Music
12 classic Canadian pop songs in MIDI format
by Mark Teo
May 29, 2013
Before high-quality streaming audio was a way of life, we listened to music on the Internet using midi files. No, really. Plenty of websites dedicated to bands—amateur fansites, usually—would host fistfuls of midi adaptations of popular songs, and we use the term “adaptation” loosely: Mostly, these tracks sounded like sad-sack pop covers played by infantile robots. It’s muzak for the digital world’s lobotomized children.
Thankfully, unlike Geocities and AskJeeves, pop-music midis haven’t disappeared into the deep depths of the web—in fact, there are still sites that host plenty of midis, including niche sites, like this pop-punk focused page. So, we combed through oodles of html2 websites to bring you this, the ultimate list of Can-pop midis. Turn these up loud—and check out more adventures in midi here.
Note: We did not create any of these midis.
ALANIS MORRISSETTE—”You Oughta Know”
“You Oughta Know” blasted Alanis Morrissette out of teen-pop stardom into post-grunge, teen angst territories. That rage is captured perfectly—and near-scientifically—by this midi track’s, uh, “buzzsaw” distorted guitars.
MOIST—”Push”
This dark, brooding midi is missing a voice track, so feel free to sub in for David Usher’s breathy, sex-scented vocals karoake-style.
NICKELBACK—”Photograph”
This rendition of “Photograph” takes plenty of artistic liberties. Namely, it replaces Chad Kroeger’s vocals with what sounds like a midi kazoo. Is it an improvement? You be the judge.
LEN—”Steal My Sunshine”
Kudos to whoever created this midi, as it captures most of the unfiltered magic of Len’s “Steal My Sunshine.” Sure, the track’s missing footage of Moka Only scarfing down fistfuls of cotton candy, but hey, that’s what the video’s for.
CARLY RAE JEPSEN—”Call Me Maybe”
While most midi adaptations sound like toddlers playing keyboards, this pensive rendition of “Call Me Maybe” gives the track a brooding, sombre touch. Classy!
COEUR DE PIRATE—”Comme Des Enfants”
Coeur De Pirate, a.k.a. Quebec songstress Beatrice Martin, is best known in her home province, where her pop-infused take on traditional Francophone music has made her a star. This midi displays her songs’ infectious melodies, and no, you don’t need a French-English dictionary to understand it.
DRAKE—”Find Your Love”
DRAKE—”Find Your Love”
808s and Heartbreak was an incredibly seminal album, in large part due to Kanye’s experimentation with stripped-down, frigid electro. And if it’s minimalist and soulless ye seek, do yourself a favour: Try the midi below, which reduces the ‘Ye-produced “Find Your Love” to its bare essence. Predictably, it sounds incredible.
JUSTIN BIEBER—”Baby”
This midi rendition of “Baby”‘ is so good, we played it alongside the song’s muted video and just watched Justin do his thing.
THE MOFFATTS—”I’ll Be There For You”
No, this isn’t the similar-titled Rembrandts song. Rather, the Moffatts’ “I’ll Be There For You” boasts wonderfully simplistic melodies, a strong mid-tempo rhythmic core, and a chorus that’ll get stuck in your head for days—so, in other words, it’s perfect midi material.
SARAH MCLACHLAN—”Angel”
Here, the official background song for the Lilith Fair webring. Best enjoyed while barefoot—let that ankh ankle tattoo breathe, girl!
TRAGICALLY HIP—”Poets”
Gord Downie’s vocals reimagined as a midi harmonica are nothing short of musical poetry.
RUSH—”Closer to the Heart”
We close on “Closer to the Heart,” a number brimming with elegant midi church bells, screaming synthetic solos, and a soaring chorus. We’re convinced this midi actually trumps the original.
Tags: Music, Cancon, Lists, News, Alanis Morisette, canrock, Carly Rae Jepsen, cœur de pirate, david usher, Drake, Justin Bieber, Len, Moist, Nickelback, Rush, Sarah McLachlan, The Moffatts, Tragically Hip
