For classic rock fans and lovers of Canadian music, 1981 was an amazing year for Canadian artists.
Here is a list of hit songs from Canadian bands released in 1981.
- April Wine — Just You and Me
- Aldo Nova — Fantasy
- Triumph — Magic Power; Fight the Good Fight
- Red Rider — Lunatic Fringe
- Saga — On the Loose; Wind Him Up
- Loverboy — Workin' for the Weekend; When It's Over
- Rush — Limelight; Tom Sawyer
- Bryan Adams — Lonely Nights
- Gino Vannelli — Living Inside Myself
- Bob & Doug McKenzie — Take Off
The 1981 cutoff means this list doesn't include This Beat Goes On/Switchin' To Glide from The Kings. Unofficial Canadians Heart had a hit in 1981 with a cover of Tell It Like It Is but the song was released in 1980.
1981 was the right timing for bands that had been around but hadn't broken through the scene, such as Bryan Adams, Aldo Nova, Saga, and Loverboy. Triumph did have a 1979 hit with Lay It on the Line. Rush had been around for awhile but was hitting a peak coming off hits such as Spirit of Radio.
Bob and Doug McKenzie's novelty record featured Rush's Geddy Lee. By 1981, audiences on both sides of the border knew SCTV.
These artists fit in well with the sound at the time. Some artists broke through the U.S. charts but had more success in Canada, such as Red Rider and April Wine. Loverboy and Bryan Adams transcended the difference between the two countries.
photo credit: here
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