O Siem Explained

O Siem
Type:	single
Artist:	Susan Aglukark
Album:	This Child
Released:	1995
Genre:	Country, world music
Length:	4:25
Label:	EMI Music Canada
Producer:	Chad Irschick
Prev Title:	Still Running
Prev Year:	1994
Next Title:	Hina Na Ho (Celebration)
Next Year:	1995

"O Siem" is a song written by Inuit musician Susan Aglukark and Chad Irschick. It was recorded by Aglukark on her 1995 album This Child, and was released that year as the album's first single. The song went to number one on both the Canadian RPM country and adult contemporary charts that year, and peaked at number three on the pop charts.

Content

Alternating between English and Halkomelem,^[1] the song was the first top-10 hit in Canada for an Inuk performer.^[2] Lyrically, it is a call to welcome everyone, regardless of race, gender, or sexuality.^[3] The title means "joyful greeting".^[4]

Notes and References

1. Web site: Feeling Reconciliation, Remaining Settled . Robinson . D. .
2. Web site: Susan Aglukark | the Canadian Encyclopedia .
3. Web site: Susan Aglukark, O.C. . 10 February 2017 .
4. RPM Top 100 Hit Tracks of 1995. RPM. Library and Archives Canada. January 23, 2020.
5. RPM Top 100 Adult Contemporary Tracks of 1995. RPM. Library and Archives Canada. January 23, 2020.
6. RPM Top 100 Country Tracks of 1995. RPM. Library and Archives Canada. January 23, 2020.
7. Web site: Susan Aglukark . 16 March 2021 .

   Musicians

   • Susan Aglukark: vocals
   • Michael Francis: guitars
   • Tom Szczesniak: bass
   • Claude Desjardins: drums, percussion
   • Ray Parker: organ
   • Chad Irschick: synth, percussion
   • David Blamires: background vocals
   • Debbie Fleming: background vocals

   Chart performance

   The song debuted at number 85 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks on the chart dated January 16, 1995 and spent 12 weeks on the chart before peaking at number one on April 3.

   Year-end charts

   Chart (1995)	Position
   Canada Top Singles (RPM)^[4]	34
   Canada Adult Contemporary (RPM)^[5]	20
   Canada Country Tracks (RPM)^[6]	26

   In Media

   "O Siem" was featured heavily in Season 7 of the popular Crave and Hulu TV series Letterkenny.

   References