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The Barenaked Ladies, a children's choir, and the commander of the International Space Station.  Put them together and what do you get?  The first space-to-earth musical collaboration.

The song, "I.S.S. (Is Somebody Singing) was commissioned by CBCMusic.ca and The Coalition for Music Education with the Canadian Space Agency to celebrate music education in schools across Canada.

 

Related:

Space Jam Session with Chris Hadfield and Ed Robertson


performers
Chris Hadfield guitar, vocals
Ed Robertson guitar, vocals
Kevin Hearn keyboards
Jim Creeggan bass
Tyler Stewart drums
The Wexford Gleeks choir

production credits
Paul Mills Producer
Ron Skinner Producer
Ron Skinner Recording Engineer
Chris Hadfield and Barenaked Ladies: I.S.S. (Is Somebody Singing) 5:28

Chris Hadfield and Barenaked Ladies: I.S.S. (Is Somebody Singing)

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Big David
posted by
Big David
on Feb 07, 2013

This is wonderful! Chris Hadfield is talented singer and songwriter, as is of course, Ed Robertson. Congratulations to Producer Paul Mills for this brilliant idea.

 

Hellovaway
posted by
Hellovaway
on Feb 08, 2013

I love this song. Great music and lyrics.

My prediction. No. 1 in Canada

HI CHARYNA
posted by
HI CHARYNA
on Feb 08, 2013

Great day!! Listened to the broadcast with tears streaming down my face ... fantastic!!  As an elementary school music teacher, I see this as a truly awesome way to honour music education in Canada.  HUGE thanks to Commander Chris Hadfield, Ed Robertson and Paul Mills!!  ... Ivy Charyna, Teacher of Music and Drama, WHITE ROCK, BC

JanetBrucker
posted by
JanetBrucker
on Feb 08, 2013

Thanks for your talent and dedication to music in our schools.  We will sing it with pride in Kelowna.

kenclench
posted by
kenclench
on Feb 08, 2013

Oh my god this is so incredible it brings a tear to your eye. All alone in the night... no more. Great job Ed, the choir, and of course Commander Hadfield. Making us all proud!

abigfan
posted by
abigfan
on Feb 08, 2013

You guys took me right to the ISS. I felt a strong sense of wistfulness and longing for home. Maybe I was picking up on a sense of vastness in the lyrics or maybe it was just watching Chris and knowing where he was. Chris Hadfield--could he get any more awesome?

frdarryl
posted by
frdarryl
on Feb 08, 2013

Oh my goodness. This is AMAZING.

Glen Foster
posted by
Glen Foster
on Feb 08, 2013

Very awesome concept and terrific performance. Nice singing Chris. Congratulations to everyone involved. Makes me proud to be Canadian!

VickiM
posted by
VickiM
on Feb 08, 2013

Great song! What a lovely sentiment. Terrific production - great job to everyone involved. Will this be released as a download? Where can we find the lyrics? And where can we buy those picks?! :)

shartrek13
posted by
shartrek13
on Feb 08, 2013

So happy!  Thanks for this gem.  Teacher of the ARTS in Ottawa.

laurah
posted by
laurah
on Feb 08, 2013

I love the song and the whole production - amazing.  I heard it on th radio this morning and had to watch the video! thank you Chris and Ed and the choir.

Littlej67
posted by
Littlej67
on Feb 08, 2013

Hello from Grosvenor School in Winnipeg!  We just watched this video and have been totally inspired once again by the talent of Commander Hadfield.  He was gracious enough to hold a Skype interview with our students last year and we still feel very proud that we have a connection like this with Commander Hadfield.  Thank you so much to the Bare Naked Ladies, the Wexford Gleeks, and to the CBC for creating such an incredible video.  We will be singing loud and proud from Winnipeg, Manitoba in May!

jleea180@bell.net
posted by
jleea180@bell.net
on Feb 08, 2013

What a great project. especially when you consider their is no CEO or government funding for the Canadian Space Agency. Perhaps Commander Chris will donate the royalties to support this valuable Canadian jewel?

aranel_luna_42
posted by
aranel_luna_42
on Feb 08, 2013

This song is wonderful and amazing. It made me cry. Way to go guys, I love it.

GiniW
posted by
GiniW
on Feb 08, 2013

I happened to turn on the car radio just as this song was being introduced by Jian Gomeshi. I got to hear its debut! It's absolutely WONDERFUL. I LOVE it!! Can I buy it on iTunes? Also will it be produced with a video of Earth from space and shots of various natural places on Earth. That would be great.

Re-tired
posted by
Re-tired
on Feb 08, 2013

incredible performance. but i'm calling you out Chris you were lip syncing maybe that is a necessary space thing? and is it still movember up there. just saying you are a handsome guy you don't need it. love ya.

Ol'man Macdonald
posted by
Ol'man Macdonald
on Feb 08, 2013

He is a scientist, military pilot, astronaut, international space diplomat (thanks to Twitter and Skype) and musician… all in one person. Commander Hadfield is a model for living life to its fullest – and for a well-rounded education. I love that these parts of the man are all part of what make him whole.  Leaders in education policy must recognize that arts, science, phys. ed., language and math are disciplines that can work in concert to educate the whole child.  Truly, music makes us… human; Intelligent, disciplined, community building, creative, and feeling humans.  Tough to fit into a test score.  Plain as day on your video.  Thank you CBC, BNL, Gleeks and Chris.

Tobia patrick
posted by
Tobia patrick
on Feb 08, 2013

As a citizen of the world, you have made me proud.  Thank you, I wish all my fellow citizens

could see and hear you. 

lcallan
posted by
lcallan
on Feb 09, 2013

Absolutely fantastic. The song, singers, production and idea are brilliant!

masquared
posted by
masquared
on Feb 09, 2013

What a blast!  Chris, Ed, The Gleeks -- great performance!  Thank you.  Congratulations to everyone.  And Chris may you indeed "get back soon".  You are an amazing ambassador for the world.  

 

Sunil T
posted by
Sunil T
on Feb 09, 2013

What a lovely idea. Congratulations to all involved. Proud to be Canadian.

Now, can someone explain how the time delay for communication from the ISS was taken care of?

Murdo Messer
posted by
Murdo Messer
on Feb 10, 2013

Great song guys. I love that music is important enough to be included on an orbiting science platform. Captures what it must be like to experience floating above this beautiful blue marble.

Ari Lahdekorpi
posted by
Ari Lahdekorpi
on Feb 10, 2013

Chris Hadfield is now officially the coolest Canadian ever (including astronaults). I was impressed with Ed at the REMAX conference last year...now I am just blown away. Congrats guys...words just cannot communicate the emotions right now.

canteka
posted by
canteka
on Feb 11, 2013

When is this going to be available on itunes?

birdonthewire2
posted by
birdonthewire2
on Feb 11, 2013

Fabulous!!  Is there anything Chris Hadfield cannot do?!  Do you think we could persuade him to run for Prime Minister?  He'd have my vote!

vicarious1
posted by
vicarious1
on Feb 11, 2013

Memorable first event. Imagine a whole band up there creating boundary less music, no copy right up there I guess:-)?

Bill Houston
posted by
Bill Houston
on Feb 11, 2013

Chris Hadfield may not be the first man to set foot on the moon, but he's definitely the first man to sing and play guitar in outer space accompanied by musicians and performers down here on earth! Congratulations Chris, and congratulations to everyone involved in this project. You make me proud to be a Canadian. Hats off as well to Paul Mills, producer of such an historic event. 

solosinger
posted by
solosinger
on Feb 11, 2013

Beautifully performed by everyone.Great song. Chris, you are the soul occupant of my space.Congratulations to all involved.

missantarctica5
posted by
missantarctica5
on Feb 14, 2013

this was perfectly performed.

my only disappointment was the fake stars in the background.  I remember when Toronto had a terrific planetarium, and could have shown stars in the background as they really were.  If only Chris had been around in the 70's maybe more people would have been interested and we would still have a planetarium.  

smartchick
posted by
smartchick
on Feb 17, 2013

This is so amazing!  Chris Hadfield never has to worry about finding a job when his astronaut days are over.  He is a terrific singer!  And of course Ed Robertson and the BNL are one of my all time favourite bands.

What a great way to promote music in the schools!  Way to go guys.......I LOVE this!

txrvs
posted by
txrvs
on Feb 18, 2013

Another reason I love Canada. And I'm not Canadian. But my wife is.

Mme Musique
posted by
Mme Musique
on Feb 19, 2013

Fantastique!  J'ai tellement hâte d'entendre la version française.  Je suis tellement fière que cette initiative canadienne, Lundi en musique, est devenue un évènement non seulement internationale, mais interspaciale!  Je contemple même l'idée de quitter la retraite pour me rejoindre à mes élèves afin de participer à cet évènement !

CVMill
posted by
CVMill
on Feb 19, 2013

truly magical. this is an incredible collaboration and compelling song. thank you!

L'Acadienne
posted by
L'Acadienne
on Feb 19, 2013

I became a member just to leave a comment about this song.  I've lost count of how many times I've listened to it so far.  What a wonderful way to promote the arts.  It's not just science that makes us travel to the stars and have out of this world experiences. Thank the lucky stars that Chris Hadfield is the renaissance man that he is.  Without the combination of all his talents this experience would not have been possible. Congratulations to everyone, from the performers to the technical staff, who was involved in this project.  I wish I could have been one of the members of the choir.  It is an experience that these young people will carry with them for the rest of their lives. A final thank you to Bare Naked Ladies, CBCMusic.ca, The Coalition for Music Education and the Canadian Space Agency for making this event possible. 

Jack-ve4ja
posted by
Jack-ve4ja
on Feb 21, 2013

That is absolutely terrific great singing all around ..so enjoyed.

BobMacKie
posted by
BobMacKie
on Feb 22, 2013

Brilliant and moving at the same time. The buzz about this is across Canada - I got a call from my sister-in-law from Montreal to here in BC. This is a huge winner for CBC Music. Well done!

cdnnomad
posted by
cdnnomad
on Feb 24, 2013

CBC North by Northwest introduced this endeavor this morning and said that Chris Hatfield approached the BNL, not as another posted stated.

The song is brilliant! 

Sydney33
posted by
Sydney33
on Feb 26, 2013

So beautiful!  Made me cry.  Love love love The Bare Naked Ladies.....not the same without Steven - miss you!

Etobicokian
posted by
Etobicokian
on Mar 03, 2013

What a great moment to be proud of. We produce the coolest geeks on and orbiting the planet here in Canada. An excellent and touching message. A great song! Now i just need to get it onto my phone!!!

Great work Commander Chris and of course to your collaborators, Ed, BNL and The Wexford Gleeks

arby
posted by
arby
on Mar 07, 2013

Wonderful , absolutely wonderful .

Reggie
posted by
Reggie
on Mar 08, 2013

A great song.

That choir does a fantastic job!

mommiemakesmusic
posted by
mommiemakesmusic
on Mar 11, 2013

A beautiful job by everyone involved! Makes me so proud to be Canadian! Tears flowing freely down my face. Such a great composition! Would LOVE to buy this on iTunes! Proceeds could go to music/science programs in Canada maybe? What an inspiration! Collaborations like this make Canada and Canadians so proud! Thanks for sharing this!

lampman@mymts.net
posted by
lampman@mymts.net
on Apr 16, 2013

lampman@mymts.net
posted by
lampman@mymts.net
on Apr 16, 2013

LesMonkeysMartin
posted by
LesMonkeysMartin
on Apr 18, 2013

My 3 year old and I have been dancing and singing along to this song all day. We would love to be able to put it on our ipod for traveling. Someone else suggested selling it on iTunes with proceeds going to music and science programs. What an awesome idea.

 

Please share when and where we can get it!

JMFilipowicz
posted by
JMFilipowicz
on Apr 23, 2013

I would love a download of this song so I can put it on my playlist. When and where can I get it? 

Hutchnden
posted by
Hutchnden
on Apr 26, 2013

Wonderful, truly magical.

popston
posted by
popston
on Apr 30, 2013

I've seen a couple of people asking about lyrics/sheet music but no response. Anyone help?

mlarocque
posted by
mlarocque
on May 01, 2013

I found lyrics and guitar tabs at http://www.guitaretab.com/b/barenaked-ladies/344749.html

rolyrattlesnake
posted by
rolyrattlesnake
on May 06, 2013

Man if this isn't a reason to support our public broadcaster, I don't know what is. Absolutely awe inspiring & amazing.... How to go gang!

Robow2
posted by
Robow2
on May 13, 2013

Wow. I'm not completely sure why or how, but this video makes me so proud to be Canadian and a citizen of Earth. The joy and emotion that it imparts is difficult to put into words.

Thank-you Chris, BNL and everyone involved in making this happen. Truly, you have created something wonderful and powerful here.

Thraesja
posted by
Thraesja
on May 14, 2013

Amazing and inspiring piece. Well done Chris, Ed, the rest of BNL and the Gleeks.

Please, please consider making this available for download through iTunes or other mechanism, perhaps with proceeds being split between science and music education or other musician- and astronaut-friendly causes.

sajopo
posted by
sajopo
on May 18, 2013

When will this be available on iTunes???

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NOTE: The CBC does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comments, you acknowledge that CBC has the right to reproduce, broadcast, and publicize those comments or any part thereof in any manner whatsoever. Comments are subject to our submission guidelines .
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Chris Hadfield and Barenaked Ladies: I.S.S. (Is Somebody Singing)

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