Top 10 Trews Songs

(From left: Jack Syperek, John-Angus MacDonald, Sean Dalton and Colin MacDonald)

Since winning the CHTZ-FM Rock Search contest ten years ago, The Trews have blossomed into one of the best and hardest working acts on the Canadian Music Scene.  The Trews have released 4 studio albums, one live album and have performed over 900 shows.  They have shared the stage with Bruce Springsteen, The Rolling Stones, KISS, Guns n' Roses and Robert Plant.  The Trews have had 13 top ten singles on the Canadian charts.  The band  has been described as “… the greatest rock band of their generation”  by Performer Magazine and was named Best New Band by both the UK's Classic Rock Magazine and the United States SPIN.com.  The Trews have received five Juno Award nominations (2004 - New Group of the Year; 2005 - Single of the Year 'Not Ready To Go'; 2009 - Group of the Year and Rock Album of the Year "No Time For Later"; and 2010 - DVD of the Year  "Acoustic: Friends & Total Strangers").

The Trews are currently on tour and will release the 7-song EP "...Thank You and I'm Sorry" on November 6th.  In anticipation of that release, I thought I'd look back at the Top 10 Trews Songs so far.


10  'So She's Leaving'
from Den of Thieves (2005)

The first single from Den of Thieves, an album produced by Grammy Award winning producer Jack Douglas (Aerosmith, New York Dolls, John Lennon).   'So She's Leaving'  captures the intensity and energy of the band's live shows. 

Listen to 'So She's Leaving'


9  'Hold Me In Your Arms'
from No Time For Later (2008)

'Hold Me In Your Arms' won Best Hard Rock/Metal song at the  8th Annual Independent Music Awards.  The song premiered at the 2007 Grey Cup pre-game show. The video for 'Hold Me In Your Arms' reached number one on Canadian music station MuchMusic.

Watch the 'Hold Me In Your Arms' video



8  'Misery Loves Company'
from Hope & Ruin (2011)

The first song on Hope & Ruin, 'Misery Loves Company' combines all of the best elements of The Trews.  It is a straight forward pounding rock song of the type that has made The Trews a concert favourite.

Listen to 'Misery Loves Company'



7  'I Can't Stop Laughing'
from No Time For Later (2008)

Starting from the opening drum beat, 'I Can't Stop Laughing' showcases Dalton's exceptional drumming.  The song also provides the great lyric - "Tonight's the night, I'll dance like no one's watching; and I'll sing a song like nobody is listening, 'cause I'm just that drunk and heartaches blurred my vision, ain't it fun?"

Watch the 'I Can't Stop Laughing' video


6   'Sing Your Heart Out'
from Acoustic - Friends and Total Strangers (2009)

Friends and Total Strangers was recorded over two days at Toronto's Glenn Gould Theatre.  The DVD was nominated for a Juno (Canada).  'Sing Your Heart Out' won Best AAA/Alternative song at the 2010 International Acoustic Music Awards (US) and has become a crowd sing-along favourite at concerts.

Watch the 'Sing Your Heart Out' video



5  'Yearning'
from Den of Thieves (2005)

'Yearning' was the The Trews second single to reach number 1 in Canada.  The song features a memorable opening guitar riff from John-Angus and a chorus that has Trews audiences following along dutifully at concerts - "Hands in the air; Prayers and hymns..."

Listen to 'Yearning'




4  'Tired of Waiting'
from House of Ill Fame (2003)

Following the release of House of Ill Fame, the Trews first full-length album, the band was nominated as New Group of the Year at the 2004 Juno Awards (Canada).  'Tired of Waiting' features Syperek's signature bass line.

Watch the 'Tired of Waiting' video


3  'The World I Know'
from Hope & Ruin (2011)

Hope & Ruin was co-produced by John-Angus and Gord Sincliar of The Tragically Hip.  It is The Trews most mature album to date.  'The World I Know' was one of Classic Rock Magazine's top songs of 2011. 

Watch the 'The World I Know' video



2  'Not Ready To Go'
from House of Ill Fame (2003)

The Trews first song to reach number one on Canadian rock radio, 'Not Ready To Go' was nominated for Single of the Year at the 2005 Juno Awards.  It is the bands signature song.

Watch the 'Not Ready To Go' video


1  'Highway of Heroes'
from Highway of Heroes Single (2010)

A song for a nation!  'Highway of Heroes' was inspired by the death of Captain Nichola Goddard from Antigonish, the MacDonald brothers hometown.  When played in a quiet concert venue, this song has been known to draw a standing ovation during a mid-song pause and leave no dry eye in the house.

Watch the 'Highway of Heroes' video


With a music catalogue as strong at The Trews, I'm sure you will disagree with some of the rankings. You may even be wondering why your favourite Trews song is not on the list.  If you have any comments, or you think there is a song I missed, let me know in the comments section.