Every great major city has at least a handful of anthems. You could probably put together an entire genre of city themed songs that could fill a few dozen i-pods. We’ve all dreamt of waking up in a in NYC after blasting “New York State Of Mind”. We lust for driving down sunset boulevard whenever the Door’s “L.A. Woman” comes on the radio.
What gets us thumping our chests to the tune of our own city? One of our biggest exports is our undeniable well of world class musicians. Do we have anything to show for it? Heck yeah we do!
Rush – “YYZ”
Musicians, morse code geeks, and aviation enthusiasts all get a serious kick out of this tune. YYZ is the code for Toronto’s Pearson Airport. Rush was actually flying into the airport when they heard the YYZ identifier code being broadcast in morse code. They were hooked! Drum legend Neil Peart said that the rhythm just stuck with them. “It’s always a happy day when YYZ appears on our luggage tags”.
Jason Collett – “Charlyn, Angel of Kensington”
Let Jason Collett take you on an in depth tour of the Kensington Market. It’s a bit funkier than his usual sound, but it captures the energy and vibe of Kensington perfectly.
Martha & The Muffins – “Echo Beach”
This song was actually written before Echo Beach was a real thing! This is a tune I’m sure a good amount of Torontonians can relate to. This dream of a break from the 9-5 office job grind actually inspired the name for the now staple music venue Echo Beach.
Silverstein – “Toronto (Abridged)”
Bookended by the the voice of a TTC announcer and the lapping water of Lake Ontario, Silverstein frontman Shane Told tries to deal with his negative relationship with the city in “Toronto (Abridged).” With references to Liberty Village, Kensington, and Sneaky Dee’s, Silverstein captures the complex relationship many have with their city. Via Blog.to
The Lowest of the Low – “Under the Carlaw Bridge”
Located at Carlaw Ave. and Gerrard St. E., the Carlaw Bridge is not the most scenic bridge in Toronto but The Lowest of the Low have made it a special one thanks to this song, which is about trying to find happiness during winter by drinking at The Only, “Under the Carlaw Bridge” is not the only Toronto-inspired song from the band’s album Shakespeare My Butt. A Lowest of the Low city tour may be in order. Via Blog.to
The Wooden Sky – “Saturday Night”
Between the band members’ local baseball team, bike tours of local record stores, and performing encores in city streets, The Wooden Sky love Toronto and the city loves them back. Amongst “all the Queen Street cowboys out there standing in line,” The Wooden Sky have something to live for on this “Saturday Night,” and they’ll pump you up for a night on the town too. Via Blog.to
The Tragically Hip – “Fifty Mission Cap”
If you’re a Leafs fanatic, you know the story of the mysterious disappearance of Bill Barilko shortly after scoring the Stanley Cup winning goal in 1951. After his disappearance, the Leafs went through a Cup drought for 11 years until 1962 when Barilko’s body was discovered and they won again. The Tragically Hip’s homage to this story is enough to please any hardcore Leafs fan. Via Blog.to
Treble Charger – “Trinity Bellwoods”
Trinity Bellwoods park is the background for a messy break-up in this song from one of Canada’s early indie rock bands. Torontonians can only hope their park hangs come with less emotional baggage then witnessed on this track. Via Blog.to
Rheostatics – “Dope Fiends and Boozehounds”
CanCon extraordinaries the Rheostatics take listeners to “Kipling where the street lamps light the way” in “Dope Fiends and Boozehounds.” A bleak song about loneliness and loss what makes it a little bit lighter is the earnest question the Rheostatics pose, and one that many can relate to: “Why didn’t they stay here and help me shovel the walk?” Via Blog.to
The Barenaked Ladies – “The Old Apartment”
The Barenaked Ladies’ narrator has some remorse about buying an “old house on the Danforth” with his new partner and nagged by the nostalgia of his old apartment and lover. With the apartment’s “crooked landing, crooked landlord, narrow laneway filled with crooks” this place sounds very familiar to the city’s apartment dwellers. Via Blog.to
Why do some people get chills when they listen to their favourite music?
Even if you havent, youll know what I mean in a second. Triggered by your favourite songs, or types of music. Researchers at the Montreal Neurological Institute at McGill decided to tackle this question. Why do some people get chills when they listen to their favourite music?
5 Ways To Get The Most Out Of Your Child’s Piano Lessons!
Find the right Curriculum The right curriculum makes all of the difference. It is a long term strategy for your childs success in music. The definition of success varies from student to student. merriammusic.com
