The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
I love being an American
But the politics make me sick
Tell you how to live your life
I can’t get over it
Place all these rules on you
Can’t drink til’ 21
Harass you about all your ways
Spoiling all of your fun
Oh man I’d love to be up there
And bask out in the snow
If you saw the girls up there
I bet you’d wanna go
Even some of them speak French
So sexy, ooh la la
It would make you fall in love
They’re the best I ever saw
I want to get away
I got to find someway
They can’t make me stay
I wanna be Canadian
Tell us all these BS lies
We can never compromise
Our government, we do despise
I wanna be Canadian
You can drink as a teen
Go and take some shots
No worries about an MIP
No harassment from the cops
The beer may cost more money
But man I would pay more
It will make really mess you up
You’ll end up on the floor
They even try and save the trees
While we chop all them down
Let’s get rid of all our air
And make a bigger town
They don’t try and pollute the earth
They rarely use a car
The solution to all their problems
Spend all your time in a bar
I want to get away
I got to find someway
They can’t make me stay
I wanna be Canadian
Tell us all these BS lies
We can never compromise
Our government, we do despise
I wanna be Canadian
But the politics make me sick
Tell you how to live your life
I can’t get over it
Place all these rules on you
Can’t drink til’ 21
Harass you about all your ways
Spoiling all of your fun
Oh man I’d love to be up there
And bask out in the snow
If you saw the girls up there
I bet you’d wanna go
Even some of them speak French
So sexy, ooh la la
It would make you fall in love
They’re the best I ever saw
I want to get away
I got to find someway
They can’t make me stay
I wanna be Canadian
Tell us all these BS lies
We can never compromise
Our government, we do despise
I wanna be Canadian
You can drink as a teen
Go and take some shots
No worries about an MIP
No harassment from the cops
The beer may cost more money
But man I would pay more
It will make really mess you up
You’ll end up on the floor
They even try and save the trees
While we chop all them down
Let’s get rid of all our air
And make a bigger town
They don’t try and pollute the earth
They rarely use a car
The solution to all their problems
Spend all your time in a bar
I want to get away
I got to find someway
They can’t make me stay
I wanna be Canadian
Tell us all these BS lies
We can never compromise
Our government, we do despise
I wanna be Canadian
Lyrics submitted by owlfnshow
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I have never heard this song before. But, I wanna be Canadian too damnit! I wanna say aboot and eh all the time. Have my entire wardrobe composed of flannels, jeans, and workboots... I think i am gonna cross the ambassador bridge and live there as an illegal immigrant. Canadians kicks ass, eh!!