Fall 1990 in Canada. Prime Minister Brian Mulroney pushed through the unpopular Goods and Services Tax (GST). This may have been the first step towards his eventual downfall, which included the fracutring of the Quebec wing of his party, his resignation, and his party’s 1993 blowout election loss. Also in Ottawa, a certain young man was beginning an ill-starred stint in the Journalism program at Carleton University. So the songs we’re about to look at stick in his mind, perhaps more than they should.
Bonus Track #1: 56 - “I am a Wild Party,” Kim Mitchell (CanCon!)
The king of cottage rock, with the title track to his live album. It’s a loose rocker that’s reminiscent of some of the weirder moments of his Max Webster days (“I know I’m a lot of feathers and not much chicken.”). One of his best solo hits.
Bonus Track #2: 52 - “Lift Me Up,” Jeff Lynne
At the height of his run of being a Travelling Wilbury and producing records for his cohorts in that supergroup, the ELO frontman put out this solo single. It’s a positive rock song very much in the vein of the work he did with Harrison, Petty et al. Nice, but not much more.
48 - “Rock and Bird,” Cowboy Junkies (CanCon!)
Featuring three Timmins siblings (singer Margo, guitarist Michael, and drummer Peter), this Toronto group were among the early purveyors of alt-country. In 1988, they broke through with The Trinity Session, a record recorded in a church highlighted by a transcendent version of the Velvet Underground’s, “Sweet Jane.” Their third home Top 50 was this metaphorical tune about a girl who finds a rock and a bird, then ties the rock to the bird’s leg, and...then I think she breaks up with someone. Doesn’t make a lot of sense, but it’s a pretty song, and Margo Timmins’ drowsy delivery makes anything she sings worth hearing. They have better stuff than this, but it’s as good a place to start as any.
47 - “Edge of the World,” Marc Jordan (CanCon!)
Toronto songwriter Jordan had much of his success writing for other people, most notably in 1991 when Rod Stewart had a hit with “Rhythm of My Heart.” Domestically, he had occasional hits, including this big-sounding rocker about love requiring bravery and a sense of adventure, or something like that. Not great, but notable to me for having a production sound that absolutely screams “1990.” I can’t put it into words, but I know it when I hear it.
46 - “Heart in Pieces,” Tim Feehan (CanCon!)
Another guy who has been more successful working with and for others, Edmonton native Feehan picked up a hit here with this hair metal-lite about heartbreak. Well, I’m sure it’s better than the version Chicago recorded two years earlier, so there’s that.
45 - “Caroline,” Concrete Blonde
This L.A. band were originally called Dream 6, but after signing with I.R.S. Records, Michael Stipe of new labelmates R.E.M. suggested a new name. The followup to breakthrough hit “Joey” was this dark rocker about trying to save a friend from herself. It’s not the instant classic “Joey” was, but a decent track, and Johnette Napolitano is another voice I always love hearing. This is a band I always thought should have gotten huge but never did.
44 - “The World Just Keeps on Turning,” Candi and the Backbeat (CanCon!)
Torontonian Candi Pennella (also on I.R.S.!) was now being credited alongside her backing group, and they scored their second-biggest hit with this boppy dance-pop treat. I find her voice full of character. She’s a teacher now, apparently. But I like to imagine that there’s a parallel universe somewhere whe she and Alanis switch careers.
43 - “Inside My Heart,” The Box (CanCon!)
The last hit for these Montrealers was this boilerplate pop-rock number about being passionate. They were much more interesting when they were singing about office workers, murder mysteries, and the Cold War. Look those songs up instead.
40 - “Gypsy Woman,” Santana
For some reason, Carlos and co. scored an out-of-the-blue hit with a cover of this song that had been a hit previously for The Impressions and Brian Hyland. It’s okay, the guitar is predictably stellar, but still, with no CanCon connection, I don’t know why it made it here and nowhere else.
37 - “Days Like These,” Asia
The last hit for the prog supergroup behind “Heat of the Moment” was this anthemic rock track about finding inspiration from Native American wisdom and, um, reaching down your own throat and pulling something out. Empowerment through bullimia? I hope that’s not what they meant. Regardless, this is cheesy, but it will get you pumped up for something. It’s just sitting there waiting to be picked for a sports movie soundtrack.
34 - “Adios,” Linda Ronstadt
Coming off two hit duets with Aaron Neville, Linda picked up a hit here with a languid ballad about leaving a lover in California. It gives easy listening a good name.
31 - “While My Guitar Gently Weeps,” The Jeff Healey Band (CanCon!)
The blind virtuoso guitarist from Toronto had his third domestic hit with a faithful cover of a George Harrison/Eric Clapton collaboration from the Beatles’ “White Album.” Not essential, but well done.
30 - “Stand,” Paul Janz (CanCon!)
This Alberta native formed a Christian Rock band called Deliverance in the late 70s, and they found some success, particularly in Germany. He went solo in the 80s and had several domestic hits, including this inspirational ballad about courage in the face of adversity. A little bland, but okay. He would later become a successful religious scholar, eventually leading the Theology department at King’s College in London. England, not Ontario. Wow.
26 - “‘Til the Fever Breaks,” The Jitters (CanCon!)
This Toronto band got a break in 1986 when they opened for Huey Lewis and the News at CNE Stadium, and they soon got a major label deal and had a couple hits that sounded like The News’ non-union Canadian equivalents, Doug and the Slugs. Their second album
23 - “I’ll Watch Over You,” Mae Moore (CanCon!)
Brandon, Manitoba native Moore had her first hit promising devotion and protection to slick folk-pop. She sounds like the tender side of Christie Hynde. The start of a solid 90s CanCon run.
22 - “That’s Life,” Sue Medley (CanCon!)
Vancouver Island native Medley would acquire some high-profile fans/patrons (Bob Dylan, John Mellencamp), but she wouldn’t break out beyond Canada, Her second hit was roots, straight-ahead rock about straightening yourself out. She might have been bigger had she come along five or so years later, when the Lilith wave hit.
19 - “Crime Against Love,” Barney Bentall and the Legendary Hearts (CanCon!)
The first single from the. Vancouver band’s second album was this rock ballad about a breakup that seems wrong. Barney had a solid little junior Boz Scaggs career up here.
11 - “All the Lovers in the World,” Gowan (CanCon!)
Larry G.’s third Top Ten was this mild rocker about how being in love is like being part of a global association of lovers. Kind of a signal of the more adult sound he’d adapt later in the decade, before he’d join Styx. So they’re now the Bob Seger of Chicago/Scarborough via Glasgow.
10 - “Girl with a Problem,” The Northern Pikes (CanCon!)
After floating around the edges of CanCon for a few years, this Saskatoon band broke through in the summer with the bluesy, lighthearted “She Ain’t Pretty.” They followed it up with their only other Top Ten, a serious song about feeling helpless in the face of a friend’s alcoholism. Affecting but not preachy. They’re another one for my “should’ve been bigger” list.
9 - “Unskinny Bop,” Poison
The hair metal conglomerate goes grittier, and it worked. But it’s still about sex, so not much of a step out. It might get you JUMP-py.
8 - “Have You Seen Her,” MC Hammer
The parachute-panted one covers the Chi-Lites, adding requests for help in his womanhunt from celebrities, including, um, Bill Cosby. I think in hindsight we can all hope he hadn’t seen her.
7 - “Praying for Time,” George Michael
Only Britain kept this powerful lament for the world’s injustices a Triple Crown. Britain, you did your boy wrong.
6 - “Can’t Stop Falling into Love,” Cheap Trick
Their last big hit was in their post-“The Flame” slickness period. Don’t love it, but can’t begrudge the success.
5 - “Thieves in the Temple,” Prince
More crazy desperate rock n’funk from the master. One of his forgotten hits, but it shouldn’t be.
4 - “Oh Girl,” Paul Young
Another Chi-Lites cover from the Brit smoothie. “Competent” is the word it makes me think of.
3 - “Release Me,” Wilson Phillips
The trio of pop progeny had their only cross-border #1 with this set-me-free ballad. You would not have believed that producer Glen Ballard would have been working with an angsty ex-teen popper from Ottawa five years later.
2 - “Something Happened on the Way to Heaven,” Phil Collins
Phil Collins, soul man. He actually convinces me of that here.
1 - “Blaze of Glory,” Jon Bon Jovi
JBJ goes solo, goes full cowboy for the Young Guns II soundtrack, a cross-border #1 ensues. “Wanted Dead or Alive” is much better.
We’re back to Britain next time. See you soon.
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