‘We’ll never be the 51st state’: Bryan Adams releases protest song for Canada Day

Bryan Adams has dropped a protest song for Canada Day, declaring: “We'll never be the 51st state.” Photo by Screenshot

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Canadian rock star Bryan Adams, best known for his wildly successful party-rock anthems and love ballads, has dropped a protest song for Canada Day, declaring: “We’ll never be the 51st state.”

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The song, clocking in at a tight 2:16, was released on streaming platforms Wednesday. It celebrates the shared history and friendship of Canada and the U.S., but vows he’ll fight for his country if need be.

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“Maybe you’ve forgotten; Maybe you just don’t care; But we always stood beside you; For that liberty we share,” Adams sings in the song, 51st State.”

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“You can push us to the brink; But where the open road divides; You’ll find a wall of maple; With us on the other side.”

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It doesn’t mention Donald Trump or his various musings about Canada becoming the 51st state.

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But is likely the only rock’n’roll song ever written referencing tariffs:  “So let me give you some advice mister; You might have too much on your plate;  Go and load us up with tariffs; But we’ll never be the 51st State.”

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Adams previewed the song on Tuesday, with a black-and-white video on social media in which he carries a mug in a concert hall, wears a shirt made of two different flannel patterns and speaks directly to the camera.

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In it, he declares: “Sometimes you write a song that reflects exactly what you feel. Other times, you write songs that reflect the times. This next song, I think reflects both.”

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In the song, Adams extends a hand of friendship, but one with limits.

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“Yeah, we’re better off together; We’ll be better hand in hand; But the 49th parallel; Has become a line drawn in the sand.”

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Adams continues: “So let me give it to you straight; When you’re talking about my home; You better show some respect; Cause up here we take care of our own.”

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“So let me give you some advice mister; You might have too much on your plate; You’re welcome cross the border; But we’ll never be the 51st State.”

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Adams, 66, was born in Kingston and grew up in Ottawa and later Vancouver. He became a recording artist at 15, and by the mid-80s was one of the biggest rock stars in the world. He has been honoured for his robust charity and humanitarian work, including in 2010 with the Allan Water Humanitarian Award, but built a career largely on party anthems and songs of love.

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He has never been shy about speaking out, however. Last year, he repeated his call for an end to CanCon rules that demand Canadian radio stations play a minimum number of Canadian songs every day. The Canadian Press reported he called the rules “really stupid,” and suggested they propped up mediocre music.

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Adams credited an American disk jockey for giving a boost to his breakout song, “Lonely Nights.” His massive 1991 hit “(Everything I Do) I Do It For You,” did not qualify for CanCon rules because he had collaborated with a number of non-Canadians.
“People listen to music, they don’t consider nationality,” Adams said, according to the CP report.

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The full lyrics:

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Never thought I’d see the day
Never thought I’d see the plan
Where everything could get harder
For the working man