by a Canadian artist.

Moev never became superstars but they were brave enough to mix things up a bit and create some fresh and sophisticated tunes that were sheer genius. And, because of them, we have Nettwerk Records. Simply put, if it wasn’t for Nettwerk we may never have heard the likes of The Grapes of Wrath, Sarah McLachlan, Skinny Puppy, and Avril Lavigne.

Lyrics

It’s a serious hunger
That can lead you around
Like a farmer leads a bull
To the butcher in town
And you never know when
Your time’s gonna come
And you can’t settle down

And you couldn’t stop now
Even if you were able
And you wouldn’t settle down
At a simple table

[Chorus:]
Yeah, whatever makes you happy
Yeah, whatever makes it happen

It’s a system of beliefs
That makes you look down
At the whole human race
From a comfortable cloud
And you’ll never come down

And you won’t come around
Yeah and you’ll never come down

[Chorus]

Have you been a slave to sin?
Have you seen what’s happening?
Will you ever see enough?
Wash away the history
Have you seen what’s happening?
Will it ever be enough?

[Chorus]

Have you been a slave to sin?
Have you seen what’s happening?
Will you ever see enough?
Wash away the history
Have you seen what’s happening?
Will it ever be enough?

Summary

Song: “Yeah, Whatever”
Album: Yeah, Whatever
Year: 1988
Artist: Moev
Origin: Vancouver

To view other songs in the Top 50, click on 50 Favourite Songs in the Categories menu on the right-hand column.

 

#22 With a little perseverance you can get things done

It had been 11 years since a Canadian artist had scored the number one song of the year in the country. Terry Jacks accomplished such a feat in 1974 with “Seasons in the Sun”. The phenomenon did not occur again until 1985. The album on which the song appeared was the second Canadian album in history to reach diamond sales at home.

The #1 song of 1985 was composed and sung by a Montréaler. I remember when the song came out. Hearing those first few bars of music caused the hair to stand up on the back of the neck; it hit the spot. Oddly, nowadays, many people remember Corey Hart for “Sunglasses at Night” (a more original title, perhaps). But that song made it only to #24 on the charts.

“Never Surrender” was the song that made Hart a superstar, rivalling the likes of Bryan Adams, though their musical styles were quite different. Not only did it finish as the year’s biggest song in the country but it nabbed the Juno for song of the year. It is our 22nd favourite of all-time by a Canadian artist.

Lyrics

Just a little more time is all we’re askin’ for
‘Cause just a little more time could open closin’ doors
Just a little uncertainty can bring you down
And nobody wants to know you now
And nobody wants to show you how

[Chorus:]
So if you’re lost and on your own
You can never surrender
And if your path won’t lead you home
You can never surrender

And when the night is cold and dark
You can see, you can see light
‘Cause no one can take away your right
To fight and to never surrender

With a little perseverance you can get things done
Without the blind adherence that has conquered some
And nobody wants to know you now
And nobody wants to show you how

[Chorus]

Summary

Song: “Never Surrender”
Album: Boy in the Box
Year: 1985
Artist: Corey Hart
Origin: Montréal

To view other songs in the Top 50, click on 50 Favourite Songs in the Categories menu on the right-hand column.

 

#23 Nothing is a dream until you wake up

It is said that, when the piano was invented, Johann Sebastian Bach hated the newfangled contraption and continued to compose and perform on the harpsichord. Imagine if Bach had lived to see Bob Moog’s invention in 1963—the synthesizer. For centuries, we were accustomed to hearing the same old musical sounds produced by the ancient instruments; in fact, the only new acoustic instrument invented in the entire 20th century was the steel drum. The synthesizer created brand new sounds through electronics, adding a whole new dimension to music.

Through the 70s, a number of Canadian artists, like Ian Thomas and Rush, used synthesizers to add extra colour to rock music. The idea of creating music that was predominantly or entirely electronic was first inspired by the German band Kraftwerk.

In the late 70s, in the United Kingdom, several artists living in different cities were creating electronic rock music in isolation from one another. Each wanted to be the first one to make a breakthrough and they were all oblivious to one another. Such artists included The Human League, Cabaret Voltaire, Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark (OMD), and John Foxx’s Ultravox.

Ultimately, it was London’s Gary Numan and the Tubeway Army who became the first artist to top the charts with an electronic rock piece, called “Are Friends Electric?” in 1979. Some of the aforementioned acts were initially resentful and envious of Numan’s breakthrough but later appreciated the fact that he had effectively opened the door to their success, as electronic rock was now popular and trendy.

A number of electronic rock artists emerged in Canada as well: The Spoons, Images in Vogue, Moev, Trans X, and Strange Advance. But the grandfather of all these acts was an outfit from Toronto, called FM, who was making such music way back in 1976, even before the Brits. Fittingly, FM’s Nash the Slash ended up working with Gary Numan.

Initially the band was a duo, consisting of Cameron Hawkins and Nash the Slash. Hawkins played synthesizers, bass guitar, and sang, while Nash played electric violin, electric mandolin, sang backing vocals, and operated a drum machine.

FM first recorded in July 1976 during a live studio performance of three of their songs, including “Phasors on Stun” (the title obviously inspired by the famous line from TV series Star Trek), that was aired on television. In November, they made their first public performance. The following year, drummer Martin Dellar was added to the lineup. After appearing on a CBC variety show, they were asked to make an album of their songs which was titled Black Noise and released in 1977.

“Phasors on Stun” by FM is our 23rd favourite Canadian song of all-time.

Lyrics

Hold fast, hold on
Nothing is a dream,
Yet in changing faster
It never seems to be here long
Move on, turn around
Just can’t seem to find it,
Try and reach out
And hold out
I cannot touch the wind
I touch you, yeah

Reach out, hold out
Nothing here is real,
Yet in searching farther
It almost seems to live until it
Moves on or turns ’round
Just can’t seem to lose it
Try and hold fast
And hold on
I cannot ride the wind
I ride you, yeah

Hold fast, hold on
Nothing is a dream
Until you wake up, cry out
Now it isn’t real, now you
Hold fast
Nothing is a dream
Hold on
Just can’t lose it now
Move on
Turning round
Wake up
You cannot ride the wind
Hold fast
Nothing is a dream
Hold on
Just can’t lose it now
Move on
Turning round and round
Wake up
You cannot ride the wind

Summary

Song: “Phasors on Stun”
Album: Black Noise
Year: 1977
Artist: FM
Origin: Toronto

To view other songs in the Top 50, click on 50 Favourite Songs in the Categories menu on the right-hand column.

 

#24 Some of us can’t move ahead; we’re paralyzed with fear

We are now venturing from territorial excellence into the masterpieces of Canadian music. This Toronto singer-songwriter released her triple-platinum sophomore album in 1999. The album opener, which she co-wrote with Eric Bazilian, was a perfectly-crafted song, jam-packed with emotional inspiration. Amanda Marshall was a soulful mixed-blood beauty whose father was of Trinidadian origin, and she became one of a string of Canadian divas who scored diamond albums in the 90s. Her 15 Top 40 hits from three studio albums meant that she averaged five hits per album, an enviable feat. The reason we have not heard from her since is that she has been involved in legal disputes with her record company. One of the most gorgeous songs ever to hit the airwaves was her Top 10 hit “Believe in You“, our 24th favourite of all-time from a Canadian artist.

Lyrics

Somewhere there’s a river, looking for a stream
Somewhere there’s a dreamer, looking for a dream
Somewhere there’s a drifter, trying to find his way
Somewhere someone’s waiting to hear somebody say

[Chorus:]
I believe in you, and I can’t even count the ways that
I believe in you, and all I want to do is help you to believe in you

Somewhere someone’s reaching trying to grab that ring
Somewhere there’s a silent voice learning how to sing
Some of us can’t move ahead; we’re paralyzed with fear
And everybody’s listening, ’cause we all need to hear

[Chorus]

I will hold you up
I will help you stand I will comfort you when you need a friend
I will be the voice that’s calling I…

[Chorus]

Summary

Song: “Believe in You”
Album: Tuesday’s Child
Year: 1999
Artist: Amanda Marshall
Origin: Toronto

To view other songs in the Top 50, click on 50 Favourite Songs in the Categories menu on the right-hand column.

 

#25 An electronic rock instrumental with some spoken German

In early 1981 Vancouver, marine biologist Don Gordon and music shop shipper/receiver Gary Smith wanted to form an electronic rock band. They ran an ad in the Georgia Straight asking for keyboardists who were interested in making music similar to Japan, Ultravox, and Simple Minds. Eventually, substitute high school teacher Joe Vizary and Safeway employee Kevin Crompton were recruited. Chilliwack native Dale Martindale joined as lead singer. They called themselves Images in Vogue or IIV. The five pooled their resources to purchase the latest synthesizers and, of course, to book studio time. They recorded a demo which was well-received but a record deal eluded them. They recorded some EPs on their own label and concentrated on touring across the country. WEA eventually signed them and they scored a radio hit called “Lust for Love”. A full-length album was recorded which was produced by Gary Wright; however, the band was very disappointed with the production of Wright and returned to the studio to re-record some of the songs. WEA did not share the same vision as the band in terms of musical style which led to a host of conflicts. Eventually, the disunity spread amongst the band members themselves; Crompton left to join Skinny Puppy. They relocated to Toronto and switched to a more commercial and guitar-based sound which did not increase their commercial success and they had to call it quits at the turn of the decade.

Images in Vogue’s early electronic music was some of the best in the world, sounding somewhat fresher than the synth pieces coming out of Britain. The band’s story was one of the most heartbreaking in the history of Canadian bands. They were able to score some radio hits but perhaps it was simply a case of their not hooking up with the right record company and personnel to embellish rather than stifle their creativity. Of all the band’s songs, we favour an instrumental piece off their 1983 self-titled EP, entitled “For Germans” probably a reference to the world’s first successful electronic rock ensemble—Kraftwerk. We do not get to hear the raspy voice of singer Dale Martindale on this track but “For Germans“, which was played all over Vancouver as background music in the early to mid-80s, is absolutely brilliant.

Summary

Song: “For Germans”
Album: Images in Vogue (EP)
Year: 1983
Artist: Images in Vogue
Origin: Vancouver

To view other songs in the Top 50, click on 50 Favourite Songs in the Categories menu on the right-hand column.

 

#26 Every blue collar feels his dollar getting smaller

As a soloist, after his time in The Guess Who and Bachman-Turner Overdrive, Randy Bachman churned out some great music. In 1992, he released an album that passed by largely unnoticed due to weak promotion—Any Road. “Prairie Town” had vocal contributions from Neil Young and The Cowboy Junkies’ Margot Timmins and is a song in which he reminisces about his early rock ‘n roll days in Winnipeg. “Overworked and Underpaid” echoes the kind of blue-collar rock that made B.T.O. so lovable and win over a generation of gearheads, and it is our 26th favourite song of all-time by a Canadian artist. Randy Bachman is a true Canadian legend and this song is him at his sizzling best.

Lyrics

From daybreak ’til the sun goes down
It’s just another day of the blues
Some work 9 to 5, some work all night
Everybody’s got to pay some kind of dues

Overworked and underpaid
Overworked and underpaid

Every blue collar feels his dollar getting smaller
It’s hard to keep from coming unglued
Sometimes you’re wrong, sometimes you’re right
Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose

And there’s a price you have to pay
To go on living day to day
No satisfaction guaranteed
Overworked and underpaid
Overworked and underpaid

It’s a treadmill existence with no way out
You either hang loose or hang tight
You know that you can shake it, you can always get by
Keep on keepin on ’til you get it right

And there’s a price you have to pay
To go on living day to day
No satisfaction guaranteed
Overworked and underpaid
Overworked and underpaid
Some have it made in the shade
Overworked and underpaid
…

Summary

Song: “Overworked and Underpaid”
Album: Any Road
Year: 1992
Artist: Randy Bachman
Origin: Winnipeg, MB

To view other songs in the Top 50, click on 50 Favourite Songs in the Categories menu on the right-hand column.

 

#27 What’s this bitter feeling when I see that girl with you

This female singer was once the lead vocalist of a Toronto quartet called The Sharks. Only one single was released and she departed to start a solo career. Incidentally two of the band’s members went on to form Blue Rodeo. She released an EP followed by a full-length album entitled People Talk in 1984. Her work earned her a Juno and she enjoyed a couple of hit singles, most notably the savory pop smash “I Want You Back”, a Top 20 hit. After success in the pop arena, she switched to country music. Her name is Sherry Kean. “I Want You Back” is an ingeniously crafted, irresistible dance tune featuring Kean’s pulpy crooning, reminiscent of Mae West. It’s our 27th favourite.

Lyrics

By the time you said you loved me
I had turned my back
I spent a long time waiting
What kind of love is that

So I’m going to find a new one
And I hear those things you do
What’s this bitter feeling
When I see that girl with you

[Chorus:]
I want, I want, I want, and I want, and I want
And I want you back! I want you back…

Do you really find it thrilling
Holding someone new
Have you got your freedom
Or just another view?”

Hey come on babe, come off it
We’ve both been there before
Second class emotion
Is not what you’re lookin’ for

[Chorus]

I see you from a distance
You’re pulling out her chair
In my imagination,
She’s pulling out your hair

…

Summary

Song: “I Want You Back”
Album: People Talk
Year: 1984
Artist: Sherry Kean
Origin: Toronto

To view other songs in the Top 50, click on 50 Favourite Songs in the Categories menu on the right-hand column.

 

#28 I know a place but make haste for the hour’s grown late

Vancouver punk band Slow was involved in an outrageous and obnoxious performance at Expo ’86 opening night, which we won’t go into detail here (you can read about it elsewhere on the net). The result was that the band split up and two members went on to form the industrial band Copyright, including vocalist Thomas Anselmi. After a poor-selling debut album, they switched record companies and released Love Story in 1996 followed by The Hidden World in 2001 which spawned the minor hit “Rock Machine“, our 28th favourite Canuck tune of all-time.

Lyrics

You can be what you wanted to be and leave the way you’ve been behind
You can see what you wanted to see was always there but you were blind
I know a place to be safe from the people you hate
I know a place but make haste for the hour’s grown late

You can be what you wanted to be and leave the way you’ve been behind
What you wanted to see was always there but you were blind
And I know you’ll agree that it gives you just a little bit of style
But it doesn’t come for free so give the man a smile

[Chorus:]
Let the dope take control of your soul
Let the rock machine roll
Let it open your eyes until your hopes soar so high
Let the rock machine roll until you’re tired and cold
Until your last stitch is sold
Let the rock machine roll

You can make the love you wanted to make and know a life lived for bliss
You can take what you wanted to take
It’s hidden just behind this little kiss

[Chorus:]

Roll like an avalanche
Fast like a juggernaut
High like a stone tumbling down from the mountaintop
Roll like an ambulance
High like an astronaut
Don’t let the pressure drop
Don’t let the pleasure stop no…

You’re getting number, number and a little more corrupt
You’re getting number, number and a little more corrupt
You’ve got the number, pick up the phone and call the number up
You’re going up now
Going up now to breathe

Summary

Song: “Rock Machine”
Album: The Hidden World
Year: 2001
Artist: Copyright
Origin: Vancouver

To view other songs in the Top 50, click on 50 Favourite Songs in the Categories menu on the right-hand column.

 

#29 Travelling in a light beam

When in school, on the slopes of Grouse Mountain, a friend with a background in Zoroastrianism, was absorbed by a song he was listening to on his Sony Walkman. He kept mumbling in awe, “All those synthesizers”. I asked him about it and he introduced me to a new band, or more correctly duo, from Montréal, the dance music capital of the country. The duo was Pascal Languirand and Laurie Ann Gill. In 1983 they released the album Living On Video. The song my classmate was referring to was the title-track. I bought the album and it became one of my favourites. I took it to a party one time which was attended by a tourist from Europe. He loved the album so much that he stole it. Oddly, the song “Living On Video” did not become a radio hit until it was remixed in an inferior version and re-released three years later. Other remixes have been done over the years but we feel that all of them were poor attempts to reinvent the wheel; the original 1983 version was perfect.

Lyrics

Give me light
Give me action
At the touch of a button.
Flying through hyper-space
In a computer interface.

[Chorus:]
Stop – living on video
Stop – integrated circuits.
Stop – sur un faisceau de lumières
Stop – is this reality?

Travelling in a light beam
Laser rays and purple skies.
In a computer fairyland
It is a dream you bring to life.

[Chorus]

I see your glittering blue eyes
You look at me with a smile.
It’s a computer fantasy
It is waiting for you and me.
Living – living on video…

Summary

Song: “Living On Video”
Album: Living On Video
Year: 1983
Artist: Trans X
Origin: Montréal

To view other songs in the Top 50, click on 50 Favourite Songs in the Categories menu on the right-hand column.

 

#30 Like you’re some kind of movie star

You may notice, in a shopping mall, a group of youth of the same gender seated in a clique and gazing extensively at the passers-by, calling out numbers. The question “How do you find him / her on a scale of 0-10?” is usually a question about rating someone’s physical appearance. The most common rating system is 1-10, or 0-10 if you prefer a whole number at the mid-point. People often use means by which they can enhance their appearance, especially from a distance: wearing fancy clothes, cosmetics, false eyelashes and hair pieces, etc. So, the phrase “3 Dressed Up As a 9″ means that the person is normally a 3 (not very attractive) but, through enhancements, from a distance, you would think s/he is a 9 (very attractive). As we become adults, we don’t worry so much about such petty things.

In the late-60s, Vancouverite singer Ramon McGuire and guitarist Brian Smith decided to form a rock band, calling themselves Winter’s Green and, in the early 70s, Applejack. After honing their skills and writing some attractive tunes, they caught the attention of Randy Bachman who signed them onto his own label and produced their first album. The band became known as Trooper, one of the greatest rock bands in Canadian history. They were the first act to score a quadruple-platinum album and enjoyed a string of hits including “Raise a Little Hell”, “Two for the Show”, “The Boys in the Bright White Sports Car”, “Round Round We Go”, and “Janine”. We could place just about any song from them in our Top 50, but will always remember their 1979 classic “3 Dressed Up As a 9“, our 30th favourite.

Lyrics

Hey wait a minute
Who do you think you are
Coming on, coming on
Like you’re some kind of movie star

Wearing twelve hundred dollars
Décolleté
You looked a whole lot better to me
From twenty feet away

[Chorus:]
You’re just a 3 dressed up as a 9
You’re only, wasting my time
A 3 dressed up as a 9, hey yeah …
(All dressed up but you’re only a 3, a 3 dressed up as a 9)

Socially
You know you fit in just right
But as for me
I’m going to have to pass tonight

Well you can say what you like
Be what you want to be
You can suit yourself, baby
But you don’t suit me

[Chorus]

Summary

Song: “3 Dressed Up As a 9″
Album: Flying Colours
Year: 1979
Artist: Trooper
Origin: Vancouver

To view other songs in the Top 50, click on 50 Favourite Songs in the Categories menu on the right-hand column.