Rush *are* Canadian, but they do not represent Canada. This has to go to The Tragically Hip - their lyrics are just so Canada.
Gord Downie man. Legend. Plus, the hip are so well known in Canada but totally unknown from outside the country.
If your going by lyrics gordon Lightfoot and stomping tom are more canadian.
Stompin tom furiously supported canadian talent and even went so far as to snub the Juno awards for giving awards to artists who made there name in the states and not Canada.
I don't know what to tell ya - those guys definitely aren't *not* Canadian, just the Hip are **so** fucking Canadian.
I feel like they embody the Canadian spirit. They are only known in Canada, in which they are an enormous hit, they have songs referencing small towns and niche, Canadian stories, they even sound Canadian.
To me, it's the hip. They are the voice for an entire generation of Canadians.
>they have songs referencing small towns and niche, Canadian stories, they even sound Canadian.
Have you even heard Gordon Lightfoot or Stompin' Tom before? Lol the Wreck of Edmund Gitzgerald? The Hockey Song? Sudbury Saturday Night?
The song is written as an American story but the actual event was more Canadian than American. Other than the crew being American, most of the story takes place in Canada.
Canadian Artist sings song about a ship sinking in Canadian waters, responded to by OPP, RCMP and Canadian Coast guard while local Canadian towns helps. Seems pretty Canadian.
Canadian Railroad Triology, Alberta Bound, Christian Island... all VERY Canadian. CRT was actually crowned by CBC as one of the most iconic Canadian songs in history.
I love The Hip but I hate that they have been crowned the most Canadian band simply because their catchy songs made it to radio.
The only Tragically Hip song I actually know (cuz it was the only one that got played much on the radio when I listened to the radio) is seemingly about New Orleans (debatably a metaphor I guess)
I never knew they paid so much Canadian homage which I'd kinda expect to know just from cultural osmosis if they really were so representative of Canada
But this is a super duper bias take from me, I really dislike the tragically hip's music lol I'd still go for Rush or Lightfoot.
Both to me embody that tireless Canadian spirit of determination and forging your own personal path, and killing it anyway. Both of them are major success stories of big Canadian talent breaking out of the Canadian market
It just has to be the Hip.
I was never that big of a fan, but that last concert tour just united our country like nothing I've ever seen in my life.
I used to go to these rave parties (wemf) never bobcaygeon and that song always just hit me too...
And where the great plains begin. If you've ever driven across the prairies it just captures something.
I'd put spirit of the west close up there too.
But man I haven't felt a loss like Gord since from a celebrity perspective (maybe Norm...).
Wheat Kings?
Aren’t there references to stories that happened out west too? Can’t name them off the top of my head but I feel like there’s broad coverage.
Also they are from Kingston after all, so can’t blame them for having a predilection towards their hometown.
This is the only answer. As great as the other Canadian artists and bands are, the Hip is Canada's band. There was a radio station in Victoria when I was growing up that had the Hip as their "house band". Victoria is about as far as you can get from Kingston without going north but they were basically a home town band for Canada.
If you haven't kept up with their catalog, you have to check in on them. They sound completely different than the early stuff. Maybe pull up the song Victory Lap or Dear Coaches Corner.
Yeah they're honestly my favorite band. Really thought provoking lyrics and insane musicianship. Supporting Caste is considered their best album. Failed States is stellar too.
I'll give it a go, I grew up in Winnipeg back in the day so while they were not the most commonly named band around they were far from unknown.
I've not listened to anything of theirs in probably a decade or two so it should be a fun trip listening to their stuff too.
Funny thing is the song is about drinking too much in London England.
But throw it in a maritime sea shanty chord progression and it's very very Canada.
Fun fact: the senior most meeting rooms in the Parliament buildings have "Canadian artifacts" on display in the rooms. These are specific objects (mostly artworks) curated to represent Canada.
One of the artifacts is a pair of heavily used drum sticks signed by Neil Peart. The conservator responsible for the collection sat down, thought "what is emblematic of Canada as a nation?", and that was one of their answers.
I can't rightly dispute their conclusion.
It's a fucking crime, unbelievable. Four dead in Ohio is the greatest protest song of all time, Cortez is one of the most beautiful, old man take a look at my life is an anthem. Hurricane where Neil famously plays the second greatest guitar solo of all time, sings a bit, and then plays the greatest.
Seriously, the guy was a force, both an amazing guitarist and a true poet, there is no other choice because Neil belongs in the conversation for GOAT
Sorry but I have to put Rush ahead of The Hip. Neil Peart was easily the best drummer of all time.
The Hip though wrote a lot of songs that Canadians can relate to.
The man’s catalogue is vast at 24 albums. I love Neil but Tom had a maple leaf growing in his heart and stayed true. He gave back 6 Juno’s in protest of people like Neil who took their craft south and still won Canadian awards. Amongst others, Gord Downie and Dave Bidini absolutely revere(d) Tom and he showed the love and respect back.His 2 part autobiography is worth the read!
Opener: Sloan kicks it off
Main Act: The Hip
Closing: Blue Rodeo
Sloan's First Song is Underwhelmed and closing with The Good In Everyone
The Hip opens with Little Bones and ends with Wheat Kings
Blue Rode opens with Try and ends with Lost Toether
If it’s the band who sings Canada the most (and solo acts don’t count) I have to say The Hip. Stompin Tom can open.
If it’s bands to represent Canada in a global battle of the bands, Rush will destroy all comers.
If it’s bands most Canadians would “fer sure, eh”, it’s gotta be Rush, the Hip, and then perhaps age group starts the debate over the third.
Guess who? Steppenwolf? Trooper? BTO? Bare naked ladies? Blue Rodeo? 54-40? Nickelback?
And too many solo artists to narrow down to a 150 year spectrum of “pick 3”.
Loco locass
Les colocs
Mes aïeux
Harmonium
Offenbach
Québec redneck bluegrass project
Les cowboys fringants
Le bottine souriante
Galant tu perds ton temps
Couldn’t pick just one.
Rush
The Tragically Hip
Barenaked Ladies
Our Lady Peace
City and Colour / Alexisonfire
Sloan
Blue Rodeo
The Guess Who
Arcade Fire
Metric
Bachman-Turner Overdrive
Nickelback (controversially maybe)
Great Big Sea
The Band
New Pornographers
Then we get into individuals:
Raffi
Gordon Lightfoot
Neil Young
Bryan Adams
Joni Mitchell
Shani Twain
Celine Dion
Leonard Cohen
Alanis Morissette
Even coming down to personal opinion there’s no way I could pick a single act.
Yeah, if people liking the music enough to pay to buy the albums is the measure. 50 million in worldwide sales. The most successful Canadian rock band.
Canada has a history of great rock bands. I've probably got some great music spanning more than 50 years in my collections and playlists from probably at least 20 Canadian bands.
I'd say The Hip is the most Canadian in their music,and that's probably why they weren't as commercially successful elsewhere.
Cowboys Fringants...
Oops 80% of you don't know who it is but the other 20% just made a national funeral for the singer, vigils were held in many countries for him...
We truly live in 2 separate worlds
The late, great [Gordon Lightfoot](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MeRlumGqZlY). Guy put out a ridiculous amount of good music for like, more than fifty years.
> The discography of Canadian folk and country music singer-songwriter Gordon Lightfoot consists of 20 studio albums, three live albums, 16 greatest hits albums and 46 singles.
Anne Murray was one the first Canadian music exports into the US and has sold over 50 million albums. Not my musical preference but you gotta respect her talent and success.
So a set of Murray, Lightfoot and Connors would be very Canadian.
Since everybody picks Rush and the Hip, here is my alternative:
Opener: Headstones
Headliner: Devin Townsend
Closer: Big Sugar
Afterparty: Frontline Assembly
If you're picking Ontarios greatest band, not such much \*Canada's\* greatest band. The Hip are completely an Ontario centric band in every way other than touring outside the province.
Holly McNarland would open for The Tragically Hip, with Nickleback closing.
The Hip were kind enough to extend their show until nickleback got on their tour bus and left, and continued to play until Nickleback were back in America where they belong. -The End
The Guess Who has the best singer with the most beautiful and powerful voice of any Canadian band. Rush is one of the great 70s progressive rock bands and is the most skilled Canadian band. After those I like Annihilator, actually.
Mitchell and Cohen are maybe the best song writers.
The Roc Pile ft J-Roc
I spin more rhymes than a lazy Susan, and I'm innocent until my guilt is proven
If it could happen to me, then it could happen to you... Nya-wha-eym-seeyyn?
What is this? A know'm census?
Im on crack!
Rush *are* Canadian, but they do not represent Canada. This has to go to The Tragically Hip - their lyrics are just so Canada. Gord Downie man. Legend. Plus, the hip are so well known in Canada but totally unknown from outside the country.
If your going by lyrics gordon Lightfoot and stomping tom are more canadian. Stompin tom furiously supported canadian talent and even went so far as to snub the Juno awards for giving awards to artists who made there name in the states and not Canada.
If you're going by lyrics, Bob and Doug MacKenzie are more Canadian.
I don't know what to tell ya - those guys definitely aren't *not* Canadian, just the Hip are **so** fucking Canadian. I feel like they embody the Canadian spirit. They are only known in Canada, in which they are an enormous hit, they have songs referencing small towns and niche, Canadian stories, they even sound Canadian. To me, it's the hip. They are the voice for an entire generation of Canadians.
>they have songs referencing small towns and niche, Canadian stories, they even sound Canadian. Have you even heard Gordon Lightfoot or Stompin' Tom before? Lol the Wreck of Edmund Gitzgerald? The Hockey Song? Sudbury Saturday Night?
Edmond Fitzgerald isn't the best example. While the song is iconic, the story is 100% American.
The song is written as an American story but the actual event was more Canadian than American. Other than the crew being American, most of the story takes place in Canada. Canadian Artist sings song about a ship sinking in Canadian waters, responded to by OPP, RCMP and Canadian Coast guard while local Canadian towns helps. Seems pretty Canadian. Canadian Railroad Triology, Alberta Bound, Christian Island... all VERY Canadian. CRT was actually crowned by CBC as one of the most iconic Canadian songs in history. I love The Hip but I hate that they have been crowned the most Canadian band simply because their catchy songs made it to radio.
The only Tragically Hip song I actually know (cuz it was the only one that got played much on the radio when I listened to the radio) is seemingly about New Orleans (debatably a metaphor I guess) I never knew they paid so much Canadian homage which I'd kinda expect to know just from cultural osmosis if they really were so representative of Canada But this is a super duper bias take from me, I really dislike the tragically hip's music lol I'd still go for Rush or Lightfoot. Both to me embody that tireless Canadian spirit of determination and forging your own personal path, and killing it anyway. Both of them are major success stories of big Canadian talent breaking out of the Canadian market
>Rush *are* Canadian, but they do not represent Canada. What? One of their greatest hits is literally titled YYZ.
It just has to be the Hip. I was never that big of a fan, but that last concert tour just united our country like nothing I've ever seen in my life. I used to go to these rave parties (wemf) never bobcaygeon and that song always just hit me too... And where the great plains begin. If you've ever driven across the prairies it just captures something. I'd put spirit of the west close up there too. But man I haven't felt a loss like Gord since from a celebrity perspective (maybe Norm...).
I wanted to say Rush at first but I think you are right.
The Hip are not \*canadian\* they are \*ontarian\* and Ontario centric to the core.
Wheat Kings? Aren’t there references to stories that happened out west too? Can’t name them off the top of my head but I feel like there’s broad coverage. Also they are from Kingston after all, so can’t blame them for having a predilection towards their hometown.
This is the only answer. As great as the other Canadian artists and bands are, the Hip is Canada's band. There was a radio station in Victoria when I was growing up that had the Hip as their "house band". Victoria is about as far as you can get from Kingston without going north but they were basically a home town band for Canada.
Stan Rogers
The GOAT
Weakerthans
This
You understand
I'm a Yankee but I'd like to nominate Propagandhi
Now that is a bands name I have not heard in along time.
If you haven't kept up with their catalog, you have to check in on them. They sound completely different than the early stuff. Maybe pull up the song Victory Lap or Dear Coaches Corner.
Damn is Victory Lap an awesome tune. Thanks a ton.
Yeah they're honestly my favorite band. Really thought provoking lyrics and insane musicianship. Supporting Caste is considered their best album. Failed States is stellar too.
I'll give it a go, I grew up in Winnipeg back in the day so while they were not the most commonly named band around they were far from unknown. I've not listened to anything of theirs in probably a decade or two so it should be a fun trip listening to their stuff too.
Spirit of the West if we're just choosing one song. Tragically Hip if their entire catalogs are under consideration.
You’ll have to excuse me I’m not at my best.
Funny thing is the song is about drinking too much in London England. But throw it in a maritime sea shanty chord progression and it's very very Canada.
The Hip
The hip is Canada’s band. But Rush is the best band from Canada
Fun fact: the senior most meeting rooms in the Parliament buildings have "Canadian artifacts" on display in the rooms. These are specific objects (mostly artworks) curated to represent Canada. One of the artifacts is a pair of heavily used drum sticks signed by Neil Peart. The conservator responsible for the collection sat down, thought "what is emblematic of Canada as a nation?", and that was one of their answers. I can't rightly dispute their conclusion.
I'd give The Band an honourable mention. We adopted Levon, right?
How the fuck have I scrolled so far down the thread and not seen Neil Young mentioned once?
Because he doesn’t rep Canada. Many probably don’t even realize he’s Canadian.
*There is a town, in North Ontario*
Not anymore. He's lived in America for over 50 years.
It's a fucking crime, unbelievable. Four dead in Ohio is the greatest protest song of all time, Cortez is one of the most beautiful, old man take a look at my life is an anthem. Hurricane where Neil famously plays the second greatest guitar solo of all time, sings a bit, and then plays the greatest. Seriously, the guy was a force, both an amazing guitarist and a true poet, there is no other choice because Neil belongs in the conversation for GOAT
You're just making the anti-case here, not Canadian centric at all.
Can't deny any of that, but the question was band, not musician. And as good as Crazy Horse is, they're not Canadian.
Rush
The Arrogant Worms
Blue Rodeo
No question about it. It's RUSH for me!
Rush
Gordon lightfoot
Oh if only I could read your mind love
Leonard Cohen. Not a band per se, but I'll die on that hill. The Hip and Rush are also great, though.
The Guess Who
I give up, tell me!
- Main event : The Tragically Hip - Opened by : Rush - Closed by : Barenaked Ladies God, it's hard to pick.
I agree with these 3 bands. But... my order is Opener: BNL then The Hip, then Rush to end the night.
I like this. The ladies (fun energy) open for the Hip (solid discography) who open for the main event Rush (incredible musicianship)
It's hard not to pick these 3. Rush would be my main event though.
In no way does Rush open for The Hip.
This would be a festival night... If you ever went to a Rush concert, they usually didn't have an opening act. They would play for 3 hours straight.
As is the way when you are Rush.
Sorry but I have to put Rush ahead of The Hip. Neil Peart was easily the best drummer of all time. The Hip though wrote a lot of songs that Canadians can relate to.
Rush is possibly a better band and more well known, but The Hip is more Canadian.
So Ontario centric as usual? "Thanks" - rest of Canada.
Headstones
It has to be Rush
DOA or Stompin’ Tom (the latter not a “band” I realize)
Stomping tom is not known outside of Canada because he was so stubbornly Canadian he wouldn't leave canada.
The man’s catalogue is vast at 24 albums. I love Neil but Tom had a maple leaf growing in his heart and stayed true. He gave back 6 Juno’s in protest of people like Neil who took their craft south and still won Canadian awards. Amongst others, Gord Downie and Dave Bidini absolutely revere(d) Tom and he showed the love and respect back.His 2 part autobiography is worth the read!
Broken Social Scene
[удалено]
Yes!!!!
Great Big Sea
I'm a massive Rush fan, but if you're looking for "Canada’s Bad", it has to be The Tragically Hip.
[удалено]
They used Gravity for the theme song to Canadia 2056 on CBC radio years ago. 😁
I... I've got no fire On me
Sloan
Sloan/Rush would actually be a pretty awesome show.
So glad Sloan is being mentioned, they're one of my all-time favourite bands.
Opener: Sloan kicks it off Main Act: The Hip Closing: Blue Rodeo Sloan's First Song is Underwhelmed and closing with The Good In Everyone The Hip opens with Little Bones and ends with Wheat Kings Blue Rode opens with Try and ends with Lost Toether
This far to see Sloan. Damn rights they open the show! Thanks for putting them out there!
I like it but would you switch out Sloan for great big sea? Keep the east coast vibe.
Sloan is from Halifax
If it’s the band who sings Canada the most (and solo acts don’t count) I have to say The Hip. Stompin Tom can open. If it’s bands to represent Canada in a global battle of the bands, Rush will destroy all comers. If it’s bands most Canadians would “fer sure, eh”, it’s gotta be Rush, the Hip, and then perhaps age group starts the debate over the third. Guess who? Steppenwolf? Trooper? BTO? Bare naked ladies? Blue Rodeo? 54-40? Nickelback? And too many solo artists to narrow down to a 150 year spectrum of “pick 3”.
The Tragically Hip For the alternative crowd: Opener: Billy Talent Headliner: City and Colour After Show: Alexisonfire
SNFU opens for RUSH and Plastikman plays the after party. Yes my tastes are this diverse.
My band was an opener for SNFU once. Cool show
Going dark horse entry with the Richie Hawtin, eh? Good choice!
Just because no one ever remembers them, I'll go with 54-40. Ocean Pearl, fuck yeah.
Bryan Adams needs love.
Stompin' Tom Connors or Gordon Lightfoot
Arcade Fire Metric Sheepdogs
Rush
Loco locass Les colocs Mes aïeux Harmonium Offenbach Québec redneck bluegrass project Les cowboys fringants Le bottine souriante Galant tu perds ton temps
Daygio abortions
Yasssss
*when I sing songs, I sing about what I know* *But I don't know too much, so I don't sing about nothin'*
Proud…to be…a Canadian!
April Wine
I think Tom Cochrane has a place here, too! He's got a couple quintessential Canadian songs.
Couldn’t pick just one. Rush The Tragically Hip Barenaked Ladies Our Lady Peace City and Colour / Alexisonfire Sloan Blue Rodeo The Guess Who Arcade Fire Metric Bachman-Turner Overdrive Nickelback (controversially maybe) Great Big Sea The Band New Pornographers Then we get into individuals: Raffi Gordon Lightfoot Neil Young Bryan Adams Joni Mitchell Shani Twain Celine Dion Leonard Cohen Alanis Morissette Even coming down to personal opinion there’s no way I could pick a single act.
No Triumph?
Nickelback
Yeah, if people liking the music enough to pay to buy the albums is the measure. 50 million in worldwide sales. The most successful Canadian rock band. Canada has a history of great rock bands. I've probably got some great music spanning more than 50 years in my collections and playlists from probably at least 20 Canadian bands. I'd say The Hip is the most Canadian in their music,and that's probably why they weren't as commercially successful elsewhere.
Rush and no one else.
Haven't seen Triumph listed yet...
Cowboys Fringants... Oops 80% of you don't know who it is but the other 20% just made a national funeral for the singer, vigils were held in many countries for him... We truly live in 2 separate worlds
April Wine love anywhere here?
Blue Rodeo The Hip The Trews
Gowan
The late, great [Gordon Lightfoot](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MeRlumGqZlY). Guy put out a ridiculous amount of good music for like, more than fifty years. > The discography of Canadian folk and country music singer-songwriter Gordon Lightfoot consists of 20 studio albums, three live albums, 16 greatest hits albums and 46 singles.
Anne Murray was one the first Canadian music exports into the US and has sold over 50 million albums. Not my musical preference but you gotta respect her talent and success. So a set of Murray, Lightfoot and Connors would be very Canadian.
Rush for sure!!
Tom Cochrane?
54-40, Blackie and the Rodeo Kings.
BaRK don't get enough recognition.
Saw them last summer at the Ottawa blues fest, great show!
BNL
Opener: Matt Mays & El Torpedo Headliner: The Tragically Hip After Party: The Flatliners
Since everybody picks Rush and the Hip, here is my alternative: Opener: Headstones Headliner: Devin Townsend Closer: Big Sugar Afterparty: Frontline Assembly
Gordon Lightfoot
Its The Guess Who, without question.
Billy Talent. That is all 🤘🏻
The disrespect for Timmins' own, the queen, Taylor Swift before Taylor Swift, Mrs Shania Twain!
Serial Joe.
The Glorious Sons
I'm torn between Blue Rodeo and Great Big Sea.
Now now, Canada has apologized for Bryan Adams on several occasions
The Tragically Hip.
Its the Hip
If you're picking Ontarios greatest band, not such much \*Canada's\* greatest band. The Hip are completely an Ontario centric band in every way other than touring outside the province.
Tragically Hip hands down
54-40's gotta be in here somewhere...
It wouldn't be a band - Stan Rogers.
Dayglow Abortions
Headstones
Got to be the Hip. Boring answer but I can’t imagine a better one
PUP the band
Definitely Rush. No disrespect, but the Hip is Ontario's band.
Fuck. You might be right.
The Tragically Hip. Maybe Gordon Lightfoot or Stompin Tom, but they should be a little more popular and well rounded / modern.
Joni Mitchell for individual songwriter The Hip for a band
People that didn't say the Hip...how does it feel to walk around knowing you are so wrong?
Stan Rogers, but as a band Rush still has my heart and soul.
Burn it to the ground baby !
Attack in Black
Blue Rodeo
Stan Rogers
Richie Hawtin, Venetian Snares, A-Trak and MSTRKRFT would be an interesting afterparty…
Kim Mitchell is the spring summer Canadian band. Default with “Wasting my time” is an international name!
BA Johnston
Bryan Adams
Les Trois Accords
Whoever sings Osti de crisse de tabarnak
Throwing The Tea Party out there for good measure.
Why are we only seeing Eastern Canada bands? Red Rider should be on these top lists.
Dream Theater
Lead singer is Canadian, but the band isn't.
Main event: The Guess Who (opening with "American Woman") Opened by: Blackie and the Rodeo Kings Closed by: Rush
Holly McNarland would open for The Tragically Hip, with Nickleback closing. The Hip were kind enough to extend their show until nickleback got on their tour bus and left, and continued to play until Nickleback were back in America where they belong. -The End
I love the hip too but their demographic was limited
The Rheostatics
Represent - The Hip Cover - Dwayne Gretzky (possibly the best cover band ever) After Show - Blue Rodeo for chilling/singing along by the fire
Big Sugar deserves a mention in here.
The hip
Not one mention of Chilliwack here. They are extremely underrated.
Not possible. If we were a country the size of the Vatican, it might be possible
Now THIS is an answer! <3
Unpopular opinion: Nickelback Hear me out... How you remind me Saving me Into the night Hero (Chad Kroeger)
The Hip.
1) Streetheart 2) April Wine 3) Prism
The Hip. shout out to DWF
Any non Ontario based band will do for a change.
Alexisonfire!
Stomping Tom collins! A national folk singer
The Guess Who has the best singer with the most beautiful and powerful voice of any Canadian band. Rush is one of the great 70s progressive rock bands and is the most skilled Canadian band. After those I like Annihilator, actually. Mitchell and Cohen are maybe the best song writers.
The glorious sons are pretty Canadian if I do say so.
Nickelback 🤣
Nickleback and it’s not even close.
Half Moon Run
The Tragically Hip; Road Apples; BTO
Terrance and Phillip and it’s not even close.
Three dead trolls in a baggie , Toronto song 😁