You Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet – Bachman-Tuner Overdrive | Top 40 Chart Performance, Story and Song Meaning
Chart Performance: Pop (#1); 1974
Story Behind The Song By Ed Osborne
When Bachman-Turner Overdrive’s pile-drivin’ hit Takin’ Care Of Business powered its way to #12 in late summer, 1974, the band included Bachman brothers Randy, Tim, and Robbie. Eldest brother Randy was chief songwriter and guitarist, Tim played rhythm guitar, and Robbie handled the skins.
Tim left thereafter and only two Bachmans appeared on BTO’s third album, Not Fragile, named in response to Yes’ 1971 LP, Fragile. Initially, Randy Bachman submitted only eight tracks for Not Fragile to the label.
When the execs failed to hear a hit single among them, Bachman offered up You Ain’t Seen Nothin’ Yet. Originally just an instrumental track, Nothin‘s stuttering vocal had been provided by Randy as a good natured tribute to his speech-impaired brother, Gary. As luck would have it, the suits loved Randy’s just for-fun song.
Randy didn’t. He re-recorded the lead, but his new take sounded like bad Sinatra. Then, he blocked its single release for three weeks. He finally relented, and was rewarded with BTO’s only #1 single.
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:
- Randy Bachman
Lyrics Written by:
- Randy Bachman
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).