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/
I Don't Have To Hide
Bachman-Turner Overdrive Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Of charms, hexes and curses
They tried to take out my eyes
But I don't have to hide
I don't have to hide
I don't have to hide
I don't have to hide from you
I don't have to hide
I don't have to hide from you
Black sunset's on it's way down
I've got to go out on the town
I'm not afraid of the night
But I don't have to hide
I don't have to hide
I don't have to hide
I don't have to hide from you
I don't have to hide
I don't have to hide
I don't have to hide from you
Black moon-dogs chasing at me
Way down to the sea
They want to steal my life
But I don't have to hide
I don't have to hide
I don't have to hide
I don't have to hide from you
I don't have to hide
I don't have to hide
I don't have to hide from you
The lyrics of "I Don't Have To Hide" by Bachman-Turner Overdrive can be interpreted as a message about fearlessness and empowerment. The mention of "black witches" and "hexes and curses" could represent the negative forces in life, but the singer asserts that these things do not have the power to bring them down. They have the confidence to face any challenge or danger without fear of hiding. The line "They tried to take out my eyes" implies an attempt to blind or deceive but, again, the singer refuses to be intimidated. Through the repetition of the chorus, they maintain their sense of autonomy and independence.
The second verse reinforces this notion of fearlessness as the singer describes a "black sunset" falling and their determination to go out on the town. They are not afraid of the night or the unknown, and they don't feel the need to hide their identity or desires. The final verse brings in the image of "black moon-dogs" chasing after the singer as they make their way to the sea. Despite this threat to their safety, they remain strong and unwavering in their belief that they do not have to hide.
Overall, "I Don't Have To Hide" can be interpreted as a statement of individual empowerment and fearlessness in the face of fear and danger. The singer asserts their autonomy and identity, refusing to be intimidated or manipulated by external forces.
Line by Line Meaning
Black witches sing their verses
Women with malevolent intentions are reciting their incantations
Of charms, hexes and curses
They are chanting spells that are meant to cause harm or misfortune
They tried to take out my eyes
These witches attempted to impair my vision or perception
But I don't have to hide
Despite the threats or dangers, I don't need to conceal myself
Black sunset's on it's way down
The sun is setting and the sky is taking on a dark color
I've got to go out on the town
I need to go into the city or nightlife scene
I'm not afraid of the night
Despite the possible risks, I am not intimidated by the darkness
But I don't have to hide
I can proceed with my plans without having to remain hidden
Black moon-dogs chasing at me
Strange and unsettling creatures are pursuing me
Way down to the sea
I am being led towards the ocean
They want to steal my life
These entities are desiring to rob me of my existence
But I don't have to hide
Despite the pursuit, I am still free to move about and act without fear
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BACHMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind