Our current understanding of atmospheric tides dates from the 1950's when realistic heating and temperature profiles were established. While this framework has provided explanations for the qualitative features of the migrating diurnal and semi-diurnal tides, direct comparisons of tidal parameters between observations and models and between various observation types often indicated only partial agreement. Recent results from the CAWSES Global Tidal Campaigns which resolve these discrepancies and show that non-migrating tides to be important will be presented. Analyses from the extended Canadian General Circulation model which provide a coherent picture of tidal structures and their role in the middle atmosphere will also be discussed. Comparisons between the model and observations indicate that differences still exist and need to be resolved in order for the dynamics of the mesosphere and lower thermosphere to be properly understood.