Not only does CANCON rule, but CANCON rules have helped Canadian artists and songs get rise in their native land, and though not all of these artists make or have made noise outside of Canada, it's like that with any country and 'homegrown' artists. 

Some of these songs that will appear in this thread made it outside of Canada, but many of them did not.

To open this thread, here are 5 cover songs.  The originals are known around the world.  These covers may not be better, but they are quite catchy ...


These Kids Wear Crowns - I Wanna Dance With Somebody (2011)
Original artist:  Whitney Houston (1987)
This is their 3rd single and first ever Top 40 hit in Canada.  The video for it is set in 1987 (same year of the Whitney original)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NXK5QuqgNe0


Edward Maya and Mia Martina - Stereo Love (2010)
Original artist:  Edward Maya and Vika Jigulina (2009)
The original 'Stereo Love' made it's first non-European chart appearance in Canada where it peaked at #17, so Ultra Records decided to capitalize on it by releasing a newly recorded version with an up and coming artist named Mia Martina.  Upon release, it replaced the original in the chart and ended up rising to #10, giving the song itself through both versions a total of 67 consecutive weeks in the Canadian Hot 100!  Edward Maya had nothing to do with this version at all.  It was solely the decision of Ultra Records to make and release this

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6_5D4y6x-oo


M-Appeal - Making Love Out of Nothing At All (1997)
Original artist:  Air Supply (1983)
The name was an alias of Nova Scotia singer Tina Savoie (must've been a big Avengers fan).  The album this song appears on was a complete covers album, and though this song never made the Top 40, it was the only one from the album to hit the charts.  She took a great ballad, and turned it into an excellent dance song!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mwY_33EIeQ0


Temperance - Forever Young (1996)
Original artist:  Alphaville (1984)
I am not certain if this one initially made the dance charts in the US, but after it appeared in an episode of 'Queer As Folk', it ended up becoing very popular among gays and a high request in dance clubs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5nThvWUOW40


Nancy Martinez and Allen Harris - Sunshine Reggae / La Vie En Rose (1984)
Original Artist:  Laid Back (1982) / Edith Piaf (1946)
Americans know Nancy best for her 1986 Top 40 hit 'For Tonight', but to me, this medley is her best.  A duet with her then husband Allen Harris, the idea was to take a current hit song (Sunshine Reggae by Laid Back was a Top 40 hit in Canada) and fuse it with an old standard.  The A side was the medley, the B side was both songs separately.  The medley became a smash club hit, but in the mainstream 100 Singles chart, only 'Sunshine Reggae' by Allen Harris charted, where it reached #87.  
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=asYAlcR2Fcc

Good idea to start the thread!

I have heard 2 of these before. I like Temperance's version of forever young. M-Appeals song is great. I like it better than Air Supply's.

http://www.appliedlanguage.com/flags_of_the_world/small_flag_of_australia.gif NEWSFLASH:  AUSTRALIA FIRST TO EMBRACE THIS CANADIAN BAND

These Kids Wear Crowns (as mentioned above) has reached Australia with their 2nd single titled 'Jumpstart', making this the first chart appearance for this group outside of Canada.  The song only reached #44 in Canada, but recently peaked at #17 in Australia, and it's currently sitting in the Australian chart at #18 8)

These Kids Wear Crowns - Jumpstart (2011)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X8bMLeiAE74&ob=av2n


Have there been instances before where Australia accepted a Canadian song into their charts where the US or UK charts did not?  Yes indeed!  Back in 1989, Bruce Cockburn reached #41 in the ARIA (Australian Recording Industry Association) charts with If A Tree Falls ...

Bruce Cockburn - If A Tree Falls (1989)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W8CibAuvZM4


That same year (1989), Andrew Cash reached #4 in the ARIA chart with his single Smile Me Down

Andrew Cash - Smile Me Down (1989)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Cl0bkMFPzg


In 1996, Amanda Marshall reached #30 in the ARIA chart with Let it Rain ...

Amanda Marshall - Let it Rain (1996)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M5rJ472Yp9E


In 2003, Shawn Desman reached #37 in the ARIA chart with Get Ready ...

Shawn Desman - Get Ready (2003)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=liuj1WjgqCo


In 1977, Nick Gilder left the Glam band Sweeney Todd, and re-released the single Roxy Roller as a solo single, and it reached #29 in the Kent Music Report in 1977 (The Kent Music Report measured hit singles in Australia from 1974-1988.  ARIA took over in 1989) ...


Nick Gilder - Roxy Roller (1977)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nEYwmfd65C8

M-Appeals song is great. I like it better than Air Supply's.


I do too.  The lone album that she released is so hard to find.  When I finally got a copy, I was disappointed that the Air Supply one was the only hit.  She does a real good version of Steve Winwood's Higher Love

Here are some covers of Canadian songs.  You don't necesarily have to be Canadian to qualify for CANCON ...


Freemasons featuring Bailey Tzuke - Uninvited (2007)
Original artist:  Alanis Morrisette (1998)
This group and singer hail from England.  Bailey Tzuke is the daughter of British singing legend Judie Tzuke.  Their cover of this Alanis Morrissette song reached #8 in the UK, and to me, is one of the greatest cover songs of all time, for one reason alone:  They turned a song that to me was like nails on a chalkboard, into a listenable song that was not only catchy, but ended up becoming one of my favourite songs of the 00s
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oFBWPcaMKeo http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uvgi7P97lu0


Tiga and Zyntherius - Sunglasses at Night (2002)
Original artist:  Corey Hart (1984)
Like Corey Hart, Tiga hails from Montreal (making this an exception to the rule in this theme).  Unlike Tiga, Corey Hart had no success in Europe, but only as a performer.  Tiga's version of Sunglasses at Night caught the wave of Electro beats that was sweeping Europe and eventually peaked at #25 in the UK chart.  
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QEgGDJV6zIM http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A9p0Ac5bLlI


Santana - Hold On (1982)
Original artist:  Ian Thomas (1981)
Despite many hits in Canada, Ian Thomas (the brother of SCTV comedian Dave Thomas) remained a one hit Wonder in the US for the 1973 hit 'Painted Ladies', but that all changed in 1982 when Santana took his song Hold On into the US Top 20.  The mystery here was that Santana didn't really change much, and sung the song the exact same way.  Where Ian Thomas took his version to #28 in Canada, Santana took it all the way to #4 in Canada
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FvhuBr3BpIo http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9DpMYEUA9Do


Manfred Mann's Earth Band - Runner (1983)
Original artist:  Ian Thomas (1981)
Even Legends can turn to Canada for help.  Perhaps inspired by the success that Santana had, from that same Ian Thomas album, Manfred Mann took the title track The Runner, which had not been a hit in Canada, and made it a Top 40 hit across North America, becoming Manfred Mann's first North America Top 40 hit since Blinded By the Light in 1976
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xMGatR8SNns http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KNMA2kHHZMw

I like Ian Thomas's stuff. I prefer his version of Hold on. (Isn't that the one he sang on SCTV, not sure)

I like Ian Thomas's stuff. I prefer his version of Hold on. (Isn't that the one he sang on SCTV, not sure)


That is the one.  He also sang his '79 hit Pilot on that same SCTV episode.

Sometimes when I hear 'Hold On', I get confused whether it is Santana or Ian Thomas. 

That is the one.  He also sang his '79 hit Pilot on that same SCTV episode.

Sometimes when I hear 'Hold On', I get confused whether it is Santana or Ian Thomas. 

I have both versiosn of "Hold on" in my computer. My favorite of Ian's is "Come the son", IMO sounds very Neil Young like.

These Kids Wear Crowns - I Wanna Dance With Somebody (2011)
Original artist:  Whitney Houston (1987)


Sorry, I'm not allowed to listen to that video. :(


Edward Maya and Mia Martina - Stereo Love (2010)
Original artist:  Edward Maya and Vika Jigulina (2009)


My only question is: why?


M-Appeal - Making Love Out of Nothing At All (1997)
Original artist:  Air Supply (1983)


No, sorry, doesn't do it for me.


Temperance - Forever Young (1996)
Original artist:  Alphaville (1984)


Meh. It's okay, but nothing special.


Nancy Martinez and Allen Harris - Sunshine Reggae / La Vie En Rose (1984)
Original Artist:  Laid Back (1982) / Edith Piaf (1946)


Again, nothing special IMHO. The only cover version of La Vie En Rose I like is Grace Jones's. :D



These Kids Wear Crowns - Jumpstart (2011)


And I'm not allowed to watch that video either. What is it with These Kids..?


Bruce Cockburn - If A Tree Falls (1989)


Not really surprising that did well in Australia, with Midnight Oil basically banging the same drum.


Andrew Cash - Smile Me Down (1989)


Another song that I don't really care for.


In 1996, Amanda Marshall reached #30 in the ARIA chart with Let it Rain ...

Amanda Marshall - Let it Rain (1996)


Let It Rain failed to reach Top 40 in the Netherlands, but Beautiful Goodbye was something of a hit (peaking at #22). I prefer the latter.


In 2003, Shawn Desman reached #37 in the ARIA chart with Get Ready ...

Shawn Desman - Get Ready (2003)


No. Just...No.


In 1977, Nick Gilder left the Glam band Sweeney Todd, and re-released the single Roxy Roller as a solo single, and it reached #29 in the Kent Music Report in 1977 (The Kent Music Report measured hit singles in Australia from 1974-1988.  ARIA took over in 1989) ...

Nick Gilder - Roxy Roller (1977)


Would it shock you to know that both Hot Child In The City and You Really Rock Me got stuck in Dutch bubbling under section (at #54 and #58 respectively)...?


Here are some covers of Canadian songs.  You don't necesarily have to be Canadian to qualify for CANCON ...

Freemasons featuring Bailey Tzuke - Uninvited (2007)
Original artist:  Alanis Morrisette (1998)

Tiga and Zyntherius - Sunglasses at Night (2002)
Original artist:  Corey Hart (1984)

Santana - Hold On (1982)
Original artist:  Ian Thomas (1981)


I already knew these three and love them all.


Manfred Mann's Earth Band - Runner (1983)
Original artist:  Ian Thomas (1981)


Neither version did anything over here, so I can listen without prejudice. It's hard to pick a favorite... Both versions have something going for them.

My only question is: why?


Apparently Edward Maya does not like this version, only because it's often assumed that he goes on tour with Mia, when he has apparently not even met her yet lol

Canada was the only country to get two versions.  I am kind of partial to both.  I hear the Mia Martina version on the radio more than the Vika version, which is surprising.  Mia just released her debut album 'Devotion' which includes Stereo Love.  Neither Edward or Vika have yet to release an album, and I doubt Mia's version will appear on his album

One of my favourite 90s albums to qualify for Canadian Content is one that I know Henk is quite familiar with.

In 1991, a new criterion was added to CANCON to accomodate Canadian artists who collaborate with Non-Canadian artists with partial songwriting credit:  "If a musical selection was performed live or recorded after September 1, 1991, and, in addition to meeting the criterion for either artist or production, a Canadian who has collaborated with a non-Canadian receives at least half of the credit for both music and lyrics."

In 1998, the Belgian produced group 2 Unlimited released their 4th album titled II that featured 2 (new) Dutch born singers named Romy and Marion. 

http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/P/B00000JZY5.01._SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg

Several songs on the album were co-written by a Montreal based songwriter named Steven Tracey.  Two of these ended up becoming singles ...

2 Unlimited - Wanna Get Up (1998)
This one reached #10 in the Netherlands, #38 in the UK and #1 on the Canadian dance chart
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YwjLWp6F5dk

2 Unlimited - Never Surrender (1998)
This one failed to chart
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bV7PrZ9Z2Z0


As for Steven Tracey, his big claim to fame dates back to 1984, where he had a very popular club hit across Canada called A Woman Like That.  This is an extremeny hard to find song, and after long searches, I finally found a video of it ...

Steven Tracey - A Woman Like That

One of my favourite 90s albums to qualify for Canadian Content is one that I know Henk is quite familiar with.

In 1991, a new criterion was added to CANCON to accomodate Canadian artists who collaborate with Non-Canadian artists with partial songwriting credit:  "If a musical selection was performed live or recorded after September 1, 1991, and, in addition to meeting the criterion for either artist or production, a Canadian who has collaborated with a non-Canadian receives at least half of the credit for both music and lyrics."

In 1998, the Belgian produced group 2 Unlimited released their 4th album titled II that featured 2 (new) Dutch born singers named Romy and Marion. 

http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/P/B00000JZY5.01._SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg

Several songs on the album were co-written by a Montreal based songwriter named Steven Tracey.  Two of these ended up becoming singles ...

2 Unlimited - Wanna Get Up (1998)
This one reached #10 in the Netherlands, #38 in the UK and #1 on the Canadian dance chart

2 Unlimited - Never Surrender (1998)
This one failed to chart


I never cared much for the second incarnation of 2 Unlimited. Not that the girls weren't easy on the eye or anything...they're just not Ray & Anita.
It's somewhat ironic that "Never Surrender" was their last project.


As for Steven Tracey, his big claim to fame dates back to 1984, where he had a very popular club hit across Canada called A Woman Like That.  This is an extremeny hard to find song, and after long searches, I finally found a video of it ...

Steven Tracey - A Woman Like That


That's not a bad song at all. Sadly, the "video" only comes with half of the song.

I never cared much for the second incarnation of 2 Unlimited. Not that the girls weren't easy on the eye or anything...they're just not Ray & Anita.
It's somewhat ironic that "Never Surrender" was their last project.


I wish it hadn't of been 2 Unlimited.  I loved the album so much, I almost want to say it was the best 2 Unlimited release, but I just can't do that to Ray and Anita.

To open this thread, here are 5 cover songs.  The originals are known around the world.  These covers may not be better, but they are quite catchy ...

These Kids Wear Crowns - I Wanna Dance With Somebody (2011)
Original artist:  Whitney Houston (1987)
This is their 3rd single and first ever Top 40 hit in Canada.  The video for it is set in 1987 (same year of the Whitney original)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NXK5QuqgNe0


I'm sorry Jason but I can't stand this version. The group took a vibrant song and turned it into something banal.

When you mention CANCON are you referring to Canadian music in general or just a certain brand of Canadian music?

When you mention CANCON are you referring to Canadian music in general or just a certain brand of Canadian music?


Canadian music in general.  Canadian artists are good, but there are many non Canadian artists who can qualify for Canadian Content if the song they are recording was either written by a Canadian and/or produced in Canada.

A prime example of this was the 1990 hit 'The Other Side' by Aerosmith.  The lyrics for it were written by Jim Vallance and the song itself was recorded and produced in Vancouver.

Canadian music in general.  Canadian artists are good, but there are many non Canadian artists who can qualify for Canadian Content if the song they are recording was either written by a Canadian and/or produced in Canada.

A prime example of this was the 1990 hit 'The Other Side' by Aerosmith.  The lyrics for it were written by Jim Vallance and the song itself was recorded and produced in Vancouver.

When I DJ'd at a local University radio station in the early to mid 80s, we had to play a certain percentage of Cancon music on each hour of my show, I think it was 30%, but I really don't remember anymore.

When I DJ'd at a local University radio station in the early to mid 80s, we had to play a certain percentage of Cancon music on each hour of my show, I think it was 30%, but I really don't remember anymore.


Last I heard, it was still 30%

Last I heard, it was still 30%

Thanks for replying, I really wasn't sure it was 30%. When I went to the room and collect all the albums I used to play, always was given a reminder (remember to play enough Canadian songs..etc..)
Sometimes I forgot, and played a few Bryan Adams or Guess Who/BTO/Burton Cummings songs at the end of my show... ;D

CANCON rules

Following that link, I find that...

'...For example, Australian broadcasters are required to broadcast a certain percentage of Australasian content alongside international content. Similar domestic content quota laws also exist in the Philippines, Mexico, Nigeria, France, Israel, Ireland, South Africa, Jamaica, the United Kingdom, and New Zealand. (In the UK, Ireland, and France, this rule is now a European Union content rule rather than a domestic content rule.)'

I never knew this kind of rule existed for UK listeners, whether or not we've stood alone or have been lumped in with the rest of Europe!

All in all, it's a bit of a mis-nomer...it's either good music or bad, regardless of where it originates...

Canadian music in general.  Canadian artists are good, but there are many non Canadian artists who can qualify for Canadian Content if the song they are recording was either written by a Canadian and/or produced in Canada.

I see. As you may be aware, I really enjoy music from all over the world but I have a certain fondness for Canadian music and there is a lot of it that should have hit the UK charts.

A prime example of this was the 1990 hit 'The Other Side' by Aerosmith.  The lyrics for it were written by Jim Vallance and the song itself was recorded and produced in Vancouver.

The Other Side is a great track. I heard it on their Big Ones compilation. The whole CANCON thing may have been a little tricky for mixed-nationality bands, I know at least one member of Ultravox was Canadian (Warren Cann was born in Victoria, British Columbia).


All in all, it's a bit of a mis-nomer...it's either good music or bad, regardless of where it originates...


Right on!  8)

I know at least one member of Ultravox was Canadian (Warren Cann was born in Victoria, British Columbia).


This is true.  Another popular European group also had a Canadian member:  Bruce Watson of Big Country (aka that guy who makes his guitar sound like bagpipes; Born in Timmins, Ontario)

This is true.  Another popular European group also had a Canadian member:  Bruce Watson of Big Country (aka that guy who makes his guitar sound like bagpipes; Born in Timmins, Ontario)


Guitar!?! I actually thought they were bagpipes! Lol. That is impressive!  8)

Big Country were a great band. In a big country, One great thing and Look away are my favourite tracks.

Do you like a good dance song?  In recent years, Canada has produced many great ones, alot of which made it internationally, some which did not.  Here's a baker's dozen of a few that have gotten the dance floors moving ...


Chromeo - When the Night Falls (2011)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kkyYxAv6kB4

Mia Martina - Latin Moon (2011)
CAN #41
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zrQYqhWr3GA

Candy Coated Killahz - Neon Black (2011)
CAN #77
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o0siDLOdkvI

Sunloverz featuring Rosette - Fire (2011)
CAN #53
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=adqCY05QBnE

Audio Playground - Famous (2011)
CAN #73
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-LBFuyG34I

Danny Fernandes - Take Me Away (2010)
CAN #39
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sy_gbKFEzd0

Martin Solveig and Dragonette - Hello (2010)
CAN #8 | US #46 | AUSTRALIA #13 | NL # 1 | UK #13
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LnET4RKXx5k&ob=av2n

Richard Vission and Static Revenger - I Like That (2010)
CAN #86 | AUSTRALIA #3
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UtQbENQ4Zk0

deadmau5 - SOFI Needs a Ladder (2010)
CAN #73 | UK #68
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gDndZn0YPdI

Duck Sauce - aNYway (2009)
UK #22 | NL #25
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vWM5D3MwSgA

MSTRKRFT featuring John Legend - Heartbreaker (2009)
UK #50
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i6gHLHbYVeA

James Doman - Everything's Gonna Be Alright (2008)
UK #50 | NL #15
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uVLqEE-jO5o

Ercola featuring Daniella - Every Word (2008)
UK #47
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9wOr5Lw_MOM

Guitar!?! I actually thought they were bagpipes! Lol. That is impressive!  8)

Big Country were a great band. In a big country, One great thing and Look away are my favourite tracks.


They are back.  They have a new album coming out and their lead singer is (are you ready ...) Mike Peters, former lead singer of 'The Alarm'

They are back.  They have a new album coming out and their lead singer is (are you ready ...) Mike Peters, former lead singer of 'The Alarm'


He's not a bad replacement but he kind of lacks that inner passion that Stuart Adamson had.

Mike Peter's first band was a punk band in the late 1970s called 'The Toilets', lol.

Do you like a good dance song?  In recent years, Canada has produced many great ones, alot of which made it internationally, some which did not.  Here's a baker's dozen of a few that have gotten the dance floors moving ...


Thanks for introducing some songs ( new) to me.

He's not a bad replacement but he kind of lacks that inner passion that Stuart Adamson had.

Mike Peter's first band was a punk band in the late 1970s called 'The Toilets', lol.




LOL The Toilets.  I bet their music was crap :D :D

Here's 5 Canadian one hit wonders of the 80s ...



Geoff Hughes - Happy Birthday Kid
He had 2 other singles released from his self-titled debut album, but none charted, and it was his only album he ever released
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Jxp22zNurU


The Wildroot Orchestra - In the Mood
A group from Vancouver with a vocal version of the Glenn Miller classic
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2wF2Nk8eLtA


Rosetta Stone - Hidin' From Love
This was a British group formed by one time Bay City Rollers member Ian Mitchell, and this was their lone  hit single in Canada.  Hidin' From Love was originally a hit for Bryan Adams in 1980 (it made #64 in Canada). 
Rosetta Stone previously had success in some parts of Europe in 1978 with their cover of the 1969 Amen Corner hit (If Paradise Is) Half As Nice.  They remain the 2nd group in history to have a hit with a song written by Bryan Adams (The first being Prism in 1980 with Cover Girl and again in 1981 with Don't Let Him Know).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sdtE0ISHwkw


The Tenants - Sheriff
For some reason, the guitar in this song always made me question the sound of it, as many Canadian acts had that similar sound of twang, that I have never heard common in that of many bands from other countries.  To me, this is the most Canadian song of the 80s
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQ1QmAvDtkE


Tic Toc - Twenty Questions
From their hard to find album Where the Picnic Was.  Well worth a listen, as the other songs on it are really good!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BhCdLxtx6kM