11 Canadian Songs Turning 25 This Year
Have we really been listening to these songs for 25 years?
“Ahead by a Century” – The Tragically Hip
In 2017, “Ahead by a Century” was the most played song on Canadian radio in the aftermath of Gord Downie’s death. But back in 1996, it was the hit single from the band’s fifth album, Trouble at the Henhouse.
“Birmingham” – Amanda Marshall
The most successful song Marshall ever released in Canada, “Birmingham” was also the only one of Marshall’s songs to chart in the U.S.
“Let’s Make a Night to Remember” – Bryan Adams
Soft rock sensation Bryan Adams catches a lot of flak for being dad rock, but it was hard to escape this song the summer it was released.
“The Good in Everyone” – Sloan
How Sloan never broke into the U.S. will forever be a mystery. They’re easily the best power pop to come out of Canada.
“One More Astronaut” – I Mother Earth
One of those Canadian grunge bands who never got as much attention stateside, I Mother Earth’s “One More Astronaut” was their biggest hit.
“Jerk” – Kim Stockwood
The next time someone requests “You Oughta Know” before you at karaoke, go ahead and choose this song with similar vibes but more indie cred.
“Diggin’ a Hole” – Big Sugar
The best Canuck rawk band of the ’90s? Well, this song was so popular they released it twice.
“The Old Apartment” – Barenaked Ladies
One of the Barenaked Ladies’ best-known tracks, “The Old Apartment” didn’t chart in Canada. That honour went to “Shoe Box,” which arguably has more of the band’s signature goofy tone. But “The Old Apartment” is more unapologetically Toronto, so maybe that’s why it didn’t break out.
“Resurrection” – Moist
Fun fact: Moist lead vocalist David Usher went to the same Kingston high school as Gord Downie of the Tragically Hip and Hugh Dillon of the Headstones. And at the same time!
“Because You Loved Me” – Céline Dion
If you had to name one song that played at basically every single middle school dance in Canada, it had to be this one. Does she lay it on a bit thick? Yes, but we’re fine with it. Céline is a national treasure, and we’ll put her up against any singer you can name, so there.
“Ironic” – Alanis Morissette
Okay, we’re cheating with this one. Jagged Little Pill came out in 1995. But “Ironic” was released as a single in 1996, and it rose to be the number two single in Canada in 1996. Number one? “You Learn.” Yeah, Morissette had four songs on the Top 100 in 1996, even though they came out in 1995. And her album was the bestselling album for 12 (non-consecutive) weeks in 1996. So, respect where respect is due—25 years ago, Alanis Morissette dominated the radio waves with an album that had been out for a year. That isn’t ironic, but it’s probably ironic enough for her song.
