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/
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Bachman-Turner Overdrive Lyrics
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I've got to get out in a hurry
I've stated my case
There's no need to come on with worry
'Cause I'm a real straight shooter
And my boot heels are clean
I'll always try to do better
I live down to the line
You know I made it all right (down to the line)
Stayed up all night (down to the line)
It's the way to live life (down to the line)
It's the way to live love (down to the line)
Down to the line, down to the line
Sooner or later it gets you every time
Down to the line
I found me a way
To stand up this way without cryin'
Now they asked for the key
But they're complainin' instead of just tryin'
But I'm a real straight shooter
And my boot heels are clean
I'll always try to do better
I don't live in no dream
I live down to the line
You know I made it all right (down to the line)
Stayed up all night (down to the line)
It's the way to live love (down to the line)
It's the way to love life (down to the line)
Down to the line, down to the line
Sooner or later it gets you every time
Down to the line, down to the line
Down to the line, down to the line
Sooner or later it gets you every time
Down to the line, down to the line
Sooner or later it gets you every time
Down to the line, I'll make it all right
Down to the line, sometimes I stay up all night
Down to the line, down to the line
Down to the line, sooner or later, it gets you every time
I stay up all night, I make it all right
Stayin' up all night, down to the line
Make it all right, down to the line
The lyrics of Bachman-Turner Overdrive's song "Down Down" speak about a person who has made a decision to leave a situation behind and move on. They are confident in themselves and their abilities and don't see the need for worry or concern. The singer describes themselves as a "real straight shooter," emphasizing their honesty and straightforwardness. They strive to be better in everything they do and don't live in a fantasy world. They prefer to keep it real and live "down to the line."
The chorus of the song repeats the phrase "down to the line" several times, emphasizing the singer's commitment to living honestly and authentically. They acknowledge that there may be challenges along the way ("sooner or later it gets you every time"), but they are determined to stay true to themselves and make it through. The lyrics also touch on the idea of love, suggesting that the same principles of honesty and authenticity apply there as well.
Overall, the lyrics of "Down Down" encourage listeners to be true to themselves, live honestly, and not get caught up in unrealistic dreams or expectations.
Line by Line Meaning
I've made up my mind
I have made a firm decision
I've got to get out in a hurry
I need to leave quickly
I've stated my case
I have presented my argument
There's no need to come on with worry
There is no reason for concern
'Cause I'm a real straight shooter
I am an honest person who tells it like it is
And my boot heels are clean
I am not afraid to get my hands dirty, but I am also responsible and reliable
I'll always try to do better
I strive for improvement
I don't live in no dream
I am not living in a fantasy world
I live down to the line
I live according to reality and not just my dreams
You know I made it all right (down to the line)
I have succeeded in life by living realistically
Stayed up all night (down to the line)
Sometimes I have to work hard to meet my goals
It's the way to live life (down to the line)
Living realistically is the best way to experience life
It's the way to live love (down to the line)
Love must also be grounded in reality
Sooner or later it gets you every time
Ignoring reality will always have consequences
I found me a way
I have discovered an effective method
To stand up this way without cryin'
To face reality without breaking down emotionally
Now they asked for the key
They want to know my secret
But they're complainin' instead of just tryin'
Instead of putting in the effort, they are wasting time complaining
Down to the line, I'll make it all right
By living according to reality, I will ultimately achieve my goals
Down to the line, sometimes I stay up all night
Occasionally, I need to work hard to succeed
Down to the line, sooner or later, it gets you every time
Ignoring reality will eventually catch up to you
Stayin' up all night, down to the line
Sometimes I need to put in extra effort to reach my goals
Make it all right, down to the line
I will ultimately succeed by living according to reality
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: MARK ANTHONY, KIM FOWLEY, RANDY BACHMAN, ALICE COOPER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind