Canadian Idiot

At first glance it looks like this song pokes fun at Canada, but there is much more to it.

It really is written to poke fun at the way Americans form ridiculous stereotypes about Canada.

The song is also a humorous commentary about American paranoia and aggression:

"It's gotta mean they're all up to something so quick before they see it coming time for a pre-emptive strike"

The song also tries to indirectly characterize Americans as over-aggressive.

"they (Canadians) leave the house without packin' heat never even bring their guns to the mall "

As the "American voice" of the song is confused as to why Canadians don't feel the need to carry guns with them whenever they leave the house.

The song spends a lot of time "poking fun" at Canada, but the stereotypes are meant to sound overly-silly to emphasize how ridiculous American beliefs about Canada can be.

The songwriter's true positive feelings about Canada shine through in direct compliments to the country:

"they got their national health care Cheaper meds, low crime rates, and clean air"

In contrast, the song doesn't make any compliments about American lifestyle at all.

Overall, its actually a very pro-Canada song if you read between the lines. The song characterizes Canadians as a polite people. The song recognizes Canada for their low pollution, low crime, and health care system. Americans are described as aggressive and paranoid folks that carry guns everywhere.

I think the fourth line in the first stanza is "I never learned my alphabet from A to Zed." This makes sense because "head" and "zed" rhyme and the letter Z is pronounced "zed" in English-speaking countries other than the U.S.

"tell me what kind of freaks are that polite"

Haha! I love Weird Al, and do we really have an accent? I've never said 'aboot' in my life... I really love his take on American Idiot. Brilliant!

parody of American idiot by Green Day

Aside from that one phrase I can't get, here's a more complete version of the lyrics, plus grammar/spelling fixes:

Don't wanna be a Canadian idiot Don't wanna be some beer swilling hockey nut And do I look like some frostbitten hose head? I never learned my alphabet from A to Z

They all live in donuts and moose beaks And they leave the house without packing heat Never even bring their guns to the mall And ya know what else is too funny? Their stupid monopoly money Can't take 'em seriously at all

Well maple syrup and snow's what they export They treat curling just like it's a real sport They think their silly accent is so cute Can't understand a thing they’re talking aboot

Sure they get their national healthcare Cheaper meds, ??, and clear air Then again, well they got Celine Dion Eat their weight in Kraft macaroni And dream of driving a zamboni All over Saskatchewan

Don't wanna be a Canadian idiot We'll figure out the temperature in Celsius See the map? They're hoverin' right over us Tell you the truth it makes me kinda nervous

Always hear the same kinda story Break your nose and they'll just say "Sorry" Tell me, what kinda freaks are that polite? It's gotta mean they're all up to something So quick, before they see it coming Time for a preemptive strike

Bah! "clean air" not "clear air." What a stupid typo on my part.

Haha...I just realized that my earlier post wasn't necessary (Z would be pronounced "zed"), but maybe it will clarify the lyrics for some people.

Just to state the obvious, it's a parody of American Idiot. The song lyrics are Canadian Stereotypes that some Americans think about Canada.

It's: cheaper meds, low crime rates, and clean air

This is probably the best song off the new album.