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 / New Mother Nature
The Guess Who Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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
(Dat'n-doo-dow-dow-dat'n-doo-dow)
(Dat'n-doo-dow-dow-dat'n-doo-dow)
(Dat'n-doo-dow-dow-dat'n-doo-dow)
(Dat'n-doo-dow-dow-dat'n-doo-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-dat'n-doo-dow)
(Dat'n-doo-dow-dow-dat'n-doo-dow)
(Dat'n-doo-dow-dow-dat'n-doo-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 getting' us all
(Lonely feelin')
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
The lyrics of The Guess Who's song No Sugar Tonight/New Mother Nature depict the loneliness and desperation of a person who is craving affection and connection but finds themselves alone. The song suggests that this person has been let down by someone they thought they could rely on, leaving them feeling empty and abandoned. The lack of sugar in their coffee and tea is symbolic of the emptiness they feel inside, and the absence of someone to stand and run with them adds to their feelings of isolation.
The lyrics then switch to the idea of a "new Mother Nature" taking over, which could be interpreted in multiple ways. It could symbolize a new era of changes and growth, but it also could represent the dangerous and destructive forces of nature, taking over and consuming everything in its path. The final verse describes a smoke-filled room where the singer plans to indulge in drugs and alcohol, perhaps in an attempt to cope with their loneliness and despair.
Overall, the song seems to be a commentary on the difficult and isolating experience of trying to find connection and belonging in an uncertain and often unkind world.
Line by Line Meaning
Lonely feeling deep inside
Feeling isolated and alone on the inside
Find a corner where I can hide
Looking for a place where I can feel safe and hide away
Silent footsteps crowding me
Feeling like someone or something is following close behind me without any noise
Sudden darkness but I can see
Despite being in darkness, I am still aware and can see what's happening around me
No sugar tonight in my coffee
Feeling empty and without sweetness in my life, specifically with my coffee
No sugar tonight in my tea
Feeling empty and without sweetness in my life, specifically with my tea
No sugar to stand beside me
Feeling devoid of someone to support and be with me through tough times
No sugar to run with me
Feeling devoid of someone to keep up and move forward with me
In the silence of her mind
In a situation where it feels like everything around me is quiet and still
Quiet movements where I can find
Noticing subtle actions or gestures that are not loud and attention-seeking
Grabbing for me with her eyes
Feeling like someone is trying to get my attention or engage with me through eye contact
Now I'm falling from her skies
Feeling like I'm in freefall, suddenly and uncontrollably removed from a certain environment or situation
Jocko says yes, and I believe him
Believing that what Jocko is saying is true and accurate
When we talk about the things I say
Engaging in conversation about topics or statements I have made
She hasn't got the faith or the guts to leave him
Believing that the woman in question lacks confidence, bravery or trust to leave the relationship she's in
When they're standing in each other's way
When both individuals' opinions or views are clashing, and neither is willing to back down and compromise
You're tripping back now to places you've been to
Thinking back and revisiting situations, circumstances or locations that I have previously experienced
You wonder what you're gonna find
Feeling unsure or uneasy about the outcome and what lies ahead
You know you've been wrong but it won't be long
Knowing that a previous decision or action was incorrect, but not dwelling on it, and knowing it's not permanent
Before you leave 'em all far behind
Before I move on from my past and leave it behind to focus on the present and future
'Cause it's the new Mother Nature takin' over
Nature is taking on a new, powerful force that's shifting the world to a new direction
It's the new splendid lady come to call
A new, magnificent woman or presence is making an entrance
She's gettin' us all, yeah, she's gettin' us all
This force or entity is affecting everyone around her, having a strong impact
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Burton Cummings, Randy Bachmann
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.