Chappell Roan's new single mentions Saskatchewan. So do these tracks

CBC

2 days ago

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In her latest single, The Subway, American singer-songwriter Chappell Roan curses out in post-breakup frustration that she's had enough and is moving to Saskatchewan.
While the concept of the Prairie province as an escape might be uncommon, what isn't is how many times it gets mentioned in song. It happens far more than you'd think and we've compiled some of the most memorable mentions.
1. Corb Lund - Long Gone to Saskatchewan
Corb Lund is a rancher from Taber, Alta., who got his start in hard rock band The Smalls.
His career started really picking up when he started to lean into his country music roots. People found his songs relatable. Stuck trucks, bibles on the dash and everything being better when cows were around seemed to really strike a chord.
On his sixth album, 2009's Losin' Lately Gambler', Corb earned honorary citizenship in the province with Long Gone to Saskatchewan, a song about how the grass is much greener on the other side of the border.
2. Johnny Cash - Girl in Saskatoon
Johnny Cash always seemed to resonate with the common man. He famously performed at San Quentin prison in 1969, but there's also documented proof that he loved spending time fishing in northern Saskatchewan. His larger-than-life persona (and voice) made him stand out, while his storytelling and songwriting made him feel like one of us.
On the posthumous 2006 release of Bootleg Vol. 1: Personal File, Cash tells a tale about the creation of his song Girl in Saskatoon. Written with Johnny Horton while the two were driving from Saskatoon to Regina on icy winter roads, Cash would officially record and release it after Horton's passing.
A sunny love story, with a man longing for his girl in the bridge city, would sadly take a dark turn after he performed this song in Saskatoon in 1961. Cash chose to bring Alexandra Wiwcharuk up on stage so he could sing the song to her. Not long after, her murdered body was found on the banks of the South Saskatchewan River. It's been said that after hearing the news, Cash never performed the song again.
3. The Arrogant Worms - Last Saskatchewan Pirate
Who hasn't head this catchy track and wanted to hit the high seas of the river Saskatchewan, "stealin' wheat and barley and all the other grains?"
This '90s Kingston, Ont., comedy trio took things Saskatchewan residents cherish and held dear (like the Co-op) and put them in a jaunty tale of a pirate confidently making his way across the driest areas of our province. Whether it was Regina's mighty shores or Saskatoon being the terror of the sea, their hilarious take on doing the impossible has become so beloved that it has become ubiquitous at local sporting events.
In 2018, Regina singer-songwriter Amy Nelson remade the song and doubled-down on Prairie references by including celebrated Saskatchewan musician Brad Johner and several Rider alumn in the official music video. It's a funny depiction of what it would actually look like if pirates tried to reach "Regina's mighty shores."
As for Roan, her song The Subway is set to release on July 31.
A teaser video for the track features a Saskatchewan licence plate with an abbreviation for the title, as well as a "Welcome to Saskatchewan" sign.
What other songs featuring mentions, name drops and references to Saskatchewan do you love?