Bachman-Turner Overdrive Songs Ranked

Bachman–Turner Overdrive often abbreviated as BTO, was a Canadian rock group from Winnipeg, Manitoba, who had a series of hit albums and singles in the 1970s, selling over 7 million albums in that decade alone. Their 1970s catalog included five Top 40 albums and six US Top 40 singles (eleven in Canada). The band has sold nearly 30 million albums worldwide and has fans affectionately known as “gearheads” (derived from the band’s gear-shaped logo). Many of their songs, including “Let It Ride”, “You Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet”, “Takin’ Care of Business”, “Hey You”, and “Roll on Down the Highway”, still receive play on classic-rock stations.
After the band went into a hiatus in 2005, Randy Bachman and Fred Turner reunited in 2009 to tour and collaborate on a new album. In 2010, they played the halftime show at the Grey Cup in Edmonton. The two stopped touring following Turner’s amicable retirement in March 2018.
On March 29, 2014, the classic Not Fragile line-up reunited for the first time since 1991 to mark Bachman–Turner Overdrive’s induction into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame, and participated in performing in a tribute version of “Takin’ Care of Business”. Here are all of the Bachman-Turner Overdrive songs ranked.

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16. Shotgun Rider (Freeways, 1977)

“Even with all that behind it, Shotgun Rider is a great single.  Listen to the guitar work through out the song. You’ll hear some amazing fret work.  At the coda of the song the acoustic guitar builds from the song’s core riff and moves into some old west style picking.  What a unique touch on a rock 45!  I wish I had thought of it.”

15. Down Down (Freeways, 1977)

“Released from the Freeways album, this track had a folk tale flavor to it although it did have more than enough pop appeal to stop it from being classified as such. The catchy chorus is the highlight which has a hooky echo effect. Should of fared better, especially with it’s AM radio feel.”

14. She’s a Devil (Four Wheel Drive, 1975)

“This song popped in my head a few days ago, had not heard it in years. Always liked it a lot. urner supplies the muscle-bound throat action on the likes of the cowbell-clunking’ “She’s a Devil”

13. Just for You (Freeways, 1977)

“Just For You” was a catchy mid-tempo Bachman tune with a stuttering chorus. Pretty good combo. It’s a shame that this and the other singles off of the album didn’t fare better.”

See more: Bachman-Turner Overdrive Albums Ranked

12. Not Fragile (Not Fragile, 1974)

“Not Fragile” perfectly describes the A-side onslaught of growling, earth-shaking’ bass, and life on the road. Charles Fred (better known as C.F. to one and all) Turner’s rumbling, four-string work, challenges the woofers in a major way, while his deep vocals accent the hard as nails, piledriving number. “Not Fragile” is a lumbering, dense, air-mover, that aims straight for the gut. With Turner holding down the fat string action, “Not Fragile” features a duel guitar solo from the tag-team of Randy Bachman and Blair Thornton. It’s all hardware and grindin’ gears as the big Canadians put the fuckin’ hammer down.”

11. My Wheels Won’t Turn (Freeways, 1977)

“My Wheels Won’t Turn” featured horns which were a first for Bachman Turner Overdrive. This wasn’t in the same league as the bands popular singles but a quality effort nonetheless. Good production.”

10. Stayed Awake All Night (Bachman-Turner Overdrive, 1973)

“These were plucked from the band’s debut album.  They work well as album tracks but not singles. Failed to chart for obvious reasons.”

9. Four Wheel Drive (Four Wheel Drive, 1975)

“The ballsy Four Wheel Drive recording captures the double lead guitar work from the Randy Bachman and Blair Thornton tag-team channeled one per speaker, while C.F. and Randy share vocals throughout the album”

8. Hey You (Four Wheel Drive, 1975)

“Lead single, “Hey You”, penned by guitarist Randy Bachman, is a second rate power chord rock ‘n’ roll cut, that comes off as a cheap remake of the group’s big selling number one hit from 1974,”You Ain’t Seen Nothin’ Yet”. The brash B-side cut, “Flat Broke Love”, puts the time honored BTO hammer down.”

7. Blue Collar (Bachman-Turner Overdrive, 1973)

“Blue Collar” was a jazzy number that showed that the band could slow things down and still have success. Good singing and playing. “Hold Back the Water” had a CCR vibe and was a strong album cut. Good Job.”

See more: Led Zeppelin Albums Ranked

6. Roll on Down the Highway (King Biscuit Flower Hour Presents Bachman-Turner Overdrive 1974 (Live), 1974)

“The white line fever “Roll on Down the Highway” is anchored by Turner’s authoritative, put-the-hammer-down vocal delivery and an exhaust-emitting solo laid down by Randy Bachman. Road trip mandatory with windows down… the speed limit is inconsequential when “Roll on Down the Highway” is cranked.”

5. Gimme Your Money Please (Bachman-Turner Overdrive, 1973)

“”Gimme your money please”. The band kind of phoned this one in. Sad because the previous single “Blue Collar” was solid! They had such a bluesy thing going. This is by the numbers hard rocking tune. Like eating a donut really. Will hit the sweet spot for a minute but quickly fade!”

4. Lookin’ Out for No.1 (Head On, 1975)

“This bizarre foray into the world of bossa nova is audacious and unexpected. Who would have expected it from Bachman Turner Overdrive, the maker of big, dumb rock songs?”

3. Takin’ Care of Business (Bachman–Turner Overdrive II, 1973)

“This uptempo boogie rocker more or less introduced the band to the masses. Lots of guitar, loud vocals and handclaps highlighted this stomper. Every bar band is very familiar with this one.”

2. Let It Ride (Bachman–Turner Overdrive II, 1973)

“Penned by mountain men C.F. Turner and Randy Bachman, BTO’s gear-jamming rocker, “Let It Ride”, pulled from the Bachman Turner Overdrive II LP, pushed it’s way up to number twenty-three on the Billboard singles chart in early 1974.”

1. You Ain’t Seen Nothin’ Yet (King Biscuit Flower Hour Presents Bachman-Turner Overdrive, 1974)

“Solid one two punch from the Canadian rockers.  You Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet hit number one with it’s stutter vocal and driving guitar sound. The groups most successful single is paired with the pounding title track off of the same album”