Autograph formed in 1983 with vocalist/guitarist Steve Plunkett joining up with guitarist Steve Lynch, bassist Randy Rand, keyboard player Steven Isham, and drummer Keni Richards. The band seemed to have it all: a fine commercial hard rock debut in 1984's 'Sign in Please', good looks, and great hair. Still, it wasn't enough, and by the time they released the following year's disappointing 'That's the Stuff' the 80s rock audience had moved on. Their 1987 single "Loud and Clear" got a bit of attention, thanks to Ozzy Osbourne's cameo in their video, but it all arrived too late to save the band, which split up in 1989. A posthumous collection of outtakes called 'Missing Pieces' was released about a decade later.
Despite scoring a massive MTV hit with their very first single, "Turn Up the Radio", which continues to be a classic rock staple, Autograph's songs got lost in the shuffle of the thriving Los Angeles pop metal scene. Still, interest in their first big hit continues, with the song featured in a variety of places such as the popular 'Grand Theft Auto: Vice City' video game. In 2003, Steve Plunkett put out a reunion album of sorts: an all-new material album entitled 'Buzz', which retained their 80s sound. They've also released the odds and sods album 'More Missing Pieces'.
Reunion (2013–present)
In late 2013, original members Steve Lynch, Randy Rand, and Keni Richards got back together for a reunion. Due to Plunkett not being interested in doing the reunion, they have replaced him with Jailhouse, Agent X, Flood, 1RKO, solo artist singer/songwriter/guitarist Simon Daniels.
Since 2014, by which time Richards had been replaced by Mark Wieland on drums, the band has played the Monsters of Rock Cruise, M3 Rock Festival, The Moondance Jam, The Halfway Jam, Firefest UK, Rockin the Rivers, The Iowa State Fair along with other festivals, theaters and worldwide touring.
On January 15, 2015, they released their first single, "You Are Us, We Are You," on iTunes. On April 21, they released their 2nd single, "I Lost My Mind in America," which made the Top 10 download of the charts. In July, the band was featured in USA Today NEWS after playing the famous Halfway Jam Rock Festival. On September 23, the band released their 3rd single "Every Generation" and is featured as track of the week on Classic Rock Magazine. On January 7, 2016, the new 5 song EP 'Louder', with 4 original new singles and a live version of "Turn up the Radio", was released and is available on the official website.
On January 10, 2017, the band completed the recordings for the new full album which was released as 'Get Off Your Ass' on OCTOBER 6 after signing with EMP Label Group owned by David Ellefson.
On April 8, 2017, Keni Richards died at the age of 60.
On July 24, 2019, Steve Lynch decided to move on to other projects so the band added a new guitarist on August 27, 2019. Jimi Bell previously played in the House of Lords and Maxx Explosion. Bell appeared in the 1986 film, Light Of Day, where he was both a performer in the movie and played on the soundtrack album. He is an official endorsee of GHS Strings, Marshall Amps (Europe), Ovation Guitars, Roberts Guitars, Viper Guitars, Charvel Guitars and PVX Guitars.
Autograph‘s long-time bassist Randy Rand passed away in April 2022. Rand was in Autograph from 1983 to 1989 and again from 2013 onwards. He was the lone remaining original member in the band. Three of the five original Autograph band members have now passed away with Rand in 2022, keyboardist Steven Isham in 2008 and drummer Keni Richards in 2017.
Turn up the Radio
Autograph Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yeah
I'm working hard, you're working too
We do it every day
For every minute I have to work
I need a minute of play
Day in, day out, all week long
The only time I turn it down
Is when I'm sleepin' it off
Turn up the radio
I need the music, gimmie some more
Turn up the radio
I want to feel it, got to gimmie some more
Now listen
I want to shake, I wanna dance
So count it off, one, two, three
I feel the beat, I'm in a trance
No better place to be
Daytime nighttime, anytime
Things go better with rock
I'm goin' twenty-four hours a day
I can't seem to stop
Turn up the radio
I need the music, gimmie some more
Turn up the radio
I want to feel it, got to gimmie some more
Turn up the radio
I want to feel it, got to gimmie some more
Turn up the radio
I need the music, gimmie some more (yeah)
Turn up the radio
I want to feel it, got to gimmie some more (whoa)
Turn up the radio (come on)
I need the music, gimmie some more (everybody)
Turn up the radio (turn it up)
I want to feel it, got to gimmie some more (woo)
Turn up the radio (turn it up)
I need the music, gimmie some more (gimmie some more)
Turn up the radio (woo, come on)
I want to feel it, got to gimmie some more (gimmie all you got)
Turn up
the radio (turn it up)
I need the music, gimmie some more (gimmie some more)
The lyrics of Autograph's song "Turn up the Radio" talk about the importance of music in the lives of hardworking people who need a break from their daily routine of work. The singer acknowledges that working hard is necessary, but so is taking a break and enjoying life. They need music to provide the energy they require to keep going and to get them through their day. The song emphasizes the need for rock music, as it is the only way to pump them up and get them moving. The lyrics also describe the power of rock music to transport one into a different world and make them feel energized, happy, and free. The singer asks listeners to turn up the radio and give them more music, so they can dance, enjoy their life, and forget their daily struggles for a while.
One interesting fact about the song is that it was Autograph's biggest hit, reaching number 29 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1984. The song's success helped the band gain fame and recognition among rock music fans at that time. Another interesting fact is that the song's intro was used as the theme music for the video game Grand Theft Auto IV's in-game radio station "Vladivostok FM." Moreover, the song was featured in several movies, including the 2002 film Like Mike and the 2014 film Fury.
Additionally, "Turn up the Radio" was written by the band's bassist and lead singer, Randy Rand, and the producer Steve Plunkett. Autograph formed in 1983, and the song was part of their first album, "Sign In Please," which also included other hits such as "Send Her to Me" and "Deep End." The song's catchy chorus has been used in several marketing campaigns, including a commercial for the Nerf Vortex football toy and a 2015 Super Bowl commercial for the Fiat 500 car. Interestingly, the song was also played on NASA's Mars Curiosity Rover as a wakeup call for the rover's team members.
The chords for "Turn up the Radio" are E, G, A, and D.
Line by Line Meaning
Turn it up
Increase the volume of the radio
I'm working hard, you're working too
We are both working tirelessly
We do it every day
Our work is a daily grind
For every minute I have to work
If I work a minute, I deserve a minute of relaxation
I need a minute of play
I seek moments of entertainment
Day in, day out, all week long
We work every day of the week
Things go better with rock
Listening to rock music makes things better
The only time I turn it down
The only time I decrease the volume
Is when I'm sleepin' it off
Is when I'm sleeping
Turn up the radio
Increase the volume of the radio
I need the music, gimmie some more
I crave more music
I want to feel it, got to gimmie some more
I want to fully experience the music
Now listen
Pay attention
I want to shake, I wanna dance
I desire to move and groove to the music
So count it off, one, two, three
Let's start the song with a countdown
I feel the beat, I'm in a trance
The rhythm of the music has captured me
No better place to be
There is no other place I would rather be
Daytime nighttime, anytime
I love listening to rock music at any time of the day
I'm goin' twenty-four hours a day
I am active 24 hours a day
I can't seem to stop
I can't stop listening to music
Turn up the radio (come on)
Let's increase the volume
I need the music, gimmie some more (yeah)
I require more music
I want to feel it, got to gimmie some more (whoa)
I want to immerse myself in the music
Turn up the radio (turn it up)
We should raise the volume
I need the music, gimmie some more (gimmie some more)
I crave even more music
Turn up the radio (woo, come on)
Let's increase the volume, come on!
I want to feel it, got to gimmie some more (gimmie all you got)
I want to experience the full potential of the music
Turn up
Increase the volume
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Keni Richards, Randy Rand, Steve Lynch, Steven Ernest Isham, Steven L. Plunkett
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@JD-bl1mz
This song KICKS ASS. A true underrated, under appreciated classic. That guitar solo gives me chills.
@Zeppelinizzer
FOR REAL DUDE
@roadeyez
Steve Lynch
@scottwoodham7842
Yes this song kicks fucking ass big time I always loved this group Big Time and I'm 54 and still listen to this group
@jamief.8406
Fuck yes baby
@beverlyvansuch2303
❤ You got excellent taste in music 🎶🎶🎸💞🎸🔥💯😎🤘
Been rocking 🤘😎 for over 50 years!!!!
@gcampbell6126
80's were the best music
@JjENNYsamuel975_howl4U2Z
You can't help but to move something to this beat. Nothing compares to the 80's hair bands. And yes, they actually played instruments. The guitar solo is amazing. Listen. Its all encompassing. It checks all the boxes. A true classic.
@darknes7800
100% party song !
Wine Coolers and hotties with great big blond hair !!!!!!!!!!!!!
@ofthehunt4243
at 3:29 you can see someone push the guitarist into frame for the solo lol, dude was focused