Furtado Completely Baffled by Cockburn's Speech

HAMILTON: New pop sensation and multiple Juno award winner Nelly Furtado was "absolutely clueless" as to what Bruce Cockburn, the most recent inductee to the Canadian Music Hall of Fame, was talking about during his 26 minute acceptance speech at the Juno awards ceremony, held on March 4.

"Christ, what was he going on about?" Furtado asked. "I thought I was in the House of Commons or something."

For his acceptance speech, Cockburn, a legend of Canadian music known for his earthy sounds and politically charged lyrics, delivered a carefully scripted but scathing indictment of, amongst other issues, privatization of public institutions, the growing power of global market forces and the increasing commercialization of the music industry. Although the speech was warmly received by those in attendance at Copps Coliseum, unabashed bewilderment was the only reaction emanating from Furtado, best known for her hit single, 'I am like a bird.'

"Whew, completely over my head," the singer continued, using pantomime by waving her hand over her head while she spoke. "I stood up and clapped because everyone else did, but geeeeesh…..talk about snoresville"

She did conclude, however, that Cockburn should "seriously consider getting into politics."