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/
Woncha Take Me For A While
Bachman-Turner Overdrive Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And that old familiar feeling started haunting me
There was something in the way she cried and I fell apart
So I reached out to touch her
She was meant for me, then she said
Woncha take me for a while
Woncha take me for a while
To make me smile
(Lord ya know I'm going to need it)
Woncha take me for a while
Sunshine fades and so did I, outside in the rain
I needed someone to carry on and really care
My summer came with deep blue skies
When we met again and I reached out to feel her
Sitting next to me and she said
Woncha take me for a while
Woncha take me for a while
Need someone, need someone
To make me smile
(Yeah you know I do) 2nd time
Woncha take me for a while
Woncha take me for a while
Woncha take me for a while
Need someone, need someone
To make me smile
(Lord you know I need it)
Woncha take me for a while
Woncha take me for a while
Woncha take me for a while yeah
Woncha take me for a while baby yeah
Woncha take me for a while yeah yeah
Woncha take me for a while ah
Woncha take me for a while
Need someone, need someone
To make me smile
Lord ya know I need it now
Woncha take me for a while
Baby baby baby
Woncha take me for a while ah
Woncha take me for a while
I need someone, I need someone
To make me smile
You know I need it now
Woncha take me me for a while
The lyrics to Bachman-Turner Overdrive's song "Woncha Take Me For A While" depict a man who is in love with a woman, and is drawn to her smile and the familiar feeling that she brings. He also notices her vulnerability, as demonstrated when she cries, which in turn causes him to feel emotional as well. Despite his initial hesitation to reach out to her, he does so and she reciprocates by telling him that she is meant for him. This feeling of mutual attraction and longing is reinforced throughout the song, as the man pleads with the woman to "take him for a while" and bring happiness to his life.
Perhaps the most striking aspect of the lyrics is the repeated refrain of "Woncha take me for a while". This phrase not only captures the essence of the song's message, but also creates a sense of urgency and desperation. The man appears to be in dire need of someone to make him feel happy, and is willing to do almost anything to achieve it. The use of the word "need" reinforces this idea, as it conveys a sense of dependence that is both raw and powerful.
Overall, BTO's "Woncha Take Me For A While" is a powerful and evocative song that explores the themes of love, longing, and vulnerability. Through its simple yet effective lyrics and catchy melody, it captures the essence of what it means to yearn for someone who can fill the void in one's life. It is a testament to the enduring power of love and the human need for connection, and is sure to resonate with listeners for years to come.
Line by Line Meaning
Something in the way she smiles that melted my heart
The girl's lovely smile warmed my heart and gave me a sense of affection.
And that old familiar feeling started haunting me
My emotions and memories of the past that I thought I've overcome, started to resurface again.
There was something in the way she cried and I fell apart
The girl's tears made me so emotional that I lost my composure and felt vulnerable.
So I reached out to touch her
I extended my hand to make physical contact with her as a gesture of comfort and intimacy.
She was meant for me, then she said
I believed that the girl was destined to be with me, but then she uttered something unexpected.
Woncha take me for a while
Would you accept me and be with me for some time and share this moment with me?
Need someone, need someone
I need somebody to be with, to lean on, and to share my feelings with.
To make me smile
I want someone to bring joy and happiness to my day, to lighten up my mood.
Sunshine fades and so did I, outside in the rain
Just like the sun disappears on a rainy day, my happiness and optimism also vanished.
I needed someone to carry on and really care
I longed for somebody to push me forward, to support me, and to be genuinely attentive to my needs.
My summer came with deep blue skies
My life was renewed with a season of pure happiness and bright hopes, similar to the clear blue skies of summer.
When we met again and I reached out to feel her
When we saw each other once more, I made a move to be close to her.
Sitting next to me and she said
She was next to me, and then she spoke.
Baby baby baby
An affectionate way of addressing the girl, expressing my fondness and endearment to her.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
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