Does Toronto Need A Theme Song?

The City Of Toronto has a budget crunch, but somehow has an extra $5,000 kicking around to give to someone who can write a song about the city as part of its 175th anniversary celebration.

"Our city is known worldwide for the talents of its artistic community," says Mayor David Miller. "Toronto's musicians, singers and songwriters are an integral part of that community, so who better then to write the music and the words that will give voice to Toronto's very own song."

Canadian residents who are 13 years of age or older have until May 10 to submit a song no longer than four minutes. Entry is free.

The winning song will be chosen by judges "representative of the city's music scene," whatever that means. The finalists will be announced at a June event and the winner will be declared at another event this summer.

Frankly, I see no need for such a competition when there are already a lot of fine songs about Toronto. Hell, you could just give the five grand to The Lowest Of The Low's Ron Hawkins right now.

I'll list some of my favourite Toronto songs, all worthy of entry into this contest, below. Feel free to add to them in the Comments section.

The Lowest Of The Low — "Bleed A Little While Tonight"
The Lowest Of The Low — "Under The Carlaw Bridge"
The Lowest Of The Low — "Just About 'The Only' Blues"
The Lowest Of The Low — "Salesmen, Cheats And Liars"
The Lowest Of The Low — "That Song About Trees And Kites"
Ron Hawkins — "Peace And Quiet"
Stompin' Tom Connors — "T.T.C. Skidaddler"
Stompin' Tom Connors — "Streets Of Toronto"
Stompin Tom Connors — "Don Valley Jail"
Rheostatics — "Dope Fiends And Boozehounds"
Rheostatics — "The Woods Are Full Of Cuckoos"
Neil Young — "Ambulance Blues"
Pukka Orchestra — "Cherry Beach Express"
The Shuffle Demons — "Spadina Bus"
Treble Charger — "Trinity Bellwoods"
Jim Bryson — "Sleeping In Toronto"
Murray McLauchlan — "Down By The Henry Moore"
Gordon Lightfoot — "On Yonge Street"
Metric — "Parkdale"
Moxy Fruvous — "King Of Spain"
Barenaked Ladies — "The Old Apartment"
Maestro — "416/905 (T.O. Party Anthem)"
Kardinal Offishall — "BaKardi Slang"