Shocking truth behind the "Hello Calgary" jingle — as only American public radio could tell us
Jason Markusoff, Calgary HeraldLocal News
If you lived in Calgary, in the 1980s, you likely remember this tune from local TV.
Hello Calgary — HELLO CALGARY!
Sing along, whether you can or cannot hit this high note…
The catchy ditty has made the latest episode of This American Life, one of the world’s most popular podcasts and a weekly commute-to-work ritual for me. This American Life is an amazing weekly hour of U.S. public radio, and it airs Sunday nights on CBC. The bit about Calgary leads off the hour-long episode called “There’s No Place Like Home.”
Host Ira Glass’ guide through this little bit of hokey boosterism that would even make an Edmontonian blush is Ken Lima-Coelho, a former CBC-nik who currently works at YMCA Calgary.
I don’t want to ruin the curveball that Ira Glass throws to the ditty-loving Lima-Coelho. So listen to the first five minutes first, and then scroll down for some of the ugly truth that we learn about Calgary’s beloved song.
Spoiler below….
“There can’t be two best hometowns that I know!”
This one’s special.
Full symphonic version!
And back to Calgary…. there are quite a few versions of the tune online.
I couldn’t help but notice that Ira Glass puts the proper sneer on when he mentions “Edmonton.” A friend pointed out that Alberta’s capital does have its own theme song — incredibly lame, but at least it’s original.
But nothing holds a candle to the unofficial ditty for Hamilton, my hometown.