On April 6 2018 the Humboldt Broncos hockey team bus hit a tractor trailer and 16 hockey players died. It was a national tragedy. Homes across Canada left hockey sticks on their porches at night with their lights on to honour them Tom Cochrane went on TV and redid a version of his hit song Little Big League to honour them.
@@johnf-americanreacts1287 One of the Broncos who died had just signed up to be a organ donor a month before the crash - he saved 6 other lives. In the weeks after this came out, 150,000 Canadians signed up to be organ donors. It's amazing what can come out of tragedy.
So glad this song is now making a resurgence at a time it's so desperately needing and people are now hearing the message behind it. A good antidote song to heavy lunatic fringe is wish you well by Red rider but my fave ballad song is dreamers dream by Tom Cochrane. Saw him live once in the 80s with Amy Marshall opening act. He's so amazing to see live. So talented. He really never wrote a bad song. The untouchable one he is.
Tragic loss for those families. That story does have a racial element sincethe bus driver is East Indian. He is being deported. Many are happy about this with lots of racist overtones. The driver always seemed truly remorseful.
There is an interview somewhere on youtube where the singer Tom Cochrane mentions that the day he went in to record his vocals, he had just heard that John Lennon had been murdered. Literally hours before he laid down those vocals. Tom said that added rage and sorrow and intensity he was feeling at that moment made that vocal take what it was.
I was too poor to afford going when I was a student, but his album, Tom Cochran. The symphony sessions is a good one for Spotify It was recorded with an orchestra in Edmonton, Alberta, and I still love that album. It's his greatest hits with a symphony
I remember when this song came out, loved it immediately, but the words on the screen definitely gave it a different light. Thanks for the history lesson, bud.
Tom Cochrane is a Canadian gem! His most famous song is “Life is a Highway” covered by many (including Rascal Flats). Personally I love “Sinking like a Sunset” and “White Hot”!
He was in Windsor Ontario just over a month ago Tom played on Friday and Kim Mittchel played Saturday i won tickets and got to meet both guys and have pictures taken with them
I graduated university in 1992, and I remember hearing at the time that this was the most-played song on college radio in North America, and had been since it released. Can't remember the source now, but it as credible, and I thought it was pretty interesting. It is hugely, and sadly, even more relevant today than when it was written - terrific choice, and a great, thoughtful reaction as always. Peace and love, neighbour ☮
Like you I listened to this hundreds of times, for me driving around small town Saskatchewan and I never thought about the lyrics. Thanks for letting me rediscover this in another deeper way.
My suggestion is "Big League." I imagine you know that refers to something slightly different in Canada. This song reminds me that we just passed the 6 year anniversary of the horrific Humboldt Broncos junior hockey team bus crash in Saskatchewan. The 'sticks out' memorial was/is so incredibly moving - people across Canada (and around the world) put a hockey stick out on their front porch so they are available to the players who died, wherever they may be.
@@johnf-americanreacts1287 One of the best clips I've seen explaining about the 'sticks out' campaign came from Western New York. "Put Your Sticks Out Humboldt Hockey"
Great reaction John. Your right this song is much needed to be listened to. We are in crazy times. I just saw Tom in concert in Toronto a little while back, and he puts on a terrific show. He's 70 years old and can still rock. Check out his song "Big League" or "Boy Inside The Man"
A few years ago, the CBC had a Terry Fox special that opened with Tom Cochrane singing Life Is A Highway with pictures of Terry superimposed on landmarks across the country. Near the end of the show, Tom told his Terry Fox story. I think it was the 40th anniversary of the Marathon of Hope. Worth checking out if you can.
I love it and I know Terry Fox’s story. Very fitting to match Tom’s song with Terry’s run. Anything that brings attention and money to the cause is worthwhile
It's amazing how you recognize this immediately of one note😂 We have some wicked talent here in Canada. Triumph, April Wine, The Guess Who, BTO,Rush just to name a few classic rock bands. Peace out from Canada ✌️☮️
I think our best talent is the groups that everybody from the states doesn't know the name of the band but they know the song immediately Or if they grew up near the border? Trooper The stampeders Prism 5440 .
We used to have this great bar where I live in Kitchener, Ontario called The Coronet. Regular bar downstairs, bands upstairs. Tom Cochrane and Red Rider playing that night and he sat at the bar and had a drink with us. He was a nice guy. I was about 18 then in 1978 or it could have been 1980. Anyway, never forget years later, driving way up north to Georgian Bay at like 5 in the morning and the atmosphere was kinda foggy and eerie and this song came on the radio. Which made it even more spooky.
I was also born in 1971, so I understand your timeline. Heard this song many times before, and always loved it, but never truly listened to the lyrics. I too think that as the generation who lived through the Depression and WWII disappears, then the lessons learned are also in grave danger of disappearing. It's a sad truth that there are many, many people who only feel moved by something if they are personally affected by it. If they themselves experience loss or hardship, or close friends or family members. Until that happens, it does not concern them. It creates a lack of empathy. I've never understood how people can, on the one hand, brag about their great-grandfather coming to this country with a dollar in their pocket, and building a wonderful life. And then turn around and have no empathy for people who today are fleeing war, poverty, and hardship. Trying to make a better life for their families. Unless we are part of the indigenous community then we all have our story beginning somewhere else. Be it one generation back, or several. I do feel that there are many more good and caring people out there, who want to do right by their neighbours and communities, both local and global. They've just been living quietly, minding their own business. We're just reaching another point in history where we have to speak up, and take a stand. Because we all deserve to be treated with respect, and live with dignity. Thanks for another thought-provoking vid. Peace. :)
And I agree on how screwed this world has become. Again, what happened? I'm 65, and the politicians from around the world should fight it out, not the people!!
Lyrics Lunatic fringe I know you're out there You're in hiding And you hold your meetings I can hear you coming And we know what you're after We're wise to you this time (We're wise to you this time) We won't let you kill the laughter Lunatic fringe In the twilight's last gleaming This is open season But you won't get too far 'Cause you've got to blame someone For your own confusion We're on guard this time (on guard this time) Against your final solution Oh no We can hear you coming (We can hear you coming) No, you're not going to win this time (You're not gonna win) We can hear the footsteps (We can hear the footsteps) Way out along the walkway (along the walkway) Lunatic fringe We all know you're out there Can you feel the resistance? Can you feel the thunder? Oh no
I have recently found this Channel. I was expecting maybe a condescending type narrative. I was SO wrong. I feel even more proud to be Canadian when I see (not this video maybe) an American who respects Canada and appreciates it. Many of his vids have brought me to tears. I don't know why. I love The USA and always wanted to live there. Not so much right now. I'm not overly proud of North America right now. Anyway I enjoy these vids tremendously. The summit series one was so good. People don't realize how proud we are of hockey. I'm babbling. Thank you for this channel. We are all the same!
Just a FYI about Tom Cochrane. He is from Lynn Lake, Manitoba which is very small mining town (about 700 people) in Northern Manitoba. I saw Tom and Red Rider in Concert in Winnipeg, Man. in the mid 1980's. Oh could they rock! You may also be interested in listening to Bruce Cockburn. Bruce is a Canadian folk singer whose writing is heavily influenced by human rights and environmental issues.
I wonder what John would think about If I Had a Rocket Launcher... Lovers in a Dangerous Time would be fun, too, though even he admits Barenaked Ladies' cover did it better justice. Both were minor hits stateside.
Lunatic Fringe as definitely held up well. Heard it live shortly after its release when Red Rider opened for the Kinks in 81. Drums and the electronic opening really hit hard. Heard Tom do the song with an all acoustic version of Red Rider at the Calgary Folk Festival and it still hits hard. Big League is a song of Tom’s I would recommend. Another Canadian who has written some great folk songs with historical perspectives is David Francey. His song Flowers of Saskatchewan is one of the best modern era songs about WW2, reflecting on Dieppe.
Hi John! "As Far As Siam" was the first album my brother bought, in the early 80s, and we were blasted by it. Yeah, we had (and still have!) that bizarre habit of sticking together, him and me😄 I would recommend "Light in the Tunnel/Human Race" by Red Rider. A song that always drove me to push myself beyond my limits. Have a great day John!
Since I moved back to Toronto 18 months ago, this song has been playing non-stop on both major alt Indie & classic rock stations. I’m so surprised you did this video because I’ve been obsessed with this song lately. So underrated. Glad to know I’m not alone in my recent appreciation!
Hi April. Nice to see you again. Thats interesting that it’s been on the radio a lot lately. Musically it is timeless and could have been made today as an alt rock song. The message is obviously relevant. I’m glad you liked it.
Incredible insight John. I like to think that I understand. I missed this one entirely. Wasn't aware that Tom was bumping hip far sooner than I was. Come and join us in South Central Ontario. We have room for 4, including couches.
Something that I always dreamed of for the Vancouver Olympics was Tom Cochrane singing live “Life Is a Highway”! I was so disappointed and now still pissed off that that didn’t happen. What more perfect song to depict Canada at the Vancouver World Olympics, than “Life Is a Highway”. This Cochrane song ‘Lunatic Fringe’ is absolutely haunting & chilling. Depicts what he’s saying in the song so well.
Kenny Greer was the guitarist who is a founding member of Red Rider. He played slide guitar for that song. He also played the solo on Gowan's "All the Lovers in the World"
You’re welcome there in Quebec. Question for a Quebecois if you don’t mind. Is there a Quebec specific topic you think would be interesting here for me to cover? Peace friend.
I also love "The Professor of Rock " channel ! Adam gives great back stories and elequent tributes to great music and musicians . 😊 I love your channel too . 😊
Love the Professor of Rock, he has some great interviews and you are correct, I've learned a lot about some my favourite songs and artists from his videos.
I also love Rick Beato .. he teaches music & breaks it apart .. but he’s also doing great interviews .Rick has recently interviewed all 3 members of The Police .. AMAZING interview of all 3 inc. sting. Has interviewed many others
Hey, John. I am also sub to Professor of Rock. I am about 10yrs older than you so this song was a real favorite of mine back in '81. A couple of years later, Genesis Land of Confusion. So 80's pre-falling of the wall. I am so glad the message of this song isn't lost on everyone.
@@johnf-americanreacts1287 Yeah, Land of Confusion video was so different. Although, Maggie Thatcher, Reagan and Gorbachev are no longer here, I think the song is still relevant today. Just like you said about Lunatic Fringe. As I have heard others say "History may not repeat, but sometimes it rhymes." Thanks.🇨🇦
Big League (Humboldt Broncos tribute) was a song that Tom Cochrane redid to benefit the victims of a tragic bus crash in Saskatchewan.😢 Sinking Like a Sunset is another good TC song.
That guitar bit at the end has such Gilmore flavors - as I was typing that you said it! that was creepy. :) Proud Canadian here. Thanks for talking about this great song and what it means to you today. Here's hoping the fringe never reigns again. History, not the revisionist kind, is so important as generations come and go... you can't forget what you never learned in the first place. We need to keep history alive, "lest we forget..." and repeat the sins of our fathers.
The lead guitarist for Red Ryder was Kenny Greer. Although Tom wrote many good songs occasionally Kenny Greer would co-write a Red Ryder song with him. Kenny Greer was hugely talented as well as Tom.
What was interesting about that guitar solo is they played that slide like a steel guitar horizontally. You might see it on the production video. Great breakdown and analysis, You do your research and it shows.
Not sure if anyone else mentioned this, but, there is an awesome version of this song performed with the Edmonton Philharmonic Orchestra (if memory serves).
I remember when this came out, in about 1982. It rocked then, and it was meaningful then, but it's much more meaningful now. I bought the record on vinyl LP back then, and I still have it. More on that a little later... The lyrics aren't kidding: "Lunatic Fringe/ We all know you're out there/ You're in hiding/ And you hold your meetings..." One of the real keys to what it's about comes a little later: "..'Cause you gotta blame someone/ For your own confusion/ We're on guard this time/ Against your Final Solution." That's a reference to the Nazi Party. They blamed all their problems on Jews and Bolsheviks, and their "Final Solution to the Jewish Problem" (THEIR PHRASE) was the death camps. Now the modern lunatic fringe is blaming their confusion on Muslims and immigrants, hoping to resurrect and use the fear and hate of the ignorant. This song is about how we must never let hate and fascism and totalitarianism again get a chance to take over society. "We can hear you coming/ No, you're not gonna win this time/ We can hear the footsteps/ Hey, out along the walkway..." Yet now, with donald trump and the rise of far-right hate cult thinking, we're teetering on the brink. The Republican Project 2025 is their plan to take permanent control of the US government, eliminating democracy in the name of donald trump. That's the Lunatic Fringe in 2024. Incidentally, there's a little-known bit missing. The last verse, in the record, says, "Lunatic Fringe/ We all know you're out there/ Can you feel the resistance?/ Can you feel the thunder?" And then the ambulance sound - which I suspect means the lunatics have detonated a bomb somewhere. But the original lyrics, printed on the record sleeve, were longer: "Lunatic Fringe/ We all know you're out there/ But in this new Dark Age/ There will still be light/ An eye for an eye/ Just before you go under/ Can you feel the resistance? / Can you feel the thunder?" Meaning, even with the lunatic fringe doing their worst, good people must resist, and fight back. They'll have their last gasp, do their last harm, just before they're eliminated, but we WILL RESIST, and win.
Great song for these times - couldn't agree more. I've talked with flat-earthers, my daughter's ex was a chem-trail fanatic... anti-factual, anti-science, anti-democratic extremists have never had a better time to find 'their people' and the vile and often violent insanity that follows is a pretty sobering reality world-wide. We have got to do better. Thanks for this.
Thank you for this!! Great band!! This song summarizes the political climate in your country right now. We have this lunatic fringe in Canada as well, not to the extent as it has emerged in your country. We all need to hear this song… a lot!! Silence is acceptance!! Trump and the Republican Party is lunatic fringe…Canada prays for your country never to elect anyone like Trump ever again!! 🇨🇦🙏🏳️🌈❤️
Hey John, I haven’t chatted for a while, thanks for this video, I as well never really paid attention to the words. Really good message considering our world today. Life is a highway was filmed near my home town. Drumheller dinosaur valley to be exact or (Bad Lands) in southern Alberta.
Amazing. I need to look at that part of Alberta. It very much looks like the US west. I suppose geography doesn’t pay much attention to political borders. lol.
@@johnf-americanreacts1287 If you watch the Highway video you’ll see them standing on the Hoo Doos. They are the odd mushroom shaped rock formations that are scattered throughout the Drumheller Valley. Tom did an interview about wanting that Alberta location. It is a very cool small city ( less than 8000 people, when you are almost there a steep hill literally swallows you down into a prehistoric dinosaur Valley. The well known Tyrrell dinosaur Museum is located there. When you come out of the valley on the other side it is the highway that takes you to Calgary,135 K.( or 80 miles) the flat highway scenes are before or after you enter the valley. Those quiet flat highways on our Alberta prairies likely resemble areas in the western U.S.
I heard this song in '81 was it when it came out. Anyway, I tried picking up the lyrics all these years but was not able to make them all out. Now reading hearing the song it make full sense. I thought 'walkway' was 'water' which did not make sense. Thanks. Review 'Mashed Potato' next by Dee Dee Sharp.
Hi Lynne, thanks so much for this reminder. My elderly mom loves Roy Orbison and has actually requested that I react to KD Lang because she loves her too. I need to do that asap.
These people who are the lunatic fringe - they all operate out of FEAR .. fear of not knowing, fear of bring replaced, fear of everything .., because they don’t want to get informed. They want to stay small & live small.
Red Rider is a solid band, but Tom Cochrane's solo work is beyond the pale. Life is a Highway is only the start. There's so much you can find from him that'll knock your socks off.
Red Rider is great and so is Tom Cochrane. I'd love to hear what you think of "Big League" by him. It was dedicated to the high school students' who were injured in a horrific bus accident in Humbolt,Saskatchwan in 1996 I believe, due to a drunk driver. They were the schools hockey team.
Song was released in 1988 … 30 years before the Humboldt Broncos ( a Junior A team in the Saskatchewan. Hockey League for Junior players up to age 20) tragedy…..Tom did rework the lyrics in 2018 as a tribute to them. Accident was caused by a Semi driver running a stop sign due to driving with undue care and attention no alcohol involved to my knowledge.
If you're looking for great Canadian Songs that should have charted in the US let me direct you to Bruce Cockburn's "Lover's in a Dangerous Time" or "Wondering Where the Lions Are". Also anything by Kim Mitchell as a solo artist or in his band Max Webster. Personally "Patio Lanterns" brings me back to the 1980s.
I couln't agree with you more about the relevance of this song in our culture today.You might like to check out folk legend Joni Mitchell she's pretty awesome!
We’ve almost always known the band as ‘Tom Cochrane & Red Rider’. Tom has done stunts as an ambassador for World Vision, very compassionate person. Many of his songs are thought provoking while being easy to listen to .. Just saw him here on the W. Coast of Canada (Vancouver Island) on his most recent tour. Was just listening to a few songs Ai recorded on my phone. This was one of them ❣️ You love hockey - you must listen to ‘Big League’ it’ll hit you in the heart ❤️🩹
"Vote blue" on a crossover channel like this is so confusing. In the US, "vote blue" is a call to the Left, while in Canada, it's a call to the Right. lol
I wish I could say that racism and far right ideology were not as big a problem north of the border but that would be a lie. I don't want let the far left skate on this as they can be as rigid in their need to tell you how you should think and conduct yourself.
That’s not good. 😬. Thanks so much for bringing that to my attention. I’ll fix it. I’ll have to strong words with my editors (i.e. me) to make sure nothing like that happens again.
Hey, thanks for asking. Yes, the Hip were among my early reactions to music on this channel. I got to know about them and Gord’s story. I have several Hip reactions and a two part series looking at Gord’s Secret Path project at the end of his life. It made such an impact on me. I bought a few of their albums on vinyl and I have Yer Favourites digitally. Love them.
I hope the majority of Americans are on guard this time.
Me too.
Trump2024
All time classic. I also highly recommend another great Red Rider song White Hot. Great song with great lyrics about the French poet Rimbaud.
On April 6 2018 the Humboldt Broncos hockey team bus hit a tractor trailer and 16 hockey players died. It was a national tragedy. Homes across Canada left hockey sticks on their porches at night with their lights on to honour them Tom Cochrane went on TV and redid a version of his hit song Little Big League to honour them.
th-cam.com/video/DaadKYEZgH4/w-d-xo.htmlsi=RWUKTGvkMh6chIy3
That’s so tragic and sad but it’s also uplifting when people step up to help the survivors and their families
@@johnf-americanreacts1287 One of the Broncos who died had just signed up to be a organ donor a month before the crash - he saved 6 other lives. In the weeks after this came out, 150,000 Canadians signed up to be organ donors. It's amazing what can come out of tragedy.
So glad this song is now making a resurgence at a time it's so desperately needing and people are now hearing the message behind it. A good antidote song to heavy lunatic fringe is wish you well by Red rider but my fave ballad song is dreamers dream by Tom Cochrane. Saw him live once in the 80s with Amy Marshall opening act. He's so amazing to see live. So talented. He really never wrote a bad song. The untouchable one he is.
Tragic loss for those families. That story does have a racial element sincethe bus driver is East Indian. He is being deported. Many are happy about this with lots of racist overtones. The driver always seemed truly remorseful.
There is an interview somewhere on youtube where the singer Tom Cochrane mentions that the day he went in to record his vocals, he had just heard that John Lennon had been murdered. Literally hours before he laid down those vocals.
Tom said that added rage and sorrow and intensity he was feeling at that moment made that vocal take what it was.
Thanks for this, I've heard this song 100 times but never listened closely to the lyrics before.
White Hot, Don't Fight It, Boy Inside The Man.
Thanks😊
Big League!
Was about to say Big League as well.
Life is a highway - my favorite
I was too poor to afford going when I was a student, but his album, Tom Cochran. The symphony sessions is a good one for Spotify
It was recorded with an orchestra in Edmonton, Alberta, and I still love that album. It's his greatest hits with a symphony
Big League. If you want a peak inside Canadiana, have a listen to that Tom Cochrane song.
I remember when this song came out, loved it immediately, but the words on the screen definitely gave it a different light. Thanks for the history lesson, bud.
Sure thing Dave. Thanks for watching and commenting.
Tom Cochrane is a Canadian gem! His most famous song is “Life is a Highway” covered by many (including Rascal Flats). Personally I love “Sinking like a Sunset” and “White Hot”!
He was in Windsor Ontario just over a month ago Tom played on Friday and Kim Mittchel played Saturday i won tickets and got to meet both guys and have pictures taken with them
Very cool.
I graduated university in 1992, and I remember hearing at the time that this was the most-played song on college radio in North America, and had been since it released. Can't remember the source now, but it as credible, and I thought it was pretty interesting. It is hugely, and sadly, even more relevant today than when it was written - terrific choice, and a great, thoughtful reaction as always. Peace and love, neighbour ☮
Like you I listened to this hundreds of times, for me driving around small town Saskatchewan and I never thought about the lyrics. Thanks for letting me rediscover this in another deeper way.
My suggestion is "Big League." I imagine you know that refers to something slightly different in Canada.
This song reminds me that we just passed the 6 year anniversary of the horrific Humboldt Broncos junior hockey team bus crash in Saskatchewan. The 'sticks out' memorial was/is so incredibly moving - people across Canada (and around the world) put a hockey stick out on their front porch so they are available to the players who died, wherever they may be.
I didn’t know that until I did this video but a lot of my friends are educating me with the comment so thank you.
@@johnf-americanreacts1287 One of the best clips I've seen explaining about the 'sticks out' campaign came from Western New York. "Put Your Sticks Out Humboldt Hockey"
Canadian here, we have great bands!
Yes you do.
This song, and Bruce Cockburn's "If I had a rocket launcher" are rallying cries for sure. More people need to be singing them!
I am in Toronto and have a brother who is homeless about 325km away. He has always liked songs for the lyrics, then the music. Still does
Great reaction John. Your right this song is much needed to be listened to. We are in crazy times. I just saw Tom in concert in Toronto a little while back, and he puts on a terrific show. He's 70 years old and can still rock. Check out his song "Big League" or "Boy Inside The Man"
An incredible song! Actually a protest / defiance song. Frankly, I wish this song had been featured during the Democratic National Convention!
A few years ago, the CBC had a Terry Fox special that opened with Tom Cochrane singing Life Is A Highway with pictures of Terry superimposed on landmarks across the country. Near the end of the show, Tom told his Terry Fox story. I think it was the 40th anniversary of the Marathon of Hope. Worth checking out if you can.
I love it and I know Terry Fox’s story. Very fitting to match Tom’s song with Terry’s run. Anything that brings attention and money to the cause is worthwhile
It's amazing how you recognize this immediately of one note😂 We have some wicked talent here in Canada. Triumph, April Wine, The Guess Who, BTO,Rush just to name a few classic rock bands. Peace out from Canada ✌️☮️
I think our best talent is the groups that everybody from the states doesn't know the name of the band but they know the song immediately
Or if they grew up near the border?
Trooper
The stampeders
Prism
5440 .
We used to have this great bar where I live in Kitchener, Ontario called The Coronet. Regular bar downstairs, bands upstairs. Tom Cochrane and Red Rider playing that night and he sat at the bar and had a drink with us. He was a nice guy. I was about 18 then in 1978 or it could have been 1980. Anyway, never forget years later, driving way up north to Georgian Bay at like 5 in the morning and the atmosphere was kinda foggy and eerie and this song came on the radio. Which made it even more spooky.
I was also born in 1971, so I understand your timeline. Heard this song many times before, and always loved it, but never truly listened to the lyrics. I too think that as the generation who lived through the Depression and WWII disappears, then the lessons learned are also in grave danger of disappearing. It's a sad truth that there are many, many people who only feel moved by something if they are personally affected by it. If they themselves experience loss or hardship, or close friends or family members. Until that happens, it does not concern them. It creates a lack of empathy.
I've never understood how people can, on the one hand, brag about their great-grandfather coming to this country with a dollar in their pocket, and building a wonderful life. And then turn around and have no empathy for people who today are fleeing war, poverty, and hardship. Trying to make a better life for their families. Unless we are part of the indigenous community then we all have our story beginning somewhere else. Be it one generation back, or several.
I do feel that there are many more good and caring people out there, who want to do right by their neighbours and communities, both local and global. They've just been living quietly, minding their own business. We're just reaching another point in history where we have to speak up, and take a stand. Because we all deserve to be treated with respect, and live with dignity. Thanks for another thought-provoking vid. Peace. :)
Life is a Highway was filmed 90 minutes south of me! Badlands! Red Deer Alberta
And I agree on how screwed this world has become. Again, what happened? I'm 65, and the politicians from around the world should fight it out, not the people!!
Drumheller actually
@rhondathieson1156 Kids loved hiking in the badlands as I did. My son has taken his daughter there also, and my granddaughter wants to go again!
Lyrics
Lunatic fringe
I know you're out there
You're in hiding
And you hold your meetings
I can hear you coming
And we know what you're after
We're wise to you this time
(We're wise to you this time)
We won't let you kill the laughter
Lunatic fringe
In the twilight's last gleaming
This is open season
But you won't get too far
'Cause you've got to blame someone
For your own confusion
We're on guard this time (on guard this time)
Against your final solution
Oh no
We can hear you coming
(We can hear you coming)
No, you're not going to win this time
(You're not gonna win)
We can hear the footsteps
(We can hear the footsteps)
Way out along the walkway (along the walkway)
Lunatic fringe
We all know you're out there
Can you feel the resistance?
Can you feel the thunder?
Oh no
I have recently found this Channel. I was expecting maybe a condescending type narrative. I was SO wrong. I feel even more proud to be Canadian when I see (not this video maybe) an American who respects Canada and appreciates it. Many of his vids have brought me to tears. I don't know why. I love The USA and always wanted to live there. Not so much right now. I'm not overly proud of North America right now. Anyway I enjoy these vids tremendously. The summit series one was so good. People don't realize how proud we are of hockey. I'm babbling. Thank you for this channel. We are all the same!
Definitely Big League both the original version and his accoustic rewrite after the Humboldt bus crash.
As Redbone sang. "Come and get your love"
Such a great song! Thanks for this video, John; I really enjoyed hearing the song, and your thoughts about it.
Always loved this song but didn’t really understand the words. So relatable to what’s happening today.
You hit the nail on the head !!
Just a FYI about Tom Cochrane. He is from Lynn Lake, Manitoba which is very small mining town (about 700 people) in Northern Manitoba. I saw Tom and Red Rider in Concert in Winnipeg, Man. in the mid 1980's. Oh could they rock!
You may also be interested in listening to Bruce Cockburn. Bruce is a Canadian folk singer whose writing is heavily influenced by human rights and environmental issues.
I wonder what John would think about If I Had a Rocket Launcher...
Lovers in a Dangerous Time would be fun, too, though even he admits Barenaked Ladies' cover did it better justice.
Both were minor hits stateside.
Lunatic Fringe as definitely held up well. Heard it live shortly after its release when Red Rider opened for the Kinks in 81. Drums and the electronic opening really hit hard. Heard Tom do the song with an all acoustic version of Red Rider at the Calgary Folk Festival and it still hits hard.
Big League is a song of Tom’s I would recommend.
Another Canadian who has written some great folk songs with historical perspectives is David Francey. His song Flowers of Saskatchewan is one of the best modern era songs about WW2, reflecting on Dieppe.
Awesome!!
Really hope you do big league.
Classic Canadian hockey song
He played the Campbell Street Station in Sarnia, ON lots when I went to college there in the mid - late 80s.
I've heard of the band but never heard their songs. Thanks for sharing this great song.
Tom Cochrane is brilliant , love Red Rider ❤🇨🇦
Hi John! "As Far As Siam" was the first album my brother bought, in the early 80s, and we were blasted by it. Yeah, we had (and still have!) that bizarre habit of sticking together, him and me😄
I would recommend "Light in the Tunnel/Human Race" by Red Rider. A song that always drove me to push myself beyond my limits. Have a great day John!
I have always been a fan along from his 1st solo "hold on to Your Resistance" through "Just Like Ali".
Since I moved back to Toronto 18 months ago, this song has been playing non-stop on both major alt Indie & classic rock stations. I’m so surprised you did this video because I’ve been obsessed with this song lately. So underrated. Glad to know I’m not alone in my recent appreciation!
Hi April. Nice to see you again. Thats interesting that it’s been on the radio a lot lately. Musically it is timeless and could have been made today as an alt rock song. The message is obviously relevant. I’m glad you liked it.
Incredible insight John. I like to think that I understand. I missed this one entirely.
Wasn't aware that Tom was bumping hip far sooner than I was.
Come and join us in South Central Ontario.
We have room for 4, including couches.
Something that I always dreamed of for the Vancouver Olympics was Tom Cochrane singing live “Life Is a Highway”! I was so disappointed and now still pissed off that that didn’t happen. What more perfect song to depict Canada at the Vancouver World Olympics, than “Life Is a Highway”.
This Cochrane song ‘Lunatic Fringe’ is absolutely haunting & chilling. Depicts what he’s saying in the song so well.
Kenny Greer was the guitarist who is a founding member of Red Rider. He played slide guitar for that song. He also played the solo on Gowan's "All the Lovers in the World"
One of my best favorite songs a long time ago. Thanks from Québec
You’re welcome there in Quebec. Question for a Quebecois if you don’t mind. Is there a Quebec specific topic you think would be interesting here for me to cover? Peace friend.
saw tom when he was starting out in the seventies, red ryder I think the band was. great bar band lol awesome even then.
I also love "The Professor of Rock " channel ! Adam gives great back stories and elequent tributes to great music and musicians . 😊 I love your channel too . 😊
That is the perfect theme song to fight against all of the crazy stuff going on!
John I remember this song But I didn't clue in about its meaning Thank You
Love the Professor of Rock, he has some great interviews and you are correct, I've learned a lot about some my favourite songs and artists from his videos.
I also love Rick Beato .. he teaches music & breaks it apart .. but he’s also doing great interviews .Rick has recently interviewed all 3 members of The Police .. AMAZING interview of all 3 inc. sting. Has interviewed many others
Hey, John. I am also sub to Professor of Rock. I am about 10yrs older than you so this song was a real favorite of mine back in '81.
A couple of years later, Genesis Land of Confusion.
So 80's pre-falling of the wall.
I am so glad the message of this song isn't lost on everyone.
Hi Nora,
Thanks for the comment. Oh yeah, I remember Genesis Land of Confusion well. I remember the MTV video with the Reagan and Gorbachev puppets.
@@johnf-americanreacts1287 Yeah, Land of Confusion video was so different.
Although, Maggie Thatcher, Reagan and Gorbachev are no longer here, I think the song is still relevant today. Just like you said about Lunatic Fringe.
As I have heard others say "History may not repeat, but sometimes it rhymes."
Thanks.🇨🇦
I remember when they first broke out. Just seen him last year, it was brilliant, of course.
Hi John oh ya big Tom fan Red rider too 😂 you just don’t hear the classics enough so timeless. 🤟 Great reaction have a super week 🫶
Hi Melody. Thank you as always for your support and taking the time to comment. 😊
Big League (Humboldt Broncos tribute) was a song that Tom Cochrane redid to benefit the victims of a tragic bus crash in Saskatchewan.😢 Sinking Like a Sunset is another good TC song.
That guitar bit at the end has such Gilmore flavors - as I was typing that you said it! that was creepy. :) Proud Canadian here. Thanks for talking about this great song and what it means to you today. Here's hoping the fringe never reigns again. History, not the revisionist kind, is so important as generations come and go... you can't forget what you never learned in the first place. We need to keep history alive, "lest we forget..." and repeat the sins of our fathers.
The lead guitarist for Red Ryder was Kenny Greer. Although Tom wrote many good songs occasionally Kenny Greer would co-write a Red Ryder song with him. Kenny Greer was hugely talented as well as Tom.
Fun Aside-A former SF Giants GM used to refer to the fan base as the Lunatic Fringe.
What was interesting about that guitar solo is they played that slide like a steel guitar horizontally. You might see it on the production video. Great breakdown and analysis, You do your research and it shows.
Ahh, that makes sense. Slide guitar always sounds like it emotes. Thanks
Not sure if anyone else mentioned this, but, there is an awesome version of this song performed with the Edmonton Philharmonic Orchestra (if memory serves).
I remember when this came out, in about 1982. It rocked then, and it was meaningful then, but it's much more meaningful now. I bought the record on vinyl LP back then, and I still have it. More on that a little later...
The lyrics aren't kidding: "Lunatic Fringe/ We all know you're out there/ You're in hiding/ And you hold your meetings..."
One of the real keys to what it's about comes a little later: "..'Cause you gotta blame someone/ For your own confusion/ We're on guard this time/ Against your Final Solution."
That's a reference to the Nazi Party. They blamed all their problems on Jews and Bolsheviks, and their "Final Solution to the Jewish Problem" (THEIR PHRASE) was the death camps. Now the modern lunatic fringe is blaming their confusion on Muslims and immigrants, hoping to resurrect and use the fear and hate of the ignorant. This song is about how we must never let hate and fascism and totalitarianism again get a chance to take over society.
"We can hear you coming/ No, you're not gonna win this time/ We can hear the footsteps/ Hey, out along the walkway..."
Yet now, with donald trump and the rise of far-right hate cult thinking, we're teetering on the brink. The Republican Project 2025 is their plan to take permanent control of the US government, eliminating democracy in the name of donald trump. That's the Lunatic Fringe in 2024.
Incidentally, there's a little-known bit missing. The last verse, in the record, says, "Lunatic Fringe/ We all know you're out there/ Can you feel the resistance?/ Can you feel the thunder?" And then the ambulance sound - which I suspect means the lunatics have detonated a bomb somewhere.
But the original lyrics, printed on the record sleeve, were longer: "Lunatic Fringe/ We all know you're out there/ But in this new Dark Age/ There will still be light/ An eye for an eye/ Just before you go under/ Can you feel the resistance? / Can you feel the thunder?"
Meaning, even with the lunatic fringe doing their worst, good people must resist, and fight back. They'll have their last gasp, do their last harm, just before they're eliminated, but we WILL RESIST, and win.
Big Leauge Life is a Highway Sinking like a Sunset No Regrets just a few great video
Hi John
Should watch the video to this song
Red Rider has a good catalogue...if you have a streaming service.go find the album "Neruda"...its their masterpiece
White Hot is another great Red Rider song. My personal favorite.
Great song for these times - couldn't agree more. I've talked with flat-earthers, my daughter's ex was a chem-trail fanatic... anti-factual, anti-science, anti-democratic extremists have never had a better time to find 'their people' and the vile and often violent insanity that follows is a pretty sobering reality world-wide. We have got to do better. Thanks for this.
Thank you for this!! Great band!! This song summarizes the political climate in your country right now. We have this lunatic fringe in Canada as well, not to the extent as it has emerged in your country. We all need to hear this song… a lot!! Silence is acceptance!! Trump and the Republican Party is lunatic fringe…Canada prays for your country never to elect anyone like Trump ever again!! 🇨🇦🙏🏳️🌈❤️
I prey we don’t. He might be a convicted felon by then. We shall see.
Great reaction to a great song and band.. Try the song Big League next.. Cheers !!
Human Race is another great song. The album was Neruda. The best song.
I saw him do this live in a bar when it came out definitely before it's time. It aged quite well eh
For sure my Doug
Hey John, I haven’t chatted for a while, thanks for this video, I as well never really paid attention to the words. Really good message considering our world today. Life is a highway was filmed near my home town. Drumheller dinosaur valley to be exact or (Bad Lands) in southern Alberta.
Amazing. I need to look at that part of Alberta. It very much looks like the US west. I suppose geography doesn’t pay much attention to political borders. lol.
@@johnf-americanreacts1287 If you watch the Highway video you’ll see them standing on the Hoo Doos. They are the odd mushroom shaped rock formations that are scattered throughout the Drumheller Valley. Tom did an interview about wanting that Alberta location. It is a very cool small city ( less than 8000 people, when you are almost there a steep hill literally swallows you down into a prehistoric dinosaur Valley. The well known Tyrrell dinosaur Museum is located there. When you come out of the valley on the other side it is the highway that takes you to Calgary,135 K.( or 80 miles) the flat highway scenes are before or after you enter the valley. Those quiet flat highways on our Alberta prairies likely resemble areas in the western U.S.
I heard this song in '81 was it when it came out. Anyway, I tried picking up the lyrics all these years but was not able to make them all out. Now reading hearing the song it make full sense. I thought 'walkway' was 'water' which did not make sense. Thanks.
Review 'Mashed Potato' next by Dee Dee Sharp.
There's an interesting history on lunatic fringe album and how it came about.
If you watched the UFC a number of years back, this was Dan Henderson's walkout song.
React to White Hot. My fav Red Rider song from late 70s and early 80s
"We can hear you coming" chanting from the river to the sea!
Highly recommend listening to more Red Rider esp. *White Hot
The democrats should pick this up for theyre campaign drummer is matt fernette
K.D. Lang has an amazing version of Roy Orbison's"Crying". I'd love to see that on your channel.
Hi Lynne, thanks so much for this reminder. My elderly mom loves Roy Orbison and has actually requested that I react to KD Lang because she loves her too. I need to do that asap.
Who would come to save our country and its people if the worst happens?
These people who are the lunatic fringe - they all operate out of FEAR .. fear of not knowing, fear of bring replaced, fear of everything .., because they don’t want to get informed. They want to stay small & live small.
I haven’t even seen the video yet, and I liked it :) 🇨🇦
😊
Red Rider is a solid band, but Tom Cochrane's solo work is beyond the pale. Life is a Highway is only the start. There's so much you can find from him that'll knock your socks off.
Red Rider is great and so is Tom Cochrane. I'd love to hear what you think of "Big League" by him. It was dedicated to the high school students' who were injured in a horrific bus accident in Humbolt,Saskatchwan in 1996 I believe, due to a drunk driver. They were the schools hockey team.
Song was released in 1988 … 30 years before the Humboldt Broncos ( a Junior A team in the Saskatchewan. Hockey League for Junior players up to age 20) tragedy…..Tom did rework the lyrics in 2018 as a tribute to them. Accident was caused by a Semi driver running a stop sign due to driving with undue care and attention no alcohol involved to my knowledge.
@@Nana_Reads thanks for the corrections
Kenny Greer. It's a pedal steel.
John, have you heard of Brian Calvert "Canada for President"? He's been doing these for several American election cycles.
If you're looking for great Canadian Songs that should have charted in the US let me direct you to Bruce Cockburn's "Lover's in a Dangerous Time" or "Wondering Where the Lions Are". Also anything by Kim Mitchell as a solo artist or in his band Max Webster. Personally "Patio Lanterns" brings me back to the 1980s.
Thanks for this. I’m very interested in Kim Mitchel especially now that I know he’s a friend to the Rush band members.
I hope Tom is right and we are vigilant
You need to react to another Canadian musical gem in Kim Mitchell ,his solo career and former band Max Webster.
I've been having a Max Webster renaissance here, I just can't get enough re-experiencing them, such a great band that should have had a longer run
Thanks for the suggestion. I will check them out.
I've been thinking this song is so about current affairs for the last couple of years.
Will of the Gun might be just as appropriate. Maybe more so.
If you read WWII history then you must read Churchill.
I couln't agree with you more about the relevance of this song in our culture today.You might like to check out folk legend Joni Mitchell she's pretty awesome!
The great lead guitarest in the band is Ken Greer.
IT IS A STEEL GUITARE SOLO
We’ve almost always known the band as ‘Tom Cochrane & Red Rider’. Tom has done stunts as an ambassador for World Vision, very compassionate person. Many of his songs are thought provoking while being easy to listen to .. Just saw him here on the W. Coast of Canada (Vancouver Island) on his most recent tour. Was just listening to a few songs Ai recorded on my phone. This was one of them ❣️
You love hockey - you must listen to ‘Big League’ it’ll hit you in the heart ❤️🩹
He only did the one album that redrider didnt play that was lunitic fringe
You should check out Big League by Red Rider..
"Vote blue" on a crossover channel like this is so confusing. In the US, "vote blue" is a call to the Left, while in Canada, it's a call to the Right. lol
@@Leafsdude lol very true, never thought of that. Also i don't want people to think I'm referring to the leafs :p GO SENS GO! :)
😂
I hear ya. For me it’s Orange and Blue, but it’s not looking good for my Isles so far.
Always new the song never appreciated it as much as
Has anyone suggested Jeff Healey for your listening?
I wish I could say that racism and far right ideology were not as big a problem north of the border but that would be a lie. I don't want let the far left skate on this as they can be as rigid in their need to tell you how you should think and conduct yourself.
FYI: Your link to the Professor of Rock vid goes to a "Play like Metallica" video not the one you wanted to link.
That’s not good. 😬. Thanks so much for bringing that to my attention. I’ll fix it. I’ll have to strong words with my editors (i.e. me) to make sure nothing like that happens again.
I never listened closely to the lyrics until now , it made me think of the biggest threat to the USA and the world right now,trump!
Hey John , did you ever check out tragically hip great band that never made it big in the USA. Thanks
Hey, thanks for asking. Yes, the Hip were among my early reactions to music on this channel. I got to know about them and Gord’s story. I have several Hip reactions and a two part series looking at Gord’s Secret Path project at the end of his life. It made such an impact on me. I bought a few of their albums on vinyl and I have Yer Favourites digitally. Love them.