Steven Page at TEDxToronto

Singer, songwriter, and Canadian icon Steven Page has made an indelible impression on our country's bustling music scene as well as its cultural landscape. With 3 solo albums under his belt The Vanity Project, Page One and A Singer Must Die (with the Art of Time Ensemble) as well as the 2012 EP release A Different Sort of Solitude.
The co-founder and former lead singer of the Barenaked Ladies is busy -- entertaining audiences, touring with his new band, writing songs and composing for film and theatre.
In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)

[@Tardisntimbits]

Only just found this for the first time today. I miss his contributions to the Ladies dearly. Such a beautiful voice, such an intelligent person.

[@ErikaEmody]

One of the best voices of my generation.

[@MrDeanos]

I keep coming back to this. Page just draws you in.

[@lataylor2699]

I so loved this. I really love Steven Page's comedy in music and I have to say after watching this I really love his voice. Wow is he an amazing entertainer and interesting person.

[@Nostrafatu]

The BNL are not the BNL without Steven Page period. What a great voice!

[@Mercutiossword]

they're still doing great things but I know what you mean

[@tessyoung419]

He is so intelligent, charming, interesting, and talented! 💜

[@ccorb2393]

Swoon!!! My number one crush.

[@flawbertrobert]

My goodness I love Steven. A very good talk; I like how honest he depicts music, how much it shows the singer.

[@mrscary3105]

Steven Page, love that guy

[@suer2001]

Loved this! Love him. Goosebumps.

[@gerhardjasongeick4229]

He did a really intimate show in Saint Albert, Alberta, a few years ago, with Craig Northey. It was amazing. Afterwards they hung out, talked to people, and signed autographs. What a nice guy! He gave the same analysis of Chorus Girl that night that he does here.

[@tyoung1122]

Nice talk. I agree with him on how connecting with the song as the writer and connecting with the audience as well is key. Also great when he says the audience doesn't need to know everything about you... just give them a little something. Great point.

[@lauradixon4846]

Come on Steven...share some of the talent around with the rest of us. Great singer and public speaker whilst being a nice person.

[@LuLu-wh1to]

And humble despite his talent and fame...

[@Spuntmire]

That's crazy that he would say theme song to family camping trip, 'cause I discovered BNL while camping with my family as a small child. One of my favorite memories.

[@TomsBackyardWorkshop]

I don't know what happened between Page and the BNL's but I really wish he would bury the hatchet and bring the band back together. His music during that period was very important to me. The 90's to early 2000's was a very difficult time in my life and his music brought just a little bit of joy to some very dark times for me.

[@EarlofCrawford]

+POVadventure It wasn't him. It was Ed Robertson. Page got in some "substance" trouble and Ed got the band to throw him out. Ed has tried to play the victim ever since, but in retrospect it was a naked powerplay by Robertson. Sad. Because they aren't the same without Page. It would be nice to see them reconcile, but it would require a mea-culpa on Robertson's part and that isn't very likely.

[@appleblossom528]

+Jett Rink I don't agree with the your comment that Ed played the Victim-Ed just doesn't seem like that kind of person. Sorry but this is just how I view him.

[@TomsBackyardWorkshop]

That was almost a year before he left the band. It might have played a role but I don't think it is the reason for the breakup.

[@appleblossom528]

+POVadventure I understand that for some people the whole band meant a lot because I understand how their music lifts people's moral up. Steven's voice was amazing and his songs were probably the best but the whole band had something to give too.

[@appleblossom528]

+TovaShai I agree with your post. I still respect and love both parties. Wish them all the best. :)

[@drewcarlson1675]

I am still holding out hope that Page returns to BNL.......

[@Tonithealtwing]

@socksunited: They are, they just lost the best singer in the band.

[@Mercutiossword]

@@snakeoil2155 bnl is. he left.

[@edmontongord8120]

me too buddy me too.................

[@caitlindonohue6883]

For me, it's the saddest split of a band. I saw them over 15 times. Then saw them once in 2010 without Page and it wasn't the same band. I wish the rest of the guys all the best of luck, but it's not the same band. It breaks my heart.

[@patrickvanrinsvelt4466]

Oh gosh yes. They are all magic on their own. They are stellar when together.

[@webvideoproducts12]

I worked with him, we have talked. He's what you see. I appreciate him, a lot.

[@gammelhund]

I swear I'm responsible for at least 50 views on this video.

[@samanthaadioetomo5480]

absolutely fantastic and magical talk ❤️ i’m totally transported by that chorus!

[@jasonhogan328]

great singer, nice talk. Honest and helpful

[@CherylOates]

Ok. After listening to SP I have to say he's still got that great voice! Have to say though BNL needs SP back in.

[@motorcitykitty700]

I was front row at a BNL concert in Detroit in 1997. After the show, the band came along the front row. Steven Page gave me a beer soaked stuffed monkey. (Someone from the crowd threw it on stage during “If I had a Million Dollars.”) I still have that cherished monkey.

[@KitsunePhotography]

I would feel so much better if I knew him and the other ladies were still friends.

[@charda01]

Jessica Jones I'm not aware that they aren't friends. All the interviews I've seen of both Page and "the other guy" (you can tell who I really like!) have indicated it was an amicable break up of the band. There was no discussion of "creative differences," no stories of thrown amps and smashed guitars, no walk outs from rehearsals. Sometimes people just grow in different directions. But, yes, I do miss them as an ensemble--musically, they seemed better together than apart. It's hard not to conclude that what's missing for Steve in the song, is the response to his call, the chorus to his high note, from the rest of BNL, and, yes, especially, the other lead singer, what's his face?

[@appleblossom528]

charda01 The other guy is Ed Robertson :) I'm glad Ed wanted Steven to be in the band, But they were very different people but both really talented :)

[@peivandryks945]

+charda01 "The other guy" is an amazing artist too. Ed and Steve are (or were, I don't know) the heart and soul on BNL. Both are great.

[@dablueman21]

He does still play with Kevin (Hallelujah, It's All Been Done) but I think it was he, Ed, and Tyler that really broke apart.

[@jbk0507]

You do know why he is no longer in the band right?

[@travelingfamily1859]

Steven Page is the best artist ever! Plz come back to BNL

[@stratdx]

I loved his voice the very first time I heard it. One of the greats

[@maxpower1179]

Thank you for expressing your passion in the process steven 👍

[@mildgrooveon]

I love this song. Funny that he chose this one to speak about

[@wingy200]

All these people got to jam with Steven Page. I'm jelly.

[@lisatessler7545]

I love this music

[@francamour1084]

even when he switched up the opening verse (i assume by accident) he just kept it strong =)

[@judegraham463]

it takes a lot of bravery to get up there and perform one of your own songs in front of a room full of people. Well done.

[@PatIreland]

Two nights ago I saw BNL, sans Page, in Maryland. They did a great show, but it was obviously lacking something.

[@gerhardjasongeick4229]

Does Ed sings Steve's parts?

[@Tonithealtwing]

@Gerhard Jason Geick: It depends on what song. Ed does most of his songs, but Kevin, Jim and Tyler sing some of his songs as well.

[@okonh0wp]

a brilliant orator too

[@cindyfox50]

I love this video

[@davidmohorko9272]

jESUS, whats the prob with a lil' bit of cocaine? The power and continuity of the music is more important. Get back together guys ... you've helped alot of people build better selves because together you were our better selves.

[@bujfvjg7222]

other than the destruction of the Amazon (due to the so-called 'war on drugs'), nothing. Your body is yours to do with as only you please, that is the true meaning of being free!

[@melissamarshall9335]

La la la la💋😍🌹❤️

[@toomuchtimeonourhands2891]

I always thought he had one of the best voices in music. While I enjoy the comedy, I feel it takes away from the greatness he should have.

[@studlyhungwell]

A true master. 😊

[@tbroda2351]

Good God, I have missed his voice and humour...the explaining of the song in the middle...superfluous!

[@Rocksmurf73]

Amazing. He needs to mention Barenaked Ladies, but the Ladies don't even feel the need to bring Page up EVER. Going to see the Ladies on Wednesday.. can't wait!

[@dablueman21]

That's how we know which side really got him to leave...Ed was also going through things.

[@ryman7884]

I gave this a like before i even watched.

[@monstersrobotsmayhem]

BNL and the powers that be over-reacted to why they felt they had to force him out of the band. Worse things have happened with other bands and they mostly seem to work through them. BNL has been mediocre since....Page was the Voice and the Showman of BNL.

[@significantjoe]

Great, the only other comment is in French.

[@j2n]

i think this man is smart and said some good things, especially about singing as a very personal act, being unable to disassociate yourself from the characters you portray, and messing with people through the power of The Voice, but the talk seemed like he was trying too hard to impress everyone (well, i guess i can't blame him because of the stupid amount of emphasis everyone puts on TED)

[@benyoung4305]

Brian Adams

[@devondunbar4179]

I was waiting for a self-deprecating joke to come at the end where he eventually came to realize that he had just rewritten Pachelbel's "Canon in D". ...Which is fine. It's still a nice little song.

[@tbroda2351]

Flex arm hang...7 seconds. And I seriously tried!

[@malindahewlett2761]

Yes this would be so nice if there wasn't so many "nine year old actors" scoffing at the voices so they pipe down, shut up and fall (literally to underneath the powerful) in line so they can get used and tested like human chattle to ensure that "nine year old scoffer like personalities" can run the world!

[@robertofuentes8768]

la saco altiro de las wea

[@bobtownsend6122]

Sad.

[@robertofuentes8768]

weon pa fome

[@handsomesquidward9467]

eeeehhh, i prefer dubstep

[@patrickvanrinsvelt4466]

"I am a singer." Nah. Steven is an institution. Cat Stevens, Janis Joplin... Cut from the same cloth.