The Winnipeg native’s anthemic track has ascended after debuting on the Airplay chart less than two months ago. Other Canadian artists nabbing new entries include Hollerado, Jamie Fine, Haviah Mighty and more.
Boy Golden is shining on the Billboard Canada Airplay charts.
The Winnipeg native’s track “Suffer” reaches No. 1 on the Billboard Canada Modern Rock Airplay chart, dated Dec. 6. It knocks “No Rain, No Flowers” by The Black Keys to No. 2.
Two months ago, the track debuted at No. 36 on the chart dated Oct. 11 — so it’s only taken the artist less than eight weeks to reach the top.
The anthemic single is a cowbell-laden rock and roll number, with lyrics exploring the deterioration of modern society and the Buddhist philosophy, citing the one thing that unifies everyone is our human capacity to suffer.
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“I wanna know where my money went / I want a new f—ing president,” he sings in one verse, leading into the chorus: “We all suffer / Under the cover of the night.” It follows an unconventional song structure, with three verses surrounding each of the two choruses.
Of the track, the artist, born Liam Duncan, says: “I write songs to seek understanding. Suffering, the first of the Four Noble Truths, is universal. It takes different shapes and forms and magnitudes, but the pain of change, the pain of mortality, the pain of living in bodies we did not choose, is shared.”
Duncan notes that the track “can’t help but be a political song,” due to today’s climate. Still, he doesn’t believe it to be “a partisan song,” and it came together when his ideals were “being tested and shattered” by the world’s current state.
“I hope that anyone listening to this song can come to the same conclusion that I did: if we only have this moment, what you do in this moment is who you are,” Duncan concludes.
“Suffer” serves as the lead single from Boy Golden's third studio album, Best of Our Possible Lives, out next February via Six Shooter Records.
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Elsewhere on Modern Rock, recently reunited Ottawa indie rock band Hollerado debuts at No. 34 with “What Killed Elvis Presley?”
The track is a quintessential power pop single as Hollerado comments on the idealized American Dream. “Elvis is basically a guy who won the American Dream, and it still killed him,” guitarist Nixon Boyd shares with radio station 102.1 the Edge. It’s a punchy return for the Ontario quartet.
“What Killed Elvis Presley?” marks the group’s first release in six years, following 2019’s Retaliation Vacation. While they informally came together after opening up for two of Tokyo Police Club's final shows in Toronto last November, the band announced they were officially reuniting in May. Last month, they surprised fans by dropping a new EP, Start A Band, followed by a performance at this year’s M for Montreal.
A handful of other Canadian artists have arrived on this week’s Airplay charts.
After hitting CHR/Top 40 in October, indie singer Sam Drysdale’s “Cold Water” debuts on the AC (Adult Contemorary) Airplay chart at No. 23. Two spots down, Montreal pop artist Alicia Moffet’s bona fide Airplay hit “Lay Your Light” emerges at No. 25, while Fracophone artist Loud arrives at No. 28 with “Quelque Chose.”
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Over on CHR/Top 40, Haviah Mighty & Shantel May push their luck with the aptly-titled “Lucky,” debuting at No. 30, while Indigenous artist Kanen nabs an entry with “F**k That S—t” at No. 40. Celebrating the holiday spirit, Jamie Fine’s “Mistletoe” claims the sole new Hot AC entry at. No. 38.
Country singer Catie St. Germain debuts at No. 59 on Country, while Headstones’ Emily Haines-featuring track “An Effort To Forget” sits at No. 27 on Mainstream Rock, and Betaboys rounds out the third debut on Modern Rock with “Alone in Paradise.”
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At the top, Taylor Swift’s “The Fate of Ophelia” secures the top spot on Hot AC, dethroning Justin Bieber’s “Daisies,” which now sits at No. 4. Swift continues her reign on All-Format, AC and CHR/Top 40.
Country juggernaut Morgan Wallen’s “I Got Better” climbs back to No. 1, while Canadian breakout Josh Ross’ “Hate How You Look” rises to No. 2. The emerging country star may continue the track’s takeover on the chart. On Mainstream Rock, “Asking For A Friend” by Foo Fighters sits at No. 1 for a second week.
Check out the Billboard Canada Airplay charts here.
