Drinking in L.A. – Bran Van 3000
N: Great song choice!
M: It’s a Spotify playlist!
It’s All Coming Back to Me Now by Celine Dion
N: This is…a startling contrast to Bran Van 3000
M: Has this song always had so much…jingle bell?
N: Have you seen the video? It’s all blowing-curtains-dead-motorcycle-boyfriend-lightning-strikes. Very dramatic
M: I never realized this song was such a rock ballad
N: It’s from Celine Dion’s “Meat Loaf period”
Note: Googling reveals that this song is SO Meat Loafy, and was so coveted by Meat Loaf himself, that the songwriter took Meat Loaf to court to prevent him from recording it!
O Siem by Susan Aglukark
N: In Grade 6, we had a music teacher who was an ex-Young Canadian. She made us all learn this song—with actions—and perform it in front of the Grade 7/8/9s
Note: I later redeemed myself on that stage by performing a group dance routine to Limp Bizkit’s Rollin’ during the Grade 8 talent show
When You’re Gone – Bryan Adams
M: When are we going to hear a Sarah McLachlan song?
N: Surely there’s one on here. Which song do you think it will be?
M: Adia. It’s got to be Adia
N: My greatest blessing and curse in this life is that Adia is in my exact vocal range and I can sing it better than any other song
M: What is it even about?
N: Innocence?
M: [hums a few bars]
N: Which professional sport would have a play called “The Adia”?
M: Soccer. Definitely soccer
N: It’s when you think someone has fouled another player, but it turns out they are both innocent
Squeeze Toy – Boomtang Boys
N and M: Why do I know all the words to this song?!
Spaceman – Bif Naked
N: (Says nothing, but privately remembers how she once saw Bif Naked and Moby in a teen magazine feature about vegan musicians and now, when either is mentioned, she can think nothing but flax pancakes, flax pancakes, flax pancakes)
M: My high school girlfriend was really into this song
Wayne by Chantal Kreviazuk
M: I think this is the year of Chantal Kreviazuk
N: This year?
M: I bet she and Raine Maida have a nice life
N: Probably. Elder statesmen of CanCon
M: I would like to be the Raine Maida and Chantal Kreviazuk of our block
N: What would that even look like?
M: Quiet confidence in what we’ve accomplished…and a sense of boldness for what comes next