How Bachman Turner Overdrive’s inside joke became a hit song

By the time Bachman Turner Overdrive were ready to record their third album, Not Fragile, Randy Bachman had sent demo tapes to almost two dozen record labels, all met with rejection letters. Finally, a twist of fate led to inking a contract with Mercury Records…but they were told they were one song short of “that magic element” the label thought they needed for the album. In this episode of the Behind The Song podcast, find out how “You Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet” was begrudgingly added to the tracklisting and became a number one smash for B.T.O. even though Randy Bachman had intended for the song to be nothing more than a brotherly inside joke!

Music Producer: Christian Lane
Video Director: Eva Empleo

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About Janda:
Behind The Song podcast host and creator Janda Lane is a radio DJ at WDRV-FM in Chicago, the city she calls home with her husband and podcast partner, Christian Lane, and their two cats, Ollie and Liam.

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[JeffreyPotter-wz]

Not Fragile was the first album I bought with my own money, eighth grade 1973! Memories, memories.

[route]

Short, sweet, and to the point. Yet, still a complete story. Good job as always.

[polyphonicgroove]

Great song and a great story. Thank you for bringing life and meaning to one of my all time favorite songs. Great show, thanks for the quality content.

[DonJoyce]

LMAO at the stories! "The Best of BTO" was my very first album purchase back when I was a teenager...and I love their sound still today, one week from retirement. Thanks for featuring this band, this song, and the stories, Janda! Love the latest new look...it really works!

[stevenjacobson]

You’re great outstanding shows thank you 🙏🏼

[PaulJackson]

This is one of the best YouTube channels that there is. Not too many things are better than a pretty and lovely lady with good taste in music.

[catherine]

Good story about the song! I am going to look up Tal Bachman. I think he had the hit song She's So High. I didn't realize this connection.

[effychase]

Wow, another excellent R-n-R history lesson, good job!

[turtlepong]

Great job as always! Really enjoyed the back story of the song. Christian did a GREAT job as usual. Love the outfit, very sophisticated!

[katk]

Great episode! A lot I didn't know went down. Good song and album, Thanks for sharing the history. Good concert here on YouTube with the band playing a concert in a jail in Canada!

[archeanna]

Randy Bachman has a phenomical knowledge of music history and there's a huge collection of his programs on the CBC.

[Silverskll]

Now, I'm all caught up in your videos. I've been binge watching; until, now! Keep the great work, Janda! 👍

[shambeez]

Awesome narration, on point. BTO is still my favourite rock band in 2024. Thanks for sharing.

[PaulJackson]

Freebird -Lynard Skynard
Takin' Care Of Business - BTO
Numb - Linkin Park
45 - Shinedown
Seasons Of Wither- Aerosmith
Hotel California - Eagles
Desperado - Eagles
Mary Jane's Last Dance - Tom Petty
Come Sail Away - STYX

So many other great Classic Rock songs yet to explore, just thought I'd throw in some suggestions

[c.e.anderson]

Not Fragile is a monster rock album.
Wore out the 8 track.
You need to do a dive on Takin' Care Of Business.
Pizza delivery guy played the piano part in one take.
And left.

[jeffleonard]

What a shame that after highlighting that song that you didn’t play it.