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
One Lonely Night
REO Speedwagon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
'Till not another word was left to say
I see that grin, boy
Maybe you think you'll win, boy
Until the sun goes down and once again, boy
One lonely night
One lonely night
They say it's darkest right before the dawn
But, oh, those darkest hours can be so long
You're feeling strong, boy
Tellin' yourself she's wrong, boy
But how much longer can this night go on, boy?
One lonely night
One lonely night
That's all it takes to completely break you
One lonely night
One lonely night
That's all it takes to completely break you
Ooh, she's such a good find
Have you gone and lost your mind?
You should know she's one of a kind
Ooh, she's such a good find
Have you gone and lost your mind?
You should know she's one of a kind
Just one lonely night
One lonely night
That's all it takes to completely break you
The song "One Lonely Night" by REO Speedwagon is a classic rock ballad that explores the aftermath of a fight between a couple. The song begins with the singer acknowledging that there was an argument between the couple and it has reached a point where there is nothing left to say. Despite this, the man is grinning, thinking he will win the argument. However, the singer suggests that soon he will realize that winning the argument is not worth it, and he will be left feeling lonely and broken.
The chorus repeats the phrase "one lonely night" several times, emphasizing the idea that a single night can completely break a person. The singer acknowledges that the hours before dawn can feel never-ending and trying to convince oneself that they are strong and their partner is wrong can only last so long. The song seems to be warning the man that he should not take his partner for granted or he may lose her for good.
The final verse is a warning to the man that his partner is a good find and one of a kind. He should not take her for granted or lose his mind and jeopardize their relationship. The song ends with a final repetition of the chorus, suggesting that one lonely night can completely break a person.
Line by Line Meaning
You and your baby had some words today
You and your partner had a disagreement earlier today
'Till not another word was left to say
The argument was so intense that it ended in complete silence
I see that grin, boy
You are trying to act tough and confident
Maybe you think you'll win, boy
You believe that you will come out on top in the argument
Until the sun goes down and once again, boy
As time passes, your confidence and strength will diminish
They say it's darkest right before the dawn
People say that things are the hardest just before they get better
But, oh, those darkest hours can be so long
Despite the eventual improvement, the time of difficulty can feel prolonged and arduous
You're feeling strong, boy
At the moment, you are confident in your position
Tellin' yourself she's wrong, boy
You are convincing yourself that your partner is mistaken
But how much longer can this night go on, boy?
You are beginning to question how long this tough time will last
Ooh, she's such a good find
Your partner is a valuable and desirable person
Have you gone and lost your mind?
Are you crazy to put your relationship at risk?
You should know she's one of a kind
Your partner is unique and special, and you should appreciate that
Just one lonely night
A single difficult night can have a significant impact
One lonely night
Again, just one lonely night can be enough to break you
That's all it takes to completely break you
A challenging time can be enough to cause significant pain and damage to a relationship
Lyrics Β© BMG Rights Management
Written by: Neal Doughty
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@juanpablosilva4865
Habla de que a veces por ganar una discusiΓ³n no nos damos cuenta del valor de las personas, por intentar ganar una pelea, pero a veces cuando estamos solos nos damos cuenta de lo perdido que a veces quedamos y por una discusiΓ³n no querrΓamos perder a una persona unica...
Tu y tu chica tuvieron unas palabras hoy
hasta que no quedaron palabras
para decir..
Veo esa sonrisa, chico
podrias pensar que ganaste, chico
hasta que el sol se ponga
y una vez mas, chico
Una noche solitaria
Una noche solitaria
Eso es todo lo que se necesita
para quebrarte completamente
Ellos dicen que esto es lo mas oscuro
justo antes del amanecer
pero, oh, esas horas oscuras
pueden ser tan largas
Tu te sientes fuerte, chico
Te dices a ti mismo que ella se equivoca chico
Pero ΒΏcuΓ‘nto mΓ‘s puede durar esta noche chico?
Una noche solitaria
Una noche solitaria
Eso es todo lo que se necesita
para quebrarte completamente
Oh, ella es un buen hallazgo
Te has ido y has perdido la cabeza
DeberΓas saber que ella es ΓΊnica en su clase
Una noche solitaria
Una noche solitaria
Eso es todo lo que se necesita
para quebrarte completamente
@carlosreyes1177
One Lovely Night
REO Speedwagon
Letras
You and your baby had some words today
'Till not another word was left to say
I see that grin, boy
Maybe you think you'll win, boy
Until the sun goes down and once again, boy
One lonely night
One lonely night
That's all it takes to completely break you
They say it's darkest right before the dawn
But, oh, those darkest hours can be so long
You're feeling strong, boy
Tellin' yourself she's wrong, boy
But how much longer can this night go on, boy?
One lonely night
One lonely night
That's all it takes to completely break you
One lonely night
One lonely night
That's all it takes to completely break you
Ooh, she'sβ¦
@MrReindeer69
All theses years later & this is still my favorite song from Reo Speedwagon :)
@garycarr3857
REO Speedwagon
@fabioguerrero2244
This is an excellent song.....the 80s was a magic time
@garycarr3857
REO Speedwagon
@LuisRuiz-hi7fu
No entiendo como esta obra de arte no tiene mΓ‘s vistas. La canciΓ³n y el vΓdeo simplemente son magnΓficas.
@dishwalla22
concuerdo contigo, muy buena el video y la musica
@marcelogonzalez3151
En esa Γ©poca un compaΓ±ero de curso en el colegio me dijo que reo speedwagon eran Heavy Metal .Cuando comprΓ© esto en cassette lo destrocΓ© a martillazo . Nunca fue Metal πππ
@williamrobertooleapimentel9203
Una joya musical
@garycarr3857
β@@dishwalla22REO Speedwagon - One Lonely Night π 1984
@garycarr3857
β@@williamrobertooleapimentel9203REO Speedwagon