Tuesday, July 03, 2012

Late Night Music July 4th Edition Part 141........"Pass Me The Puck, I'm A Canuck....Again"


I'm celebrating America's birthday with a tribute to our great friends from the north. I haven't done a Canadian list in exactly 132 entries, so I figured it was time to pay homage to some of the best artists in Canada once again. Any artist appearing on the previous list was automatically disqualified from this one, so don't freak out that Corey Hart and Loverboy aren't on here. I'm not stupid- I know they're Canadian!

Also receiving votes in this category were. "Seasons In The Sun" by Terry Jacks, "Who's Bed Have Your Boots Been Under?" by Shania Twain, "One Thing" by Finger Eleven, "Wasting My Time" by Default, "Ready To Start" by Arcade Fire. NOT RECEIVING VOTES WERE Drake, Nickelback, and Celine Dion for obvious reasons.

"Blanket"- Queen of Hearts. These super hot Toronto starlets released this hot track as their first ever official video and did an awesome job. I've loved Queen of Hearts because they are three beautiful women who look, sing, and grew up differently but come together to make an amazing sound. The cooler thing is that they'd tell you the exact same thing! I'm telling you, it is simply a matter of time before these ladies hit a huge breakthrough! For more on Queen Of Hearts, check out them out www.qohmusic.com.  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_hg8-MvSWhE

"Down To Earth"- Justin Bieber. This closing clip from his documentary movie Never Say Never and his memorable concert at New York City's Madison Square Garden of his best and most personal song from his mega debut album My World. This song was written by Beibs about the split of his parents while he was a kid in London, Ontario. You can hate on Beiber all you want, but if you can't give the guy credit on his talent, you're an idiot. I'll admit a lot of his songs are bubble gum crap, but this is a real ballad written better than most ballads written by artists twice his age. Although this song was never released as a real single or had a video shot, the song went to #79 on the Billboard Hot 100 simply due to iTunes digital downloads.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pAXfVPGFJVY

"Haven't Met You Yet"- Michael Buble. This 2009 single from British Columbia's master of Adult Contemporary standards, Michael Buble's album Crazy Love would wind up going to #1 on the Billboard AC Chart and would be his highest Billboard Hot 100 single ever going to #24. This super cool video is a rare look at a more candid laid back Buble and it features his real life wife Luisana Lopilato and gives pays homage to Ferris Bueller's Day Off. Who would have thought this guy would have such a great sense of humor? Just someone please tell me what in the world is going on with his lips? He looks like a freaking corpse.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1AJmKkU5POA

"4 AM"- Melanie Fiona. Dude this woman can sing! This awesome single from Toronto's Melanie Fiona's album The MF Life released earlier this year only peaked at #81 on the Billboard Hot 100, but was met with much deserved critical acclaim. I love Melanie's look in this video- she kinda reminds me of a cross between Meagan Good and Jazmine Sullivan in this video. This song is a great neo soul song and it seems SO 2000's - almost a retro. I'm telling you, she's only gonna get bigger. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TgmHOcPDSso

"Everything I Do (I Do It For You)"- Bryan Adams. This career-making hit for Bryan Adams off of the 1991 Kevin Costner film Robin Hood Prince Of Thieves soundtrack and his 1991 album Waking Up the Neighbors. Despite this song's over-playedness of the summer of 1991, the song went to #1 in SIXTEEN countries including #1 on the Billboard Hot 100, and is easily Adams' biggest hit. Brandy also did a great version of this song off of her 1998 album Never Say Never. I smell a bonus video.  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZGoWtY_h4xo

"How Did You Get Here?"- Deborah Cox. I've seen a lot of people try this song karaoke, and the lack of success of this song shows that this song is extremely difficult to sing. This Toronto diva stormed the Billboard Hot 100 with this song at #2, but saw it climb to the top of the R & B chart in 1998 accompanying her album One Wish. The song is actually has the dubious record for fourth most weeks spent at #2 without going to #1 in the chart's history. The success of this song and her heavenly voice helped propel Cox into a career which would go on to be the leading lady in the Broadway smash Aida taking the place of the legendary Heather Headley.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZGoWtY_h4xo

"I'm Like A Bird"- Nelly Furtado. Every time I hear this song's intro I think I'm listening to a commercial. This was actually Furtado's first ever single from her debut album, 2000's Whoa, Nelly! and remains easily her most famous song and peaked at #9 on the Billboard Hot 100 that same year. I have to admit that I had no idea Furtado was Canadian until a few minutes ago. She was born to Portugese immigrant parents who relocated to Victoria, British Columbia. This woman has some amazing eyes. Wow. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=roPQ_M3yJTA

"Feels Like Home"- Chantal Kreviazuk. Why there is no official video for this song I'll never know. This pride of Winnipeg, Manitoba lends this heavenly song to the soundtrack of Dawon's Creek as well as the movie How To Lose A Guy In Ten Days. The song saw only mild success on the Billboard AC Chart peaking at #12 in 1999, but is at least to me, her best song ever. Chantal is a deceptively beautiful woman and wins the unofficial award for the easiest name to misspell in the history of music.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t-ouxPhYy7Y

"Call Me Maybe"- Carley Rae Jepsen. I hate when I have a guilty pleasure on these lists that exposes me! This chick from Mission, British Columbia looks, sounds, and acts like she's in high school but is freaking 26! This single from her album Curiosity shot to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and landed her as the opening act on Justin Bieber's 2012 North American Tour. After watching this video, I don't feel so bad thinking she's hot now that I know she's almost my age. I'm also gonna go ahead and say that the tats on this guy in the video are hideously embarassing and might be the worst ones I've ever seen on a person. Great douche bag turn by him at the end- he did her a favor anyway- I mean what woman would want a guy like that? Just look at him!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fWNaR-rxAic

"Sometimes When We Touch"- Dan Hill. Talk about another career-making hit. Save for his duet with Vonda Shepard, this is easily Dan Hill's signature song and one hit of his life that turned him into a easy listening punchbag for years to come. In 1978, this single from his album Longer Fuse reached #3 on the Billboard Hot 100. Maybe is Dan Hill cleaned up then like he does now he would have been better. This song was famously covered by Manny Pacquiao in 2011 with Hill singing background vocals. Actually pretty good. Check out bonus videos.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7jPMXzxvdL8

"Building A Mystery"- Sara McLachlan. I love this song! This lead track and lead single from 1997's Surfacing has always been my favorite McLachlan song. I love the story behind the song which McLachlan describes is about people putting fronts to be something completely than they really are. This song peaked at #13 on the Billboard Hot 100 and set a footprint for other singles on the album to follow, which would gain the album multi-platinum status and lead McLachlan to form the critically acclaimed Lilith Fair Tour the following year. Also, I love Sara, but she just looks like someone from Atlantic Canada right? Actually, her hometown of Halifax, Nova Scotia is one of the most beautiful cities in Canada. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zWxzM9_gEo0

"Uninvited"- Alanis Morisette. I'm not a huge Alanis fan, but this performance will give you chills. This Ottawa native was already a worldwide star after the success of Jagged Little Pill when this single from the 1998 Nicolas Cage movie City of Angels went to #1 on the Billboard Mainstream 40 Chart and remains one of Alanis Morissette's more well known and popular songs. I also do like how Alanis sounds in concert very similar as the actual track, as this live performance here is almost a spot on match to her studio version. I absolutely love the orchestral arrangement on this track. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FjTB6EG3xGo

"Back To You"- Naya Marie. Naya Marie may be Toronto's best kept secret. This original track features some awesome dancing and some of the hottest women in Canada in her tribute to 80's girl pop. I know it's probably pretty easy to do for most people, but the wardrobe change while dancing thing is super cool to me. I also love the contrast in costumes. For more Naya Marie videos, check out her youtube channel at www.youtube.com/nayamarie2009.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JH1n6W3G9PI

"Bad Day"- Daniel Powter. Vernon, British Columbia's Daniel Powter made his career in 2006 with his one hit from his self titled album spent 5 weeks at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100, and even finished at #1 on the year end chart! He was the only artist that year to have a #1 hit without ever being in the top 100 at any other point. Talk about catching lightning in a bottle! Man this video is so bad it's embarassing, sucks that such an awesome song had such a bad video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gH476CxJxfg

"Home"- Three Days Grace. These rockers from Norwood, Ontario released this song off of their 2003 self-titled debut album and despite this very popular video and lots of airplay, only peaked at #90 on the Billboard Hot 100 despite the song peaking at #2 on the Billboard Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks Chart. Adam Gontier showed on this song his true vocal ability, and is still to me one of the better lead singers in the alt rock genre. I just hate that this video gives me the jeepers so bad. I can't figure out if I'm watching Saw or a bad Marilyn Manson video. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7NQ8OCcQ3LA

"Somewhere Out There"- Our Lady Peace. Awesome performance of one of my favorite songs from The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson. This single from OLP's fifth album, 2002's Gravity. This popular single went on to be Our Lady Peace's most popular single ever peaking at #44 on the Billboard Hot 100. The cool thing about this song is that it was actually two songs combined- one without a chorus and one without verses. Funny how music can bring things like that together. Big bonus points for Raine Maida's joker-esque smile while singing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PKT6AaRD5so

"Full Of Regret"- Danko Jones. These guys are freaking weird! This single from their 2010 album Below The Belt peaked at #34 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Charts, but still has me scratching my head. These guys keep you watching seriously out of pure morbid curiosity.This video has elements that remind of the Beastie Boys, Blink 182, Beck, and even Cake. Danko Jones just doesn't have the Canadian "look" if there is one. Is it just me, or does the guy with the gun really look like Elijah Wood? Froto!!!!!!!!!!!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xN82gSo85O4

"Stranger In My House"- Tamia. Dude Tamia is so hot it's unreal. You know Grant Hill talks so much smack- what guy married to her wouldn't? This single from her 2000 album A Nu Day peaked at #10 on the Billboard Hot 100 becoming her biggest charting single for the pride of Windsor, Ontario. This video is so super hot I have to watch it a few times before I can stop- that's how she sucks you in. This song is also actually very cleverly written and if you really listen to the lyrics, you'll see it's actually quite clever. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=diNyoOyTI5g

"Definitely Maybe"- FM Static. These Christian rockers from Toronto get better and better every time I listen to them. This single was actually their debut single off of their 2003 debut album What Are You Waiting For?  For some reason, the Christian rock genre seems to be going super power pop- I wonder how that happened. Actually, I'll go ahead and say this is the only song by a white group ever that mentions the name Puff Daddy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kdfOT9m-n6U

"Live Life Loud"- Hawk Nelson. In 2009, Ontario Christian rockers Hawk Nelson followed up their Grammy-nominated and critically acclaimed Hawk Nelson Is My Friend with this title track to their much anticipated album. Despite the song only peaking at #50 on the Billboard Christian Charts. Hawk Nelson is a super fun band, and I'm gonna go ahead and say they are the only Christian band to ever have cheerleaders in their music video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=elIh9w4MG0E

"Lost In Your Eyes" - Jeff Healey Band. This awesome Tom Petty- pinned ballad for Toronto's Jeff Healey band's 1992 album Feel This is a great arrangement despite not ever charting or garnering much success only peaking at #93 on the Billboard Hot 100 despite being #15 on the Canadian RPM Chart. I always am amazed when I watch Jeff Healey perform. I am blown away at his talent despite being handicapped. I've seen plenty of blind piano players, but blind guitar players are beyond rare. He was truly a pioneer and a great talent. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hsYvgY47D68

"I Think She Likes Me"- The Moffats. Whatever. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=swG-MhzhaxU

BONUS VIDEOS- "Love Will Never Do Without You/California Gurls"- Naya Marie and Shannon Alvares. Unreal mash up featuring Naya Marie's Toronto co-diva Shannon Alvares. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oG4XFOOKa20

"Sometimes When We Touch"- Manny Pacquiao. Told You. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fKuIHs1ELQU

"Everything I Do" - Brandy. Still love this version. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U9v7SaxmwoM

"Bad Day"- Alvin and the Chipmunks. Nothing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9B4dZyIEiMs

"O, Canada"- Mark Donnelly. Great rendition of the Canadian National Anthem before Game 3 of the 2007 NHL Western Conference Finals between the Vancouver Canucks and Anaheim Mighty Ducks. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fc3OO0IUPjE
Hawk Nelson
hottest NBA wife ever?
Queen Of Hearts
Naya Marie
To All My Canadian Friends

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