Bassist Alan Longmuir, his younger brother Derek Longmuir, a drummer, along with school mate, lead singer Gordon "Nobby" Clark founded the group in Edinburgh, Scotland in 1967, as The Saxons. Shortly afterwards, seeking a less English-sounding moniker, they chose a new name allegedly by throwing a dart at a map of the United States. The dart landed on the map in the state of Arkansas, but since "Arkansas Rollers" did not sound quite right, and might also lead to problems with pronunciation, they tried again and this time the dart landed near the community of Bay City, Michigan.
The Bay City Rollers were managed from early on by the imposing and controversial Tam Paton, himself a former big band leader. Paton was notorious for his rigid control over all aspects of the band's career, including the shuffling in and out of group members at a very high rate. Short term members from this period include David Paton (member 1969-1970) and Billy Lyall (member 1969-1971), who went on to be founding members of another successful Edinburgh band, Pilot.
The Bay City Rollers received their first break when prominent record executive Dick Leahy caught their act by chance in an Edinburgh club. After signing with Leahy's Bell Records, the band's first hit was "Keep on Dancing" (UK #9, 1971), a cover of a 1965 Gentrys hit, recorded at the suggestion of pop impresario and producer Jonathan King. (Singer Nobby Clark was backed on vocals on "Keep on Dancing" by King himself.) Upon this release's success, they made guest appearances on BBC-TV's Top of the Pops. The group then won a Radio Luxembourg-sponsored song contest with the tune "Mañana", which was later popular in parts of Europe and in Israel.
Several non-charting singles were released over the following two years. This period did see the addition of long term members Eric Faulkner and Stuart "Woody" Wood.
In late 1973 they narrowly missed the UK chart with "Saturday Night", one of many singles written and produced for the band by the highly successful songwriting duo of Scotsman Bill Martin and Irishman Phil Coulter.
By the end of 1973, Nobby Clark had become disillusioned by the band's lack of success and decided to move on. He was replaced as lead singer by Leslie McKeown.
The five members at the very end of 1973 - the Longmuir brothers, Faulkner, Wood and McKeown - are generally referred to as the "classic line-up". In early 1974 McKeown hastily re-recorded lead vocals of the group's forthcoming single, "Remember (Sha La La La)", which became a sizable hit and a lead in to a series of UK chart hits.
Beginning with "Remember" (UK #6), the Rollers' popularity exploded, and they released a string of very successful hits on the British charts. Following in succession were "Shang-a-Lang" (UK #2), "Summerlove Sensation" (UK #3), and "All of Me Loves All of You" (UK #4).
By early 1975, they were one of the highest-selling acts in Britain. That year saw a successful UK tour (which prompted newspaper headlines about "Rollermania"), and a 20-week UK television series, Shang-a-Lang.
A cover of the Four Seasons' "Bye, Bye, Baby", stayed at #1 in the UK for six weeks in the spring of 1975, selling nearly a million copies to become the biggest seller of the year, and the subsequent single "Give a Little Love" topped the charts that summer, their second #1 hit. At the peak of their popularity in the UK, comparisons were even made to The Beatles.
By this time, BCR fans had a completely distinctive style of dress, the main elements of which were ankle length tartan trousers and tartan scarves which they had copied from another Tam Paton Band "Bilbo Baggins".
As the group's popularity swelled to superstardom in the UK, a concerted effort was made by Arista Records (the record company that evolved from Bell) to launch the Rollers in America. New Arista head Clive Davis was instrumental in grooming and overseeing the project. His work paid off as in early '76, the Rollers reached #1 on the US Billboard Hot 100 with "Saturday Night", the song which had missed the UK chart completely two years earlier. A second US hit came with "Money Honey" which hit #9, and finally reaching a lackluster 62 with a cover version of Dusty's love power. Prior to that, they made their American TV debut on Saturday Night Live with Howard Cosell singing Saturday Night.
The dark side of the band's unending schedule of tours and appearances was the great amount of stress the band members felt. By early '76, the strain of success (and the discomfort of a mature man in a teen band) had taken its toll on bassist Alan Longmuir, who decided to leave the group. He was replaced for 7 months by 17 year old Ian Mitchell - the first band member born outside of Edinburgh, Scotland (he was from Northern Ireland). With Mitchell, the group released an album titled Dedication, and hit the charts with a cover version of the Dusty Springfield song "I Only Want To Be With You", which reached US #12, as well as "Yesterday's Hero" and "Dedication".
As the Rollers' popularity waned, the shuffling of personnel continued: Mitchell quit the band, replaced by Pat McGlynn. The group's commercial success began to decline towards the end of the 1970s. In 1977, they covered an unsuccessful 1973 single by String Driven Thing, "It's a Game" to give them their final UK Top 20 hit (#16 in the spring), but "You Made Me Believe in Magic" could only make #34 in the summer. It managed to just crack the top ten in the United States, but this would be their final major success there too. Summer of 1977 saw the group release the It's a Game album and world tour as a four-piece group - McKeown, Wood, Faulkner and Derek Longmuir.
In 1978, Alan Longmuir reunited with the band for the recording of Strangers in the Wind. The release of this LP was timed to coincide with the debut of the Rollers' US television show "The Krofft Superstar Hour" later renamed "The Bay City Rollers Show" on the NBC network. The show was a poor match for the band. Their time in the teen-idol spotlight was slipping away and their music had matured and become more sophisticated compared to the bubblegum hits they had released in '75-'76. The show and album were each dismal failures.
Les McKeown left to pursue a solo career after an on-stage fight with Faulkner in Japan.The Rollers fired Tam Paton in 1979. South African-born Duncan Faure was hired to replace McKeown as lead vocalist and the band shortened its name to The Rollers. Three albums were issued under this name, including Voxx (1980) and 1981's Ricochet, before the group disbanded.
During the 1980s and 1990s, there were various short-lived revivals featuring some of the original members, including a New Year's Eve 1999 concert. Interest was rekindled in Britain by television documentaries about the group and a television-advertised compilation of greatest hits, which entered the UK charts on release in 2004 at its #11 peak.
Currently, there is one touring version using the group's name: Les McKeown's Legendary Bay City Rollers.
Alan Longmuir died on 2 July 2018 in an Edinburgh hospital after contracting an illness while on holiday in Mexico. He was 70.
Saturday Nite
Bay City Rollers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
S-A-T-U-R-D-A-Y night!
S-A-T-U-R-D-A-Y night!
S-A-T-U-R-D-A-Y night!
Gonna keep on dancing
To the rock and roll
On Saturday night, Saturday night
In our heart and soul
On Saturday night, Saturday night
I-I-I-I
Just can't wait
I-I-I-I gotta date
At the good ol' rock and roll
Folk show, I've gotta go!
Saturday night
Saturday night
Gonna rock it up
Roll it up
Do it all, have a ball
Saturday night
Saturday night
S-S-S-Saturday night
S-S-S-Saturday night
S-S-S-Saturday night
S-A-T-U-R-D-A-Y night!
S-A-T-U-R-D-A-Y night!
S-A-T-U-R-D-A-Y night!
S-A-T-U-R-D-A-Y night!
Gonna dance with my baby
'Til the night is through
On Saturday night
Saturday night
Tell her all the little things
I'm gonna do
On Saturday night
Saturday night
I-I-I-I love her so
I-I-I-I'm gonna let her know
At the good ol' rock and roll
Folk show, I've gotta go!
Saturday night
Saturday night
Gonna rock it up
Roll it up
Do it all, have a ball
Saturday night
Saturday night
S-S-S-Saturday night
S-S-S-Saturday night
S-S-S-Saturday night
S-A-T-U-R-D-A-Y night!
S-A-T-U-R-D-A-Y night!
S-A-T-U-R-D-A-Y night!
S-A-T-U-R-D-A-Y night!
S-A-T-U-R-D-A-Y night!
S-A-T-U-R-D-A-Y night!
S-S-S-Saturday night
S-S-S-Saturday night
S-S-S-Saturday night
S-S-S-Saturday night
S-S-S-Saturday night
S-S-S-Saturday night
S-S-S-Saturday night
S-S-S-Saturday night
The Bay City Rollers' hit song "Saturday Night" is a fun and upbeat song that captures the excitement and freedom of a night out with friends. The song itself revolves around the anticipation of a group of friends getting together on a Saturday night to dance to rock and roll music.
The opening lines of the song, "S-A-T-U-R-D-A-Y night," sets the tone for the rest of the song. This is a night to let loose and have fun. The chorus is then repeated several times to further emphasize the excitement and anticipation for the night ahead.
The verses of the song then focus on the singer's love interest and how they plan to spend their Saturday night together. It's a night to express love and affection, but also to let loose and dance. The song's infectious energy makes it perfect for dancing, and it's no wonder that "Saturday Night" became a popular hit in the 1970s.
Overall, "Saturday Night" is a nostalgic and fun song that reminds listeners of the joy and freedom that comes with a carefree night out with friends.
Line by Line Meaning
S-A-T-U-R-D-A-Y night!
Emphasizing the excitement of Saturday night being spelled out letter by letter.
S-A-T-U-R-D-A-Y night!
Repetition of spelling out Saturday night for further emphasis.
S-A-T-U-R-D-A-Y night!
Continued repetition of spelling out Saturday night for maximum impact.
S-A-T-U-R-D-A-Y night!
Final repetition of spelling out Saturday night to really drive the point home.
Gonna keep on dancing
Expressing the intention to continue dancing all night long.
To the rock and roll
Referring to the music that they will be dancing to all night long.
On Saturday night, Saturday night
Repeating the night they will be dancing on for emphasis.
Dancin' to the rhythm
Describing the type of dancing that they will be doing.
In our heart and soul
Expressing the passion and enthusiasm that they will bring to their dancing.
On Saturday night, Saturday night
Repeating the night they will be dancing on once again.
I-I-I-I
Showing a sense of excitement or anticipation.
Just can't wait
Expressing a strong desire for the night to come.
I-I-I-I gotta date
Referring to having plans or an arrangement for the night.
At the good ol' rock and roll
Referring to the type of music and atmosphere that they will be enjoying.
Folk show, I've gotta go!
Excitedly expressing the desire to attend the rock and roll show.
Saturday night
Specifically referring to the night they will be attending the rock and roll show.
Saturday night
Continued reference to the exciting upcoming night.
Gonna rock it up
Describing the enthusiasm and energy they will bring to their dancing and enjoyment of the night.
Roll it up
Bringing even more energy to their enjoyment of the night, maybe with dancing or partying.
Do it all, have a ball
Expressing a desire to have a lot of fun and enjoy themselves as much as possible.
Saturday night
Continued reference to the specific night that they are so excited about.
Saturday night
Another repetition of the specific night that they are so excited about.
S-S-S-Saturday night
Breaking down the letters of the word Saturday for further emphasis and fun.
S-S-S-Saturday night
Continued breakdown of letters for even more fun and emphasis on Saturday night.
S-S-S-Saturday night
Concluding the breakdown of letters with another reference to the fun and exciting night.
Gonna dance with my baby
Referring to dancing with someone special and close to the heart.
'Til the night is through
Expressing an intention to dance and enjoy the night as much as possible.
On Saturday night
Continued reference to the specific night that they are enjoying so much.
Tell her all the little things
Describing the things they may want to say and express to their dancing partner.
I'm gonna do
Asserting the intention to actually follow through with expressing their emotions and desires.
I-I-I-I love her so
Expressing strong feelings of love and admiration for their dancing partner.
I-I-I-I'm gonna let her know
Asserting their intention to communicate their feelings to their partner in a clear and direct manner.
Gonna rock it up
Repeating the excitement and energy that they are bringing to their enjoyment of the night.
Roll it up
Continued emphasis on the high energy and enjoyment that they are bringing to the night.
Do it all, have a ball
Another reminder of the desire to have a lot of fun and make the most out of this exciting night.
Saturday night
Yet again referring to the specific night that they are having so much fun on.
Saturday night
Concluding the song with the same refrain, emphasizing the importance and excitement of this night.
S-S-S-Saturday night
Final repetition and breakdown of the letters of Saturday night.
S-S-S-Saturday night
Continued breakdown and emphasis on the fun and excitement of this night.
S-S-S-Saturday night
Final emphasis on the thrilling and energizing experience of Saturday night.
S-S-S-Saturday night
Closing the song with one last repetition of the energetic and exciting nature of Saturday night.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Bill Martin, Phil Coulter
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@SkylarknTexas
My step-sister passed away recently, I had to play this for the memory of her. Teen beats, posters, the album. We were different in so many ways including our taste in music, when I hear or think about BCR I gotta smile. RIP Jeri Ann❤️🕊🙏🏻
@ladyofkasnova
I'm so very sorry for your loss. Your sister is in heaven rocking out with Alan, Ian, and Les. She's smiling big! ♥️♥️
@douglas2902
When I hear songs like this I'm completely transported back in time like I've jumpe d into a time machine. I have my older sister to thank. She loved this group
@markhardiman1179
I watched these guys Eva S.A.T.U.R.D.A.Y. morning on their 30 minute show.🤌🏿🤌🏿🤌🏿
@ortwinkrause8051
Zeit und Raum sind Illusionen! Wären Zeit und Raum keine Illusion, so würden wir nicht altern! Trotzdem war es eine schöne Zeit! Ortwin from Germany
@conniebrown1432
Just saw the news of Les"s passing. Breaks my heart. Another icon of my teenage years gone. That Roller music lives on, though.
@jamesspeed5172
True.. very true. I was a hard rocker & Country.. I was overseas in the US Navy when they really made it big.. I had one of their albums. Just too bubble-gummy for most of their stuff.
@JellyrollHorton
Too young to be gone. Even at 62.
@jonogren5567
@@JellyrollHorton 65
@jonogren5567
@@tammyramey7441 S A T U R D A Y night 😁