Any conversation about rock’s best vocalist typically begins and ends with Freddie Mercury. But those of a Canadian persuasion sometimes tentatively proffer an alternative: Burton Cummings, the legendary Guess Who frontman, and subsequent solo star.

Curiously, I came across a YouTube video recently, posted by a young woman purporting to be a vocal coach, who, in this carnation, helpfully analyzes performers for her viewers from a technical point of view. And while clearly not Canadian, and not of the age, she had found Cummings, and, while claiming to having only vaguely recalled “American Woman” and “These Eyes,” confessed to have absolutely no other knowledge about him.

Her video review was for “Stand Tall,” Cumming’s first solo hit in 1976 hit and a ballad ideally suited to showcase his “velvet” voice (as described by the voice coach) and other-worldly vocal talents, including dynamics and range.

To say she was surprised and blown away would be an understatement (she stopped the video countless times to utter little more than “wow”), and those four-plus minutes led her to unequivocally declare Burton to be “the best” – a sentiment shared in the comments section by a host of otherwise unsurprised Canadians (and a few enlightened foreigners).

Those opinions are subjective, of course, but it’s not a stretch to agree.

Lyrics

Never been this blue
Never knew the meaning of a heartache
But then again, I’ve never lost at love before

Somewhere down the road
Maybe all these years will find some meaning
I just can’t think about it now, or live ’em out anymore

Stand tall, don’t you fall oh, don’t go and do something foolish
You’re feeling it like everyone, it’s silly human pride
Stand tall, don’t you fall. don’t go do something you’ll regret later
You’re feeling it like everyone, it’s silly human pride

Never lasted so long
Or through so much – or through so many
I just can’t believe you could throw it all away

Sometimes late at night
When there’s nothing here except my old piano
I’d almost give my hands to make you see my way

Stand tall, don’t you fall oh, don’t go and do something foolish
You’re feeling it like everyone, it’s silly human pride;
You got me down on my knees for ya, mama
Stand tall, don’t you fall. don’t go do something you’ll regret later
You’re feeling it like everyone, it’s silly human pride

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