"Ahead by a century" is a song by Canadian rock band The Tragically Hip. It was released as the lead single from their fifth studio album Trouble at the Henhouse, and it reached number one on Canada's singles chart. It is the band's most successful single in Canada, and was played as the last song on the Tragically Hip's final concert in 2016.

British artist Niki Hare taps into her agro, punk-infused toolbox to express frustration at getting ahead of yourself by incorporating the lyric, “Blow at high dough, blow at low dough”, into her edgy multimedia painting. The lyrics are also reflected in the bronze metallic leaf on the canvas that spells out Gord Downie's name as part of the painting.

Ontario-based painter Daniel Hughes takes a different approach to the song's lyrics, choosing to paint a brooding, shadowy man who looks directly at the viewer and carries heavy crimson brush strokes on his body. The painting combines elements of a traditional landscape with a modern sense of drama and an underlying message of inspiration.

Edmonton-based Metis singer Celeigh Cardinal says her cover of The Hip's most successful single in Canada is a shining light mid-pandemic and a celebration of the band's contribution to Indigenous communities. She says it's an inspiring song with a powerful lyric that encourages people to appreciate the present and live a meaningful life.

The lyrics in the song are based on a poem by Canadian poet Pauline Johnson, who wrote it for her daughter and son-in-law. The lyrics are meant to convey the idea that no matter what you've done in your past, you can still change your future.