Bang The Drum All Day – Todd Rundgren | Top 40 Chart Performance, Story and Song Meaning
Chart Performance: Pop (#63) & Mainstream Rock (#29); 1983
Story Behind The Song By Ed Osborne
As a member of Nazz, Todd Rundgren attracted critical notice and some sales when Hello It’s Me charted in both 1969 and 1970. Under the pseudonym Runt, a nickname bestowed on him by Patti Smith, Rundgren placed We Gotta Get You A Woman in the Top 20 in 1970, followed by I Saw The Light (under his own name) in ’72, before breaking through with a new recording of Hello, It’s Me. Post-Hello, Todd’s eccentric and often brilliant albums brought him cult-level acclaim.
Plus, the ever-busy artist also produced releases by the Band, Meat Loaf, and XTC, and actively experimented with new technology and media in (one must assume) his spare time.
Occasionally, a Rundgren solo track would appear on Top 40 radio, yet, no pop pundit ever expected Todd to take center stage in contemporary culture. Fortunately, arena deejays and sports fans follow their own compass and gave Bang On The Drum All Day a special place in the stadium spotlight.
This content and all Song Meaning articles were created and written by Top 40 Contributing Editor Ed Osborne. © 2024 Ed Osborne. All Rights Reserved. In addition to these song meaning articles, Ed has written our “Year in Music 1960s-1990s” articles.
Produced by:
- Todd Rundgren
Lyrics Written by:
- Todd Rundgren
Ed Osborne
Hi. I got my first record at age two and never looked back, spending a decades-long career in radio and the music business. Even after years of reading about and listening to all types of music, I am still fascinated by it. Apart from that, I’m endlessly intrigued by art, nature, and the inner lives of people (and dogs).