"Wondering Where the Lions Are" by Bruce Cockburn

Song#:  0096
Date:  03/22/1980
Debut:  85
Peak:  21
Weeks:  17
Genre:  Pop, Contemporary Folk



Pop Bits:  First off, for those (like me) who's humor is still at the 12-year-old boy level, the artist's name is pronounced "CO-burn." So you can stop snickering now. Although I've known about Cockburn (I mean it - dump the smirks), I've never listened to his music. He is revered in his homeland of Canada but his work has basically remained in cult status here in the US. A lot of his early work through this period reflected his Christian beliefs, but throughout the 80s that changed over to more global/political themes. This song was his best effort on the US pop chart. He would have a second minor chart song in a few years. Cockburn is still performing and recording with his most recent effort being 2011's "Small Source of Comfort."

ReduxReview:  I'm surprised this made it as high on the chart as it did. It's not your typical pop hit, which is good for a change. It is certainly more literate than most and its relaxed bouncy sound was far different from the AC, disco, and soft rock crowding the chart. But it may have been that different sound that caught listeners ears back then and they tuned in. I've tuned in too and I'm diggin' this little gem.

ReduxRating:  7/10

Trivia:  In 2005, CBC Radio One featured a program that determined the Top 50 essential English-language pop Canadian songs. Selections were based on celebrity and listener suggestions and then voted on by the public for the final ranking. "Wondering Where the Lions Are" made the list at #29. What was #1? Ian and Sylvia's "Four Strong Winds." (Yeah, I don't get that either...)

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