The band evolved out of "Chad Allan and the Expressions" (often shortened to The Expressions), which was a pop rock group with a British Invasion feel fronted by Chad Allan and featuring guitarist Randy Bachman. Both of them had great potential as singer-songwriters. After their cover of "Shakin' All Over" sold well as a single, their record label released the band's album with "Guess Who?" written on the cover, hoping to mislead unsuspecting buyers into thinking it was a British group. The name stuck, however, and from then on they were 'The Guess Who'. The Who musician Pete Townshend later jokingly said that he allowed the Canadian group to take both their style and name, calling himself a fan.
Singer and keyboardist Burton Cummings joined upon Allan's departure in 1966, and the band's classic line-up was born. The guys mixed some jazz-inspired sounds such as flute and electric piano playing into their sound, and they scored hits in Canada with tracks such as "These Eyes", "Undun", and "Laughing". Yet it was when they turned to psychedelic-influenced rock and rock with 'American Woman' (the third album with the Bachman/Cummings line-up) that they broke through in the U.S. The anti-war title cut (a song ironically embraced by some Americans as a patriotic anthem despite the cynical lyrics, though the band didn't complain as the record royalties came in) has received airplay on classic rock radio for years and years now. The Guess Who's success after that album came out proved to be hit and miss, however, and they would have members go in and out.
After the release of 'Share the Land', their second album of 1970, Bachman left to form Bachman-Turner Overdrive, leaving Cummings as the band's leader and main songwriter. Though Bachman and his band-mates had achieved huge commercial success, the singer-songwriter felt like he wanted to go off into a whole other muscial direction. Afterwards, the Guess Who experimented in various styles through the 70s, including blues, down-home bluegrass, jazz fusion, and Cummings's trademark piano-based rock ballads. The novelty pop single "Clap for the Wolfman", a 1974 track made for the popular DJ Wolfman Jack that the band members were fans of, ended up being the Guess Who's last chart appearance.
Various combinations of former members of the band have reunited at various times since their breakup in 1975. The Guess Who's classic songs remain radio staples, even into the new millennium. Various greatest hits and multi-artist collections featuring their music have also been released.
See Guess Who for the Romanian rapper Laurentiu Mocanu.
Laughing
The Guess Who Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Because your love has passed me by
You took me by surprise
You didn't realize but I was waiting
Time goes slowly, but carries on
And now the best years have come and gone
You took me by surprise
(Laughing) 'cause you're doin' it to me
(Laughing) it ain't the way it should be
You took away everything I had, you put the hurt on me
(Laughing) 'cause you're doin' it to me
(Laughing) it ain't the way it should be
You took away everything I had, you put the hurt on me
I go alone now, calling your name
After losing at the game
You took me by surprise
I didn't realize that you were laughing
Time goes slowly, but carries on
And now the best years
The best years have come and gone
You took me by surprise
I didn't realize that you were laughing
(Laughing) 'cause you're doin' it to me
(Laughing) it ain't the way it should be
You took away everything I had, you put the hurt on me
(Laughing) 'cause you're doin' it to me
(Laughing) oh, what you doing to me?
You took away everything I had, you put the hurt on me, oh
(Laughing) ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha
(Laughing) ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha
(Laughing) were you laughing at me?
(Laughing) were you laughing at me?
(Laughing) oh, what you're doin' to me, girl?
(Laughing) I'm-a looking, you're laughing
(Laughing) I'm-a looking, you're laughing
(Laughing) you're looking, I'm laughing
(Laughing) laughing at me
(Laughing) laughing, you're the laughing lady
(Laughing) oh, what you're doin' to me?
The Guess Who's song "Laughing" is a wistful ballad that describes the pain and confusion of unrequited love. The lyrics suggest that the singer has been waiting for the love of the person they are addressing, but that love has not been returned. The chorus, which repeats the phrase "you took away everything I had, you put the hurt on me," captures the singer's feelings of loss and betrayal.
The verses in "Laughing" focus on the passage of time and the disappointment of missed opportunities. The lines "time goes slowly, but carries on / and now the best years have come and gone" convey a sense of resignation and regret. The chorus, which features the phrase "laughing 'cause you're doin' it to me," is a bitter indictment of the person who has caused the singer's pain. The laughter is seen as mocking, cruel, and unjust.
Overall, "Laughing" is a poignant song that captures the emotional complexity of unrequited love. The lyrics convey a sense of bitter disappointment and missed opportunities, while the melody and instrumentation add to the song's wistful tone.
Line by Line Meaning
I should laugh, but I cry
Even though I should laugh it off, I cannot help but feel hurt
Because your love has passed me by
Your love has ended and I am left without it
You took me by surprise
Your actions were unexpected
You didn't realize but I was waiting
I was eagerly waiting for your love, but you did not realize it
Time goes slowly, but carries on
Even though time moves slowly, it still moves forward
And now the best years have come and gone
The best years of my life have passed and I cannot get them back
I didn't realize that you were laughing
I did not realize that you were mocking me with your actions
(Laughing) 'cause you're doin' it to me
You are causing me pain and laughing at me because of it
(Laughing) it ain't the way it should be
Laughing at someone's pain is not the proper way to behave
You took away everything I had, you put the hurt on me
You caused me pain and took away everything that I had
I go alone now, calling your name
I am alone and still longing for your love
After losing at the game
I lost in our love game and you moved on
(Laughing) oh, what you doing to me?
Your actions are hurting me and it is not funny
(Laughing) were you laughing at me?
Were you mocking me with your actions?
(Laughing) I'm-a looking, you're laughing
I am seeking love, while you are laughing at me
(Laughing) you're looking, I'm laughing
You are seeking love, but I am now the one who is laughing
(Laughing) laughing at me
You are mocking me with your laughter
(Laughing) laughing, you're the laughing lady
You are the one who is laughing and causing others pain
(Laughing) oh, what you're doin' to me?
Your actions are causing me pain and it is not funny
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Burton Cummings, Randy Bachmann
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@jamesdunn9714
Burton Cummings has one of the best voices in rock.
@johnbianchi1452
James Dunn damn right! The last :45 of this song... so great!
@massapower
ABSOLUTELY!!😎👍🏻
@db_xx4221
@Frank M Yes Burton Cummings and Eric Burdon! The best!
@morganahoff2242
Nobody can scat like Burton Cummings! I cringed when I read that Laughing is still in the set list, after Burton Cummings left the band. Who could possibly do it as well as him?
@MrCountrycuz
@db_ xx John Fogerty,Burton Cummings and Paul Rogers are the three most recognizable voices in Rock and Roll
@newadventure5609
In my opinion, Burton Cummings is one of the greatest rock ‘n’ roll singers of all time! His voice is pure magic!
@randyclement2429
And still not in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame but they'll put Dolly Parton in what a joke
@diananutt1517
@James Dunn 🍀🇺🇲🇨🇦
Who are the two male hosts who introduce our guys?
@hw5091
yeah he's great. Can sing wherever, that Stern performance was amazing considering where he was.