Ok the drummer on this record is singing the first lines of the verses. John Schlitt is singing the high tenor parts. The rest of the group is singing harmony. They all are/were great singers. They opened for a Milwaukee Brewers game in 1979 and sang the Star Spangled Banner acapella. They nailed it. Gave me goose bumps.
Back in ‘83 while in college, I had a brief fling with my old high school boyfriend…we both knew it was a mistake. He slipped this cassette in as he drove me home for the last time, slightly hung over, sunroof open and us laughing and singing our heads off. S tier memories for me!
Baltimore version of White Castle was Little Tavern and they were a must stop after a night of partying. Their slogan was “ Buy them by the bag” and we definitely did
@@lindaingallsobrien4217 Yep - here to endorse. Have not listened closely in ages, but "woman with the free love is better than a white lie" rings truer longer. Almost feels cheap to learn the real line.
This song and Head East were quite popular when I was in college. For a couple years you couldn't go to a party or turn on the radio without hearing this song. I'd go with the "A" rating. They were great live too.
It was a banger in the day, as that’s all we had at that particular time! Remember, this is 1975 and we’d never heard of any bands of the future! It was great music in the bar playing foosball, pool or dancing with the ladies! A time when the only phones we had were hanging on the wall! Pay phone was 10 cents and gasoline was around 22cents/gallon and life was great! Today…..I’m not sure!
I worked a mill job 7 days a week, 8-12 hours a day during the summer and fall in Western PA while going to college. I made enough money in one summer to pay 2 1/2 years college tuition. Had a 71 Ford Econoline van. Used to take it hill climbing to get to the quarry to skinny dip with the girls. Great concerts at the Tomorrow Club in Youngstown OH. Saw great live music there, including Pure Prairie League, the Outlaws, and the Eagles on the same bill. I miss those days too.
@@jccook5353 Sounds like a blast! I was 20 in ‘75 and owned a Foosball Hall just outside of Tulsa with a partner and I worked it Friday pm - Sunday, then back to campus! We were making around $125/week each, which was good income back then. We new a guy who worked the Tulsa Convention center who would let us in the side door (without a ticket) for $2 each; there were so many concerts coming through town from ‘71 - ‘77 and saw virtually everyone except the Stones, Zeppelin and Allman Brothers! Incredible days back then! Best of luck to you!
Fun fact: Head East lead singer John Schlitt left the rock scene after battling with drug addiction in the late 70s. He came back in the mid-80s to be the lead singer for one of the most famous Christian rock bands: Petra.
Dudes, this was a classic from the era in that it the vocals were on point, the music was unique and also, on point and it just rocked us out even to this day. It is an A all around. Thanks for listening!
It just resonates what I imagine the 70s would sound like! That's what I thought when I really heard it for the first time in the early 90s! We thought we were hipsters listening to vinyls😂
From the plains of Illinois near where I grew up. "Flat as a Pancake" is a reference to the local landscape. There was always regional pride for this band.
@@loosilu The saying is around 500 years old. It was first used in the 1500s. So I think it is very common expression. We don't really use it to describe the landscape in western Pennsylvania because it is really hilly here and they didn't flatten the land to build cities.
I'm a Wisconsin boy, born and raised, and have always heard Illinois described as "flat as a pancake". We've always called our brethren to the south of us flatlanders. Go Packers! LOL! ✌🏼
Ditto! Head East formed in Illinois here so they’re a beloved one hit wonder of ours & especially in the Midwest. I’ve been requesting for over a year now 😅 so I’m so excited they finally hit it!! Love their grades & imaginations ❤️🔥
This song is a classic. Even now it's a sitting on the deck, crack open a Lone Star tune. You should have gone at least A+ guys. Here's another one for you. Have you ever listened to Lunatic Fringe by Red Rider? A whole generation goes WHOOOOOOOOOO at the drop. Trust me, it's a banger.
YES LUNATIC FRINGE BY RED RIDER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have been telling them for months to play that one. Definitely one of the 100 best rockers of all time.
@@Wtfumean4511 Let's get some numbers here. Red Rider next!!!! Tom Cochrane is the most under appreciated voice in rock. Life Is A Highway should be on their radar too!
As much as I'd like to, it's difficult to criticize you guys for giving this a B+, but, in fairness, given the vast amount of music you have reacted to, I can see it. You gotta admit though, this is the type of song you crank up when it comes on the radio. It has such a great groove.
Saw these guys at a bar and they were a fun bar band, but that's about it. I do like this song as it was part of the parties of my youth, but I think your rating might have been generous. Doesn't make me move.
Well said. My thoughts exactly. I would add though that I never thought of this as a hangover recovery song. I associate it with some damn good times. I think the cover threw the boys a curve and way too much emphasis was placed on it IMO.
agreed... my "go to" back then was this one or REOs Roll with the Changes... both "S" tier for me ... but what do I know? I've only been playin' rock and roll for 60 years...lol
Head East , Never Been Any Reason...whoa dudes at one time was my favorite song of all time. Nice choice! Edited: B+? WTF? Guess you had to be living and partying in the same decade.
My first stadium concert in 1975 at age 15 Head East The Out Laws and ZZ Top Fandango I think you guys miss the meanings behind this song 🎵 2 hit wonder 'Since You've Been Gone is also great 👍
I'm glad you guys seem to be enjoying this one. They were pretty hot back in the olden days. They were playing in a lot of 8 track players in the high school parking lot.
This was on the Dazed and Confused soundtrack. While I like how Guardians of the Galaxy got some kids into classic rock, Dazed and Confused's soundtrack is better in my not-so-humble opinion
@@mattpobursky850 and yet couldn't get the rights for Zeppelin, even though their song is the name of the damn movie, lol. (don't get me wrong, Dazed & Confused is one of my most favorite movies ever, and the soundtrack is awesome.)
@@Dr_Bombay as much classic rock SUPERNATURAL had on it, they never played any ZEP either. Even though a ton of episodes were named after ZEP songs, must be real expensive.
Lead vocals are alternated between drummer Steve Huston singing the first two lines of the verses and lead vocalist John Schlitt on the remainder of the song. Both the last line of each verse and the choruses feature multi-part vocal harmonies sung by all the members of the band.
Still haven't hit up DONOVAN. "Season of the witch" is normally recommended around Halloween, i like his other stuff more but its a good intro song into his music
I like Sunshine Superman because it mentions Green Lantern. Mellow Yellow and Hurdy-Gurdy Man they're great. Season of the Witch would be great around Halloween.
@@HALberdier17 if you're gonna reccomend Donovan then it's definitely "Sunshine Superman." Primarily because It was the original "first time listener song" for MOST of the Kids back in the day.
You're damn right that context matters. This is one of those songs I've known my whole life. This past summer, I guess it was July 4th, I was 3 beers in, lounging in the pool under an umbrella...and then that 2 part harmony hits, "save my life I'm going down for the last time" and it was just right. I always considered it just a song. It was an A+ in that moment.
One of the greatest concerts I’ve ever gone to: Six Flags Over Mid America; MISSOURI, HEAD EAST, KANSAS. ‼️‼️ It was an all nighter. All 3 bands were awesome ‼️‼️ 📻🙂
@@Dr_Bombay I wish they would have continued on, and had more songs, but that’s the way it is sometimes. “Movin’ On is still a great classic. They had minor hits with a couple other songs,too. Mystic Lady, and Sunshine Girl. 📻🙂
@@rollomaughfling380 True, but Head East's version is great. The original by Russ Ballard went nowhere. Later Rainbow had a major hit with their cover version.
Just avoid the #1 hits. (Sadly, good advice for a number of bands.) "Can't Fight This Feeling" only works as a joke, and "Keep On Loving You" only succeeds in concert because guitarist Gary Richrath gets to expand the solo in ways he doesn't have a chance to do on record. "Roll with the Changes" is perhaps the best fusion of all the band's talents. But I'd argue for "Golden Country", "Ridin' the Storm Out", "Time for Me to Fly" and the one-two punch they used to open their EXCEPTIONAL live shows with, "Say You Love Me or Say Goodnight'/"Like You Do". ("Don't Let Him Go", which took over the opening slot, is good, but not in that class, IMO.)
For me, this song is a strong S. I have never seen anyone turn this song off, ever. In fact, this is the song that makes you turn the volume all the way to "crank". It's the song that will have you sitting in your car singing, even though you parked it 2 minutes ago. It's the song that will make you ignore your phone. It's the song that will have you spilling your beer while dancing like a fool. How can that be anything but an S?
I did lights for them for a concert at the Mars Theater in Lafayette, Indiana. Met some of the band. Really nice guys. Jefftown Creek is another banger.
John Schlitt the second lead voice in the song went on to replace Greg X Volz in the Christian Rock band Petra! He had a successful career with them and is currently singing with John Elefante of Kansas and Keyboardist John Lowery another Petra member in the Jay Sekulow band! They all of course have their own personal projects going on as well. Great song …. A+ for me!
@@CA-tz2sg I have a good friend who drummed for Rick on tour a few years ago, David Northrup!! I was a huge Edgar Winter fan so Rick was a staple in my early days!! JSB doing Long Time by Boston is an amazing cover!
I told John what he had said. John said Rick is an awesome believer in Christ. He also went on to say that he and Rick had worked together on some tracks. I would love to hear that material!
Head East is a brilliant band, they give you the total experience. These lyrics are spot on, the best of the best, high energy. This is probably a little different for you guys, there's really nothing like Head East. Crank it up in the car.
20 years ago, I was in a Pro Tools class and Steve Huston, the drummer and one of the lead vocalists on this song, was my instructor. Great guy and he had a ton of great, funny stories about the band, recording sessions, and touring.
Yep, first thing to note is “Since you Been Gone” was NOT originally a Rainbow song, the Rainbow song is also a cover. Head East also did it as a cover, with their version actually coming out a year before Rainbow’s (they sound pretty identical honestly). The original song was written by Russ Ballard, known as a former member of the band Argent, and appeared on his 1976 solo album “Winning”.
You mean to tell me Blackmore lifted something from another musician? Whattt! Lol. I Surrender is another Ballard song Rainbow covered. Ritchie freely admits he stole from everyone from Ricky Nelson to Jimi Hendrix. Even the riff from Burn was lifted from Paganini if I remember correctly
For background (I'm damn near 60, so I've seen them about a dozen times) both Head East and April Wine were the quintessential "opening acts" for countless big name bands in the late '70s. I've seriously seen each of them about a dozen times opening for the likes of Aerosmith, Blue Oyster Cult, UFO and Bad Company.
I've always liked this song since first hearing it mid 70's, and I still give it a listen every now and then, so that must mean it rates fairly high for me (I still almost exclusively listen only to 70's rock, so much great stuff from the era). Never cared for Head East's other material, and I don't think many others have even heard anything else from the band, so you might call them a one hit wonder. This song got a lot of play in stereo stores in the 70's, used as a song by the sales people to demo their equipment to prospective buyers. Sounds best cranked up loud!
Someone down in the comments mentioned the movie "Dazed and Confused" - if you haven't seen it, watch it. It is 100% accurate for the time period and the way life was lived in the mid to late 70's in the suburbs in Texas. It also has one of if not the best soundtracks in existence.
John Schitt was hooked on coke back them. Then he found the Lord and Petra found him and the rest is Christian rock history!! Petra was and always will always be Epic. Have a listen to their life changing songs.
For me this is a song to listen to when you are feeling rejected. The never been any reason and save my life I'm going down for the last time. Brings it back to reality. You're not really about to drown. You just didn't give them a reason to think about you. So just have fun and don't take life too seriously.
Thanks from an old Midwest boy for this one! In the mid-70's Head East was back-up for almost every major act who came through the area. Another comparable band would be EARLY Cheap Trick from their first 3 albums (not the live one). Different groove, but always playing gigs.
Love you guys! So glad you finally reacted to this song, you just made my day! But note to self: never record reactions on an empty stomach. You seem way preoccupied with food. LOL. I don't get Andy "I need to put in to practice" ??? This song is a banger whether you are eating pancakes or pizza, eating at IHop or Denny's, hungover or sober.
@@andyandalex yes! You are correct! By the way, did you guys hear that the Rolling Stones have permanently retired "Brown Sugar" from their concerts due to the lyrics, just days after your reaction. Thay had played the song at every concert since it was recorded.
Love that you are exploring lesser known bands of that era. Though for most my age we’ve been listening for decades. So much musical creativity then. Great song and band. Keep mining that time period, promise you will find so many gems
this song has LONG been an a+ song for me. it's just a vibe, and the lyrics are just great, especially where it breaks and that bassline is just going. so good. i don't think it's fair to call them a one hit wonder -- "Love Me Tonight" was also a hit, but to be fair, they were regionally big, not nationally big, which is a crime.
Head East split up into two different bands. Both called themselves "Head East". Original band had two lead singers. One was a guitarist, the other the drummer. A few years after the breakup, I had to choose whether I wanted to see "Head East" at the Rainbow Music Hall in Denver, or the other Head East at The Little Bear in Evergreen. (Both were playing the same night.)
You guys ROCK!! Thank you for checking this mega partying song out, it was the longest played song in Dazed & Confused. Also, please check out Jefftown Creek from the Flat As A Pancake CD or LP. From what Mr. Schlitt had always told me, that was a filler song which never had much airplay....but...it should have! This band really kicked some ass on that song. Peace to everyone! Keep kicking 'it!! ☮️😊
@@sns2112 Yes, + I do agree with you. Well, except for Never Been Any Reason as in comparison. I do like the guitar work and that rhythm is so catchy. It's a great song and it offers quite an impressive inspiration to ponder. John's voice really brings out the best. 😊
Got to see them live in a nightclub that held @ 100 people. When they were done all of the band members sat at our table and had a few drinks with us. Some of the most personable people that you'd ever want to meet.
The Godfather of Soul (& Founding father of Funk) James Brown! 1) Cold Sweat(67) 2) Mother Popcorn (69) 3) Superbad(70) 4) Get up I feel Like being a Sex Machine(70) How is it possible A&A haven't touched this?!
The synth vibe is what carries the song, very new sounding for the 1970's, in the Magic Man (Heart) vibe. Another one hit wonder along these lines is Children of the Sun by Billy Thorpe - banger!
This was heavy rotation in my high school/college days. Great album This song was also about a guy (travelling musician) and a girl he's been leaving (left) behind. It's a conversation, she's feeling like second class, asking if he ever thinks of her, etc. He's trying to decide if he's messing up by not latching on this good woman he grew up with(and away from?) Is she better than the white line (the road or cocaine) life he's been living.
This was a local band for me in the mid 70’s. This entire album is fire as well as their next album “Get Yourself Up”. I have to say, I’m surprised by your lower rating. The lead singer can hold a high note, forever!! Live, they were one of the greatest bands to go hear!
I've heard the music you guys play all my life. What's great about your channel is that through your reactions, I get to hear the songs with fresher ears and appreciate them in a way that I haven't in a long time. Thanks so much.
No one goes to Denny's, they just end up there.
Worked as a cook for several Denny's in high school and part of college. I been back once...because it was the only place open.
LOL
Haha ...so true!
Now that's funny. I have to agree.
Truer words have never been spoken Miss Lucie!
Oh us older rockers LOVE this song! Thanks for doing this one.
This is the definition of banger in the dictionary. I've heard this over a 1000 times and it never gets old......
Never gets old!
Yep. Classic, ubiquitous late 70's song that did what it was meant to do and still sounds great and fresh.
💯👊👊👊
Absolutely, never gets old !
maybe its a generational thing, but this is an A+ to many, myself included
Damn straight! I still sing along to this song every time I hear it.
Their taste is too perverted by today's sound.
I'd give it a B
@@TheCybertiger9 just curious,,, but are you from an older generation, or younger?
@@eddyyoung7101 well Ed let me say......i saw the Doors live
Ok the drummer on this record is singing the first lines of the verses. John Schlitt is singing the high tenor parts. The rest of the group is singing harmony. They all are/were great singers. They opened for a Milwaukee Brewers game in 1979 and sang the Star Spangled Banner acapella. They nailed it. Gave me goose bumps.
Cool!
Steve Huston, the drummer, sang lead on other songs, too. Notably the title track to their third album, "Gettin' Lucky".
High tenor? Do you you even know what tenor is? Go sing some bass soprano. Geezus
Years ago, my wife in a state of inebriation, claimed this was, “The best song ever”. It’s been a running joke ever since. It is a banger though.
She was right. You have a smart wife.
Haha! Fun story. Alcohol turns the brain to mush.
@@glassontherocks inebriated wives being smart is always right…heh
Ha! That's the kind of song this is. The kind you call the best song EVARRR when you are three sheets to the wind.
I've been that drunk myself, to where I thought this was the 'best song ever'.
Driving home hungover from Denny’s listening to Head East. Tell me you’re American without telling me you’re American.
Back in ‘83 while in college, I had a brief fling with my old high school boyfriend…we both knew it was a mistake. He slipped this cassette in as he drove me home for the last time, slightly hung over, sunroof open and us laughing and singing our heads off. S tier memories for me!
Who could afford Denny's? White Castle was the last stop of a party night back in the '70s.
Baltimore version of White Castle was Little Tavern and they were a must stop after a night of partying. Their slogan was “ Buy them by the bag” and we definitely did
@@chrisbowling4060 I didn’t have White Castle where I lived. But Jack In the Box tacos sure hit back then when you were slight on the cash.
"Tell me you’re American without telling me you’re American."
Gold
Classic song… classic sound.
“Woman with the sweet lovin’, better than a white line…”
They just don't get it....lol
That's true only if she's got sweet love and....is mute.
They are young....I guess it's for the 45 and up crowd!
I wasn't sure if That was what they were saying. Growing up ,born 1961, I always thought it said white "LIE". Then the 80's hit & now I KNow! Thanks
@@lindaingallsobrien4217 Yep - here to endorse. Have not listened closely in ages, but "woman with the free love is better than a white lie" rings truer longer. Almost feels cheap to learn the real line.
This song and Head East were quite popular when I was in college. For a couple years you couldn't go to a party or turn on the radio without hearing this song. I'd go with the "A" rating. They were great live too.
It was a banger in the day, as that’s all we had at that particular time! Remember, this is 1975 and we’d never heard of any bands of the future! It was great music in the bar playing foosball, pool or dancing with the ladies! A time when the only phones we had were hanging on the wall! Pay phone was 10 cents and gasoline was around 22cents/gallon and life was great! Today…..I’m not sure!
I miss those days!!!!! 😌 sigh
I worked a mill job 7 days a week, 8-12 hours a day during the summer and fall in Western PA while going to college. I made enough money in one summer to pay 2 1/2 years college tuition. Had a 71 Ford Econoline van. Used to take it hill climbing to get to the quarry to skinny dip with the girls. Great concerts at the Tomorrow Club in Youngstown OH. Saw great live music there, including Pure Prairie League, the Outlaws, and the Eagles on the same bill. I miss those days too.
@@jccook5353 Sounds like a blast! I was 20 in ‘75 and owned a Foosball Hall just outside of Tulsa with a partner and I worked it Friday pm - Sunday, then back to campus! We were making around $125/week each, which was good income back then. We new a guy who worked the Tulsa Convention center who would let us in the side door (without a ticket) for $2 each; there were so many concerts coming through town from ‘71 - ‘77 and saw virtually everyone except the Stones, Zeppelin and Allman Brothers! Incredible days back then! Best of luck to you!
Head East are a rocking band. Never Been Any Reason is one of their best!
they did other songs ? LOL
@@TheCybertiger9 Lol!😎
@@TheCybertiger9 They did (Since you been gone).
Fun fact: Head East lead singer John Schlitt left the rock scene after battling with drug addiction in the late 70s. He came back in the mid-80s to be the lead singer for one of the most famous Christian rock bands: Petra.
John Schlitt also did a great job singing the part of Jewish High Priest, Caiaphas, in the Neal Morse rock musical, Jesus Christ: The Exorcist.
Petra officially retired 15 years ago, but John still tours with different former members of Petra... seen them a few times in concert over the years
Best rock voice ever!
..John also sings HeadEasts song with the Jay Sekulow ‘s Band now !.. He became a Born Again Christian !!! ...
YES!!! Love me some Petra!! "We are not of this world"...great tune also "Judas Kiss"
The lead singer John Schlitt went on to sing with the Christian/rockers Petra for many years! Epic jam & voice! Banger for sure!
There were two leads on this song. Who is the other?
@@moniphil Steve Huston the drummer sang some of the song.
He sang the first two lines of each verse.
John Schlitt also did a great job singing the part of Jewish High Priest, Caiaphas, in the Neal Morse rock musical, Jesus Christ: The Exorcist.
I talked to lead guitarist Michael Somerville many times during Head East's club days. Nice fellow.
WOW PETRA!!!!!! Haven't heard that name in ages!!!! Road To Zion and Let Everything That Have Breath were amazing tunes!!!!!
Dudes, this was a classic from the era in that it the vocals were on point, the music was unique and also, on point and it just rocked us out even to this day. It is an A all around. Thanks for listening!
It just resonates what I imagine the 70s would sound like! That's what I thought when I really heard it for the first time in the early 90s! We thought we were hipsters listening to vinyls😂
From the plains of Illinois near where I grew up. "Flat as a Pancake" is a reference to the local landscape. There was always regional pride for this band.
We heard it in Boston!
@@loosilu The saying is around 500 years old. It was first used in the 1500s.
So I think it is very common expression.
We don't really use it to describe the landscape in western Pennsylvania because it is really hilly here and they didn't flatten the land to build cities.
@@HALberdier17 I meant we heard the song, sorry!
Yes, grew up in Danville, Illinois so very familiar with Head East and REO Speedwagon.
I'm a Wisconsin boy, born and raised, and have always heard Illinois described as "flat as a pancake". We've always called our brethren to the south of us flatlanders.
Go Packers! LOL!
✌🏼
Oh man, this song is incredibly nostalgic for me. One of those that brings me back instantly to a certain time in my childhood. Awesome one!
Ditto! Head East formed in Illinois here so they’re a beloved one hit wonder of ours & especially in the Midwest. I’ve been requesting for over a year now 😅 so I’m so excited they finally hit it!! Love their grades & imaginations ❤️🔥
Not childhood, college😂
@@Nittany100 I will admit, I'm probably on the younger side of viewers here lol
Nothing to lose is another good one from them
It takes me to a certain time in my adulthood, but I understand what you are saying. - - - Some Old Guy.
This song is a classic. Even now it's a sitting on the deck, crack open a Lone Star tune. You should have gone at least A+ guys. Here's another one for you. Have you ever listened to Lunatic Fringe by Red Rider? A whole generation goes WHOOOOOOOOOO at the drop. Trust me, it's a banger.
Red Rider!! 🔥🎸
I know you're out there.
WHOLE HEARTEDLY AGREE with your comments..Lunatic Fringe is a certified banger!!!
YES LUNATIC FRINGE BY RED RIDER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have been telling them for months to play that one. Definitely one of the 100 best rockers of all time.
@@Wtfumean4511 Let's get some numbers here. Red Rider next!!!! Tom Cochrane is the most under appreciated voice in rock. Life Is A Highway should be on their radar too!
This is one of those songs that should play in the background whenever someone says “Hold my beer…” and proceeds to do something really stupid. 😎
White lines maybe. Lol
I think your on to something here, except they proceed to do something stupidly awesome,
🤣
As much as I'd like to, it's difficult to criticize you guys for giving this a B+, but, in fairness, given the vast amount of music you have reacted to, I can see it. You gotta admit though, this is the type of song you crank up when it comes on the radio. It has such a great groove.
Aw man, don't put what they rated it, your message was on top and spoiled it!
Saw these guys at a bar and they were a fun bar band, but that's about it. I do like this song as it was part of the parties of my youth, but I think your rating might have been generous. Doesn't make me move.
Well said. My thoughts exactly. I would add though that I never thought of this as a hangover recovery song. I associate it with some damn good times. I think the cover threw the boys a curve and way too much emphasis was placed on it IMO.
Agreed
B+ is the correct grade. The nostalgia factor gives it an A. It's a boomer song for sure.
B+ is a fair grade musically... but add the 70s nostalgia and cranking this up at a party... S tier
agreed... my "go to" back then was this one or REOs Roll with the Changes... both "S" tier for me ... but what do I know? I've only been playin' rock and roll for 60 years...lol
This is a PARTY song from a PARTY band. "Since you been gone" is another very good one from them..."Jefftown Creek" is a banger....
Head East , Never Been Any Reason...whoa dudes at one time was my favorite song of all time. Nice choice!
Edited: B+? WTF? Guess you had to be living and partying in the same decade.
If you were living at the time, you were partying!
They still haven't reviewed "Ziggy Stardust"....another 70s classic song. I don't think they can be completely trusted!😂
IT'S ABOUT TIME!!!!!! Love this song!!!!!!
Agreed!
This is such a good and upbeat song. I remember the chicks all dancing to this, whenever it came on.
I forgot about this song. An fm radio staple.
Another 70's album party staple. Good stuff.
Best dance song ever! When the DJ wanted everyone on the dance floor this is what they played. So much fun and energy!
My first stadium concert in 1975 at age 15 Head East The Out Laws and ZZ Top Fandango
I think you guys miss the meanings behind this song 🎵 2 hit wonder 'Since You've Been Gone is also great 👍
Love it. Best time to listen: every time it comes on the radio. A
I'm glad you guys seem to be enjoying this one. They were pretty hot back in the olden days. They were playing in a lot of 8 track players in the high school parking lot.
This was on the Dazed and Confused soundtrack. While I like how Guardians of the Galaxy got some kids into classic rock, Dazed and Confused's soundtrack is better in my not-so-humble opinion
Dazed and Confused, probably the best movie soundtrack (music-wise) ever. They spent a buttload of $$$ on music rights for that movie. LOL
Awright, awright, awright!
It was a hit song way, way before that, though.
@@mattpobursky850 and yet couldn't get the rights for Zeppelin, even though their song is the name of the damn movie, lol. (don't get me wrong, Dazed & Confused is one of my most favorite movies ever, and the soundtrack is awesome.)
@@Dr_Bombay as much classic rock SUPERNATURAL had on it, they never played any ZEP either. Even though a ton of episodes were named after ZEP songs, must be real expensive.
This song kicks ass !!
You guys are Full of Shit !!
This Song is an A+ all Fucking Day Long !!
You guy's have never been any more wrong !!
"A" song when you're 18 and Head East is your first concert.
Being from the northwest, never heard this song till was in Ohio! Then heard it everywhere. Great tune!
Cleveland Rocks
I LOVE this song, brings back SO many great memories ❤
Lead vocals are alternated between drummer Steve Huston singing the first two lines of the verses and lead vocalist John Schlitt on the remainder of the song. Both the last line of each verse and the choruses feature multi-part vocal harmonies sung by all the members of the band.
GOOOOOOOD MORNING A&A FAMILY!
☮️❤️♾️
Hey @John H!
Good morning John H !
Still haven't hit up DONOVAN. "Season of the witch" is normally recommended around Halloween, i like his other stuff more but its a good intro song into his music
Donovan might be the best known artist they haven't done yet (I think). Trying to think of some others too.
I like Sunshine Superman because it mentions Green Lantern.
Mellow Yellow and Hurdy-Gurdy Man they're great.
Season of the Witch would be great around Halloween.
@@ednicholson7839 They still haven't done Alice Cooper properly. They COULD do Billion Dollar Babies and knock them both out lol.
@@HALberdier17 if you're gonna reccomend Donovan then it's definitely "Sunshine Superman." Primarily because It was the original "first time listener song" for MOST of the Kids back in the day.
@@HALberdier17 Also Atlantis and Where Your Love Like Heaven. If they want to hear early acoustic Donovan then do Catch the Wind.
Best. Head. East. Song. Ever.
Banger!!! Thanks…. Wished I had a dollar for every time me I my buds sang this song as loud as we could!
You're damn right that context matters. This is one of those songs I've known my whole life. This past summer, I guess it was July 4th, I was 3 beers in, lounging in the pool under an umbrella...and then that 2 part harmony hits, "save my life I'm going down for the last time" and it was just right. I always considered it just a song. It was an A+ in that moment.
What happened with the Beer?
I still have this on vinyl. It's a favorite!
Love this song...John Schlitt's voice, so unique...keyboard buzzing...great song...fun driving and party tune from my teen years
Rocked and danced to this song back in the late 70s at BYU when I was a student there.
One of those tunes your excited to hear when it comes on. Soundtrack of life.
This is an S tier song every time I couldn't tell you why but it gets me so pumped
The entire 8-track .. I mean album is a classic rocker from High School. Everyone had it!
When I first heard this song, it was a revelation. I was thirteen or fourteen at the time, and it ROCKED my little world.
One of the greatest concerts I’ve ever gone to:
Six Flags Over Mid America;
MISSOURI,
HEAD EAST,
KANSAS. ‼️‼️
It was an all nighter.
All 3 bands were awesome ‼️‼️
📻🙂
ooh Missouri is a deep cut band. love them. good call!
@@Dr_Bombay
I wish they would have continued on, and had more songs, but that’s the way it is sometimes. “Movin’ On is still a great classic.
They had minor hits with a couple other songs,too.
Mystic Lady, and
Sunshine Girl.
📻🙂
“Since you been gone” charted higher than “Never been any reason”, so not a 1 hit wonder band.
It's a cover, though, so +-
ok, so TWO-hit wonder:-)
In Tulsa my older brother said Love Me Tonight was big too!
@@jeffreyprehn5768 Rainbow's cover was bigger. :)
@@rollomaughfling380 True, but Head East's version is great. The original by Russ Ballard went nowhere. Later Rainbow had a major hit with their cover version.
"I love you more than I love cocaine." And people say romance is dead. Ha!
Our standards in the '70 were low. Lol
@@aileenturrietta7553 ...and that was when Coke was over a hundred bucks a gram! ps. It went as low as Twenty bucks in the 80s-90s. lol.
Lol.
@@OscarRuiz-gj3mp Right!!! Lol
Now you should do the other band from Champaign, IL: REO Speedwagon. “Roll with the Changes” is a good place to start
Just avoid the #1 hits. (Sadly, good advice for a number of bands.) "Can't Fight This Feeling" only works as a joke, and "Keep On Loving You" only succeeds in concert because guitarist Gary Richrath gets to expand the solo in ways he doesn't have a chance to do on record.
"Roll with the Changes" is perhaps the best fusion of all the band's talents. But I'd argue for "Golden Country", "Ridin' the Storm Out", "Time for Me to Fly" and the one-two punch they used to open their EXCEPTIONAL live shows with, "Say You Love Me or Say Goodnight'/"Like You Do". ("Don't Let Him Go", which took over the opening slot, is good, but not in that class, IMO.)
Ride the storm out
REO is best with the pre-80's stuff. If you're going for a single listen, 'Riding The Storm Out' would be it.
Challenge time.
Golden Country...live of course. Or 157 Riverside Ave.
For me, this song is a strong S. I have never seen anyone turn this song off, ever. In fact, this is the song that makes you turn the volume all the way to "crank". It's the song that will have you sitting in your car singing, even though you parked it 2 minutes ago. It's the song that will make you ignore your phone. It's the song that will have you spilling your beer while dancing like a fool. How can that be anything but an S?
This song is 🔥 Such a 💥! Absolutely love this jam💓
This is on my all time top 10 rock list, and Ive been around since the early 60's stuff.
It's just straight forward basic rock at its best.
I did lights for them for a concert at the Mars Theater in Lafayette, Indiana. Met some of the band. Really nice guys. Jefftown Creek is another banger.
John Schlitt the second lead voice in the song went on to replace Greg X Volz in the Christian Rock band Petra! He had a successful career with them and is currently singing with John Elefante of Kansas and Keyboardist John Lowery another Petra member in the Jay Sekulow band! They all of course have their own personal projects going on as well. Great song …. A+ for me!
They are incredible. Got to speak to Rick Derringer recently.... he's a HUGE fan of John and the JSB!
@@CA-tz2sg I have a good friend who drummed for Rick on tour a few years ago, David Northrup!! I was a huge Edgar Winter fan so Rick was a staple in my early days!! JSB doing Long Time by Boston is an amazing cover!
I told John what he had said. John said Rick is an awesome believer in Christ. He also went on to say that he and Rick had worked together on some tracks. I would love to hear that material!
@@CA-tz2sg that would be awesome to hear!!
"Put the song into practice," said Andy. What an accurate way to describe listening to music in everyday life.
Head East is a brilliant band, they give you the total experience. These lyrics are spot on, the best of the best, high energy. This is probably a little different for you guys, there's really nothing like Head East. Crank it up in the car.
20 years ago, I was in a Pro Tools class and Steve Huston, the drummer and one of the lead vocalists on this song, was my instructor. Great guy and he had a ton of great, funny stories about the band, recording sessions, and touring.
The definition of 'classic rock'.
In my area, their cover of Rainbow's "Since You Been Gone" was a hit. You ought to hit the Rainbow version, though!
If I remember correctly it was originally done by Russ Ballard and Rainbow’s version was a cover albeit a better version.
The Head East version was recorded in 1977 and released in 78, one year before Rainbows version.
The version with Graham Bonnet singing. He does it really well. th-cam.com/video/AFYbz2AXn8g/w-d-xo.html
Yep, first thing to note is “Since you Been Gone” was NOT originally a Rainbow song, the Rainbow song is also a cover. Head East also did it as a cover, with their version actually coming out a year before Rainbow’s (they sound pretty identical honestly). The original song was written by Russ Ballard, known as a former member of the band Argent, and appeared on his 1976 solo album “Winning”.
You mean to tell me Blackmore lifted something from another musician? Whattt! Lol. I Surrender is another Ballard song Rainbow covered. Ritchie freely admits he stole from everyone from Ricky Nelson to Jimi Hendrix. Even the riff from Burn was lifted from Paganini if I remember correctly
Now you need to hit up some other midwest bands like Missouri and the Ozark Mountain Daredevils.
For background (I'm damn near 60, so I've seen them about a dozen times) both Head East and April Wine were the quintessential "opening acts" for countless big name bands in the late '70s. I've seriously seen each of them about a dozen times opening for the likes of Aerosmith, Blue Oyster Cult, UFO and Bad Company.
You nailed it. I saw Head East open for Kiss and April Wine opened for Rush both in Kansas City about 1977.
I've always liked this song since first hearing it mid 70's, and I still give it a listen every now and then, so that must mean it rates fairly high for me (I still almost exclusively listen only to 70's rock, so much great stuff from the era). Never cared for Head East's other material, and I don't think many others have even heard anything else from the band, so you might call them a one hit wonder. This song got a lot of play in stereo stores in the 70's, used as a song by the sales people to demo their equipment to prospective buyers. Sounds best cranked up loud!
I think the "dual vocals" nudge this song to an "A" for me (if it is dual vocals?) . It's a rockn 70s song. It's fun!!
I think they had two lead vocalists, and the rest of the guys sang harmonies.
It's really nice, eh? One sings a couple lines, the other sings a couple lines, then they finish the verse in harmony. Good stuff.
@@David-iv6je makes me wonder how many groups have done the dual arrangement?? I know The Who does this in many songs.
@@todvball Pink Floyd as well.
@@HollowGolem indeed!
Someone down in the comments mentioned the movie "Dazed and Confused" - if you haven't seen it, watch it. It is 100% accurate for the time period and the way life was lived in the mid to late 70's in the suburbs in Texas. It also has one of if not the best soundtracks in existence.
Having grown up in the suburbs of Texas in the 70s, I can attest this is TRVTH.
Yes watch it! It's in my top 5 for sure!!!
@@charliemac64 lucky ass! Lol
Freshman hazing? Paddling? We NEVER did that shit in Missouri in the ‘70s! Must be a Texas thang.
@@michellowe8627 well, this was about kids making it to High School. That may be where the Missouri kids went off the radar. J/K BTW...
Beyond the way some of the lyrics are interpreted in these times, always loved the lyric "Woman with the sweet lovin' / better than a white line" .
John Schitt was hooked on coke back them. Then he found the Lord and Petra found him and the rest is Christian rock history!! Petra was and always will always be Epic. Have a listen to their life changing songs.
@@danielseiler4344 ..He sings a lot of Lead vocals now with the Jay Sekulow Band !!! They sing a lot of classic rock !...
I think that was your most tortured metaphor yet, Alex. Fun review!
check out The Jam playing Going Underground
For me this is a song to listen to when you are feeling rejected. The never been any reason and save my life I'm going down for the last time. Brings it back to reality. You're not really about to drown. You just didn't give them a reason to think about you. So just have fun and don't take life too seriously.
Saw these guys open several concerts back in the 70's.....they were one of the "non-official" opening acts of the day
Thanks from an old Midwest boy for this one! In the mid-70's Head East was back-up for almost every major act who came through the area. Another comparable band would be EARLY Cheap Trick from their first 3 albums (not the live one). Different groove, but always playing gigs.
The first Cheap Trick album is one I played to death. 🔥
@@susanklasinski1805 After 2 vinyl copies, I'm my 2nd CD copy. 1977 midwest Punk!!!
Needs more cowbell... Great Christopher Walken SNL skit 😆
It's time to get back to the A+ tier. Since you loved "Roller" by April Wine lets get to " I Like to Rock"! Definitely a top notch banger!
Wings of Love is their best.
Love you guys! So glad you finally reacted to this song, you just made my day! But note to self: never record reactions on an empty stomach. You seem way preoccupied with food. LOL. I don't get Andy "I need to put in to practice" ??? This song is a banger whether you are eating pancakes or pizza, eating at IHop or Denny's, hungover or sober.
They made it about food when they chose a pancake for their album cover. 😂
@@andyandalex yes! You are correct! By the way, did you guys hear that the Rolling Stones have permanently retired "Brown Sugar" from their concerts due to the lyrics, just days after your reaction. Thay had played the song at every concert since it was recorded.
Never been any reason to disrespect this song by this li'l ol' Midwestern band. It's just a fun song and there ain't nothing wrong with that.
I've heard this song many times, but never knew the name of the band...
Love that you are exploring lesser known bands of that era. Though for most my age we’ve been listening for decades. So much musical creativity then. Great song and band. Keep mining that time period, promise you will find so many gems
I always feel bad that these songs are being listened to through headphones. It’s a different experience when your body can’t feel the music playing.
It’s also a different feeling when you’re listening to music on vinyl compared to MP3.
this song has LONG been an a+ song for me. it's just a vibe, and the lyrics are just great, especially where it breaks and that bassline is just going. so good. i don't think it's fair to call them a one hit wonder -- "Love Me Tonight" was also a hit, but to be fair, they were regionally big, not nationally big, which is a crime.
This song is so good I think you guys would like it more and more with each listen
Head East split up into two different bands. Both called themselves "Head East".
Original band had two lead singers. One was a guitarist, the other the drummer.
A few years after the breakup, I had to choose whether I wanted to see "Head East" at the Rainbow Music Hall in Denver, or the other Head East at The Little Bear in Evergreen. (Both were playing the same night.)
After breakfast listening to the perfection of the Beatles....here I am. This is a banger. May I suggest the band The Babys, song Headfirst!
The Babys are kind of a forgotten band, but they had quite a few really good tunes. Still have my vinyl of that first album.
I still like them. Mostly love songs, but their albums were great. I have a couple.
You guys ROCK!! Thank you for checking this mega partying song out, it was the longest played song in Dazed & Confused. Also, please check out Jefftown Creek from the Flat As A Pancake CD or LP. From what Mr. Schlitt had always told me, that was a filler song which never had much airplay....but...it should have! This band really kicked some ass on that song. Peace to everyone! Keep kicking 'it!! ☮️😊
Jefftown Creek is probably my favorite song on the album.
@@sns2112 Yes, + I do agree with you. Well, except for Never Been Any Reason as in comparison. I do like the guitar work and that rhythm is so catchy. It's a great song and it offers quite an impressive inspiration to ponder. John's voice really brings out the best. 😊
Got to see them live in a nightclub that held @ 100 people.
When they were done all of the band members sat at our table and had a few drinks with us.
Some of the most personable people that you'd ever want to meet.
To truly appreciate this song, I think you needed to hear it like we did--i.e., three years before we heard Boston.
The Godfather of Soul
(& Founding father of Funk)
James Brown!
1) Cold Sweat(67) 2) Mother Popcorn (69)
3) Superbad(70)
4) Get up I feel Like being a Sex Machine(70)
How is it possible A&A haven't touched this?!
The synth vibe is what carries the song, very new sounding for the 1970's, in the Magic Man (Heart) vibe. Another one hit wonder along these lines is Children of the Sun by Billy Thorpe - banger!
They NEED to do Children of the Sun...been begging for it for a while!
ABSOLUTELY!!!! That beginning guitar riff blew me away when I first heard it.
"These pancakes are gonna resurrect me like Jesus on the third day" is my new favorite thing I've ever heard on this channel. Best Alexism yet! 😂😂😂
This was heavy rotation in my high school/college days. Great album
This song was also about a guy (travelling musician) and a girl he's been leaving (left) behind. It's a conversation, she's feeling like second class, asking if he ever thinks of her, etc. He's trying to decide if he's messing up by not latching on this good woman he grew up with(and away from?) Is she better than the white line (the road or cocaine) life he's been living.
GREAT SONG GREAT REACTION GUYS.... love this song.... keep up thegood work
The quintessential 70's one hit wonder !
Def not a one hit wonder. Try since you’ve been gone
Only if you don’t know anything about them.
Yeah baby some rock and roll from Peoria Illinois! Everyone in my dorm in college had this album. It played every day.
Missed this band back in the day .. these reactions are really good for going back covering missing songs .. thx
I never knew the name of this song or the band, but I knew all the lyrics. Poverty in the 1970s.
Same!
This was a local band for me in the mid 70’s. This entire album is fire as well as their next album “Get Yourself Up”. I have to say, I’m surprised by your lower rating. The lead singer can hold a high note, forever!! Live, they were one of the greatest bands to go hear!
I've heard the music you guys play all my life. What's great about your channel is that through your reactions, I get to hear the songs with fresher ears and appreciate them in a way that I haven't in a long time. Thanks so much.
I have no idea, how I have never heard this song before. It was fun. Love the dual vocals.
Random thought : Starbuck~moonlight feels right. the instrumentation is out of this world !
Love that song!
Good review of that song on Professor of Rock channel.