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.
Share the Land
The Guess Who Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Have you done your share of comin' down
On different things that people do
Have you been aware
You got brothers and sisters who care
About what's gonna happen to you in a year from now
Maybe I'll be there to shake your hand
That they'll be givin' away
When we all live together
I'm talkin' 'bout together now
Maybe I'll be there to shake your hand
Maybe I'll be there to share the land
That they'll be givin' away
When we all live together
I'm talkin' 'bout together now
Did you pay your dues
Did you read the news
This mornin' when the paper landed in your yard
Do you know their names
Can you play their games
Without losin' track and comin' down a bit too hard
Oh
Maybe I'll be there to shake your hand
Maybe I'll be there to share the land
That they'll be givin' away
When we all live together
I'm talkin' 'bout together now
Maybe I'll be there to shake your hand
Maybe I'll be there to share the land
That they'll be givin' away
When we all live together
I'm talkin' 'bout together now
Maybe I'll be there to shake your hand
Maybe I'll be there to share the land
That they'll be givin' away
When we all live together
I'm talkin' 'bout together now
Maybe I'll be there to shake your hand
Maybe I'll be there to share the land
That they'll be givin' away
When we all live together
Together, together
(Shake your hand) you know I'll be standin' by
(Share the land) to help you if you're worried
(Shake your hand) no more sadness, no more sorrow
(Share the land) and no more bad times
(Shake your hand) every day comin' sunshine
(Share the land) every day everybody laughin'
(Shake your hand) walkin' together by the river
(Share the land) walkin' together and laughin'
(Shake your hand) everybody singin' together
(Share the land) everybody singin' and laughin'
(Shake your hand) good times, good times
(Share the land) everybody walkin' by the river now
(Shake your hand) walkin', singin', talkin'
(Share the land) smilin', laughin', diggin' each other
(Shake your hand) everybody happy together
(Share the land) I'll be there, don't worry, if you're needin' me
(Shake your hand) call on me, call on me
(Share the land) call my name, I'll be runnin' to help you
(Shake your hand) everybody walkin' by the river now
(Share the land) everybody, everybody laughin'
(Shake your hand) everybody singin' and talkin'
The Guess Who’s “Share the Land” is a song advocating for unity, peace, and love for everyone, regardless of race and status. The lyrics emphasize the need to be mindful of the world we live in and the people around us. The song encourages listeners to pay attention to the news, get involved, and play a role in creating a better world.
The lyrics highlight the importance of working together for a common goal, in this case, sharing the land. It is suggested that it’s possible to live together in harmony and that everyone has a role to play in achieving this goal. There is a sense of optimism and hope in the song, as expressed in lines such as “no more sadness, no more sorrow” and “every day comin’ sunshine.”
Moreover, the repetition of the lines, “Maybe I’ll be there to shake your hand / Maybe I’ll be there to share the land” serves as a reminder that we all have a responsibility to help each other, to be there for one another, and to create a better future. The song embodies the spirit of the 60s and 70s, a time known for social and political upheaval, activism, and calls for change.
Line by Line Meaning
Have you been around
Have you experienced life to the fullest?
Have you done your share of comin' down
Have you faced difficulties in life?
On different things that people do
On various choices and perspectives of people
Have you been aware
Have you been conscious?
You got brothers and sisters who care
You have people who care about you
About what's gonna happen to you in a year from now
About your future
Maybe I'll be there to shake your hand
I may be there to offer support
Maybe I'll be there to share the land
I may share resources with you
That they'll be givin' away
Resources that will be distributed
When we all live together
When we coexist peacefully
I'm talkin' 'bout together now
I am referring to collective efforts
Did you pay your dues
Did you do your part?
Did you read the news
Did you keep up with current events?
This mornin' when the paper landed in your yard
When the newspaper was delivered to your home this morning?
Do you know their names
Do you know the people mentioned in the news?
Can you play their games
Can you adapt to their ways?
Without losin' track and comin' down a bit too hard
Without getting overwhelmed or discouraged?
Oh
Indicating a realization or acknowledgment
Shake your hand) you know I'll be standin' by
I will be there to support you physically
(Share the land) to help you if you're worried
I will help to relieve your mental burdens
(Shake your hand) no more sadness, no more sorrow
No more negative emotions
(Share the land) and no more bad times
No more hardships
(Shake your hand) every day comin' sunshine
Every day will bring positivity
(Share the land) every day everybody laughin'
Every day will be joyful
(Shake your hand) walkin' together by the river
Walking together in peace and harmony
(Share the land) walkin' together and laughin'
Walking together joyfully
(Shake your hand) everybody singin' together
Everyone unites in song
(Share the land) everybody singin' and laughin'
Everyone sings and laughs together
(Shake your hand) good times, good times
Only good times from now on
(Share the land) everybody walkin' by the river now
Everyone is walking together, free from troubles
(Shake your hand) walkin', singin', talkin'
Walking, singing, and conversing together
(Share the land) smilin', laughin', diggin' each other
Smiling, laughing, and respecting each other
(Shake your hand) everybody happy together
Everyone is happy together
(Share the land) I'll be there, don't worry, if you're needin' me
I will be there if you need me
(Shake your hand) call on me, call on me
Ask me for help
(Share the land) call my name, I'll be runnin' to help you
Call my name, and I will rush to aid you
(Shake your hand) everybody walkin' by the river now
Everyone is strolling by the river
(Share the land) everybody, everybody laughin'
Everyone is happy and laughing
(Shake your hand) everybody singin' and talkin'
Everyone is singing and having conversations
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Burton Cummings
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@smokinjz
Have you been around
Have you done your share o' comin' down
On different things that people do
Have you been aware
You got brothers and sisters who care
About what's gonna happen to you in a year from now
Maybe I'll be there to shake your hand
Maybe I'll be there to share the land
That they'll be givin' away
When we all live together
I'm talkin' 'bout together now
Maybe I'll be there to shake your hand
Maybe I'll be there to share the land
That they'll be givin' away
When we all live together
I'm talkin' 'bout together now
Did you pay your dues
Did you read the news
This mornin' when the paper landed in your yard
Do you know their names
Can you play their games
Without losin' track and comin' down a bit too hard
Oh
Maybe I'll be there to shake your hand
Maybe I'll be there to share the land
That they'll be givin' away
When we all live together
I'm talkin' 'bout together now
Maybe I'll be there to shake your hand
Maybe I'll be there to share the land
That they'll be givin' away
When we all live together
I'm talkin' 'bout together now
Maybe I'll be there to shake your hand
Maybe I'll be there to share the land
That they'll be givin' away
When we all live together
I'm talkin' 'bout together now
Maybe I'll be there to shake your hand
Maybe I'll be there to share the land
That they'll be givin' away
When we all live together
Together, together
(Shake your hand) You know I'll be standin' by (share the land) to help you if you're worried
(Shake your hand) No more sadness, no more sorrow (share the land) and no more bad times
(Shake your hand) Every day comin' sunshine (share the land) every day everybody laughin'
(Shake your hand) Walkin' together by the river (share the land) walkin' together and laughin'
(Shake your hand) Everybody singin' together (share the land) everybody singin' and laughin'
(Shake your hand) Good times, good times (share the land) everybody walkin' by the river now
(Shake your hand) Walkin', singin', talkin' (share the land) smilin', laughin', diggin' each other
(Shake your hand) Everybody happy together (share the land) I'll be there, don't worry, if you're needin' me
(Shake your hand) Call on me, call on me (share the land)call my name, I'll be runnin' to help you
(Shake your hand) Everybody walkin' by the river now (sare the land) everybody, everybody laughin'
(Shake your hand) Everybody singin' and talkin'
@mikekooz475
I'm 53 and having one of those days when you think about your Mom. So you put on one of her songs and tear up a little. Thanks for singing these songs around the house Mom.
@pudma56
How old is/was your mom? I'm 65. I was 14 when this album came out. It was really their first big album although they had two earlier one's.
@Nomadcreations
Sympathies On Your Loss, You Have Good memories to make you smile
@tomschmitt6911
wow awesome
@Sundog762
My mom would be 102 now,she was singing country music and maybe Tom Jones,Glenn Campbell,ect. I was in my bedroom playing led Zeppelin,Jimi Hendrix,the who, guess who on full blas
@landyachtfan79
Burton Cummings has SUCH a beautiful, soulful voice!!!!!
@yopglomusic8872
Indeed!
@gyrgrls
https://youtu.be/6CrtK02snuU
@frankpitochelli6786
...
Amen.!!
@Logan-py8we
Saw him last year..great one man concert