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/
Tramp
Bachman-Turner Overdrive Lyrics
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Have you got a quarter for me
Tramp
I'll even take a dime anytime
Standing on a corner
Living in the street
I got to made a living from
I'm a tramp
Just a tramp
Spare change hand outs
Begging all the time
I need a story for a song
Some thoughts to put in line
Something good is something gained
Like reaching for a star
I'll get a healthy bank account
A suit and shiny car
Tramp
Have you got a quarter for me
Tramp
I'll even take a dime anytime
Spare change hand outs
Begging all the time
I need a story for a song
Some thoughts to put in line
Something good is something gained
Like reaching for a star
I'll get a healthy bank account
A suit and shiny car
Tramp
Have you got a quarter for me
Tramp
I'll even take a dime anytime
Standing on a corner
Living in the street
I got to made a living from
The people that I meet
I'm a tramp
Just a tramp
I'm a tramp
Just a tramp
I'm a tramp
Just a tramp
I'm a tramp
Just a tramp
The song "Tramp" by Bachman-Turner Overdrive is a commentary on the life of a destitute, homeless person who is forced to beg for spare change in order to survive. This individual, who is referred to as a "tramp," has no steady income and is dependent on the generosity of strangers for their livelihood. The lyrics suggest that this lifestyle is undesirable and the singer longs for something better, perhaps even dreaming of one day living a life of luxury with a "healthy bank account" and a "suit and shiny car."
The use of the word "tramp" in the song is significant, as it carries a negative connotation and implies a lack of respectability. The singer acknowledges that they are seen as a social outcast, but emphasizes that they are simply trying to make ends meet. They express the desire for a better life, but also recognize the harsh reality of their situation.
Overall, "Tramp" is a poignant reflection on poverty and the struggles faced by those who are less fortunate. It serves as a reminder of the importance of empathy and compassion towards those who are struggling to survive.
Line by Line Meaning
Tramp
An introduction to the singer and his street person lifestyle.
Have you got a quarter for me
The singer is asking for spare change handouts.
Tramp
The chorus repeats the song's title.
I'll even take a dime anytime
The artist is willing to accept smaller donations, he is not being picky.
Standing on a corner
The artist is on a street corner.
Living in the street
The singer is homeless.
I got to made a living from
The singer must support himself by any means necessary.
The people that I meet
The artist becomes dependent on the people he meets for his survival.
I'm a tramp
The artist labels himself as a low-status, homeless person who often wanders aimlessly.
Just a tramp
The artist is reinforcing the fact that he is nothing more than a tramp.
Spare change handouts
The singer is relying solely on the generosity of others for his monetary needs.
Begging all the time
The artist is constantly begging for money.
I need a story for a song
The singer needs to write a song based on his experiences.
Some thoughts to put in line
The singer needs to organize his thoughts for the song he wants to write.
Something good is something gained
Any money he makes is better than nothing, and asks passersby for money to save up for something better.
Like reaching for a star
The artist aspires to achieve more than what he is currently experiencing.
I'll get a healthy bank account
The artist is hopeful that he can save up enough money to create a stable financial future.
A suit and shiny car
The singer's dream is to become wealthy enough to afford nice clothes and possessions.
I'm a tramp
The singer continues to refer to himself as a tramp.
Just a tramp
The artist takes pride in his lifestyle, despite the negative circumstances that come with it.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BACHMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind