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
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You've got to ride it to the end of the line
Be a troubleshooter
Blow the bad luck away
And you will make it to your station on time
And you'll find out every trick in the book
And that there's only one way to get things done
Is looking out for number one
I mean you
Keep looking out for number one
Every night is a different game
We gotta work for our fortune and fame
Success is a ladder take a step at a time
And the people will remember your name
Yes, I found out all the tricks of the trade
And that there's only one way
You're gonna get things done
I found out the only way to the top
Is looking out for number one
And that's me
I'm looking out for number one
Every day is an endless train
But I ride it to the end of the line
I'm a real troubleshooter
And I blow it away
No one's gonna get what mine
I found out every trick in the book
And that there's only one way to get things done
I found out the only way to the top
Is looking out for number one
I mean you
Keep looking out for number one
And that's us
Keep looking out for number one
That's me
I'm looking out for number one
The lyrics of Bachman-Turner Overdrive's song "Lookin' Out for Number One" are all about being successful in life by focusing on oneself. The song suggests that one should always prioritize their own needs and desires in order to reach the top, regardless of the consequences this might have on others. The lyrics encourage the listener to be proactive, to rise above the competition and to make their own way in the world. The endless train mentioned in the song represents life's journey with all its challenges.
The song's chorus states the main idea of the song: "The only way to the top is looking out for number one." This means that to be successful, one has to be selfish and put their own interests before anyone else's. The song encourages people to be individualistic, self-reliant, and to look after themselves first and foremost. The lyrics reflect the "me" culture of the 1970s, where individualism and self-expression were highly valued.
The second verse focuses on how success is a ladder that must be climbed step by step. Success, according to the lyrics, requires hard work, dedication, and patience. The song also suggests that success brings recognition and fame as well as fortune. The phrases "tricks of the trade" and "troubleshooter" suggest that the song is directed at business people. The song encourages them to be shrewd, cunning, and to do whatever it takes to climb the career ladder.
Line by Line Meaning
Every day is an endless train
Every day feels like a routine and never-ending journey, with no end in sight.
You've got to ride it to the end of the line
You have to keep going until you reach the finish line or achieve your goal.
Be a troubleshooter
Take action to try and solve problems or challenges that arise.
Blow the bad luck away
Do what you can to change your luck or change your circumstances for the better.
And you will make it to your station on time
If you remain focused and diligent, you will reach your goal at the right moment.
And you'll find out every trick in the book
As you gain more experience, you'll learn all the different strategies and tactics for success.
That there's only one way to get things done
Ultimately, there is only one surefire way to achieve success, and that's through persistent effort and hard work.
You'll find out the only way to the top
To succeed and reach the top, you must remain focused and committed to your goals.
Is looking out for number one
Putting yourself and your own interests first is the key to achieving your goals and reaching success.
I mean you
It's important to keep this mindset of focusing on yourself and your own goals, even if it means putting yourself ahead of others.
Every night is a different game
Every new day brings new challenges and obstacles to overcome, and it's important to stay adaptable and flexible to succeed.
We gotta work for our fortune and fame
To achieve great success and fame, we must be willing to put in the hard work and dedication necessary to reach our goals.
Success is a ladder take a step at a time
Success is something that must be achieved gradually, one step at a time, rather than all at once.
And the people will remember your name
If you achieve great success and fame, people will always remember you and your achievements.
Yes I found out all the tricks of the trade
After much experience, I have learned all the different tactics and strategies necessary for success in my field or industry.
And that there's only one way
Despite all the different strategies and tactics, there is ultimately only one way to achieve lasting success.
That you're gonna get things done
Persistence and tenacity are ultimately the keys to achieving success and getting things accomplished.
And that's me
I am the one who will achieve great success and rise to the top through hard work and persistence.
And that's us
We can all achieve great success and rise to the top if we work together and help each other out.
That's me
I am my own best advocate and must prioritize my own goals and interests in order to achieve great success.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Randy Bachman
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Mathieu Fortier
I can listen to this masterpiece 10 times in a row and never get tired
Charles West
Every day in the 70s on my radio station.
k nee5onix
ditto
Jeffrey Barkin
Sure reminds us to Stay Focused on priorities, and strive to get Résults
James Whitney
I hear you
Frank B
Fantastic chords and riffs, I remember being blown away hearing this song as a teenager when it came out. Absolutely love it!
Charles West
I feel privileged to have lived in the 70s as teen
David Timms
Randy Bachman shows his amazing talent with this song - a seamless fusion of rock and jazz that is one of BTO 's masterpieces. Randy is such an underrated guitarist. I loved BTO back in their heyday and still listen to them today. Bachman Turner Overdrive is a classic example of what true rock music was and what today's so called rock can't even compare to.
moongray2
I agree with your idea
smokiebird06
You are a thousand percent right.