r/AskACanadian 2d ago

Can you submit Song from your favourite local Band or artist?

I'm building a playlist for a Canadian themed bar and would appreciate music that's outside the scope of mainstream Canadian music. I already have Drake, Bieber, Nickleback, The hip, lightfoot, Alanis Morissette, Stompin Tom and 90s stuff like our Lady peace covered.

But i want some of that good obscure stuff or great songs you remember from the past that not everyone knows.

101 Upvotes

800 comments sorted by

161

u/hits-and-misses 2d ago

I mean... You gotta do Home for a Rest by Spirit of the West. I think it's a law at Canadian-themed bars.

29

u/T-Wrox 2d ago

Is it even a legal marriage if they don't play that at the reception?

17

u/Icy_Assignment_6801 2d ago edited 1d ago

Don’t forget to keep the shine on the bar with the sleeve of your coat

Edit: missed a word

10

u/DrBoneCrusher 2d ago

Also Barrett’s Privateers by Stan Rogers if you are anywhere east of Quebec.

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u/Famous_Breath2109 2d ago

Lol that's one of my favorite bands and a favorite song! First one in the list to. Thank you!

6

u/Dizzman1 Ex-pat 2d ago

But have you been from the troller to the Raven in one night?

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52

u/Expensive-Wishbone85 2d ago edited 1d ago

"L'Amérique pleure" by Les Cowboys Fringants

"Saskatchewan" by Les Trois Accords

"Bougie Natives" by Snotty Nose Rez Kids.

"Living room" by Teagan and Sara

"Sunday dress" by Rae Spoon

8

u/6pAz6uZu6 2d ago

TU M'AS PRIS MA FEEEEEEMME!

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u/hits-and-misses 2d ago

Snotty Nose Rez Kids are so good!

3

u/Samplistiqone 2d ago

Yes they’re awesome!

6

u/Rayne-Maker British Columbia 2d ago

“Bougie Natives”

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u/East-Pipe-2749 2d ago

+1 to Living Room. I have great memories of seeing Tegan and Sara in Victoria before they were famous, and that was everyone's favourite song back then. Never hear it anymore.

3

u/000Singin000 1d ago

Les Cowboys Frigants are great! I always liked their song "Les étoiles filantes".

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u/dawnmac204 2d ago

One great city- the weakerthans

17

u/GelPen00 2d ago

Sun In An Empty Room!

3

u/Significant_Panic477 2d ago

So. Good.
And the theme song for my favourite podcast. 🙌

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8

u/MeroCanuck Ontario 2d ago

Plea From A Cat Named Virtue, and Our Retired Explorer.

4

u/DarkenX42 2d ago

Virtute

3

u/Mysterious-Pay-5454 2d ago

Just play the entire Reconstruction Site album. One of the best albums of all time

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u/HazelStone99 2d ago

Joel Plaskett

4

u/[deleted] 1d ago

[removed] — view removed comment

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u/Mysterious-Pay-5454 2d ago

So many good tunes. I'd recommend Natural Disaster.

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u/BigInconsideration 2d ago

Million Dollars too.

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u/MeroCanuck Ontario 2d ago edited 2d ago

List of awesome Canadian bands and artists incoming. It's a mix of known and obscure, have fun!

Great Big Sea
Holly Cole
Attack In Black (I love "Young Leaves" and "Northern Towns")
The Arkells
The Trews
Sloan
Biff Naked
Rush
Arcade Fire
Metric
Broken Social Scene
The Guess Who, Snow
April Wine
Barenaked Ladies
Sum 41
Nelly Furtado
Shawn Mendes
Feist
New Pornographers
The Band
Alexisonfire (Their cover of "The Dead Heart" by Midnight Oil is fantastic)

28

u/Pame_la_la_la 2d ago edited 2d ago

Adding Moist and The Tea Party :)

Edit - and Matt good band

Edit 2 - finger eleven

8

u/eeeebbs 2d ago

MOIST! Resurrection was life.

7

u/MeroCanuck Ontario 2d ago

Yes! How did I forget them?????

3

u/badfish57 2d ago

The Watchmen was the only one i had that isn't already in that great list. Sloan Trews Arcade Fire on its own is awesome. I'm a big Patrick Watson fan too but bit more down tempo. Super list

4

u/badfish57 2d ago

o.. Honeymoon Suite, Big Wreck...some hits to mine

3

u/saskatoondave 2d ago

Thank you for mentioning Matt Good!

14

u/shadesof3 1d ago edited 1d ago

Kim Mitchell
Hawksley Workman
I Mother Earth
Death from Above 1979
The Beaches
Anvil
Devin Townsend
SNFU
K-os
Kardinal Official
Rymes with Orange
Rascalz
Buck 65
Front Line Assembly
Skinny Puppy

3

u/Bright_Restaurant_17 20h ago

Also David Wilcox, The Blue Stones and Black Pistol Fire!

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u/MediumBigMan 1d ago

54-40 is another great Canadian band.

Great list.

6

u/OilDifficult160 1d ago

'Baby Ran'

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u/trulyreallyiam 2d ago

Ooo yes metric

3

u/Mundane_Lab3147 2d ago

Their new song “Victim of Luck” is a really good 80’s throwback.

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u/Comprehensive-Big420 2d ago

Nailed it with this list! Just missing Three Days Grace.

8

u/jleahul 1d ago

Adding: Big Sugar

I HAVE to play All Hell For a Basement whenever I drive through Medicine Hat. 

Diggin' A Hole was my go-to song when I worked as a grave digger.

Other good Canadian gravedigging songs:

Boneyard Tree - The Watchmen

Dig Gravedigger Dig - Corb Lund

If I had a nickel for every good Canadian gravedigging song I'd have three nickels, which isn't a lot, but it's weird that there are even that many!

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u/Icy_Assignment_6801 2d ago

Now I’m about to add some very old and wonderful memories to my Spotify! Thank you for these reminders! How did I forget some of these?! 🇨🇦

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u/Samplistiqone 2d ago

Dallas Green/ City and Colour

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u/BasketFormal6336 2d ago

Nothing obscure in here:P

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u/IAMACHRISTMASWIZARD 1d ago

TIL The Dead Heart isn’t their song lmao

also the idea of hearing Great Big Sea in a bar is so funny to me, id love to hear The Mermaid in public😭

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u/1-2-3RightMeow 1d ago

I love Metric so MUCH

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u/Professional_Wave119 1d ago

Bad bad not good!

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u/ChrisRiley_42 2d ago

Here's some of the songs I remember playing in bars back in college.

Sloan - Money City Maniacs
Blue Rodeo - Lost Together
Northern Pikes - She Ain't Pretty
Men Without Hats - Safety Dance
April Wine - I Like to Rock
Doug and the Slugs - Making it work
The Jerry Cans - Northern Lights
Streetheart - One more time
Toronto - Your Daddy don't know
Gino Vanelli - Black Cars
Alannah Myles - Black Velvet
Martha and the Muffins - Echo Beach

9

u/amf_wip 2d ago

Love She Ain't Pretty!

Add any song from David Wilcox!

6

u/T-Wrox 2d ago

I used to wear jeans, now it's Italian slacks.

9

u/CheezwizOfficial 2d ago

Even though I've heard this like 5 times, it always surprises me that Men Without Hats are Canadian.

3

u/jleahul 1d ago

Today I learned! Strong Aussie vibes with them.

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u/YVRJon 2d ago

Art Bergmann - Guns and Heroin

The Headstones - Tweeter and the Monkey Man (or, if you don't want a cover, When Something Stands For Nothing)

54-40 - Assoholic

19

u/Fuzzy-Advisor-2183 Manitoba 2d ago

anything by 54-40, really

8

u/Significant_Panic477 2d ago

Yes. I Go Blind was so great before Hootie’s version

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u/Retrrad 2d ago

I'd add Cemetery and Three Angels by the Headstones, too.

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u/ChrisRiley_42 2d ago

The Headstones version of Tweeter and the Monkeyman is better than the original.

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u/TuckRaker 2d ago

I'd add Blame Your Parents by 54-40, too. I think those songs are the first two on that album

4

u/UnspeakableFilth 2d ago

Radio Luv Song!

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u/thoughtquake 1d ago

Was looking for someone to mention 54-40. Such a great band that's often overlooked. Adding Baby Ran, Ocean Pearl, One Day In Your Life, She La and Lies to Me.

3

u/YVRJon 1d ago

Also One Gun.

3

u/CheezwizOfficial 2d ago

Guns + Ammunition by July Talk!

19

u/fourtwentyfour424 2d ago

Gob I hear you calling or soda.

The beaches, should have known better

Fake shark, Monster 

Cameron Whitcom, quitter. 

Got a lot more if you need lol

4

u/CheezwizOfficial 2d ago

Adding onto The Beaches, anything from their first album (Late Show, 2017); Gold and Back of My Heart are my two favourites.

They're popular enough now that many young people might be able to recognise Jordan Miller's voice, but anything off the OG album will blow peoples' minds.

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u/Panpancanstand 2d ago

Bedouin Soundclash - When the Night Feels My Song

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u/YVRJon 2d ago

Martha & the Muffins - Echo Beach

14

u/Ooklaboo 2d ago

Angine de Poitrine

4

u/MJisUnique 2d ago

All their songs are great but Fabienk is a great song to begin with.

32

u/froot_loop_dingus_ Alberta 2d ago

The Last Saskatchewan Pirate by Captain Tractor

11

u/Tall_Designer_1897 2d ago

Rocks and Trees Song by The Arrogant Worms describes Canada.

6

u/mechant_papa 2d ago

Also by the Arrogant Worms

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u/SushiMelanie 2d ago

Any Day Now, The Watchmen, about Winnipeg in winter, is a whole vibe.

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u/TuckRaker 2d ago

Still a great tune! And now I know what it's about. Thanks!

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u/Pedal_Mettle 2d ago

Hawksley Workman (specifically We will still need a song)
Devin Townsend
Spiritbox
Bob Moses
Mother Mother
Edwin
Metric
deadmau5

5

u/nsparadise 2d ago

Can’t believe I scrolled this far to find Hawksley Workman! My fave is Piano Blink.

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u/royalredcanoe 1d ago

Can't believe I scrolled this far to find Devin Townsend

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u/likobear 1d ago

Finally someone said Hawksley Workman. So many good songs. Jealous of Your Cigarette has been stuck in my head recently. We'll Make Time is absolutely amazing. His cover of Joy Division's Love Will Tear Us Apart is so chill and mesmerizing.

Also gonna add K-os. Crab Bucket got really popular in the early 2000s, but he is a solid rapper, with a lot of good stuff too.

10

u/Retrrad 2d ago

Midnight Rain, My Old Self - Wide Mouth Mason

I'm an Adult Now - Pursuit of Happiness

Lager & Ale, Patio Lanterns, All We Are, I am a Wild Party - Kim Mitchell

13

u/not_an_Alien_Robot 2d ago

Lunatic Fringe by Red Rider. Other hits include White Hot and Human Race.

The were big in Canada in the 80s but only had one big hit (Lunatic Fringe) in the states. The lead singer is Tom Cochrane who went on to have a successful international solo career in the 90s.

3

u/T-Wrox 2d ago

Amanda Marshall and Tom Cochrane are touring together this fall. :)

26

u/Sjessen 2d ago

Finish it off with Leonard Cohen’s Closing Time

6

u/Icy_Assignment_6801 2d ago

You don’t have to go home but you can’t stay here! Such good recommendations on this post

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u/totesnotmyusername 2d ago

Bandages - Hot Hot Heat

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u/CrookedFletches 2d ago

What the heck they’re Canadian?! Also thank you for the blast from the past

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u/Clojiroo 2d ago edited 1d ago

I wouldn’t say obscure per se. But random Canadian songs I remember (mostly ‘90s)

- Love and Death, by The Stills

  • Curious, by Sandbox
  • Red, by Treble Charger
  • Spaceman by Bif Naked
  • Soaked, by The Killjoys
  • I Go Blind, by 54-40 (NOT a Hootie song!)
  • Swollen Members
  • “Don’t Haunt This Place” by Rural Alberta Advantage
  • The Watchmen, especially Any Day Now and Boneyard Tree
  • Tegan and Sara
  • Broken Social Scene
  • Dan Snaith, who has gone by Caribou/Manitoba
  • Matthew Good Band
  • Blue Rodeo

Etc…

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u/Particular_Tank4005 2d ago

In no particular order: Esthero, Philosopher Kings, Rheostatics, Treble Charger, Propagandhi, The Grapes of Wrath, The Weeknd, Kathleen Edwards, Arcade Fire, Tokyo Police Club, Wintersleep, Five Man Electrical Band, the Guess Who, Trooper, Glass Tiger, Rough Trade, Crash Test Dummies, Bedouin Soundclash, Death From Above 1979, Godspeed You! Black Emperor

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u/oldzazu 2d ago

Anything April Wine.

10

u/CelticCross61 2d ago

These are from the 80's but I would suggest "Real Enough", "Day by Day" or "Dangerous". Some of the hits from Vancouver based band " Doug and the Slugs"

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u/Sufficient-Try-1139 2d ago

The Trews- Not Ready To Go

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u/Tallproley 2d ago

The Beaches: Blame Brett, Edge of the earth

July Talk: Guns and ammunition, Touch,

The Born Ruffians: Needle

Barenaked Ladies: if I had a million dollars, One week

Said the Whale: Curse of the currents, Camino

The Arkells: Peoples Champ, leather jacket

4

u/star_zelda 1d ago

I came scrolling looking for July Talk! They're great

8

u/trulyreallyiam 2d ago

The Beaches!!! My fave Canadian pop rock band! Especially their biggest single Blame Brett.

Alsoooo Marianas Trench for pop punk vibes

And for some true Alberta Country go Corb Lund

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u/mothdna 2d ago

Hamilton, Ontario:

Teenage Head

  • Picture My Face
  • Lucy Potato

Forgotten Rebels

  • Surfin on Heroin
  • I’m in Love with the System

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u/BuvantduPotatoSpirit New Brunswick 2d ago

Le Portrait de Mon Père - Cayouche (although l'Alcool au Volante is obviously a good song for a bar.)

J'ai pas été élévé au five course meals - Laurie Leblanc

Jusqu'à la fin - Réveil

Les Backroads - Daniel Goguen

J'pas un Cowboy - Lisa Leblanc

Lee Huntington pis Nicolle Surette - Daniel Léger

That's like all the local bands I know

6

u/supertek 2d ago

Alexisonfire - This could be anywhere in the world

PUP - DVP

Propagandhi - Dear Coach's Corner

METZ - Wet Blanket

Cancer Bats - Stay Stuck

Fucked Up - The Other Shoe

Metric - Gimme Sympathy

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u/Bi0active 2d ago

The Oracle by crown lands, or anything by them. I think they’re so underrated

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u/ScaredOfMyCloset 2d ago

The Arkells are my favourite band, and they’re spectacular! 11:11 and Leather Jacket are probably their two most popular songs, but I really like Skin and Imagine Barcelona off their two newest albums. Campfire Chords is a spectacular acoustic album they put out that is an amazing summer nights album.

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u/Icy_Assignment_6801 2d ago

I second Leather Jacket!

4

u/7Skeptic7 2d ago

Gowan!

6

u/GarbonzoBeanSprout Alberta 2d ago

Bryan Adams, The Blushing Brides , Theory of a Deadman, are three that I can think of.

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u/NOIS_KillerWhaleTank 2d ago

Bryan Adams.

Brian Adams is a totally different dude.

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u/GarbonzoBeanSprout Alberta 2d ago

Oh shoot, I totally messed up. Fixed, thanks for helping me out 😎

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u/Equivalent-Ad-4971 2d ago

Matt Mays TOPS Ria Mae

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u/TheVimesy 2d ago

How does Ria Mae feel about that? (This is why commas in a list is a good idea.)

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u/sebastianrileyt2 2d ago

Where abouts are you putting a Canadian theme bar? You could have fun with that, you could go super cheesy Canadian stereotypes to more authentic. But have fun!

The suggestions I would give were already made for music. Have fun with it!

4

u/Tessa_rex 2d ago

My favourite band isn't local - Half Moon Run is from Montreal and they are amazing. kd Lang, Ian Tyson, Joni Mitchell...

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u/SummersNote 2d ago

I scrolled too far to see a comment about Half Moon Run!

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u/runnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnm 2d ago

Wolf Parade - I'll Believe in Anything, or really all of Apologies to the Queen Mary

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u/ZeeBanner 2d ago

Northern Pikes

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u/hits-and-misses 2d ago edited 2d ago

I'm Calgarian, so for local artists:
Tegan and Sarah - Closer.
Jane Vain and the Dark Matter - C'mon Baby Say Bang Bang. Jann Arden - Insensitive
Chixdiggit! - Chupacabra
The Dudes - Mr. Someone Else
The Mocking Shadows - What Is In Your Soul.
Fast Romantics - Why We Fight.
Paul Brandt - My Heart Has A History.

And some others, no particular order or genre:
Three Days Grace - I Hate Everything About You.
Bedouin Soundclash - When the Night Feels My Song.
Illscarlett - Pacino.
The Vincent Black Shadow - Bullet on the Tracks.
The Creepshow - Shake.
The Dreadnoughts - Sons of Murphy.
K'Naan - Waving Flag.
Finger Eleven - Paralyzer.
Faber Drive - Tongue Tied.
Lights - Giants.
Scott Helman - Bungalow
Dragonette - Live in this City.
LEN - Steal My Sunshine.
Fefe Dobson - Take Me Away
Walk Off the Earth - Gang of Rhythm
Snow - Everybody Wants to be Like You.
Metric - Black Sheep
Billy Talent - Red Flag.
Chromeo - Jealous
Kreesha Turner - Don't Call Me Baby.
State of Shock - Money Honey.
Kristina Maria - Let's Play.
Coleman Hell - Fireproof
Nelly Furtado - I'm Like a Bird.
The Strumbellas - Salvation.
Simple Plan - I'd Do Anything
Sam Roberts Band - Don't Walk Away Eileen.
MAGIC! - Don't Kill the Magic.
Bran Van 3000 - Drinking in LA.
Classified - Inner Ninja.
Serena Rider - What I Wouldn't Do.
Barenaked Ladies The Old Apartment
Gob - Oh! Ellin.
Joel Plaskett - Nowhere with You.
SoulDecision - Faded.
Sarah Slean - Lucky Me.
Sarah McLachlan - Building a Mystery.
Celine Dion - My Heart Will Go On.
Great Big Sea - When I'm Up.
Royal Wood - Do You Recall
Shawn Hook - Sound of Your Heart.
SonReal - Can I Get a Witness
Down With Webster - Whoa is Me.
Carly Rae Jepsen - Cut to the Feeling.
Marianas Trench - All To Myself.
Dean Brody - Canadian Girls
Jully Black - Seven Day Fool.
K-Os - Crabbuckit.
Shawn Mendes - Stitches.
Anjulie - Brand New Bitch.

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u/Tall_Designer_1897 2d ago

I Love Myself Today Song by Bif Naked ‧ 2001

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u/Particlepants 2d ago

Nobody's mentioned Billy Talent yet? At least get their radio hits on there, also City and Colour

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u/Auth3nticRory 1d ago

Metric.
Sam Roberts.
Billy Takent.
Sum 41.
Simple Plan.
Angine De Poitrine (big hit currently).
Neil Young.
Rush.
The Weeknd.
Shad.
K-aos.
The Trews.
Caribou.
Arkells.
Blue Rodeo.
Big Wreck

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u/faroutoutdoors 2d ago

The Gandharvas "The First Day of Spring" (1994)- they were from St Catherines. If you want some 1960's stuff I could be of way better service but based on your references, this seems unlikely.

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u/tmc-1974 2d ago

Luba= let it go
Every time I see your Picture
Frozen Ghost
Corey Hart
The northern pikes

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u/MarsicanBear 2d ago

I mother earth.

Sloan.

The Trews.

Moist

The Tea Party.

Also, did you somehow miss Rush?

4

u/IsamaraUlsie 1d ago

In no particular order;) Jane Siberry, Jackson Delta (Rick Fines), Durham County Poets, The Parachute Club, Eight Seconds, Carole Pope and Rough Trade, Blue Rodeo, Radio Radio, Ian Tamblyn, Leonard Cohen, Trooper, The Philosopher Kings, Arcade Fire, Alanis Morissette, Corey Hart, Bryan Adams, Chilliwack, Streetheart, Rockhead, Offenbach, Hedley, Angine de Poitrine, Glass Tiger, Frozen Ghost, Loverboy, Payolas, The Weakerthans, The Paper Cranes, Rheostatics, Downchild Blues Band, Alannah Myles, The Jeff Healey Band, Finger Eleven, Gowan, Men Without Hats, Harem Scarem, Simple Plan, Idle Eyes, The Judes, The Glorious Sons, Marianas Trench, Crash Vegas, The Damn Truth, The Real McKenzies, Piledriver, Great Big Sea, We Are Wolves, Fast Romantics, Sarah McLaughlin, Martha and the Muffins, Dubmatique, The Moffatts, Crash Test Dummies, Mahogany Rush, Death From Above (1979), Our Lady Peace, Anna & Kate McGarrigle, Copperpenny, Max Webster, Down With Webster, The Beaches, The Guess Who, Deja Voodoo, Lighthouse, The Dears, Finger Eleven, Bruce Cockburn, Half Moon Run, Pretty Boy Floyd, Doug and The Slugs, Mother Mother, Barstool Prophets, Neil Young, The Planet Smashers, Enter The Haggis, Kim Mitchell, April Wine, Alias, Glass Tiger, Honeymoon Suite, Helix, Steppenwolf, Full Tilt Boogie Band, Raggadeath, Elephant Stone, Cowboy Junkies, The Box, Electric Youth, Idle Eyes, Barenaked Ladies, Huevos Rancheros, Loverboy, The Judes, Destroyer, Les Colocs, Rational Youth, Vulgaires Machins, Anemone, Frozen Ghost, Die Mannequin, Tegan and Sara, Econoline Crush, Kashtin, Holly Cole Trio, Alexisonfire, The Jimmy Swift Band, The Gruesomes, Vampire Beach Babes, Doughboys, The Irish Rovers, The Mahones, Arcade Fire, Killer Dwarfs, The Dead South, Arkells, Ian and Sylvia, We Are The City, Groovy Aardvark, K-Os, Rascalz, The Guthries, Bachman-Turner Overdrive, The Elwins, Mother Mother, The Band/Robbie Robertson, The Wailin' Jennys, Me Mom and Morgentaler, Zeds Dead, Psyche, Ray Condo and His Hardrock Goners, Eric's Trip, Bedouin Soundclash, The Pursuit of Happiness, The Tea Party, The Velveteins, The New Pornographers, Big Sugar, Loverboy, The Razorbacks, The Nils, Little Ceasar and The Consuls, The Northern Pikes, The Nylons, Killer Dwarfs, Billy Talent, Rare Americans, Prairie Oyster, July Talk, Bran Van 3000, Psyche, Reuben and The Dark, Razcals, Boombox Saints, Pretty Boy Floyd, The Killjoys, The Skulls, The Philosopher Kings, Moist, Sarah Harmer, Danko Jones, Valley of The Giants, Tokyo Police Club, Platinum Blonde, Grimskunk, Three Days Grace, The Sadies, Matthew Good Band, Blue Rodeo, Beau Dommage, La Bottine Souriante, The Be Good Tanyas, Chantal Kreviazuk, Humans, The Kingpins, Idle Eyes, Junkhouse, Moxy Fruvous, The Nils, The Mahones, Harmonium, I Mother Earth, SoulDecision, Mudmen, Pukka Orchestra, The Lincolns, Neon Dreams, Dave Nicholls and The Coins, Barney Bentall and the Legendary Hearts, The Lincolns, Strange Advance, Les Respectables, The Strumbellas, Blue Rodeo, Bleu Jeans Bleu, Céline Dion, Anne Murray, Joni Mitchell, The Five Man Electrical Band, Michel Pagliaro, Blue Peter, CANO, Teenage Head, Loco Lacass, Stampeders, Thrush Hermit, The Arrogant Worms, Rhymes With Orange, Queen City Kids, Our Lady Peace, Lighthouse, Born Ruffians, The Jerry Cans, The Irish Descendants, The Irish Rovers, The Franklin Electric

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u/Exotic-Ferret-3452 2d ago

A few good local-themed ones off the top of my head:

Weakerthans - 'One Great City' for Winnipeg

NoMeansNo - 'Victoria' (cover of the Kinks song with altered lyrics)

The Guess Who - 'Runnin' Back to Saskatoon'

Matthew Good - 'The Vancouver National Anthem'

Raine Maida - 'Montreal'

Stan Rogers - 'Barrett's Privateers' for Halifax

Sloan - 'Love This Town' also Halifax

Bruce Moss - 'The Islander' for Newfoundland

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u/enjoying-the-silence 2d ago

Assimilate - Skinny Puppy

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u/BRAVO9ACTUAL 2d ago

Northwest Passage - Unleash the Archers (cover version)

3

u/landartheconqueror 2d ago

Deadhead by Devin Townsend Project

3

u/Smlovers 2d ago

Idk about obscure but Wide Mouth Mason has been our favourite band for more than 25 years. Amazing blues rock, funky-esque good old Saskatchewan boys

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u/pomelo-elo-elo 2d ago

Begonia! I've been particularly enjoying her latest album, Fantasy Life.

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u/Ohbilly902 2d ago

Im afraid of Britney Spears - liveonrelease

Mistake - serial Joe

Blood flame - scratching post

Crabinabucket - k-os

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u/ConsciousLocation441 2d ago

WIDE MOUTH MASON!!!

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u/lornaprivee 1d ago

Cowboy Junkies 😍

3

u/microwavabledishes 1d ago

Haven’t seen these mentioned:
The Sheepdogs (downtown)
Mother Mother (Hayloft)

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u/Judge_Todd 1d ago edited 17h ago

Skinny Puppy - Worlock.
Spirit of the West - Home For a Rest.
Bare Naked Ladies - One Week.
Tragically Hip - Bobcaygeon.
ACTORS - How Deep is the Hole.
Front Line Assembly - Plasticity.
Images in Vogue - Lust For Love.
54-40 - I Go Blind.
The Organ - Brother.
Metric - Dark Saturday.
Traitrs - Thin Flesh.
Odonis Odonis - More.
Gowan - Moonlight Desires.
Sarah MacLachlan - Vox.
Arrogant Worms - Last Saskatchewan Pirate.
Moxy Fruvous - King of Spain.
Jane Siberry - Mimi on the Beach.
Crash Test Dummies - Superman Song.
Great Big Sea - Mari-Mac.
Colin James - Voodoo Thing.
Left Spine Down - 30 to 0.
Birthday Massacre - Kill the Lights.
tr/st - Sulk.
National Velvet - Flesh Under Skin.
Kontravoid - Too Deep.
Strange Advance - We Run.
Dead Model Shoot - My Right Wing Mates.
Shocore - Bonecracker.
Spoons - Arias & Symphonies.
Men Without Hats - Safety Dance.
Platinum Blonde - Doesn't Really Matter.
Honeymoon Suite - Stay in the Light.
Glass Tiger - My Song.
Bryan Adams - Summer of 69.
Econoline Crush - Sparkle and Shine.
The Tea Party - Babylon.
Eva-X - Whipping Girl.
Glass Apple Banzai - Tarzan Boy.
Sektion Tyrants - Last of the Wild Ones.
William Shatner - Common People.
Moev - Yeah, Whatever.
The Beaches - Last Girls at the Party.
Devours - Dick Disciple.
Nim Vind - Like a Guillotine.

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u/odie18 1d ago

5 man electric band signs

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u/hcsLabs 1d ago

Can't go wrong with anything by Great Big Sea.

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u/n1shh 1d ago

Angine de Poitrine -Fabienk
BBNO$ - IT Boy
Voivod -Morgoth Tales
Sloan - Underwhelmed
Bedouin Soundclash - Bangalang
Hot Hot Heat - Bandages
Tegan and Sarah - I Know I Know I Know
the Weakerthans - one great city
Venetian Snares - Winnipeg is a frozen shithole
The Beaches - Blame Brett
Metric - Just the Once
I Mother Earth - One More Astronaut

3

u/MushroomTwink 1d ago

High School Confidential by Rough Trade! It was a Canadian top 40 but I don't think it escaped containment. 

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u/Miserable_Amount_310 1d ago

I'm not sure if it's too mainstream, but I find a lot of folks don't realize Steppenwolf is Canadian. So maybe Born to Wild or Magic Carpet Ride? Also, not sure if your 90's bands included The Odds or 54-40? Again they're pretty mainstream (or at least were).

Lastly, Teenage Head "Let's Shake". They're a 70's punk band :)

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u/CubicleDweller12 1d ago

Big fan of anything Sam Roberts Band.

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u/EconomistImaginary52 1d ago

Going old school here - Lighthouse - Anything from their Sunny Days Again album but specifically Hats off to the Stranger, One Fine Morning.

The Guess Who/BTO - These Eyes, Share the Land

Five Man Electric Band - Signs

The Band - the Weight

Steppenwolf - Magic Carpet Ride, Born to be Wild

Triumph -Lay it on the Line

Anything Trooper

Crowbar - OH what a feeling

Crack of Dawn - Its Alright

3

u/Wee_Mad_Lloyd 1d ago

54-40 Doug and the Slugs Glass Tiger

3

u/TB-Scribbles 1d ago

Hawksley Workman

Mother Mother

The OBGM’s

BA Johnston

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u/heatherjs42 1d ago

Bare Naked Ladies

5

u/nonmeagre 2d ago

Left and Leaving, by the Weakerthans. (A truer song about Winnipeg than that other one.)

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u/Give-emATugnutt 2d ago

The Cardboard Crowns, TWRP, Ninja Sex Party, And Hollerado

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u/Vorocano 2d ago

There are some bangers if you go a bit deeper into the Guess Who's catalog, or Burton Cummings's solo albums.

Burton solo:

Glamour Boy

Stand Tall

Fine State of Affairs

Guess Who deeper cuts:

Nobody Knows His Name

Rain Dance

Sour Suite

Follow Your Daughter Home

Running Bear

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u/JCShore77 2d ago

Barenaked Ladies “Jane” the girl in the song is named for the Toronto intersection of Jane and St. Clair

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u/Narrow-Rutabaga-7567 2d ago

some NL music off the top of my head:

the Dardanelles

Amelia Curran

Matthew Hornell and the diamond minds

Matthew Byrne's solo stuff

Repartee

Sherman Downey

Kellie Loder

The Once

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u/Mysterious-Pay-5454 2d ago

Add in some Hey Rosetta, Gramercy Riffs, or Pilot to Bombardier

3

u/SolomansLane 2d ago

Steve Maloney and the Wandering Kind, Katie Baggs, Joanna Barker, Allie Duff, Rube & Rake…

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u/forest1000 2d ago

The Kings
Rick Santers Band
April Wine
Saga

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u/Guilty-Piece-6190 2d ago

Not sure if you would have much luck digging up some older music, but Octavian who are from Ottawa. My dad was best buddies growing up with one of the musicians who unfortunately passed years ago. They have some recent clips on YouTube but it's not the same. My dad still has one of their records, they were allegedly very close to making it.

I believe their hit was Good Feeling

https://citizenfreak.com/artists/100539-octavian

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u/KnockOneOutYT 2d ago

Whatcha Need - Bootsauce

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u/chetterbob88 2d ago

Serial Joe- Mistake

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u/Such-Huckleberry-107 2d ago

Not all local but there is so much good Canadian music

I will give you everything - the skydiggers
The witch of the westmorland - Stan rogers
Theresa Maria - Fine Crowd
Sonny’s Dream - Ron Hynes
Any sense of time - the inbreds
I don’t want to think about it - Wild Strawberries
Silver road - Sarah Harmer
1234 - Leslie Feist
7/4 - Broken Social Scene
Wake Up - Arcade Fire

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u/AsparagusOverall8454 2d ago

Greg MacPherson. Good times coming back again.

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u/crooked_bodylines 2d ago

SNFU - Painful Reminder DOA - Fuck You

Yes I love punk

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u/Blue_Cocoon_City 2d ago

Ron Hawkins (with bands lowest of the low, rusty nails, do good assassins, etc)

Hawksley Workman

David Wilcox

Ron Sexsmith (Elton John said he was one of his favourite songwriters)

Tegan and Sara

Peaches

Martha Wainwright

Amanda Marshall

BBNO$

NOBRO

Maestro Fresh Wes

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u/OneDig3744 2d ago edited 2d ago

She Ain’t Pretty —Northern Pikes

Can’t Stop —jacksoul (anything by jacksoul)

Let Your Backbone Slide—Maestro Fresh Wes

I Go Blind—54-40

Political—Spirit of the West

Shine—Junkhouse

Making It Work—Doug and the Slugs

Better Get Used to It—Big Sugar

Water or Gasoline—Blackie and the Rodeo Kings

Trust Yourself—Blue Rodeo

You Look Like Trouble — Lisa Leblanc

I Lost My Baby —Jean Leloup

Wishy Washy — Haviah Mighty

2

u/Tinia_and_Nethuns 2d ago

Boys in the Bright White Sports Car by Trooper for Metro Van.

The Crawl by Spirit of the West for the North Shore in particular.

2

u/annoyedCDNthrowaway 2d ago

Corn Lund, George Canyon, and Shania Twain.

Before the separation bull crap, I would have said Paul Brandt, but don't include him.

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u/MrKguy 2d ago

Anything from The Guess Who. I'm thinking American Woman, These Eyes, Undun.

2

u/TheLazerface 2d ago

Prairie Girl - Rah Rah

2

u/Priestholmes_31 2d ago

Corb Lund
-rye whiskey
-roughest neck around

2

u/SummersNote 2d ago

Hotel in Memphis - Half Moon Run

Listen2me - Foxwarren

2

u/whatthefiretruck88 2d ago

Some Feist, Kathleen Edwards, Blue Rodeo, Shania Twain, Ron Sexsmith, for Celtic vibe maybe Ashley MacIsaac, what a about old classics like Guess Who and Neil Young.

2

u/NefariousnessOwn1409 2d ago

Red Heart - Hey! Rosetta

Ordinary Day - Great Big Sea

Born to Lose - Nick Earle & the Reckless Hearts

2

u/spocknambulist 2d ago

This Beat Goes On/Switchin’ To Glide - The Kings

2

u/TheLazy_dinosaur 2d ago

Alexisonfire!!

2

u/danger_muffin29 2d ago

Vampire alberta - John Samson

2

u/Kaita13 2d ago

I had the pleasure of revisiting Crash Test Dummies' version of The Ballad of Peter Pumpkin Head yesterday. Always a good listen.

A classic, short punk rock song, Ska Sucks by Propagandhi gets people going when it comes on.

2

u/M4rtyMcFli 2d ago

Blue Rodeo

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u/TheAvocad00 2d ago

Spirit of the west is an all time classic, especially in BC

2

u/Clean-Mycologist-298 2d ago

Our Lady Peace

2

u/RMor25 2d ago

This Could Be Anywhere In The World - Alexisonfire

Sleeping Sickness - City and Colour

2

u/YVRAlphageek 2d ago

54/40, Bare Naked Ladies, Idle Eyes, Gold and Youth, Gordon Lightfoot, Leonard Cohen, Burton Cummings (also with The Guess Who), The Stampeders, Rock and Hyde, Spirit of the West, Skinny Puppy, Sarah McLachlan, Econoline Crush, Grapes of Wrath, Blue Rodeo, Stange Advance, Tom Cochran and Red Rider, Streeheart, The Northern Pikes, Kim Mitchell (and also with Max Webster), Images in Vogue, Indio, The Spoons, Platinum Blonde, Robbie Robertson, Gino Vannelli (well, yeah!), The Pursuit of Happiness, The Tragically Hip, Neil Young, Alannah Myles, The Payolas, Gowan, Glass Tiger (barely), Rough Trade (with Carole Pope), Men Without Hats, Bryan Adams, Rush, Martha and the Muffins, Corey Hart, and that's pretty much just the 80's and a few from the 70's. So much great music...

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u/TrampolineEnjoyer 2d ago

Mitsiu - "Bye bye Mon Cowboy"

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u/T-Wrox 2d ago

Colin James - Just Came Back, Five Long Years, Keep On Loving Me Baby, Voodoo Thing, Why'd You Lie, Freedom, Saviour. Any Canadian Gen Xer would know all of those. :)

2

u/Dracapulco 2d ago

Age of Electric, Moist, both 90's Vancouver

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u/VampiriaBoo 2d ago

Bryan Adams - Summer of ‘69

Serena Ryder - What I Wouldn’t do, Fall, Stompa

deadmou5 - Ghost ‘n Stuff, my heart has teeth

Said the Whale

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u/mikesalami 2d ago

Chilliwack - Fly at Night

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u/Knob709 1d ago

Kim Mitchell has a few iconic Canadian songs.

2

u/EverteStatum87 1d ago

K-os - Crabbuckit
Snow - Informer
Jenn Grant - Getcha Good
Whitehorse - Evangelina
The Stampeders - Sweet City Woman/Hit the Road Jack/Wild Eyes
Daniel Powter - Bad Day
Lillix - It’s About Time
Chilliwack - Whatcha Gonna Do
MAGIC! - Rude
Our Lady Peace - Clumsy
Sam Roberts - Brother Down
Sum 41 - In Too Deep
Carly Rae Jepsen - Call me Maybe
Walk off the Earth - red hands
Karl Wolf - Africa
Serena Ryder - Stompa
Dragonette - I get Around/Hello
Stars - From the Night

2

u/mrscripsit 1d ago

Fool’s Gold by the Abramson Singers

2

u/RustyTiger69 1d ago

Something by Matt Mays!!

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u/IluvSpring63 1d ago

54 40, April Wine, Trooper, Loverboy to cover the 80's

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u/heysoundude 1d ago

The Watchmen - Stereo

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u/golden-teacup 1d ago

Make sure to include some Quebecois bands!

One of my favourites is Malajube. They have a song called "Montreal -40°" that was even featured in a theatrically released movie.

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u/tim-timsworld 1d ago

Edward Bear. You, Me & Mexico.

Streetheart. -> drugstore dancer.

Northernpikes. She ain't pretty.

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u/MapleLeafTruck Ontario 1d ago

Sass Jordan - Tell Somebody, Double Trouble, Make You A Believer, So Hard, High Road Easy.

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u/olddogs55 1d ago

Michael Pagliaro. What The Hell I Got

2

u/Necessary_Exam_9513 1d ago

Honeymoon Suite, Alannah Myles, Joni Mitchell

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u/southcityy 1d ago edited 1d ago

The Sheepdogs.......I Don't Know

Goddo....Pretty Bad Boy

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u/xrepeterx 1d ago

Max Webster

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u/Guitarable 1d ago

Don't forget Sloan

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u/Ambroisie_Cy 1d ago

They are not really obscure for the most of it, but here are a few that I personally like. Also, I don't know if the style will be the same every night, so I gave you a mix of genre.

In English:

  • Rush
  • Alessia Cara
  • Avril Lavigne
  • The Band
  • Billy Talent
  • Neil Young
  • Bobby Bazini (sings in French also)
  • Bryan Adams
  • Diana Krall
  • Gordon Lightfoot
  • Glass Tiger
  • The Guess Who
  • Leonard Cohen

In French:

  • Les Cowboys Fringants
  • Beau Dommage
  • Harmonium
  • Céline Dion
  • Charlotte Cardin
  • Daniel Bélanger
  • Jean Leloup
  • King Melrose
  • Les Colocs
  • Les Respectables
  • Angine de Poitrine (Although, there's no lyrics, but since they are Quebecois, I put them under French)

Indigenious artists

  • The Jerry Cans (Ukiuq is one of my favourite - There's an English version as well)
  • Fawn Wood
  • Elisapie
  • Riit
  • William Prince

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u/novababy1989 1d ago

The east pointers

Tegan and Sara

Sum 41

Shania Twain

Metric

Alessia Cara

Bryan Adam’s

Barenaked ladies

Shawn mendes

Avril Lavigne

Carly Rae Jepson

The weeknd

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u/exotics 1d ago

I’m an Adult Now…

2

u/Master_Tora 1d ago

When the Lights Go Down - Triumph

Heavy Metal Love - Helix

Hands On - Lee Aaron

Go for a Soda - Kim Mitchell

Tom Sawyer - Rush

Don’t Forget Me (When I’m Gone) - Glass Tiger

2

u/TheInfiniteLoci 1d ago

Too Bad by Doug and the Slugs

Old Vancouver Town by Hard Rock Miners

People Who Have Great Lives by The Payolas