13 Canadian tracks encapsulating our year
By Nalyn Tindall
With Spotify wrapped, making waves once again, and exposing the most vulnerable for their fascinating taste in music, the masthead decided to do them a favour and compile our favourite songs. Who cares if your top artist of 2023 was “Brown Noise,” tell your friends you listened to these Canadian hits instead. Here are our top picks for our favourite Canadian songs this year.
Anna-Giselle Funes-Eng, Multimedia Editor
“I’d Have to Think About It” by Leith Ross
I love Leith Ross with all my heart! I got to see them play live in June and they are majestic. I love how romantically dramatic this song is. I listen to it whenever I feel like screaming in a soft indie-folk way.
Caelan Monkman, Managing Editor
“Gigafire” by Half Moon Run
Half Moon Run is a band that continuously impresses me. The Montreal trio is consistently reinventing itself, with their latest album, Salt, being no exception. While the album is full of solid tracks from start to finish, “Gigafire” is a personal favourite of mine. The deep growls of the electric guitar paired with a lush arrangement of strings and piano make for a truly cathartic listening experience, not to mention frontman Devon Portielje’s stellar vocal performance on the song.
Talia Saley, Food Editor
“Sk8er Boi” by Avril Lavigne
I grew up listening to Avril Lavigne and she has been an iconic Canadian artist in my life. Whenever I hear her songs on the radio, or in public, I’m transported back to my childhood. It makes me feel rebellious whenever it listen to her!
Vanessa Tiberio, Social Media Manager
“Fever Pitch” by Hotel Mira
This song is by Vancouver-based Indie-rock band Hotel Mira, one of my favourite bands for the past six or so years. “Fever Pitch” catapults listeners into the sunny embrace of summer vibes with upbeat melodies and a strong, boppy chorus. I can’t help but nod my head along to the beat of this song while a smile inevitably forms across my face when I listen to it.
Mariana Schuetze, Editor In Chief
“Edge of the Earth” by The Beaches
One of my top songs from this year is “Edge of the Earth” by The Beaches. In 2023 I started working at TMU’s radio station, Met Radio, so I’ve been slowly getting introduced to a variety of new songs. The Beaches’ latest album, Blame My Ex, has been charting on Met Radio’s charts for a bit now, so I came across their songs a couple of times. Ever since I listened to “Edge of the Earth,” it hasn’t really come out of my mind. It’s a really fun song, I really like the beats and their vocals on this song, really makes me want to get up and dance.
Grace Henkel, Arts Editor
“A Case of You” by Joni Mitchell
I love it because the lyrics and guitar strumming are so raw. Joni’s vocals tell a painful and beautiful story that feels timeless. I have so much nostalgia attached to that song.
John Vo, Managing Editor
“Say it Right” by Nelly Furtado
In the plethora of proclaimed quintessential“pop princess” albums, Nelly Furtado’s Loose remains a classic on 2000s playlists and in any trashy club wanting to appeal to the masses. For me, “Say It Right” is the perfect representation of the album: sensual, confident and catchy as heck.
Khushy Vashisht, Features Editor
"i wanna be your right hand" by Nemahsis
This has been my favourite Canadian song of the year because of the imagery it sets and how it perfectly captures feelings of turmoil, inferiority and determination fuelled by said turmoil.
Sarah Grishpul, Film Editor
“You Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet” by Bachman-Turner Overdrive
This song brings me back to memories of my dad and my weekly driving trips. We would blast “You Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet” on the radio along with several other classic hits from the '70s, '80s, and '90s. During these trips, we'd often break out in rhythmic headbanging and off-pitch singing while tearing down the road to the public library. Since moving away from home and adopting a public transit commuter lifestyle, those small memories of carpool karaoke feel utterly nostalgic.
Tara Khoo, Social Media & Graphics Director
“Music Box” by Leith Ross
I saw them live this year and it was the most beautiful experience ever. I love listening to this song after a long day.
Sena Law, Fashion Editor
“glo up +” by dci. and damn drone
Featured briefly in Spotify’s Rap Caviar playlist, “Glo Up +” is featured on Different Dimensions 1.5, a summer collaborative project by Toronto artist damn drone and dci. from Montreal. This energetic track features dynamic vocals over an enchanting instrumental, taking influences from genres of hip-hop, pop and plug-n-b. The two artists compliment each other in their vocal deliveries and range, giving us this summer (and frankly, year-round) bop.
Khadijah Ghauri, Graphic Design Manager
“Virginia Beach” by Drake
This is my favourite song because I’m a huge fan of Drake, and he’s truly my Canadian legend!
Nalyn Tindall, Music Editor
“In Too Deep” by Sum 41
Whenever I feel the need to dive back into childhood nostalgia, this song does the trick. The raw intro instantly transports me to the back of my parent's 2005 Ford Focus, driving to elementary school and listening to the local radio station playing rock hits from “the 80s, 90s and now.” To me, Sum 41 is the epitome of early 2000s Canadian rock. I can turn on this hit any time throughout the year to gain an instant burst of energy. From the epic guitar riffs to the catchy chorus, this song will always be a masterpiece in my books.
What was your top Canadian song of 2023? If you’re having trouble deciding, listen to the playlist of our favourite Canadian songs here on Spotify.