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.
No Sugar Tonight
The Guess Who Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Deep inside
Find a corner
Where I can hide
Silent footsteps
Crowding me
Sudden darkness
But I can see
No sugar tonight in my coffee
No sugar tonight in my tea
No sugar to stand beside me
No sugar to run with me
Dat'n-doo-dow dow-dat'n-doo-dow
Dat'n-doo-dow dow-dow-dow
Dat'n-doo-dow dow-dat'n-doo-dow
Dat'n-doo-dow dow
In the silence
Of her mind
Quiet movements
Where I can find
Grabbing for me
With her eyes
Now I'm falling
From her skies
No sugar tonight in my coffee
No sugar tonight in my tea
No sugar to stand beside me
No sugar to run with me
Dat'n-doo-dow dow-dat'n-doo-dow
Dat'n-doo-dow dow-dow-dow
Dat'n-doo-dow dow-dat'n-doo-dow
Dat'n-doo-dow dow
Jocko says "Yes" and I believe him
When we talk about the things I say
She hasn't got the faith or the guts to leave him
When they're standing in each other's way
You're tripping back now to places you've been to
You wonder what you're gonna find
You know you've been wrong but it won't be long
Before you leave 'em all far behind
'Cause it's the new mother nature taking over
It's the new splendid lady come to call
It's the new mother nature taking over
She's gettin' us all
She's gettin' us all
Jocko said "No" when I came back last time
It's looking like I lost a friend
No use callin' 'cause the sky is fallin'
And I'm getting pretty near the end
A smoke-filled room in a corner basement
The situation must be right
A bag of goodies and a bottle of wine
We're gonna get it on right tonight
'Cause it's the new mother nature taking over
It's the new splendid lady come to call
It's the new mother nature taking over
She's gettin' us all
She's gettin' us all
(Lonely feeling) Jocko says "Yes" and I believe him
(Deep inside) When we talk about the things I say
(Find a corner) She hasn't got the faith or the guts to leave him
(Where I can hide) When they're standing in each other's way
(Silent footsteps) You're tripping back now to places you've been to
(Crowding me) You wonder what you're gonna find
(Sudden darkness) You know you've been wrong and it won't be long
(But I can see) Before you leave 'em all far behind
'Cause it's the new mother nature taking over
It's the new splendid lady come to call
It's the new mother nature taking over
She's gettin' us all
She's gettin' us all
Dat'n-doo-dow dow-dat'n-doo-dow
Dat'n-doo-dow dow-dow-dow
Dat'n-doo-dow dow-dat'n-doo-dow
Dat'n-doo-dow dow
Dat'n-doo-dow dow-dat'n-doo-dow
The Guess Who's song "No Sugar Tonight" is a haunting melody that speaks of a lonely feeling deep within, that the singer tries to hide in a corner. The lyrics are suggestive of a dark and sinister mood where silent footsteps are crowding the singer in sudden darkness. The singer is acutely aware of his environment, as he can see even when there is no light. The chorus is a repeated reminder that there is "No sugar tonight" in his coffee or tea, and no sugar to stand beside or run with him.
In the verse, the singer is describing the person whom he is trying to avoid. He describes her quiet movements and how she is grabbing him with her eyes. He feels like he is falling from her sky in the silence of her mind. The song ends with a cryptic description of a smoke-filled room in a corner basement, where the singer plans to "get it on right tonight."
Line by Line Meaning
Lonely feeling
I feel alone and isolated.
Deep inside
This feeling is coming from deep within me.
Find a corner
I want to find a quiet, secluded place.
Where I can hide
So that I can hide from the world and my emotions.
Silent footsteps
I can hear someone approaching, but they are being quiet.
Crowding me
I feel suffocated and overwhelmed by their presence.
Sudden darkness
The lights are turned off, and I am plunged into darkness.
But I can see
But I am still able to see thanks to my eyes adjusting to the darkness.
No sugar tonight in my coffee
I am not sweetening my coffee, perhaps because I am trying to cut down on sugar.
No sugar tonight in my tea
I am not sweetening my tea, perhaps because I am trying to cut down on sugar.
No sugar to stand beside me
I don't have anyone to support me emotionally.
No sugar to run with me
I don't have anyone to accompany me on my journey or adventures.
In the silence
There is no noise or sound around me.
Of her mind
This is the quietness and stillness within her thoughts.
Quiet movements
She is moving slowly and gently, so as not to disturb the peace.
Where I can find
I am searching for her and her tranquility.
Grabbing for me
She is trying to reach out to me, to connect with me.
With her eyes
She is using her gaze to communicate with me.
Now I'm falling
I am losing my balance and stability.
From her skies
I am falling from the peaceful, tranquil place that she represents.
Jocko says "Yes" and I believe him
I trust Jocko's judgment and agree with what he is saying.
When we talk about the things I say
We are discussing my opinions and viewpoints.
She hasn't got the faith or the guts to leave him
She lacks the courage and conviction to end her relationship with him, even if it's not working.
When they're standing in each other's way
Their relationship is hindering their personal growth and development.
You're tripping back now to places you've been to
You are reminiscing and reflecting on past experiences.
You wonder what you're gonna find
You are curious and uncertain about what the future holds.
You know you've been wrong but it won't be long
You realize you have made mistakes, but you are ready to move past them.
Before you leave 'em all far behind
You are ready to leave the past behind and move forward with your life.
'Cause it's the new mother nature taking over
A new era or way of thinking is emerging and gaining control.
It's the new splendid lady come to call
This new way of thinking is making itself known and felt.
She's gettin' us all
This new way of thinking is affecting and influencing us all.
Jocko said "No" when I came back last time
Jocko disagreed with my previous decision or statement.
It's looking like I lost a friend
Our disagreement may have caused some strain in our friendship.
No use callin' 'cause the sky is fallin'
It's pointless to try to reach out or amend things because everything has gone wrong.
And I'm getting pretty near the end
I am feeling close to the brink of something, perhaps a mental breakdown.
A smoke-filled room in a corner basement
We are in a dimly lit, secluded area with lots of smoke around us.
The situation must be right
This feels like the perfect setup or occasion for something to happen.
A bag of goodies and a bottle of wine
There are drugs and alcohol present, adding to the sense of hedonism and indulgence.
We're gonna get it on right tonight
We are planning to engage in physical intimacy or sexual activity.
'Cause it's the new mother nature taking over
A new way of living or behaving is becoming dominant and widespread.
It's the new splendid lady come to call
This new way of living or behaving is making itself known and felt.
She's gettin' us all
This new way of living or behaving is affecting and influencing us all.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Randy Bachman
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@christinapennington5403
Lyrics. Enjoy
Lonely feeling deep inside
Find a corner where I can hide
Silent footsteps crowding me
Sudden darkness but I can see
No sugar tonight in my coffee
No sugar tonight in my tea
No sugar to stand beside me
No sugar to run with me
In the silence of her mind
Quiet movements where I can find
Grabbing for me with her eyes
Now I'm falling from her skies
No sugar tonight in my coffee
No sugar tonight in my tea
No sugar to stand beside me
No sugar to run with me
Jocko says yes, and I believe him
When we talk about the things I say
She hasn't got the faith or the guts to leave him
When they're standing in each other's way
You're tripping back now to places you've been to
You wonder what you're gonna find
You know you've been wrong but it won't be long
Before you leave 'em all far behind
'Cause it's the new Mother Nature taking over
It's the new splendid lady come to call
It's the new Mother Nature taking over
She's gettin' us all
She's gettin' us all
Jocko said no, when I came back last time
It's looking like I lost a friend
No use callin' 'cause the sky is fallin'
And I'm getting pretty near the end
A smoke-filled room in a corner basement
The situation must be right
A bag of goodies and a bottle of wine
We're gonna get it on right tonight
'Cause it's the new Mother Nature taking over
It's the new splendid lady come to call
It's the new Mother Nature taking over
She's gettin' us all
She's getting' us all
Jocko says yes and I believe him
(Deep inside) when we talk about the things I say
(Find a corner) she hasn't got the faith or the guts to leave him
(Where I can hide)when they're standin' in each other's way
(Silent footsteps) you're driven back now to places you've been to
(Crowdin' me) you're wonderin' what you're gonna find
(Sudden darkness) you know you've been wrong and it won't be long
(But I can see) before you leave 'em all far behind
'Cause it's the new Mother Nature takin' over
It's the new splendid lady come to call
It's the new Mother Nature takin' over
She's gettin' us all, yeah, she's gettin' us all
Da-un-do-dow dow, da-un-do-dow (Mother Nature)
Da-un-do-dow dow, da-un-do-dow (nature)
Da-un-do-dow dow, da-un-do-dow (sugar)
Da-un-do-dow dow, da-un-do-dow (sugar)
Da-un-do-dow dow, da-un-do-dow (sugar)
Da-un-do-dow dow, da-un-do-dow (nature)
Da-un-do-dow dow, da-un-do-dow
@anitar2928
Lonely feeling deep inside
Find a corner where I can hide
Silent footsteps crowding me
Sudden darkness but I can see
No sugar tonight in my coffee
No sugar tonight in my tea
No sugar to stand beside me
No sugar to run with me
In the silence of her mind
Quiet movements where I can find
Grabbing for me with her eyes
Now I'm falling from her skies
No sugar tonight in my coffee
No sugar tonight in my tea
No sugar to stand beside me
No sugar to run with me
Jocko says yes, and I believe him
When we talk about the things I say
She hasn't got the faith or the guts to leave him
When they're standing in each other's way
You're tripping back now to places you've been to
You wonder what you're gonna find
You know you've been wrong but it won't be long
Before you leave 'em all far behind
'Cause it's the new Mother Nature taking over
It's the new splendid lady come to call
It's the new Mother Nature taking over
She's gettin' us all
She's gettin' us all
Jocko said no, when I came back last time
It's looking like I lost a friend
No use callin' 'cause the sky is fallin'
And I'm getting pretty near the end
A smoke-filled room in a corner basement
The situation must be right
A bag of goodies and a bottle of wine
We're gonna get it on right tonight
'Cause it's the new Mother Nature taking over
It's the new splendid lady come to call
It's the new Mother Nature taking over
She's gettin' us all
She's getting' us all
Jocko says yes and I believe him
(Deep inside) when we talk about the things I say
(Find a corner) she hasn't got the faith or the guts to leave him
(Where I can hide)when they're standin' in each other's way
(Silent footsteps) you're driven back now to places you've been to
(Crowdin' me) you're wonderin' what you're gonna find
(Sudden darkness) you know you've been wrong and it won't be long
(But I can see) before you leave 'em all far behind
'Cause it's the new Mother Nature takin' over
It's the new splendid lady come to call
It's the new Mother Nature takin' over
She's gettin' us all, yeah, she's gettin' us all
Da-un-do-dow dow, da-un-do-dow (Mother Nature)
Da-un-do-dow dow, da-un-do-dow (nature)
Da-un-do-dow dow, da-un-do-dow (sugar)
Da-un-do-dow dow, da-un-do-dow (sugar)
Da-un-do-dow dow, da-un-do-dow (sugar)
Da-un-do-dow dow, da-un-do-dow (nature)
Da-un-do-dow dow, da-un-do-dow
@marciacatron9496
I turned 63 this year & I'm still listening to this group. You can not beat this kind of music.
@Blayze1017
Amen!! I’m 61. Couldn’t agree more.
@stevenseul361
I'm turning 60.. Damn are we getting old.
@marciacatron9496
@@stevenseul361 No Slew we are just getting better and enjoying good music still.
@Blayze1017
@@stevenseul361 absolutely
@kennydee9346
the artist Burton Cummings . the greatest generation of rock music
@fazbell
This absolutely KICKS ASS!!!!! Loved it when I was twenty and I'm 71 now.... still love it.
@brendaperry4586
Awwn glad to hear that
@peterreitmann2136
Me too!!!!
@gwatson789
I'm only a mere 61 lol, and I wholeheartedly agree. Cheers.