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/
Hold Back The Water
Bachman-Turner Overdrive Lyrics
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Looking for a place to play
I left the sun behind
I don't mind
But I think that it looked like rain
Hold back the water
I gotta find time to burn
I gotta find time to burn
Headed west to Georgia
Looking for the road to LA
They say the weather's fine
But the sun don't shine
'Cause the smog's always in the way
Hold back the water
I gotta find time to burn
Hold back the water (get on)
I gotta find time to burn (hey)
I never played no trumpet
You know I've never played no harp, no
The preacher say
I was born this way
With a storm cloud in my heart
Hold back the water (yeah)
I gotta find time to burn
Hold back the water
I gotta find time to burn
I gotta find time to burn
I gotta find time to burn
I gotta find time to burn (ooh)
Headed 'cross the border
Looking for a place to play
I left the sun behind
I don't mind
But I think that it looked like rain
Hold back the water
I gotta find time to burn
Hold back the water (come on)
I gotta find time to burn
I gotta find time to burn
I gotta find time to burn
I gotta find time to burn
Hold back the water (hey)
I gotta find time to burn
The song "Hold Back the Water" by Bachman-Turner Overdrive is about a musician who travels across the border, seeking a place to perform. The lyrics describe the singer's journey, from leaving the sunny weather behind to traveling to Georgia and searching for the road to LA. Along the way, the singer encounters obstacles like smog and rain, but is determined to find time to burn.
The chorus, "Hold back the water, I gotta find time to burn," emphasizes the singer's desire to keep moving forward and make the most of their time. The final verse suggests that the musician was perhaps born with a sense of turmoil or restlessness in their heart, which drives them to continue searching for their place in the world.
Overall, "Hold Back the Water" is a powerful and relatable anthem for anyone who has ever felt the need to keep moving, searching, and creating.
Line by Line Meaning
Headed 'cross the border
Starting a journey by crossing the border
Looking for a place to play
Searching for a location to perform music
I left the sun behind
Moved away from a sunny area
I don't mind
Doesn't bother me
But I think that it looked like rain
Believing the weather is about to change
Hold back the water
Preventing a potential flood or other water-related disaster
I gotta find time to burn
I need to find some leisure time to enjoy myself
Headed west to Georgia
Traveling towards the state of Georgia
Looking for the road to LA
Attempting to find a path towards Los Angeles
They say the weather's fine
Reports indicate good weather conditions
But the sun don't shine
Smog is blocking the sun's rays
'Cause the smog's always in the way
The reason the sun isn't shining is due to smog pollution
I never played no trumpet
I have never performed using a trumpet instrument
You know I've never played no harp, no
I have never used a harp instrument to play music
The preacher say
A religious authority figure believes
I was born this way
They believe my personality and character traits are innate
With a storm cloud in my heart
I feel burdened by negative emotions
I gotta find time to burn (ooh)
I must locate an opportunity to unwind
Hold back the water (yeah)
Delaying possible flood or other water-related destruction
Hold back the water (come on)
Urging someone to take action to avoid potential water-based disaster
I gotta find time to burn
I must allocate time for leisure activities
I gotta find time to burn
I should make time to unwind
I gotta find time to burn
I require some free time to relax
Hold back the water (hey)
Trying to prevent a catastrophe involving water
I gotta find time to burn
I need to make leisure time a priority
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Charles Turner, Randy Bachman, Robin Bachman
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind