John Canaan - Music Recordings

Favorite Singles (Full songs available on Spotify, Itunes etc.)

Albums

Background or Explanation On Some of These Recordings

  • Be Still My Soul is a unique collection of affirmations inspired by scriptures - with Music by David Tolk

  • Keep Looking at My Face - Click here for background

  • You’re Not Alone - The recording of “You’re Not Alone” (with woman & windmill) is the original from 1982.

  • You’re Not Alone - 40th Anniversary Version - Click here for background

  • You Are the Song - For Narelle - Click here for dedication.

  • What If I Loved You? was the #1 song throughout Utah for several weeks in 1983

  • Let It In & If Not Love - (primarily originals) - many are suitable for working through a breakup.

  • The Boy I Love was written for my son John-Robert when he was 4 years old.

  • In Silence - originally inspired by “The Christmas Box.” For every mother who’s suffered loss.

1983 - Concert Review from Paul Hulsibee

With a clean voice and relaxed humor, Canaan brings charm to the stage and heart to the lyrics. If Tuesday’s concert is any indication, this singer-songwriter’s songs aren’t just passing tunes – they’re becoming part of people’s lives.

by Paul Hulseibee – Staff Writer

CEDAR CITY – Singer-songwriter John Canaan performed his original music to an appreciative audience Tuesday at the LDS Institute, including his hit song “What If I Loved You?” which is now the top-requested song in the Salt Lake Valley. (Spectrum/Paul Hulseibee)

Displaying the polish and confidence of a professional and pulling mischief-laced pranks like a little kid, John rendered his original compositions with vigor and laced his music with humor that kept his audience rocking with laughter. He displayed talent vocally and musically and glittered by dry jokes and genuine songs.

Songs like “That’s O.K., I Don’t Like You Either” came from the singer’s earlier studio recordings. The songs spoke bluntly of situations faced by college students and the road to self-discovery, yet remained lighthearted and humorous enough to keep the crowd from feeling dragged down.

After offering some of what he said was “journal jottings,” Canaan brought the crowd to tears with his popular song, “What If I Loved You.” Many fans in the audience knew the lyrics, and Canaan encouraged the crowd to lean in and join him. “What If I Loved You” is the top-requested song in the Salt Lake Valley, according to a poll conducted by radio station KISN in Salt Lake. The success of the song is just the most recent chapter in the story of the 30-year-old singer-songwriter.

John and A.I.

I don’t sing any of these. I wrote all of the lyrics for some and collaborated with A.I. on others. Some songs include different versions. One song is 100% A.I. - Let me know what you think. I’d love to hear from you - johncanaan@gmail.com.

A.I. Favorites - All Vocals & Music by A.I.

  • When did this start… what we now hear? -
    the cries of children in our ears.
    This world of lies and hurt and pain.
    Can they be saved? Can we be changed?

    These little eyes look up and see the shadows of our history.
    Please God our Lord, help us to bury all our swords.

    And let not the sins of the fathers fall on our sons or on our daughters.
    If nothing is too great for you, help us to do what we must do.

    We built our kingdoms, proud and strong.
    We lit our lamps and sang our songs.
    But tiny hands reach through the flames.
    And softly call us by our names.

    Let not the sins of the fathers fall on our sons or on our daughters.
    We can’t undo what we have done but we can find them- every one- 
    and we can bring them safely home and give them what they've never known.
    Send down your mercy, God above.
    We can find the ones you love. 

    Every tear’s a prayer we send for the chance to start again.
    If we fall upon our knees could grace undo what history leaves?

    Let not the sins of the fathers fall on our sons or on our daughters.
    We can’t undo what we have done, but we can find them- every one-
    and we can bring them safely home and give them what they've never known.
    Send down your grace oh God above.
    So we can heal the ones you love.

  • Our “weak things” - our troubles, challenges, and sorrows, in a sense, are uninvited friends, yet can all be used in God’s hands to bring us home to Him. “I give unto men weakness… and my grace is sufficient for all men …for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them.” (Ether).

    Some friends knock as they’re coming in, and I rise to welcome them, but others find me that I don’t want- Still they come and they don’t stop.

    There’s an aching in my chest. There’s some weaknesses and distress. And here we sit. They’re not leavin’ soon, friends I wish I never knew.

    But I will breathe and carry on, and God molds me through their hands. Even pain can serve an end- even uninvited friends.

    I pour some tea, …pull up some chairs. Every friend just wants to share. They’re just doin’ what they do, and they won’t stop until they’re through.

    So I will breathe and carry on. My only play is goin’ long. And I will love it all as is. And bring my uninvited friends.

    There are things that can’t be felt in a heart that’s not been broken. There are colors I can only see through tears.

    So I breathe and carry on. My only play is goin’ long. Even pain can serve an end. Even uninvited friends.

Other A.I. Recordings (All vocals A.I.)