[2][3] The Great White North entered the RPM Canadian album charts at #3 on 12 December 1981[4] and rose to the #1 position the following week where it remained until 23 January 1982.

[8] The song "Take Off" (identified on the album as "the hit single section"), features guest vocalist Geddy Lee of Rush, an elementary schoolmate of Moranis.

[9] It was a hit, peaking at number 16 on the Billboard 100 singles chart in March 1982, five spots higher than Rush's most popular U.S. song, "New World Man", released a year later.

Side 2 of the original vinyl album also includes a very brief unlabeled track of Bob McKenzie (Moranis) saying the two words "black hole" and then laughing just before the "You Are Our Guest" segment.

Liam Lacey's review of the album in The Globe and Mail concluded on a negative sentiment, noting the production was "entertaining listening - about twice.