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.
Tossin' & Turnin'
The Guess Who Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I couldn't sleep a wink last night just a-thinking of you
Baby things weren't right I kept on tossin' and turnin'
Turnin' and tossin' tossin' and turnin' all night
I threw the blankets on the floor, turned my pillow upside down
Then I thought of you some more
And I kept on tossin' and turnin' turnin' and tossin'
Tossin' and turnin' all night
Pulled down the shade went to the kitchen for a bite
Pulled up the shade, turned off the light
I jumped back into bed it was the middle of the night
The clock downstairs was striking four, couldn't get you off my mind
Heard the milkman at the door but I was tossin' and turnin'
The Guess Who's song Tossin' & Turnin' talks about the torment someone goes through when they can't stop thinking about their lover. The singer seems to be deeply disturbed by their inability to sleep, and even the comfort of their bed and pillows do not provide any relief. They keep tossing and turning all night, trying to throw off the thoughts of their loved one, but to no avail. The intense love for their partner keeps them up at night, and even the sound of the milkman at the door is not enough to give them some respite from their mental torture.
The singer's agitation and longing for their lover are expressed through the constant repetition of "tossing and turning" in the song. The rhythm of the song mimics the restlessness of someone trying to fall asleep but unable to do so. The lyrics convey a sense of desperation, as the singer is unable to control their thoughts and emotions, and is consumed by their feelings for their beloved.
Overall, Tossin' & Turnin' is a relatable song that captures the intense emotions that come with being in love. It is a timeless classic that has resonated with generations of listeners.
Line by Line Meaning
Baby, baby, can't you see what you're doing to me?
I want you to recognize that you're driving me crazy with the way you're affecting my thoughts and emotions.
I couldn't sleep a wink last night just a-thinking of you
I was wide awake throughout the night, constantly preoccupied with thoughts of you.
Baby things weren't right I kept on tossin' and turnin'
I felt that something was off, which kept me tossing and turning in bed.
Turnin' and tossin' tossin' and turnin' all night
I was so restless and agitated that I kept shifting and moving around in bed throughout the entire night.
I threw the blankets on the floor, turned my pillow upside down
I was so frustrated that I threw off my blankets and flipped my pillow over in an effort to feel more comfortable.
Then I thought of you some more
Even when I tried to distract myself, I couldn't stop thinking about you.
And I kept on tossin' and turnin' turnin' and tossin' Tossin' and turnin' all night
No matter what I did, whether it was changing my bedding or trying to shift my focus, I was still restless and troubled for the entire night.
Jumped out of bed, turned on the light
I was so restless that I got up quickly and turned on the light.
Pulled down the shade went to the kitchen for a bite
Trying to calm down, I drew the shades and went to the kitchen to eat something.
Pulled up the shade, turned off the light
I eventually returned to bed and tried to settle down by turning off the light and opening the shades.
I jumped back into bed it was the middle of the night
Despite my efforts, I couldn't get comfortable and ended up back in bed in the middle of the night.
The clock downstairs was striking four, couldn't get you off my mind
I was so preoccupied that I couldn't stop thinking about you even as the clock struck four in the morning.
Heard the milkman at the door but I was tossin' and turnin'
Even when there were external noises and events happening, I was still tossing and turning in bed and unable to rest peacefully.
Writer(s): RENE MALOU
Contributed by Asher C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.