Bryan Adams has channelled his frustration with Donald Trump into a fiery new song, 51st State, using the track to push back against the US president’s recent remarks about Canada’s place in North America.
The Canadian rock legend’s latest release is a pointed defence of his homeland, wrapped in the kind of punchy, melodic rock he’s known for.
Across the track, the Summer of ’69 hitmaker makes it clear he’s unimpressed with Trump’s talk of Canada becoming America’s “51st state” and the tariff threats that have dominated headlines.
In one verse, Bryan sings: “We’re way better hand in hand / But the 49th parallel / Has become a line drawn in the sand / 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.”
He doubles down later in the song, adding: “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.”
Speaking about the inspiration behind the track, Bryan explained that the song is rooted in pride for his country.
He said: “I wanted to write something about Canada because Canada is home.
“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.”
Last year, the musician released the track Roll With The Punches, which wasn’t intended to be political, but had a timely message all the same amid the tariff threats.
Bryan said at the time: “It’s not just Canadians, it’s the whole world it seems.
“So maybe the song is timely from that perspective because there seems to be a lot of kicking and punching going on politically.”