The Greatest Canadian Song

And finally, number one may not asthetically or musically match the other nine, but it is a tribute to a proud and beautiful land -- Geddy Lee of the rock group Rush sings Oh Canada.

The Second Greatest Canadian Song

Number two on our magical illogical look at top great Canadian songs is Heart of Gold. This is Neil Young's second foray into this top ten list. Surely there are other artists who merit attention in such a prestigious list you might opine.

True.

But it's my list and I like Neil Young.

The Third Greatest Canadian Song

Thanks to grumps for pointing me in the direction of Crash Test Dummies, a Winnipeg folk-rock group popular in the 90s. I'd never heard our number three greatest hit, Superman's Song (for which they won a Juno Award in 1991) until just a few moments ago. What country do I live in?

Oh yeah, not Canada.

The Fourth Greatest Canadian Song

The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down was written by Robbie Robertson, one of four original Canadian members of The Band. The other three were Richard Manuel, Garth Hudson and Rick Danko. The four were joined by drummer Levon Helms, an American by birth.

This has always been one of my favorite songs. Being an avid reader of Civil War history, the songs lyrics, rendered by Helms with mixtures of sadness and hope, are haunting.

As always on this illogical march to number one, suggestions are welcome.

The Fifth Greatest Canadian Song

At the request of Jay Bullock, here is These Are the Daves I Know by Bruce McCullough of the Canadian sketch comedy group, Kids in the Hall. These guys were worthy successors to the Monty Python tradition of zany and often nonsensical comedy.

The Sixth Greatest Canadian Song

Canadian born actors Rick Moranis and Dave Thomas created the characters Bob and Doug McKenzie for the Candaian-syndicated comedy show SCTV. The McKenzies were a couple of stereotypical Canadian goofs (I have it on good authority that Candians don't act this way regularly) who called each other “hosers”, swilled beer and created this tortured version of the 12 Days of Christmas. Here is an animated version. Thanks to the vodka-swilling James Wigderson for this suggestion.

The Seventh Greatest Canadian Song

Here's The Hockey Song (along with Sudbury Saturday Night) by Stompin Tom Connors at the behest of Canadian expatriate, illusory Tenant. A fine number seven entry in our very illogical ranking of all-time best Canadian songs.

Besides, I'm easy to convince. Witness number six coming soon.

The Eighth Greatest Canadian Song

Let me clarify. This list is being done for fun. These songs really are not being ranked; it's just a countdown of sorts to occupy a lazy Sunday afternoon. Number eight is These Eyes by the Guess Who.

The Ninth Greatest Canadian Song

Illusory Tenant wondered whether a list was forthcoming of Canadian all-time favorite songs. I had not intended that with this post, but in the spirit of giving here is Number Nine, Helpless by Neil Young. Suggestions are welcome.