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/
A Long Time for a Little While
Bachman-Turner Overdrive Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I think I'm in over My Head...
Deep Thought, that's what I've been through
I don't think I'll be here again...
It's a one-way street, and I can't refuse
Nothing left, to lose...
I'll just disappear, into atmosphere
(Chorus)
The only thing that I know for sure
is we're all gonna die...
Just be glad you had the chance
and so have I...
To live a Long time, for a little while
A moment, that's all it lasts...
The future Ends, where the past begins
it's just a lifetime beginning to end
(solo)
(Chorus)
(solo)
The song "A Long Time for a Little While" by Bachman-Turner Overdrive delves into the idea that our time on earth is limited and that life is fleeting. The lyrics express a sense of feeling overwhelmed and being in over one's head, as if caught up in deep thought. The singer asserts that they will disappear into the atmosphere, and this will be reported in the news. The chorus emphasizes the certainty that we will all die eventually and urges listeners to be grateful for the time they have.
The song's message is poignant and thought-provoking, as it encourages us to reflect on the transience of life. The lyrics capture a sense of urgency and a need to seize every moment before it slips away. The reference to disappearing into the atmosphere suggests that life is as inconsequential as a puff of smoke, and that only the memories we leave will endure.
Furthermore, the solo sections in the song are telling; they may represent moments for contemplation and introspection, while the singer's assertion that "we're all gonna die" may be seen as a call to live life fully and embrace every experience, no matter how small. The song resonates with listeners, as it addresses a fundamental human fear: that life is too short, and that we may miss out on valuable experiences. Ultimately, the song encourages us to cherish every moment and appreciate the fleeting nature of life.
Line by Line Meaning
It's been a Long time, for a little while
I've been through a lot in a relatively short period of time
I think I'm in over My Head...
I feel overwhelmed by my current situation
Deep Thought, that's what I've been through
I've experienced a period of introspection and reflection
I don't think I'll be here again...
I hope to not have to go through this experience again
It's a one-way street, and I can't refuse
I'm committed to a path that I can't turn back from
Nothing left, to lose...
I have nothing more to lose in this situation
I'll just disappear, into atmosphere
I'll fade away and leave this situation behind
You can read it in the news!
My absence will be noticed and maybe even reported
The only thing that I know for sure
My only certainty is that everyone dies eventually
is we're all gonna die...
Death is inevitable and universal
Just be glad you had the chance
We should be grateful for the opportunities we have
and so have I...
I'm also grateful for the chances I've had in life
To live a Long time, for a little while
Life is short but can feel long, depending on our experiences
A moment, that's all it lasts...
Life is fleeting and we should cherish each and every moment
The future Ends, where the past begins
The present moment is the only time that really matters
it's just a lifetime beginning to end
Life is a journey from birth to death
Contributed by Lucas Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.