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/
Away From Home
Bachman-Turner Overdrive Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When the sun begins to shine
You will see this poor boy
Leavin', leavin' love behind
Seems it's just another day
Guess I'm goin' another way
Away from home
Nobody thought that we would ever split apart
Seems it was an open door
One that I've been through before
Away from home away, away from home
Away, away, I must go
I've done some livin' and for sure I'll do some dyin'
Her kind of woman almost makes me give up tryin'
Packed up everything I own, strapped it on my back
I'm goin' away from home, away, away from home
Seems what I've been looking for wasn't just an open door
I must go away, away from home
So movin' on along, I'll go
This old road is all I know, go
Away, away from home
Seems what I've been looking for wasn't just an open door
I must go away, away from home
So movin' on along I'll go
Away hey hey away from home
Away from home, away from home, away from home
Away from home away away
Down the road, down the road, the way I'm goin'
Away from home, Away from home
Down the road, down the road
Away from home
The lyrics of "Away From Home" by Bachman-Turner Overdrive capture the feeling of an individual who is leaving behind a place of comfort and a romantic partner to embark on a new journey. The song opens with the singer leaving early in the morning as the sun starts shining. He knows that he is leaving love behind, but he has decided to go down a different path. The verse establishes the underlying theme of the song, which is the choice to leave behind what is comfortable and familiar to explore new opportunities.
The singer explains that the woman he was with was the reason for his grief and heartache. People did not think that their relationship would end, but it did. He feels that he has been through a similar situation before, and it was an open door that he went through. The chorus talks about the need to go away from home, and this time, it seems like the singer is not just looking for an open door but something else entirely.
The second verse reveals the singer's determination to move on from his past. He is open to new experiences even if it means that he will likely face some challenges. He has packed up everything he owns and is willing to face the unknown. The chorus is repeated, emphasizing the need to go away from home. The song ends with the singer moving down the road towards his new destination.
Overall, the song appears to be about the need for change and a desire for something new. The singer is willing to leave behind his comfort, love, and past struggles for an uncertain future. The lyrics capture the sense of adventure and the excitement of the new possibilities that await him.
Line by Line Meaning
Early in the morning
At the start of the day
When the sun begins to shine
As daylight breaks
You will see this poor boy
An unfortunate man
Leavin', leavin' love behind
Leaving a relationship
Seems it's just another day
Feels like a routine
Guess I'm goin' another way
Choosing a different path
Away from home
Leaving the current residence
She was the cause of all the grief you see me wearin'
The person caused a lot of emotional pain
Nobody thought that we would ever split apart
It was an unexpected breakup
Seems it was an open door
It was an easy decision
One that I've been through before
A similar situation has been experienced
Away from home away, away from home
Leaving the current residence for a new one
Away, away, I must go
There's a strong urge to leave
I've done some livin' and for sure I'll do some dyin'
Experienced and will experience diverse emotions
Her kind of woman almost makes me give up tryin'
The person's nature is almost discouraging
Packed up everything I own, strapped it on my back
All personal belongings have been gathered
I'm goin' away from home, away, away from home
Leaving the current residence for a new one
Seems what I've been looking for wasn't just an open door
Realized what was wanted is more than an easy way out
I must go away, away from home
There's no choice but to leave
So movin' on along, I'll go
Continue traveling forward
This old road is all I know, go
Familiar with traveling alone
Down the road, down the road, the way I'm goin'
Traveling further away from the past
Away from home, Away from home
Leaving the current residence
Down the road, down the road
Traveling further away
Away from home
Leaving the current residence
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: TURNER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind