Bryan Adams’ tribute to a Canadian hero has arrived on the Billboard Canada Airplay charts. “The Ballad of Terry Fox” debuts at No. 25 on the Mainstream Rock Airplay chart, dated Sept. 19.
Backed by an uplifting acoustic guitar, “The Ballad of Terry Fox” is an optimistic track from the Canadian singer-songwriter that details Fox's strength and motivation during Marathon of Hope, a cross-country run and fundraiser that he led for cancer research in the ’80s.
Adams’ track will be featured in the documentary Run Terry Run, spotlighting the Canadian runner and his historic achievement. It’s set to premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) on Sept. 19.
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“I remember Terry’s run back in 1980 when I was on tour in Canada playing 200-capacity clubs,” he said, reflecting that it was “a pivotal time” in the country. “Without knowing it, Terry gave our slightly fractious country a ‘something’ and ‘someone’ that everyone could agree on and unite behind.”
Calling Adams “a legendary storyteller,” Run Terry Run director Sean Menard said the singer’s “words paired with Terry’s story on screen felt incredibly powerful. To have one Canadian icon write a song about another is truly special.”
It’s the second Canadian-centric single from Adams to land on the chart in recent months, following protest anthem “51st State” in July, a response to Trump’s comments about renaming Canada. Both songs will be featured on Adams' upcoming album How's It Goin', his first album solely focused around his home country.
"The idea was simply to make a record about Canada,” says the Vancouver artist. “It started with writing the song for the documentary Canada’s Wild Eastern Edge and after doing so much research, I was inspired to start writing more songs about Canada. Musically it took me somewhere a little different too, which made the whole thing exciting.”
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On the Modern Rock Airplay chart, breakout artist TALK continues his comeback with “Boomerang,” his latest song to land on the Airplay charts. It debuts at No. 33.
Delivering a rush of romance and youthful possibility, the track is driven by bright guitars, propulsive drums and a soaring chorus that finds the singer confronting the one person who makes him want to stay instead of fleeing.
The genre-bending vocal powerhouse describes the track as “a celebration of love, of overcoming your fears, and of giving in and showing your full self to somebody for the first time. It's scary. Actually, it's terrifying. Running away is easier. But when you let it happen, it can open up a whole new heaven.”
“Boomerang” joins “Time Machine,” the singer’s first song in three years to land on the Airplay charts. It sits at No. 11, but previously reached No. 2. It continues to impact the rest of the Airplay charts, sitting on All-Format (No. 26), AC (No. 30), CHR/Top 40 (No. 25), Hot AC (No. 16) and Mainstream Rock (No. 27).
There's only a handful of Canadian debuts on this week’s Airplay charts. Devon Cole’s “Serial Kisser” earns a second entry on the charts, arriving at No. 34 on Hot AC. Country star Owen Riegling debuts at No. 50 on Canada Country with “Me Without My Hometown,” while Nicole Sumerlyn vows to “Let It Burn” at No. 55.
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As she continues to embrace her country-pop roots, Taylor Swift’s Toy Story 5 hit “I Knew It, I Knew You” holds down the top spot on All-Format and AC.
Meanwhile, Ella Langley climbs 2-1 on CHR/Top 40 with her dominating tune “Choosin’ Texas,” and Ariana Grande’s “Hate That I Made You Love Me” moves from 3-2, bumping Olivia Rodrigo’s “Drop Dead” down to No. 3. Another Olivia is faring well on Hot AC, as Olivia Dean’s “So Easy (To Fall In Love)” reclaims the top spot, dethroning Tame Impala and JENNIE’s summer smash “Dracula” to No. 2.
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Stella Lefty's breakout hit “Boston” maintains its No. 1 spot on Country as it stays stalled at No. 2 on the Canadian Hot 100. Three Days Grace’s “Don't Wanna Go Home Tonight” keeps its grip on the Mainstream Rock chart No. 1, but Nickelback and John 5 might change that with their collaboration “Rattle The Cage,” which climbs 3-2.
Cage The Elephant are holding out for “Beaches In Tennessee” at No. 1 on Modern Rock, while Noah Kahan’s “Doors” moves up one spot to No. 2.
Check out the Billboard Canada Airplay charts here.
