Cue up a Canuck classic No shortage of northern nuggets to soundtrack celebrations of Canadian pride By: David Sanderson Posted: 12:00 PM CDT Friday, Jun. 27, 2025

Elbows up and headphones on.

Canada Day falls on Tuesday and veteran radio personality Howard Mandshein doesn’t mince words when he is asked how, in his expert opinion, music acts from the Great White North stack up against their international counterparts.

“I’m from a radio era when it was decided you had to — check that, you were forced to — play Canadian music,” says Mandshein, the longtime host of the Sunday Morning Resurrection, heard weekly on 92.1 CITI-FM.

“Excuse my language but f—- that. Canadian music has always been able to stand on its own two feet. It’s as good as anything else heard around the world, if not better.”

As for homegrown songs he enjoys most, sure he can come up with a few off the top of his head, but question him again tomorrow, he says, and those recommendations will probably be completely different.

“Any list of mine has to include Tom Cochrane, he’s a god to me,” Mandshein states.

“If Brian Wilson wrote the California dream, Tom wrote the Canadian dream with songs like Good Times and Big League.”

Mandshein also cites a little-heard soul band from Toronto called Mandala.

“They had a song Love-Itis. It was a cover, but it absolutely captured my heart when I was a kid.”

Thirdly, Mandshein adores “everything” about River, from Joni Mitchell’s classic album Blue.

“The hypnotic music, the pictures she painted, her voice… I get a tear in my eye just thinking about it.”

Now if you’re debating what tunes to include on your personal July 1 playlist, you’ve come to the right place.

Here’s what other local radio types had to say in regard to their favourite Canadian tracks, each of which, we should point out, is 100 per cent tariff-free.

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Vicki Shae, Country 99

The Girl — City and Colour (2008): This song is like a warm sweater, then it shifts into an Irish folk mode that’s so joyful.

These Eyes — Guess Who (1969): I could easily make all five of my selections Guess Who/Burton Cummings songs.

They’re all so catchy and melodically interesting. This piano riff is everything.

Lost Together — Blue Rodeo (1992): It was hard not to pick a Blue Rodeo song with Jim Cuddy singing because I absolutely love his voice. But this song (with Greg Keelor on lead vocals) is so anthemic.

Rosy and Grey — Lowest of the Low (1991): I don’t even know how this song came onto my radar but ever since I first heard it, I’ve been charmed by it. It’s earnest and cheeky.

It’s All Coming Back to Me Now — Céline Dion (1996): Céline Dion was my idol when I was a kid, so I had to include her. This song is so epic and booming and dramatic.

Don’t watch the video for it though. It’s brutal.

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Joe Aiello
92.1 CITI

Under My Thumb — Streetheart (1979): After all these years, I still remember that night at the old Winnipeg Arena.

It was my first concert and I will never forget seeing Kenny Shields holding his thumb up in the air and giving us an incredible version of the (Rolling) Stones’ cover.

Big League — Tom Cochrane and Red Rider (1988): The memory of Tom Cochrane and (guitarist) Ken Greer giving us an amazing acoustic version of this song in the 92.1 studios many years ago blew me away.

Superstitious Feeling — Harlequin (1982): One of the first bands I had the pleasure of seeing live, I believe in 1982.

To this day I love hearing (lead vocalist) George Belanger ripping through the lyrics with that raw and gritty voice. Just great.

Wheat Kings — Tragically Hip (1992): I remember introducing them at Another Roadside Attraction, early on in my career. Hearing this great ballad just feels like Manitoba.

All Uncovered — Watchmen (1994): I have loved this song since the day it was released, and I still love seeing them perform it live.

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Adam Glynn
CJNU 93.7FM

Canadian Railroad Trilogy — Gordon Lightfoot (1967): It’s like an epic poem in musical form.

I also reckon it’s a song before its time, as it doesn’t just celebrate the evolution of our nation, but acknowledges this land was here “long before the white man” settled what we now know as Canada.

They called him a troubadour for a reason.

Constant Craving — k.d. lang (1992): A beautifully produced song that, to my ears, still sounds as fresh today as when it was released. She has a voice like warm honey. I don’t know if there’s a better song about yearning.

Try Again — Andy Shauf (2019): He’s a great songwriter, with such a unique voice. This song is such a heady mix of bittersweet nostalgia, self-deprecating humour and melancholic self-awareness, both lyrically and musically. The clarinet makes it.

Breathless — William Prince (2015): A man with a voice so warm and fuzzy it wraps you up like a cosy blanket.

An incredible ambassador for Manitoba in Nashville and around the world. He was amazing live at the Winnipeg Folk Fest a few years back.

Lovers in a Dangerous Time — Barenaked Ladies (1991): A Canadian band covering a Canadian songwriting legend, Bruce Cockburn; and one of the rare occasions where I genuinely believe the cover is better than the original.

The line “Got to kick at the darkness ’til it bleeds daylight” is so incredibly visceral — and a phrase that rings true now more than ever.

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Chrissy Troy
103.1 Virgin Radio

Lunatic Fringe — Red Rider (1981): How fitting my favourite Canadian song comes from Lynn Lake’s Tom Cochrane.

My heart loves the guitar solo and the best way to listen to it is as loudly as possible. This song remains as relevant today as when it first was released.

Nothin’ at All — Maestro Fresh-Wes feat. George Banton (1991): A thank you to my partner Colin for educating me on all that is Maestro Fresh-Wes.

Maestro is Canada through and through, from sampling Canadian artists in his songs to educating the country on injustice faced by Indigenous and Black Canadian communities on songs like Nothin’ At All.

Luck in My Eyes — k.d. lang (1989): Yes, Constant Craving and the entire Ingenue album are great, but Luck in My Eyes from Absolute Torch and Twang, is a nod to lang’s country roots. I love her delivery, and it’s so fun to sing.

Confetti — Charlotte Cardin (2023): This song is very new. Charlotte’s voice is sultry and at times it sounds as if she’s singing her way through sticky maple syrup. She also switches seamlessly from English to French in her pop catalogue.

It’s a Good Life If You Don’t Weaken — Tragically Hip (2002): I love many Hip songs but for this particular list I’ve chosen this one. It’s beautiful, it’s haunting.

The call and answer “find somewhere to go, go somewhere we’re needed” hits hardest while listening to it in the early-morning hours.

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Brody Jackson
QX104 — Country

Life is a Highway — Tom Cochrane (1991): Mad Mad World was the first CD I ever purchased from Columbia House, and boy did I rock out to this song.

Now my four-year-old son does the same thing with the Rascal Flatts version, thanks to the animated movie Cars.

Wheat Kings — Tragically Hip (1992): Growing up in rural Manitoba, there was something special about Canada’s biggest band at the time releasing a song about a massive story on the Prairies.

That and I loved the Brandon Wheat Kings.

Any Man of Mine — Shania Twain (1995): It’s extremely difficult for a Canadian to break into the country-music world south of the border.

Shania broke across every border in the world with this banger. If it’s getting quiet on the dance floor at a social, all the DJ has to do is put this song on.

No Sugar Tonight/New Mother Nature — Guess Who (1970): My high school science teacher was a massive fan of the Guess Who.

At least once a week we’d walk into his class with this song on in the background.

Lifted — Dallas Smith (2014): When Dallas Smith left Default and came over to the country world, this song off his first country album “lifted” his name to the top of the Canadian country charts.

He’s been a massive presence on the Canadian country scene ever since, and has helped us host many charitable events in Winnipeg, so he’ll always get a ton of love from me.

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Phil Aubrey
92.1 CITI

Working Man — Rush (1974): Forget Canadian, this is one of the greatest rock songs ever created in any country.

Cordelia — Tragically Hip (1991): The best song off the Hip’s best album, Road Apples.

Fight the Good Fight — Triumph (1981): Three of my top five could have been Triumph. Or the Hip.

Three Angels — Headstones (1993): Seeing Hugh Dillon (lead vocalist) live is something everyone should experience.

Rock You — Helix (1984): Don’t judge me. Helix is an important part of growing up in Transcona.

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Dez Daniels
Retired jockey and present host of Great Tastes of Manitoba

Grace, Too — The Tragically Hip (1994): The Tragically Hip must be represented and if I have to pick just one, it’d be Grace, Too. Gord’s performance here takes you for such a ride.

Such a dreamy little hook off the top as well, with the whole thing turned up to 11 by the time they wrap it up.

Having an Average Weekend (Kids in the Hall theme) — Shadowy Men on a Shadowy Planet (1985): Every time I heard that bass line, I knew something bananas was about to happen.

Constant Craving — k.d. lang (1992): Painful and pure and timeless.

The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald — Gordon Lightfoot (1976): That moment in the third verse, right around the time the “wave broke over the railing” and the steel guitar kicks in… Even if you aren’t familiar with the story, you know at that moment no one is coming home. Gets me every time.

The Rest of My Life — Sloan (2003): I played these folks on the radio a ton in the late ’90s, and I loved every song. I named my daughter partly in honour of their awesomeness.

This one has the edge for our purposes today, very simply for the reason it mentions the word Canada.

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Stu Reid,
Host of Twang Trust, CKUW 95.9 FM

Hasn’t Hit Me Yet — Blue Rodeo (1993): Instead of changing the words to O Canada, they should’ve junked it entirely and substituted this song.

Anyone who’s ever been part of a crowd and sung along with it at the top of their lungs knows why.

Who cares if it’s just a song about getting dumped?

I Pity the Country — Willie Dunn (1971): The only song on my list that’s specifically about Canada and it’s not too positive.

But an ability to recognize one’s own shortcomings and do something about it is a special kind of greatness itself. (Definitive cover: Leanne Betasamosake Simpson)

I’m an Adult Now — the Pursuit of Happiness (1986): When I look back on my wasted life while recuperating from knee-replacement surgery, I’ll still be playing air guitar to this one.

Mercury — Kathleen Edwards (2002): There’s only six lines in this song that captures a moment so pure and real. SIX lines.

Have Not Been the Same — Slow (1985): The title of this song was used for the title of an encyclopedic history of Canadian rock music from 1985 to 1995 with good reason. It rocks.

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Kathy Kennedy
Veteran radio personality and host of Kinsmen Jackpot Bingo

My Girl (Gone, Gone, Gone) — Chilliwack (1981): I played this song so much my parents would stand at the top of the stairs and yell “gone, gone, gone!” That was my cue to turn it down.

Turn Me Loose — Loverboy (1980): I loved their debut album and played it to death. Mike Reno’s voice is/was amazing.

Tonite Is a Wonderful Time to Fall in Love — April Wine (1975): The melodies were coupled perfectly with the vocals. Great song all the way around.

Innocence — Harlequin (1980): I actually went to the record store in Brandon to meet and get autographs from the band after falling in love with this song and album (Love Crimes).

Who would have known that years later (lead vocalist) George Belanger would become a great friend?

One More Time — Streetheart (1982): The vocal prowess of Kenny Shields and anthemic sounds from the band equals a fantastic party tune.

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Jared McKetiak
CJUM-FM 101.5

Today’s Empires, Tomorrow’s Ashes — Propagandhi (2001): The title track from my favourite Winnipeg band’s third album is a brilliant reminder that our voice is the most powerful gift we have.

Unrelenting riffs and intelligent lyrics that suggest we are doomed to keep repeating the same history if we don’t pick up the mantle and start driving the change that we want to see.

Which Way You Goin’ Billy? — Poppy Family (1969): Everyone loves Ian and Sylvia (Tyson), but I’ll take the melancholy pop from this group led by Terry and Susan Jacks every day of the week.

This track is so sad and beautiful, I think everyone can relate to trying to move on from a love that’s no longer shared.

My Definition of a Boombastic Jazz Style — Dream Warriors (1991): Summer of 1991, the video for this was all over MuchMusic, which I was consuming with a daily vigour.

With its classic Quincy Jones sample (Soul Bossa Nova) and the sly nod to the classic Canadian game show (Definition) whose theme shared that same hook, this track helped broaden my burgeoning love of hip hop and showed me there were some really talented rap cats north of the border.

Coax Me — Sloan (1994): I remember the uproar when Chart magazine declared Twice Removed the greatest Canadian album of all time. The more time passes, the more I believe they weren’t wrong.

“It’s not the band I hate, it’s their fans” is one of my favourite lyrics of all time, and it anchors this indisputable indie-rock anthem.

Left & Leaving — Weakerthans (2000): I’ve lived in this city for the better part of my life, something I wear like a badge of honour, as many Winnipeggers do. The lyrics of this song paint the city in a stark, honest light and its poignancy hits on multiple levels.

Some of us are here because we couldn’t escape, some because we couldn’t resist the pull to return, and then there are those who chose to stay, never wanting to leave in the first place.

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Beau Fritzsche
Bounce 99.9

Theme from “A Summer Place” — Percy Faith (1959): I was eight when this song topped the charts for weeks. To this day it always means summer to me… and I never even saw the movie. Mom and Dad controlled the radio back then.

Born To Be Wild — Steppenwolf (1968): Long before Bryan Adams gave us a great driving song (we think he means Summer of ’69), this was my go-to.

Plus it’s the song that gave us the term “heavy metal.”

These Eyes — the Guess Who (1969): Having grown up in East Kildonan near Chad Allan, I’ve always been a fan of theirs.

It was so exciting when this song started making waves across North America in 1969. We were so proud they were from Winnipeg.

Heart of Gold — Neil Young (1972): I could have picked so many of Neil’s songs but this was one of the first records I ever played at my first job in radio, at CHTM in Thompson.

I Just Wanna Stop — Gino Vanelli (1978): I was working in Montreal at the time. I was in love with both the city and a special lady. The lyrics say it all.

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Ace Burpee
103.1 Virgin Radio

All That I Know — Winnipeg’s Most (2010):  An absolute masterpiece.

Danny’s Song — Anne Murray (1972): I love Anne Murray so much. My dad graduated from the University of New Brunswick with her, which is my biggest claim to fame.

Friction — The Lytics (2018): This song could have been made in any era and still been a banger.

I’m With You — Avril Lavigne (2002): No apologies.

Roll On Down the Highway — Bachman-Turner Overdrive (1974): I didn’t grow up with BTO, so it’s still kinda new to me. One of the greatest driving songs in history.

david.sanderson@freepress.mb.ca