Over the course of its career, the band has sold more than 40 million records and has charted thirteen Top 40 hits, including the number ones "Keep On Loving You" and "Can't Fight This Feeling". REO Speedwagon's mainstream popularity waned in the late 1980s, but the band remains a popular live act.
In the fall of 1966, Neal Doughty entered the electrical engineering program at the University of Illinois in Champaign, Illinois, coming in as a junior. On his first night, he met another student, Alan Gratzer. They held an impromptu jam session in the basement of their Illinois Street Residence Hall dormitory, and soon started a rock band. Gratzer had been a drummer since high school, and was playing in a local group on the weekends, while Doughty had learned some Beatles songs on his parents' piano.
Doughty started to follow around Gratzer's band, eventually sitting in on a song or two. The keyboard player was the leader, but several other band members were unhappy with the situation. On the last day of the university's spring semester, guitarist Joe Matt called the band's leader and told him that he, drummer Gratzer, and bassist Mike Blair had decided to leave the band and start a new one with Doughty.
They made a list of songs to learn over the summer break, and Doughty landed a summer job to buy his first keyboard. On his Farfisa organ, he learned "Light My Fire" by The Doors. The members returned to school in the fall of 1967, and had their first rehearsal before classes even started. They named the band REO Speedwagon, from the REO Speed Wagon, a flatbed truck Doughty had studied in transportation history, and the initials are those of its founder Ransom E. Olds. Rather than pronouncing REO as a single word as the motor company did, they chose to spell out the name with the individual letters each pronounced ("R-E-O"). An ad in the school newspaper produced their first job, a fraternity party that turned into a food fight. They continued to perform cover songs in campus bars, fraternity parties, and university events. The first lineup consisted of Doughty on keyboards, Gratzer on drums and vocals, Joe Matt on guitar and vocals, Mike Blair on bass and vocals.
In early 1968, Terry Luttrell became lead singer, and Bob Crownover joined as the guitar player, replacing Matt. When Mike Blair left the band in the summer of 1968, Gregg Philbin replaced Blair, Marty Shepard played trumpet and Joe McCabe played sax until McCabe moved to Southern Illinois University. Crownover played guitar for the group until the summer of 1969 when Bill Fiorio replaced him. Fiorio then departed in late 1969, eventually assuming the name Duke Tumatoe, and went on to form the All Star Frogs. Steve Scorfina (who would go on to found progressive rock/album-oriented rock band Pavlov's Dog) came aboard for over a year, composing with the band and performing live, before being replaced by Gary Richrath in late 1970.
Richrath was a Peoria, Illinois-based guitarist and prolific songwriter who brought fresh original material to the band. With Richrath on board, the regional popularity of the band grew tremendously. The Midwestern United States was the original REO Speedwagon fan stronghold and is pivotal in this period of the band's history.
The band signed to Epic Records in 1971. Paul Leka, an East Coast record producer, brought the band to his recording studio in Bridgeport, Connecticut where it recorded original material for its first album. The lineup on the first album consisted of Richrath, Gratzer, Doughty, Philbin, and Luttrell.
Richrath was a Peoria, Illinois-based guitar player and prolific songwriter who brought original material to the band including REO's signature song "Ridin' the Storm Out". With Richrath on board, the regional popularity of the band grew tremendously. The Midwestern United States was the original REO Speedwagon fan stronghold and is pivotal in this period of the band's history.
The band signed to Epic Records in 1971. Paul Leka, an East Coast record producer, brought the band to his recording studio in Bridgeport, Connecticut where it recorded original material for its first album. The lineup on the first album consisted of Richrath, Gratzer, Doughty, Philbin, and Luttrell.
The band toured relentlessly under guidance from early manager Irving Azoff. The band's most successful period featured lead vocalist Kevin Cronin who joined the band briefly for their second album T.W.O in 1972, and left in the middle of recording the Album "Ridin' The Storm Out" and returned in 1976, co-producing with Richrath their landmark Live: You Get What You Play For. Ridin' the Storm Out was completed with Michael Bryan Murphy on the microphone. Murphy stayed on for two more albums, "Lost in a Dream" and "This Time We Mean It", before Cronin returned to the fold in January 1976 and recorded "R.E.O.", which was released that same year.
They grew in popularity in the Midwestern United States during the early 1970s and peaked in popularity in the early 1980s. The band's first mid 70s FM hit was the Richrath composed concert fave "Ridin' The Storm Out", and their first gold record was a live album, 1977's "Live: You Get What You Play For". Their hard rocking live show was so integral to their success, their label released another live album in 1978, "More Live".
In 1977, Philbin was replaced with Bruce Hall to record the first studio album that reached platinum, "You Can Tune a Piano, But You Can't Tuna Fish", released in 1978 which received FM radio airplay but fell short of the Top 40. In 1979, the band took a turn back to hard rock with the release of Nine Lives.
By 1981's "Hi Infidelity" they had reached a new peak, and the LP spawned several major radio hits including "Keep On Loving You", "Don't Let Him Go" and "Take It on the Run" which went to #5 on the US charts, and the Cronin composed "Time For Me To Fly, released on the "Tuna" album.
REO Speedwagon followed up the "Hi Infidelity" LP with the power ballad "Can't Fight This Feeling" from Good Trouble in 1982, and dented the charts again with 1984's "Wheels Are Turning" album, 1987's "Life as We Know It" was the last new release to go gold, before popularity waned, and their long winning streak subsided. Founding members Richrath & Gratzer left the band, essentially ending a 20 year arena rocking run, but the band's collections continued to sell and earn classic rock & retro power pop airplay. Richrath and Gratzer was replaced by Miles Joseph and Graham Lear, Cronin's band members from jazz ensemble called "The Strolling Dudes". And soon Lear and Joseph was replaced by Bryan Hitt (formerly of Wang Chung) and Dave Amato.
Nowadays Reo Speedwagon remains a U.S concert circuit staple, mostly known as a crowd pleasing classic AOR genre rock band. Still fronted by longtime vocalist Cronin, currently the only original member in the 21st century touring lineup is keyboardist Neil Doughty. The hired guns brought in since have had stints in band's like Ted Nugent and Wang Chung. Spurred on by numerous re-packagings of their back catalog, and successful newer live recordings, in 2007 they released "Find Your Own Way Home" the group's first new studio album in more than ten years. Though it did not chart as an album, it produced two singles which appeared on Billboard's Adult Contemporary radio chart.
REO Speedwagon continues to tour regularly, performing mostly their classic hits. They are popular on the fair and casino circuits, but still team with other acts to play larger venues.
REO Speedwagon's birth place was reportedly a Red Lion Inn, on Green Street near the U of I campus (Champaign-Urbana, IL).
Principal Members (1971)
Gary Richrath - Guitar
Alan Gratzer - Drums
Gregg Philbin - Bass
Terry Luttrell - Vocals
Mike Murphy - Vocals
Current Lineup
Kevin Cronin - Lead Vocals, Rhythm Guitar
Dave Amato - Lead Guitar, Vocals
Bruce Hall - Bass Guitar, Vocals
Neal Doughty - Keyboards
Bryan Hitt - Drums, Percussion
http://www.speedwagon.com
Just For You
REO Speedwagon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I dedicate everything I do
My fear is gone
And I feel so strong
Love has never been so true
I've never seen what I see in you
I watch you sleep
Your beauty runs so deep
And whatever you need, I will provide you
Take my soul, and never let go
Cause I live just for you
And I give just for you
And your love has me wanting to
Be the best man I can be
I believe in forever
Just for you and me
This is just for us
To a future filled with truth and trust
And your sweet touch
I want you so much
And there is nothing that we can't do together
I am gonna be lovin' you forever
Take my hand, and make me your man
Cause I live just for you
And I give just for you
And your love has me wanting to
Be the best man I can be
I believe in forever
Just for you and me
Take my soul, and never let go
Cause I live just for you
And I give just for you
And your love has me wanting to
Be the best man I can be
And I believe in forever
Just for you and me
And I believe in forever
Just for you and me
The song "Just for You" by REO Speedwagon is a touching love song dedicated to a significant other. The lyrics express the singer's deep love and devotion to the person they have found. The opening lines state that everything the singer does is dedicated to their partner, and they feel incredibly strong and fearless because of their love. The lyrics also describe the beauty of their partner and the depth of their love for each other. The singer promises to always walk beside them and provide whatever they need. The chorus repeats the sentiment that the singer lives and gives just for their partner and their love inspires them to be the best person they can be. The final lines express the singer's faith that their love will last forever.
The lyrics of "Just for You" express feelings of passion, devotion, and deep love. They are a declaration of the singer's commitment to their partner and a promise to always be there for them. The song is a testament to the power of love to transform and inspire, and it celebrates the joy and beauty of being in love.
Line by Line Meaning
This is just for you
I am dedicating everything I do to you, and this is solely for you.
I dedicate everything I do
All that I do is dedicated to you alone.
My fear is gone
I am no longer afraid because of your love.
And I feel so strong
Your love empowers me and makes me feel confident.
Love has never been so true
I have never felt a love like yours before.
I've never seen what I see in you
Your unique beauty and all of your qualities make you special and unlike anyone else.
I watch you sleep
I admire you, even in your most vulnerable state.
Your beauty runs so deep
Your beauty is more than just skin deep and is an intrinsic part of who you are.
And wherever you go, I'll walk beside you
I will always be there for you, no matter where life takes us.
And whatever you need, I will provide you
I will be your provider and support system, always.
Take my soul, and never let go
I am giving you all of me, my very essence, and I never want to let go of you.
Cause I live just for you
My life revolves around you and is dedicated to you.
And I give just for you
Everything I give is for you and your happiness.
And your love has me wanting to
Your love inspires and motivates me to be better.
Be the best man I can be
I want to be the best version of myself for you.
I believe in forever
I have faith that our love will last a lifetime.
Just for you and me
Our love is special and unique to us and we will cherish it always.
This is just for us
Our love is a special bond that belongs only to us.
To a future filled with truth and trust
We will build a future together based on honesty and trust.
And your sweet touch
Your touch is a reminder of your love and affection.
I want you so much
My desire for you is strong and unwavering.
And there is nothing that we can't do together
There is no obstacle we cannot overcome together because of our strong love and bond.
I am gonna be lovin' you forever
My love for you will last an eternity, and I will always be devoted to you.
Take my hand, and make me your man
I am yours, and I want to be the man you need me to be.
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: JAMES PETERIK, KEVIN CRONIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jose Hernandez
These lyrics are so beautiful!!! I just sent it to my girlfriend to let her know how I feel about her!! It's a shame they don't have an official video!!
dee nug
nice song...one of my all time favourites
Alex Garcia
I miss the 80s era especially reo speedwagon band..love all their songs. Time for me to fly...
Jennifer McCoy
there was never a better REO than the one that Kevin and Gary built together. I will always love them.. and Kevin.. but it won't ever be the same. This song is so special.. so commercial.. but never made it. Because the rock of the band.. Gary.. was no longer there to make sure that for ever couple of rock classics there could be a ballad like this. Too bad, because it is one of Kevin's best songs. Long live Gary Richrath.. the lead guitarist of the best rock band in US history.
cross medley
this is one of my lifetime rock ballad favorite,thanks for uploading this!
Joshua Gardner
This is definitly one of the lesser known songs that should have made it a lot bigger than they did.. its for aongs like this that i like listening to whole albums from artisits of this era than just the popular songs.. i have found many songs i enjoy much more than those that were most popular. Prime example: most boston music. People usually only know a few of there gits when the reality is all their songs are as good or better than those that became popular. Just my two cents here.
Joshua Gardner
I was searching all of my cds and playlists to find this song. But I couldn’t find it anywhere! Only to go back to YouTube and find it, and my comment from a year ago lol
Irfan Rafique
Surprised!-- Just one video for such a wonderful song. One of my favorite songs for last 7 years - Thanks for making and sharing.
Cris Nuñez
que bello tema... emociona !!!
Mark Lopa
This was meant to be a sequel to “Can’t Fight This Feeling.” It a shame the record label barely promoted it.