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.
The Key
The Guess Who Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Of Judas' saddest dream, reaching for the piece of silver
Peter hears the call of the mockingbird from heaven
Crying in the morning, having given up the key
And I still call him my friend
And I still call him my friend
Matthew wears the head piece of chrome, speed and fire
Noah guides the ark through the sea of stolen moments
Searching through his mind for a place to put the key
And I still call him my friend
And I still call him my friend
Joseph tends the sheep in his coat of many colors
Shadrach and the two held their faith against the fire
Barabbas' on the cross, found that Jesus was the answer
The doors were open wide to all those who find the key
And we still call him our friend
And we still call him our friend
And we still call him our friend
And we still call him our friend
And we still call him our friend
And we still call him our friend
The song "Key" by The Guess Who is a ballad that tells the stories of several biblical figures and common people, all struggling to find their way in life. The chorus, "And I still call him my friend," reminds us that despite the challenges we face in life, we can count on our friends to support us.
The first verse tells the story of John, who is too young and naive to understand the importance of Judas betraying Jesus for a piece of silver. Meanwhile, Peter is mourning after denying Jesus three times, and he hears a mockingbird singing in the morning, reminding him of his mistake.
The second verse talks about Joshua, who wears a mask to hide his identity as he walks the road to Jericho, and Matthew, who loves speed and adrenaline rushes. Noah, meanwhile, searches for a place to put the key as he guides the ark through the sea of stolen moments.
The third verse tells the story of Joseph and his many-colored coat, and Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who kept their faith in the face of a fiery furnace. Finally, Barabbas, who was pardoned by Pontius Pilate instead of Jesus, realizes that Jesus is the answer and that the doors are open wide to all who find the key.
Overall, "Key" is a thoughtful, introspective song that prompts listeners to reflect on their own journeys in life and the importance of friendship and faith.
Line by Line Meaning
John is nineteen, and he doesn't see the matter
John is young and naive, unaware of the significance of certain events
Of Judas' saddest dream, reaching for the piece of silver
Referring to Judas' betrayal of Jesus for thirty pieces of silver
Peter hears the call of the mockingbird from heaven
Peter is attuned to spiritual sounds and messages
Crying in the morning, having given up the key
Peter has lost touch with his belief and connection to God
And I still call him my friend
Despite Peter's struggles, the artist still considers him a friend
Joshua puts on his mask and walks the road to Jericho
Joshua is faced with a difficult journey and puts on a facade to protect himself
Matthew wears the head piece of chrome, speed and fire
Matthew is a car racer, adorned with flashy gear
Noah guides the ark through the sea of stolen moments
Noah perseveres through life's challenges and obstacles
Searching through his mind for a place to put the key
Noah is searching for a spiritual connection or purpose
Joseph tends the sheep in his coat of many colors
Referring to the biblical story of Joseph and his coat, symbolizing favor and admiration
Shadrach and the two held their faith against the fire
Referring to the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego who held onto their faith even in the face of persecution
Barabbas' on the cross, found that Jesus was the answer
Barabbas, a criminal, recognizes the importance of Jesus' teachings and sacrifices
The doors were open wide to all those who find the key
Those who find their spiritual connection or truth will find open doors to a fulfilling life
And we still call him our friend
The community's bond with Jesus is strong and enduring
And we still call him our friend
The community reiterates its strong relationship with Jesus
And we still call him our friend
The community's relationship with Jesus remains unwavering
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BURTON CUMMINGS, RANDY BACHMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@user-iq7fx7ee7g
The band that rocks together stays. forever and always in our hearts and memories ❤❤❤❤❤love them so much rock on boys 🌈🌞🌟🌞🦅😍😍😍😍😎🌞🌝🌕🌎🔥🎹🎼🥁🎤🎸🎧🎼🎼.
@h7opolo
bro, this band rocks
@carlweaver3243
The Piano Solo at the End is Awesome. Along with Nicky Hopkins, Burton Cummings is one of the Best Keyboardist in Rock History. I Love the way the Guess Who and Elton John's Band incorporated Piano with Electric Guitars back in the Late 60s, Early to Mid 70s.
@user-zl7ee2ux7r
& 2 great bands of the late 60's The Guess Who & my other fave Steppenwolf as well.
@jeffguenther223
What a great song. Not an a.m. radio hit, too long! Bachman and Cummings, great songwriting duo.
@VladimirPutin-cz5zy
@jeffguenther223 still sounded better on AM man
@sarahmurfin1486
Just checking, yep i thought so🥁
@kimnelson9910
joshua gets on his knees for the mighty catechism
@martinkent333
MORE EXCITING THAN HEMORRHOIDS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
@donneumann6546
Once upon a time, they were one of the top five bands on the planet. Still are in my books.