Hill is the son of social scientist and public servant, Daniel G. Hill, and brother of the author, Lawrence Hill.
One of his songs was "It's a Long Road" (Written by Jerry Goldsmith) which he recorded for the 1982 action movie First Blood. In 1985, he was one of the many Canadian performers to appear on the benefit single "Tears Are Not Enough" by Northern Lights. Although he had many hits in his native Canada, further singles did not fare as well in America.
In 1987, Hill returned to the Billboard Hot 100 chart with the Top 40 hit "Can't We Try", a duet with the then-unknown Vonda Shepard, as well as the near Top 40 hit "Never Thought (That I Could Love)".
A road trip to a Dan Hill concert was the subject of the 1994 Canadian comedy film South of Wawa.
In 2007 he is touring with the CBC Radio program The Vinyl Cafe.
Canada
Dan Hill Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Windows with a view
Staring into nothing
I thought I saw you
Your colors dancing in my mind
But they were only neon signs
Oh, Canada
Will you wait for me?
There's people on the street
I know I'll never meet
I wonder what they're thinking
What their dreams are
But they just keep on walking by
I can see the questions in their eyes
Oh, Canada
You're a tree among towers
Just starting to climb
Please don't grow too quickly now
Don't leave us all behind
Pages of progress start to turn
Too quickly and the pages burn
Let's hope that we don't learn, too late
Let's hope it's never too late to learn
No don't let the madness wash you way
Life keeps rolling by
Before it goes I'll try
To be stronger, to be wiser
Maybe just understand
What makes people fight to survive
While by themselves they slowly sigh
Oh, Canada
Where are you going
Will you wait for me
Oh, Canada
I'm trying to find you
Will you wait for me?
The song "Canada" by Dan Hill is a poignant reflection on life and the human condition, inspired by the bustling city of Toronto. The opening verse sets the scene in a fancy hotel room, with windows overlooking the city skyline. The singer sees fleeting visions of a loved one, but realizes that they are just the colors of neon signs. This feeling of longing and loss sets the tone for the rest of the song.
The chorus is a plea to the country of Canada to wait for him, as he tries to find his way in life. The verses describe the people on the streets that he will never meet, wondering about their dreams and what they are thinking. The singer sees the questions in their eyes, but the world keeps moving forward, with progress turning too quickly and pages burning. He hopes that it's not too late to learn and that the madness won't wash him away.
The final verse is a reflection on life and the desire to understand what makes people fight to survive. The singer wants to be stronger and wiser, to maybe just understand. The song ends with a final plea to Canada to wait for him, as he tries to find his place in the world.
Overall, "Canada" is a song that speaks to the universal human experience of longing, loss, and the search for meaning. It's rooted in the specific context of Toronto and Canada, but its themes are universal and timeless.
Line by Line Meaning
Fancy hotel rooms
Luxurious and expensive hotel accommodations.
Windows with a view
Panoramic windows providing an unobstructed sight of the cityscape.
Staring into nothing
Meditating aimlessly, lost in thought.
I thought I saw you
Hallucinating a glimpse of a beloved person who is physically away.
Your colors dancing in my mind
Vivid memories and emotions come to life.
But they were only neon signs
Disillusionment that reality is far from dreams and illusions.
Oh, Canada
A patriotic and emotional address to the homeland.
I'm trying to find you
Searching for the identity and values of Canada amidst the changes and challenges.
Will you wait for me?
Anxiety about losing touch with the cherished and familiar past.
There's people on the street
Observing the crowd of strangers in the urban setting.
I know I'll never meet
Realization that each individual has their own unique life journey and can never be fully understood or shared.
I wonder what they're thinking
Curiosity about the inner worlds and experiences of others.
What their dreams are
Recognition that each person has their own aspirations, goals, and values.
But they just keep on walking by
Acceptance that life goes on, whether or not we are aware of it.
I can see the questions in their eyes
Empathy and insight into the doubts, fears, and hopes of strangers.
You're a tree among towers
Metaphor for Canada as a natural and down-to-earth presence in a world of artificial and imposing structures.
Just starting to climb
Acknowledgment of Canada's potential and goals for growth and development.
Please don't grow too quickly now
Desire to preserve the unique and humble character of Canada amidst the pressures of modernization and globalization.
Don't leave us all behind
Fear of being left out or disadvantaged in the rapid changes of society and economy.
Pages of progress start to turn
Optimism about the opportunities and achievements of modern times.
Too quickly and the pages burn
Caution about the risks and side-effects of rapid and unchecked development.
Let's hope that we don't learn, too late
Lesson that foresight and responsibility are essential for progress and sustainability.
Let's hope it's never too late to learn
Appeal to the wisdom and resilience of human nature to overcome mistakes and crises.
No don't let the madness wash you way
Warning against the chaos and confusion that can result from complacency, greed, and ignorance.
Life keeps rolling by
Realization that time and change are inevitable and unstoppable.
Before it goes I'll try
Decision to make the most of the limited time and opportunities available.
To be stronger, to be wiser
Aspiration to evolve and improve as a person through experience and reflection.
Maybe just understand
Realistic expectation to gain some insights and perspectives about the complexities of life.
What makes people fight to survive
Puzzle about the fundamental motives and forces that drive human behavior and existence.
While by themselves they slowly sigh
Contrast between the external struggles and the internal doubts and struggles of individuals.
Where are you going
Final question about the future and direction of Canada, and the singer's own life journey.
Will you wait for me
Final plea for connection and hope that Canada will remain a welcoming and supportive home for its citizens.
Lyrics © ANTHEM ENTERTAINMENT LP
Written by: Dan Hill
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Kellie Mulligan
Happy 150 my beautiful country , this song should have been part of our tribute to OUR nation that is an example for the rest of
the world , I love you Canada . A country to be proud of !!!!!!!!!!!
Charles Simonot
thank you for sharing your talents with us Dan Hill.. you've helped many of us be...
Charles Simonot
heard this live in dntwn Vancouver, Easter wknd '75 when Dan was singing opener for another artist ... felt like I was the only person in the audience... knew he was going to be a star and instinct told me to get his album ,which was not recorded and in distribution yet . Ordered it as soon as I was back in Edmonton, Dan Hill writes and performs with such intensity and deep emotion..he drew from me the sweetest colored miseries that love can craft on its blooming stage. Listened to his voice and strumming through high school on my tape deck..and found that deeper level of self who really just yearns to be a water jug for love. lifes Been filling and pouring me out since
Ruthie Minard
I used to listen to this cd so many years ago. It makes my mind spin back to all those times Than k you Dan Hill for giving me and so many others the gift of music
Kathy Mulligan
And he'll I fell in love with your music I listen to it every night when I go to bed you make great music especially this one song you sing it means something to me and that's called Sometimes When We Touch
Kathy Mulligan
I am a big fan of Dan Hills and I wish I could get his address to write him a letter and not looking for anything but he is a great singer great artist and he touches my heart which is music I like to talk to him About a song he sings Is there any way you can get in touch with him instrument
mrgalaxyman57
trying to use this for yellow vest canada...peace.
circles in the night
I'm from Canada