1974 - January: Bachman-Turner Overdrive “II”

Randy Bachman left The Guess Who in 1970 after experiencing lifestyle differences with the other band members.  After exploring a number of alternatives, Bachman formed a group with his brothers Tim Bachman (guitars, vocals), and Robbie Bachman (percussion), and with Fred Turner (bass, vocals).  The group took the name Bachman -Turner Overdrive, often shortened to BTO.  Although their self-titled first album did not produce a single, it was regionally successful, and the band made the most of it with a heavy touring schedule.  

It was their second studio album, Bachman-Turner Overdrive II, which would bring the band significant success.  The album would go to number 4 on the Billboard 200 chart, and number 6 on the charts in their native Canada.  Powered by bluesy guitar riffs and infectious choral hooks, BTO-II would become a staple of classic rock radio, and demonstrate the signature rock sound of the early 70's.

Tim Bachman would be replaced by Blair Thornton prior to their third and most successful studio album, "Not Fragile."  This lineup would produce a further three studio albums before founder Randy Bachman's departure in 1979.  The band would continue on until 2005 before calling a hiatus.  A number of reunions would follow starting in 2009.

Rob features this influential group who maintained a guitar-led hard rock sound during a time when soft rock, glam, and disco were on the rise.

Takin' Care of Business
Randy Bachman originally developed this song while a member of The Guess Who, and it's working title was "White Collar Worker."  The Guess Who turned it down because they thought it was too similar to The Beatles' "Paperback Writer," so Bachman rearranged it for BTO as "Takin' Care of Business."  Randy Bachman is on lead vocals for this anthem.

Blown
The lead track to the album is a deeper cut that describes a long-ago day when smoking drugs led to a collapse and a time "when they locked me up."  It has a great hook in the chorus and a fast pace.  "I was blown (woo woo) ran and jumped and screamed.  I was blo-o-own right inside a dream."

Welcome Home
This is a quirky song has an alternating acoustic Latin verse and heavier chorus, with a jazzy finish.  The lyrics talk about life on the road and how good it feels to go back home, drive your own car and sleep in your own bed.  It could not be confirmed that Animal from The Muppet Show was an uncredited contributor to this track.

Let It Ride
Fred Turner is on lead vocals for the first BTO single to crack the US Top 40 (at number 23).  The inspiration for the song was a time when the band was on a highway in their tour bus and got boxed in by a couple of trucks.  When the band confronted the truckers about it at a truck stop, they were told to settle down and just let it ride.

ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:

Opening theme from the television series "The Six Million Dollar Man"
This is where we learned about "Steve Austin.  Astronaut.  A man barely alive."  The weekly exploits of the Bionic Man would have us running in slow motion on the playground to simulate his 60-mph dashes. 

STAFF PICKS:

Seasons In the Sun by Terry Jacks 
Wayne brings us a song adapted from a Belgian tune called "The Dying Man."  The lyrics portray a dying man's farewell to his loved ones.  It was a worldwide hit that went to number 1, becoming the largest-selling Canadian single in history at the time.  Jacks rewrote the lyrics to reflect a life that acknowledges rights and wrongs of his life as he passes away peacefully.

Living for the City by Stevie Wonder  
Lynch features a song on which Wonder plays all the instruments and performs all the vocals.  The lyrics tell of a young kid from Mississippi who moves to New York City.  While down south he had hardships, but was surrounded by caring people.  In the city, people take advantage of him, and he is caught with drugs and sentenced to 10 years in jail.

Let Me Be There by Olivia Newton-John 
Bruce's staff pick is Newton-John's first top 10 hit in the US, peaking at number 6 on the Billboard Hot 100.  This would also be the start of a more country direction for the singer, and would continue for the next couple of albums.  Olivia Newton-John would win a Grammy for Best Female Country Vocalist for this upbeat tune.

Mind Games by John  Lennon
Rob finishes off the staff picks with a single originally released in 1973 from Lennon's album of the same name.  It made it to number 18 on the Billboard Hot 100.  Lennon started writing this in 1969 under the working title "Make Love, Not War."  That phrase had been overused by the early 70's, and he took inspiration from a book title for the change to "Mind Games."

INSTRUMENTAL TRACK:

Space Race  by Billy Preston 
Long time Beatles collaborator Billy Preston wrote this instrumental sci fi funk number.

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