The Thermals' sixth LP and debut for Saddle Creek, Desperate Ground, was produced by John Agnello (Dinosaur Jr, Sonic Youth) in Hoboken, NJ. Agnello and The Thermals completed the record and evacuated the studio just hours before Hurricane Sandy ravaged New Jersey, a fate quite fitting when you consider the product. Desperate Ground is a true scrappy and scratchy return-to-form for The Thermals, with all the raw power and unhinged adolescent energy that made their early LP's so insanely enjoyable. Lyrically, Desperate Ground is a brash and irresponsible ode to human violence, a black celebration of the inevitability of war and death. A dark and yet joyous affair, Desperate Ground tells the (murky) tale of a lone rogue in the night. One man, one path, one sword. An unceasing urge to destroy. A never-ending battle against the forces of nature. A destiny impossible to avoid.
In early 2013 The Thermals signed to Saddle Creek, a label they've known and admired for many years. The Thermals and Saddle Creek have a long history of sleeping on floors together: The Thermals have toured with Cursive and Ladyfinger, and Hutch and Kathy organized the first Bright Eyes show in Portland way back in 1999.
The Thermals were most famous for turning down $50,000 from Hummer, discovering the elusive fourth chord in punk rock (F#m) and for soundtracking that scene in Weeds where Mary-Louise Parker jumps in the pot-filled pool in her underwear.
The Thermals announced they were splitting in April 2018.
The Thermals lineup was Hutch Harris, Kathy Foster and Westin Glass.
Canada
The Thermals Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A place that′s called
Canada
I want to take you to a place
I want to take you to
Canada
Whoa Whoa-Oh Whoa
I want to take you to a place I know
A place that's called
Canada
I want to take you to a place I know
A place that′s called
Canada
Whoa Whoa-Oh Whoa
Sittin' all alone and all I know is that I want to go to Canada
Sittin' all alone
Pick up the phone and call Ramona
Go to Canada
Just you and me and we′ll have everything we need up in Canada
Whoa Whoa-Oh Whoa
I want to take you to a place I know, a place that′s called
Canada
(Whoa Whoa-Oh Whoa)
I want to take you to a place, I want to take you to
Canada
Whoa Whoa-Oh Whoa
The Thermals's song "Canada" is an upbeat and catchy tune about a desire to visit Canada. The lyrics speak to a longing to take someone to a place the singer knows and loves. The repetition of the line "I want to take you to a place I know, a place that's called Canada" reinforces this desire and creates a sense of urgency for the listener to join in on the adventure.
The lyrics also communicate a sense of escape, as the singer is "Sittin' all alone" and wants to leave everything behind for Canada with the person they are addressing. The mention of "pick up the phone and call Ramona" adds a sense of spontaneity and excitement to the song, as if the trip to Canada is something that should be done on a whim.
Overall, "Canada" is a fun and upbeat song that speaks to a desire for adventure and escape. The repetition of the line "I want to take you to a place I know, a place that's called Canada" creates a sense of excitement and anticipation, while the mention of Ramona adds a personal touch to the lyrics.
Line by Line Meaning
I want to take you to a place I know
I desire to bring you to a location that I am familiar with
A place that’s called Canada
A specific country, which has the name 'Canada'
I want to take you to a place
I desire to bring you to a particular location
I want to take you to
I desire to bring you
Whoa Whoa-Oh Whoa
An exclamation, possibly to emphasize the desire to go to Canada
Sittin' all alone and all I know is that I want to go to Canada
Being in solitude, I only have the feeling of wanting to go to Canada
Pick up the phone and call Ramona
Call someone named Ramona, possibly to make arrangements to go to Canada
Go to Canada
Travel to Canada
Just you and me and we'll have everything we need up in Canada
Only you and I are needed to have all that we need in Canada
I want to take you to a place I know, a place that’s called
Canada
Repeated desire to bring someone to a specific country, with a name of Canada, which is familiar to the author
(Whoa Whoa-Oh Whoa)
An exclamation, possibly to emphasize the desire to go to Canada
I want to take you to a place, I want to take you to
Canada
More emphasis on the desire to bring someone to Canada
Whoa Whoa-Oh Whoa
An exclamation, possibly to emphasize the desire to go to Canada
Writer(s): Kathleen Michelle Foster, Hutch Harris, Westin Shane Glass
Contributed by Ellie W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Katrina
I don't know about other Canadians here, but every time I hear someone mention Canada I get excited, and now that THE FREAKING THERMALS have written a song about us I can't stop smiling. :D
Christopher Vertefeuille
Ramona refers to Thermals sound woman Anna Lockwood, who sometimes goes by the name Ramona Flowers. Also, the original Scott Pilgrim comic books were written in Canada.
time consumer
feel like this is the greatest song about canada ever written. prob should be the new natty anthem or something.
Makenzie Peecook
"call Ramona"? Is that a Scott Pilgrim reference? :) I'd like to think so
Na-na-na, come on, come on
happy canada day!
TheWonderAnthem
@2:05 you can see the Americans sneaking out. This also needs some Michael J. Fox, maybe some of the money where every bill is a different colour which for some reason in OH SO HILARIOUS /sarcasm
Barry Nelson
Happy Canada Day, Canucks, Canuckleheads, we love your beer and your women! But where's the salad?
hankhillz
Sorry guys love the new album but 2010 was a bad year for you guys
RushMikeYYZ
@jessicalynn34 sorry for not meeting your standards but also shockingly im not from canada so it was merely from looking up famous landmarks that i made this video :/
RushMikeYYZ
@MissKenzieLoVe im pretty sure you're right :)