Reid’s first single from her album ‘’Preservation’’, "Richard", saw her nominated for the APRA Silver Scroll award in 2017, regarded as New Zealand’s most important songwriting award. Reid herself was nominated for Best Solo Artist, Breakthrough Artist of the Year and Best Alternative Artist.
Oh Canada
Nadia Reid Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I have never been there before
All of the travel that I have done
I don't know what I am looking for
Do you have a friend in New York?
Is she fighting for your art?
There are things I haven't told you
I am reaching out to you
God is on our side
It is all that you ever talk about
Coming home, home to the other side
You called it sentimentality
You called it intrigue
All of the knowing that I have done
I don't know what you mean
I wanna feel good again
I wanna feel right, right, right
Come on over closer to me
I'm letting you inside
I am lonely for you in Norway
I am lonely for you in Spain
Could you hold me in the darkness?
Would you tell the world my name?
Oh, I am reaching out for something
God is on our side
I wanna feel good again
I wanna feel right, right, right
I would like to go to Canada
I would like to go there with you
All of the loving that I have done
I don't know what I am waiting for
The song "Oh Canada" by Nadia Reid is a melancholic ballad in which the artist expresses her longing to escape from her current situation and start anew in Canada. She begins by acknowledging that while she has done a fair bit of traveling, she has never been to Canada, and simultaneously admits that she is not sure what she is looking for. Reid then asks her friend in New York if she is fighting for her art, showing her desire for a deeper connection in her relationships. She admits that there are things she hasn't told her friend, which keeps them apart emotionally. However, despite the distance and the secrets that she keeps from her friends and loved ones, Reid believes that God is on their side.
The second verse continues with Reid reaching out to someone anonymous, seeking comfort in a world lacking intimacy. There are shades of sadness and uncertainty present in every line. The artist is yearning to feel loved and to feel right again. She asks for someone to come closer to her, to understand her and accept her. Reid admits that despite the countries she has visited, she still feels lonely and yearns for a specific person's company. And even if someone gives her love, she wonders if they would be able to hold her in darkness and tell the world her name.
Line by Line Meaning
I would like to go to Canada
The singer expresses her desire to go to Canada
I have never been there before
The singer has not visited Canada before
All of the travel that I have done
Despite traveling, she still feels lost
I don't know what I am looking for
She is unsure about what she wants
Do you have a friend in New York?
She asks if her friend has someone in New York
Is she fighting for your art?
She wants to know if her friend advocates for her art
There are things I haven't told you
The singer has secrets she hasn't shared
I know it keeps us apart
She understands that the secrets may damage their relationship
I am reaching out to you
She's trying to contact her friend
God is on our side
She believes that a higher power is supporting their connection
It is all that you ever talk about
Her connection with God is always mentioned by her friend
Coming home, home to the other side
Her friend wants her to go back to her spiritual beliefs
You called it sentimentality
Her friend derided her feelings as just being sentimental
You called it intrigue
Her friend dismissed her desire to go to Canada as mere curiosity
All of the knowing that I have done
She's learned a lot but still feels like she lacks something
I don't know what you mean
She's unsure of what her friend is trying to say
I wanna feel good again
She wants to feel happy and content once again
I wanna feel right, right, right
She wants to feel like she's doing the right thing
Come on over closer to me
She wants her friend to be closer to her
I'm letting you inside
She's allowing her friend to see her true self
I am lonely for you in Norway
She misses her friend while in Norway
I am lonely for you in Spain
She's sad without her friend while in Spain
Could you hold me in the darkness?
She wants physical comfort
Would you tell the world my name?
She wants her friend to acknowledge and recognize her
Oh, I am reaching out for something
She's searching for something important
God is on our side
She still has faith in their bond
I would like to go to Canada
She reiterates her desire to visit Canada
I would like to go there with you
She wants to go to Canada with her friend
All of the loving that I have done
Despite all her efforts towards love, she still feels incomplete
I don't know what I am waiting for
She's at a loss on how to progress and what she's waiting for
Writer(s): Nadia Reid O Reilly
Contributed by Carter G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@petertaylor7603
Thank you Radio Paradise for giving my ears this amazing voice.
@peterplassmann6611
RP has been so great!
@LauraBlack-gv3ij
Nadia Reid, wow. I have thought about what to say all day but you are just so very original and what a beautiful voice. I read about you in UK's Metro March 2023 and have just got around to listening to your songs. So glad you have brought them to the world. Wow, wow , wow.
@hopefull2070
Nadia Reid is a natural beauty both outside and in. Thank you for all your gorgeous music xx
@hoobeydoobey1267
Just heard this on Radio Paradise. Great voice and song.
@heppiejeck
Was für ein tolles Lied. Da kommen mir die Tränen vor Rührung.
@cstoll451
What a voice! Love the song! My mate, Malcy Boy has your 2 cds....come to this little isle soon, Britain, and cheer us up..with this Government we need it!.
@russlgtr
Such a unique and awesome voice
@ytnsanw
I can guarantee that Canada would be delighted to have you there...
@Mynolia
love this woman's voice and the look in her eyes