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The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation’s radio division is so excited about the imminent Presidential inauguration of Barack Obama, they’ve decided to make him a 49-song mix of Canadian music divided into categories. And in the spirit of democracy, listeners are being asked to vote on the mix’s contents: there are 100 finalists, divided into categories of English-language pop, Francophone, classical, and whatever you’d call a category that unites Diana Krall, Michael Bublé, and a version of “Surrey With The Fringe On Top.”
The picks are split between Pitchfork faves (Feist, the Arcade Fire) and songs the incoming president has probably heard a bunch already (”Hallelujah,” “Rockin’ In The Free World,” “Takin’ Care Of Business”) and, of course, Rush (”Closer To The Heart”). Notable omissions include Alanis Morissette (OK, “You Oughta Know” would have probably been inappropriate, but what about “Hand In My Pocket”?), Celine Dion (I guess if Hillary had won, things would have been different), and Nickelback (honestly, guys, if you’re going to paint a picture of Canada, at least be honest about it). Of course, the Barenaked Ladies’ “If I Had $1,000,000″ is a contender as well, and it’ll probably make it in there, although in these trying times, its lyrics could be twisted from something romantic into something that has as a couplet-closing line “…I still wouldn’t be able to fix the freaking banks.”
Obama’s Playlist [CBC via Wonkette]
Here’s hoping my man Shad makes it to the presidential iPod.
@Defenestrated: “If I had a million dollars/I’d spend it all on coke”
“Let’s Go to the Mall” is a necessity. Robin Sparkles wants to rock your body ’til Canada Day.
Would it be too much to ask that the Rush selection be ANTHEM instead?
No Matthew Good?
I’m sorry to be a stickler but it’s Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.
Maybe this’ll save you a little bit of embarrassment if Rick Mercer ever talks to you. :)
@goldsounds: no @ lo siento
@sicksteanein: :)
As far as wimpy Lilith Fair music by grouchy ladies that I liked when I was fourteen, I have to say I’m glad they picked Jann Arden’s Good Mother over Insensitive.
But they could have done better than Universal Soldier with the Buffy Sainte-Marie choice:
Bachman-Turner but no Loverboy? For Shame, Canadia.
49? Why not 51, as in “51st state”?
@Luke N Atmaguchi: it’s a longitude thing. the 49th parallel.
Horrible list…
Any Canadian list that doesn’t have the obvious which is “Across the Great Divide” by The Band when dealing with U.S./Canada song driven content is just out of order in my book…
And no Sloan?!?!?!?
Great Big Fucking Sea?!?!?!
Ug…..
How ’bout
“Have Not Been The Same” by SLOW!
(that’s my nomination!)
@Mick Kraut: yes! some matt good would be excellent.
if i’m not mistaken, obama’s coming up this way to meet the PM about a week after he gets inaugurated, so that might be part of the excitement as well. i’m personally looking forward to the moment where more people are applauding obama than their own prime minister. that’s when you know the system works.
@Maura Johnston: it’s a longitude thing. the 49th parallel.
D’oh! Of course. Who could forget the rallying cry “49 or fight!!!”?