I should really be in bed right now. I’ve spent the last two days working my soul off helping out at the 28th annual Vegetarian Food Festival here in la ville de Toronto and I’m shattered. I’ll go back tomorrow so the self-abuse isn’t over; and by self-abuse I mean, besides working too much and not relaxing with my friends enough, is the way this event makes me forget all my progress in healthy living so I end up eating five damned cupcakes for lunch.

Anyway, one particular song has been in my head all day; I don’t think I could explain all the mental twists and turns that led to it but I can’t stop thinking of it. It comes to haunt me every few years or so, and I wonder why I didn’t slavishly adore it when it was released in the late 80s the way I love it now. Oh right, I was slavishly adoring Def Leppard and had no time for much else. Those were days, not of roses or poetry and proses, but rather of giant hair, pointy shoes, and drunken underage thuggery and skulduggery.

Too much build up, right? Especially because you were worrying that Def Leppard link was going to be something about pouring processed sweetener on someone. This is the song, and if anyone NOT Canadian knows it, then all I have to say is this: hardcore folk fans of the world, I salute you.

It’s Daniel Lanois, Jolie Louise.

As we’re on the topic, I think Canadian music may have peaked when I was in my middle to late teens; which is reason 576, 492 why it sucks that I failed to notice this until I was in my mid-30s. So here’s a sampling of the best, in my view.

Skydiggers, I Will Give You Everything. Just ignore the weird drummer.

Robbie Robertson, Somewhere Down the Crazy River. Only this guy can make it being too hot to sleep sound like maybe the best thing that could happen to a person.

Cowboy Junkies, Misguided Angel. Chills, my gawd.

Spirit of the West, And If Venice is Sinking. Back when mainstream bands rocked tubas and accordions, dammit.

Also, to end, some deliciously maudlin mainstream country: Blue Rodeo, Bad Timing.

Sleep well, internetters.