The precursor to BTO was the band Brave Belt, which was formed in 1970 by Randy Bachman and Chad Allan (both of The Guess Who), Robbie Bachman and Fred Turner. An original form of the group included musician Keith Emerson of The Nice (and later of Emerson, Lake & Palmer), but he was dropped due to illness. After two moderately successful Brave Belt albums came out, Allan was replaced by Tim Bachman, the third of the Bachman brothers, and the band changed its name to Bachman-Turner Overdrive.
Hailing from Winnipeg, Canada as stated before, BTO released their first album under that name in the spring of 1973. Their second album was Bachman-Turner Overdrive II, and it became a massive hit in the US and their native Canada. It also yielded their best-remembered single, "Takin' Care of Business" written by Randy Bachman. BTO were one of the early hard rock bands which opted for songs backed by catchy melodies and powerful riffing. The band also promoted a strait-laced lifestyle due to the Mormon religious beliefs of Randy Bachman.
Tim Bachman left because of limited performance skills and personal lifestyle issues, and was replaced by Blair Thornton. The first album with the modified lineup, 1974's Not Fragile became a hit, including the #1 single "You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet". The band continued to steadily produce successful albums through the mid-1970s including Four Wheel Drive and Head On (both 1975).
After the release of Freeways in 1977, Randy Bachman left the group for a solo career and another band, Ironhorse. Randy was replaced by Jim Clench, formerly of April Wine, and BTO released a pair of albums before breaking up in 1979. They reunited in 1983, leading to a lawsuit between the brothers, as one group, led by Randy, toured as Bachman-Turner Overdrive and another, led by Robbie, toured as BTO (Robbie Bachman, Fred Turner, Blair Thornton, and Randy Murray). Interestingly enough, in 1984 the line up for Bachman-Turner's first studio LP in 5 years consisted of Randy and Tim Bachman, Fred Turner and Garry Peterson on drums. In 1986 they were the opening band for the newly reformed Van Halen. By that time Fred Turner had left the band, probably to join the "other" BTO. Robbie Bachman's BTO toured and performed until early 2005.
Musicians Randy Bachman and Fred Turner reunited in 2010 for a tour and collaboration on new songs. In 2010, they notably played the half-time show at the Grey Cup in Edmonton, AB.
Website: http://www.bachmanandturner.com/
4 Wheel Drive
Bachman-Turner Overdrive Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Your name is all over the town.
Your reputation is sweeping the nation.
The rumors are bringing me down.
You stand on the tip of my tongue,
I can't get you out of my head.
There's no syncopation with any relation,
Four wheel drive, four wheel ride, side by side, four wheel drive.
Why don't you try to slow down?
I'm standing at the back of the line.
We made reservations to meet at the station,
My schedule is running behind.
What can I do to survive?
Why am I always abused?
Anticipation of constant frustration;
Can it be that there's any good news?
Four wheel drive, four wheel ride, side by side, four wheel drive.
The lyrics of "4 Wheel Drive" by Bachman-Turner Overdrive is a tale about a person who is constantly being affected by the actions of another individual. The singer bemoans the poor reputation of the other person, whose name seems to be everywhere, causing rumors that are detrimental to the singer. The singer is close to losing their mind, constantly thinking about this person, while anticipating trouble ahead.
The singer feels as though they are always playing second fiddle. The other person always seems to be ahead of them, while they are left behind, always struggling to keep up. The singer is frustrated with the constant abuse and experiences anticipation of further frustration. The only saving grace for the singer is the possibility of any good news.
The chorus of the song "Four wheel drive, four wheel ride, side by side, four wheel drive" is an expression of the freedom and independence that a four-wheel drive vehicle provides. It is an escape from the problems that the singer is facing.
Line by Line Meaning
Why can't you do something right?
Expressing frustration with someone's incompetence or repeated mistakes
Your name is all over the town.
Referring to someone's widespread reputation or notoriety
Your reputation is sweeping the nation.
Exaggerating the extent of someone's reputation to suggest that it's well-known everywhere
The rumors are bringing me down.
Feeling weighed down or negatively affected by gossip and speculation about someone/something
You stand on the tip of my tongue,
Having someone or something at the forefront of one's thoughts or feelings
I can't get you out of my head.
Feeling stuck on or preoccupied with someone/something
There's no syncopation with any relation,
Lacking harmony or compatibility with someone/something
Could it be that there's trouble ahead?
Worrying that there might be problems or difficulties in the future
Why don't you try to slow down?
Encouraging someone to take a break or relax before they burn out
I'm standing at the back of the line.
Feeling left behind or overlooked
We made reservations to meet at the station,
Having planned or organized to meet with someone at a specific time and place
My schedule is running behind.
Not having enough time to complete all the necessary tasks or activities
What can I do to survive?
Feeling overwhelmed or in need of support to cope with challenges
Why am I always abused?
Feeling mistreated or taken advantage of by others
Anticipation of constant frustration;
Expecting to encounter ongoing difficulties or obstacles
Can it be that there's any good news?
Expressing doubt or skepticism that things will turn out well
Four wheel drive, four wheel ride, side by side, four wheel drive.
Repeating the chorus with a focus on the idea of having a rugged or powerful vehicle, which could symbolize strength and resilience
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BLAIR THORNTON, RANDY BACHMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind