It’s no secret that Canada is home to some of the most talented musicians on the planet. However, you may be surprised to learn just how many Canadian musicians have made it big beyond Canada’s borders. We’re not sure why Canada breeds so much musical talent, perhaps its something in the water? But whatever the reason, we’re grateful for the music.
If you’re looking for some classic songs to sing along to while you’re driving or a calming crooner to soothe you while you’re playing a tense game of poker at one of the Canadian online casinos at Casino Pilot, look no further than Canada’s music scene.
Dance Off Playlist Superstars
There’s nothing quite like that moment when your favourite track comes on at a club and you and your mates hit the dance floor en masse. And who doesn’t love a kitchen dance off before breakfast? Some of Canada’s greatest musical exports have given us some of the biggest dance tracks on the planet. The Weekend (Can’t Feel My Face), Justin Bieber (Sorry), and Drake (One Dance) are all Canadian artists that have given us the chills on the dance floor. These guys belong to a new generation of Canadian musicians making their mark on the world, and there are plenty more waiting in the wings.
Crooning Crooners
If anyone personifies the idea of a crooning crooner, it’s got to be Michael Bublé. His is the voice that launched a thousand romantic evenings, and Christmas just wouldn’t be Christmas without a Bublé song on the festive playlist. And for those of you who prefer your ballads to feel a little less smooth jazz and a little more acoustic folksy, Neil Young is the Canadian for you. Heart of Gold, Harvest Moon, and Old Man are up there as some of the greatest songs ever written.
Rockin’ Canadian Style
Unless you were living under a rock in the late 80’s/early 90’s (or not yet born), you’ll undoubtedly have found yourself singing along to a Bryan Adams song at some point or another. You may not have wanted to sing along to Bryan Adams, but in the 80’s/90’s it was an involuntary reflex action. Everything I Do hit the number one spot in sixteen countries, and Summer of ’69 has reached the status of legendary soft rock anthem.
Fast forward a few years, and Arcade Fire arrive with their version of baroque pop/indi rock. Singing your heart out to Wake Up at a music festival is practically a right of passage. And no list of rockin’ acts would be complete without Rush. Rush hit the scene in the late 70’s and any Rush fan will tell you: no rock band waxes lyrical or belts out a complex melody quite as brilliantly as this Canadian trio.
Fierce Canadian Women
When Jagged Little Pill hit the scene in 1995, a generation of angsty teenagers discovered an ally in Alanis Morrisette. Her song may not have been as ironic as she thought it was, but her fans didn’t give a damn. And who could forget Shania Twain in head-to-toe leopard print hitch hiking through the desert and being so very unimpressed? K.D Lang, Diana Krall, Feist, Avril Lavigne, and Carly Rae Jepsen have all made their mark on the international stage.
But there are two who arguably stand out from the crowd: Celine Dion and Joni Mitchell. Celine Dion’s mega-wat vocal range is instantly recognisable, and her global fan-base is fiercely loyal. My Heart Will Go On went to number one in over 20 countries. Joni Mitchell will go down in history as one of the greatest song writer and musicians of all time. Both Sides Now has to be one of the most beautiful songs ever written, and her albums Hejira, Blue, and Court and Spark, are cherished by devoted fans that come from all walks of life. All Hail Joni Mitchell.
The Man, The Myth, The Legend
You may argue that Neil Young deserves this title – or that Joni Mitchell should wear the crown, but in this writer’s humble opinion, Leonard Cohen is Canada’s greatest ever musical export. Cohen was a genius song writer, and his distinctive voice could take listeners on a journey into their own soul. Hallelujah has inspired more cover versions than we could mention, and it has deeply touched more people than Cohen could ever have imagined. But Hallelujah was just a dip in the ocean of Cohen’s repertoire. Suzanne, Sisters of Mercy, and Bird on a Wire are just as impactful. I’m Your Man, Everybody Knows, and The Future are all masterpieces, and Dance Me to the End of Love is pure beauty and brilliance. Cohen was more than a song writer, he was a storyteller, a poet, and a philosopher.
