CANADIAN PLAYLIST
Summertime tunes
Patio Lanterns
(Kim Mitchell, 1986)
While nearly every Kim Mitchell track screams summer rock anthem, this slower tune really soaks in the sun. Sample lyrics:
Those patio lanterns
They were the stars in the sky
Those patio lanterns
Lighting up our lives
Life is a Highway (Tom Cochrane, 1991)
Tom Cochrane’s biggest hit, this classic singalong became a hit again when Rascall Flatts covered it in 2006 for the Cars soundtrack. But nothing beats the original.
Sample lyrics:
There’s no load I can’t hold
Road so rough this I know
I’ll be there when the light comes in Tell ‘em we’re survivors
Red Hands
(Walk Off the Earth, 2012)
Ontario indie-rockers Walk Off the Earth actually released this single in the cold of November, but its freeflowing pop vibe has summer written all over it.
Sample lyrics:
I can’t see that I got red hands, I’m colour-blind singing (day-oh)
Don’t put the blame on me, child, the damn thing gone wild (day-oh)
I’m Like a Bird
(Nelly Furtado, 2000)
Victoria’s Furtado called this Grammy and Juno-winning chart-topper her “freedom song.”
Sample lyrics:
I’m like a bird, I’ll only fly away
I don’t know where my soul is, I don’t know where my home is
Sunny Days (Lighthouse, 1972)
It was the summer of 1972 when
Bob McBride and his bandmates in Lighthouse made this a No. 1.
Sample lyric:
I really think there’s nothin’ quite so fine As lettin’ the sun rejuvenate your mind Don’t get me wrong, I really dig the moon But it was four in the afternoon when I wrote this tune.
Hard Sun (Indio, 1989)
Written and recorded by the mysterious Gord Peterson of Dundas, Ont., this tune was later recorded by Eddie Vedder for the movie soundtrack Into The Wild.
Sample lyric:
There’s a big
A big hard sun
Beaten on the big people
In the big hard world
Bobcaygeon
(The Tragically Hip, 1998)
One of the ultimate Canadian band’s many, many, many surefire summertime hits.
Sample lyrics:
When I left your house this morning, It was a little after nine
It was in Bobcaygeon, I saw the constellations
Reveal themselves, one star at time.
Call Me Maybe
(Carly Rae Jepsen, 2011)
Hitting No. 1 on the charts in 15 countries, this sugary tuned skyrocketed B.C. Canadian Idol alum Carly Rae Jepsen to instant stardom and even garnered a parody from Cookie Monster himself.
Sample lyrics:
Hey I just met you
And this is crazy
But here’s my number
So call me maybe
Runnin’ Back to Saskatoon (The Guess Who, 1972)
Doing a Prairie road trip this summer? Then this rockin’ track — which mentions Moose Jaw, Moosomin, Red Deer, Medicine Hat and, natch, Saskatoon — is a must listen.
Sample lyrics:
This tune is home grown
Don’t come from Hong Kong
Summer of ’69 (Bryan Adams, 1984)
What would a summer bonfire be without a group rendition of this Bryan Adams classic?
Sample lyrics:
Oh, when I look back now
That summer seemed to last forever And if I had the choice
Yeah, I’d always wanna be there Those were the best days of my life
Stick to Your Vision (Maestro, 1998)
This hip-hop hit is sort of a two-forone Canadiana deal, since it features a sample of These Eyes by The Guess Who.
Sample lyrics:
(These eyes) I seen a lot of things in my life
(These eyes) seen a lot of highs and lows, but that’s just the way life goes
When I’m Up (I Can’t Get Down) (Great Big Sea, 1997)
Because every party needs a pick-me-up from Newfoundland and Labrador’s beloved folk-rockers. Sample lyrics:
Cause we’ll keep the good times rolling
Wait and see, wait and see ... oh wait and see!
Wave Babies (Honeymoon Suite, 1984)
This might actually work better on a YouTube playlist. From the guy with the fake parrot on his shoulder to the scantily clad women spelling “WAVE” on the beach, this video is a summer must.
Sample lyrics:
Wave babies, when they’re lying on the sand
Wave babies and I want them in my hand
Steal My Sunshine (Len, 1999)
This cutesy pop sleeper pushed Toronto alt-rockers Len into one-hit-wonder status.
Sample lyrics:
I know it’s up for me
If you steal my sunshine
Born to Be Wild (Steppenwolf, 1968)
Do Canadians know how to create rockin’ road tunes, or what? Steppenwolf was arguably the first act to do so with this highway soundtrack staple.
Sample lyrics:
Get your motor runnin’
Head out on the highway
Lookin’ for adventure
And whatever comes our way
Echo Beach
(Martha and the Muffins, 1979)
The idea of wanting to leave work to go to the beach? We feel you, Martha, we feel you.
Sample lyrics:
The only thing that helps pass the time away
Is knowing I’ll be back at Echo Beach some day
Let Your Hair Down (Magic!, 2014)
Reggae-pop act Magic!’s beachy vibe can be felt on all of their tracks, but this one goes particularly well with a gravity chair.
Sample lyrics:
No one’s on the clock now
Lying in this simple moment
You don’t gotta worry now
Just let your hair down
Money City Maniacs (Sloan, 1998)
Any Can-rock hit that was featured in beer commercials, in the movie Goon and on a Big Shiny Tunes compilation is a welcome addition to this list. Sample lyrics:
Hey you
You’ve been around for a while
If you’ll admit that you were wrong then we’ll admit that we’re right
Stompa
(Serena Ryder, 2012)
Toronto singer Ryder’s plea to let music solve your problems was a big hit here and south of the border. Sample lyrics:
Slow down, nothing’s gonna disappear If you give yourself some room To move to the music you hear
Home for a Rest
(Spirit of the West, 1990)
If your backyard barbecue or campfire night is a little too, um, successful, then Spirit of the West’s signature end-of-the-night anthem will go over well. Cue the square dancing. Sample lyrics:
You’ll have to excuse me, I’m not at my best
I’ve been gone for a week, I’ve been drunk since I left