Rough Trade was a Canadian new wave/rock band formed in Toronto, best known for its provocative lyrics and stage presence.
Centered on singer Carole Pope and multi-instrumentalist Kevan Staples, the group mixed art-rock, punk energy, and sexually charged themes. They were active mainly from the mid-1970s until the late 1980s and became one of Canada’s more boundary-pushing acts of the era.
“High School Confidential”
This 1980 track from the album Avoid Freud was their breakthrough hit.
- Written by Carole Pope and Kevan Staples
- Features explicit lyrics about a student’s attraction to a glamorous female classmate
- Sparked controversy for its open lesbian themes and raunchy lines
- Reached No. 12 on the Canadian charts and remains their best-known song
The single helped push Rough Trade from the Toronto club scene into national attention.