One of the newest additions to the Polaris Music Prize family is the SOCAN Polaris Song Prize, an award that recognizes the artistic power of a single song. Introduced in 2025, the prize is now entering its second year and is quickly becoming an important part of the Canadian music landscape.
The award was created through a partnership between the Polaris Music Prize, which celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2025, and SOCAN, which marked its 100th anniversary. Like the Polaris Album Prize, the Song Prize is judged solely on artistic merit, without regard for genre, sales, chart performance, streaming numbers, or commercial success.
The inaugural winner in 2025 was Mustafa for the powerful and moving song Gaza is Calling. The award honours the Canadian song of the year and includes a $10,000 prize shared between the song’s Canadian performers and credited Canadian songwriter or songwriters.
The creation of the Song Prize reflects the changing realities of how music is released and consumed. While albums remain an important artistic statement, many artists now focus on standalone singles. A single song can spark conversations, capture a moment in time, or leave a lasting cultural impact. The Song Prize recognizes that some songs deserve to be celebrated on their own terms.
As SOCAN CEO Jennifer Brown noted when the award was launched, sometimes a song is so powerful that it demands recognition as an individual work. The prize shines a spotlight not only on performers, but also on the songwriters whose creativity and craftsmanship are at the heart of every great recording.
The 2026 Polaris season is now underway. The Song Long List of 20 nominated songs will be announced on June 24, followed by the Song Short List on July 29. The award continues to offer another opportunity to discover exceptional Canadian music and the artists creating it.
For Canadian music fans, that’s one of the most exciting parts of Polaris. Whether it’s a groundbreaking album or a remarkable single, the focus remains on artistic excellence and the diverse voices helping shape the future of Canadian music.
We’ll be watching closely to see which songs make the 2026 Long List and which one ultimately joins Gaza is Calling in Polaris history. Stay tuned and in the meantime, enjoy DarBar’s 2026 SOCAN Polaris Song Prize Long List Wish List.
TIDAL Music link:
https://tidal.com/playlist/6038d0da-6b00-4ec8-9f2f-69c38f78d93e
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