Canadian rocker Bryan Adams, 66, released a new single titled 51st State on Canada Day, taking a pointed jab at U.S. President Donald Trump's repeated comments about Canada becoming the 51st state. The song also references increased U.S. tariffs on Canadian goods.
Lyrics reject annexation and tariffs
In the chorus, Adams sings: "Let me give it to you straight. When you're talking about my home, you better show some respect. Cuz up here we take care of our own." The chorus continues: "So let me give you some advice, mister, you might have too much on your plate. Go'n load us up with tariffs, but we'll never be the 51st state."
The second verse includes the lines: "Yeah, we're better off together. We're way better hand in hand. But the 49th parallel has become a line drawn in the sand." The third and fourth verses state: "Maybe you've forgotten, maybe you just don't care, but we always stood beside you for that liberty we share. You can push us to the brink, but where the road divides, you'll find a wall of maple with us on the other side."
Adams explains patriotic motivation
Adams said he felt patriotic when writing the song. "I wanted to write something about Canada because Canada is home," the singer-songwriter-guitarist said in a statement. "There is more that binds us than divides us. This is a tribute to the pride and spirit of my fellow Canadians — the rest is just noise."
A news release describes the tune as "a tongue-in-cheek response to the ridiculous narrative around Canada being better off becoming anything other than Canadian. The message of 51st State is ultimately one of unity and optimism and rooted in Adams' own connection to home."
Context of Trump's remarks and recent events
Trump has frequently repeated the idea of Canada becoming the 51st state during his second term, including a mocking social media post exactly a month before the song's release that was shared by U.S. Ambassador to Canada Peter Hoekstra. The song release coincides with ongoing trade tensions between the two countries.
Adams most recently performed in Toronto on June 10, headlining the FIFA World Cup countdown concert at the local event, which also included concerts in Los Angeles and Mexico City. He performed two songs, Roll with the Punches and Summer of '69, alongside The Beaches and Wyclef Jean.
Adams' career and Canadian content views
The Kingston-born, Vancouver-raised rocker has had a contentious relationship with Canada's Canadian content (CanCon) rules. His 1991 No. 1 hit (Everything I Do) I Do It for You was deemed by regulators not Canadian enough due to international collaborations. At the Departure Festival in Toronto last year, Adams called for repealing CanCon rules, saying they are "really stupid" and that "people listen to music, they don't consider nationality."
Adams' 17th studio album, 2025's Roll with the Punches, was his first on his independent record label. He is touring 13 Canadian cities this summer, including a stop at Hamilton's TD Coliseum on Aug. 28 as the closest Toronto date. The Grammy and Juno award-winning artist's career spans more than four decades.
