You have to go see the band Here Come the Mummies live! Don't watch any of their videos first just go see them. It will take at least 3 days to wipe the smile off your face. Also you should grow out your hair until it looks like the wig, you look cool af that way.
Just saw REO about two weeks ago. These guys can still rock it. This song is from 1972, message still rings true. They play this song, and Ridin' the Storm Out and Roll With The Changes on their current tour. The older the REO, the better. You will enjoy this concert!
OMG THANK YOU JAMAL!! I REQUESTED THIS OVER A YEAR AGO!! MY FAVORITE BAND!! I HAVE SEEN REO 108x SOON TO BE 110x! NOW REACT TO “Building The Bridge” and my life will be complete!! 😆 and I will show these reactions to the band members!!
You should give "157 Riverside Avenue" a try. Make sure you watch one of the live performances, like this one: th-cam.com/video/IwXh_7dsEgo/w-d-xo.html. The original album version is cool, but you get a lot more of Gary's guitar in the live versions...and a cool story, too.
I've been saying that about Gary Richrath for decades! Rest in peace Gary. 💔 Jamel, this song is all about being political. This country is supposed to be for ALL of us, and this song points out the disparity. This song is timeless. The proof? It fits today every bit as well as it did then. This is my favorite REO Speedwagon song. I think you should do 157 Riverside Ave. from the Decade Of Rock And Roll album. "Because NOBODY talks with their guitar the way GARY DOES!"
Gary was one of the greatest guitar players of any era. Wish he could of been set more free by the band in the 80's. Lot of people do not recognize how great and influential he was. RIP Gary!
💯 I always say he is one of the most underrated guitarists!! Love me some Gary💓 RIP. I hope he’s free of all his demons now. He was def repressed creatively wise in the 80s. Not only a great guitarist but a brilliant lyricist!
@@bsandey I've seen Triumph 3 times but it's been a while, most recently in 91' they never disappoint, and I could not agree more Rik is a truly phenomenal guitarist
The fact this song came out in 1972 and was written by Gary Richrath who was probably only 22 at the time is very impressive. RIP Gary, you are truly missed.
Gary was an incredible lead guitarist for this band... so sharp, so fluid... REO was a great band until they sold out for the power ballads the record company wanted. That ruined them
Completely agree. Big difference from Live you get what you play for to You can tune a piano but can't tune a fish. The raw edge kind of came off. Gary is one of the best guitarists of his era.
@@MBGolfer Seeing REO was a real treat in the mid '70's before they changed from a rock band to a pop band.Gary was the best at engaging the crowd,and I don't think Kevin liked sharing the spotlight with Gary.Gary also wrote some of their best songs.Gary always brings a big smile to my face when I see this version of this song being played.Gary was REO Speedwagon!
If you really read the lyrics, it's a song about America. "When a lady was raped on your doorstep today" is the Statue of Liberty. The "bed of white foam" is the oceans. It's about America and how it isn't living up to its potential. A timely warning that we didn't heed. You should do Suite Madame Blue by Styx if you haven't already. Same concept.
Actually, the lady being raped is a reference to a woman that was raped, murdered and robbed on her front doorstep in Queens, NY in 1964. None of her neighbors interceded or even called the police. They said they didn't want to get involved.
@@barbhaaraoja6935 yes, that too! But also metaphorically the Statue of Liberty, on the doorstep of America. That song is genius. Do you know which of them wrote the lyrics?
The lyrics reference “your security lies in your better white foam”. Early birth control was foam spermicide. Rich white women could afford it. Listen again.
When their live album came out this and "Riding the Storm Out" blew up pretty big. For a lot of us we love these so much more than the songs they did later that are so popular. 🤘😎🤙
I agree, I saw REO 3 times live during the early days before they started with the pop hits that most people know them for. They always put on a great show.
@@rodjohnson2632 me too brother I saw him in the '70s and '80s you know like you said back when they were really good and they put on one hell of a concert and they didn't sell out to the bubblegum pop yet
@@doplinger1 yeah I actually pulled my album out and look the songs on tuna fish and they were pretty good actually so I have to agree with you on that
Its insane why there not in the Rock and Roll HOF! One of the hardest working long lived bands in history and still touring! Their best-selling album, Hi Infidelity (1980), contained four US Top 40 hits and sold more than 10 million copies. They've sold more than 40 million records and charted 13 Top 40 hits!
They just told us what will happened on the streets of this country in the 70's and 2019, what happened.? Thats exactly what he was talking about. And it happened on the streets in many cities across this country. My take. Backs turned on the homeless, minorities and drug's and deaths that have happened because of others not wanting to change the way we treat each other. I love REO!
This is my top favorite REO song! Thank you for reacting to this one, Jamel. Just so you know, this song was written in 1972 as a protest song about the Untied States and its lack of equality and opportunity for all; especially during the Vietnam war. It's lyrical content is still very relevant today. The guitar player, Gary Richrath was my very first guitar hero. R.I.P. Gary.
The audio was on their live album that came out in '77. I think this video was from '79 with the audio dubbed over. This is by far the best version of the song. The studio version doesn't have as long of a guitar solo, or the passion.
A great patriotic song, what we need right about now. RIP Gary Richrath, one of the greatest guitarists of all time! Back in the 70s the nuclear threat was a LOT greater than it is today, so yeah, the country might actually have burned.
@@WardenJune Yes because it's advocating getting back to the original ideals that made this country the Golden Country, the greatest country in the world...fairness, equal treatment of everyone. freedom to be whatever you want without hurting anyone else, etc. That's how I see it anyway.
@@eluv9660 There's pockets of racism, yes, but systemic? No, most people don't care what color skin you have, just whether you're a jerk or not...climate change is nothing but the Earth going through it's natural changes, nothing we have any control over. it's pretty arrogant to think that humans can possibly hurt the Earth, when the Earth itself spews more contaminants into the atmosphere than we could ever do. You do know that fascism means a dictator running government, right? Like Biden MANDATING anything? Facebook, Google, Twitter...all censoring people, therefore dictating what we can or can't see and hear...yep that's fascism all right.
High Infidelity was the downfall of the greatness of REO as we all once knew them. That marshmallow album was below average at best. BUT to be fair I must say I saw REO in concert on my birthday in 1981 on the High Infidelity tour and they were still wicked on stage! The Rockets opened, whew what a show! R.I.P. Gary, we all miss you.
First time I saw REO was around 1967. They played at a fairgrounds in Illinois. They were just getting started and they were rockers! That’s why I became a huge fan. I’ve seen them around 10 times, but I miss their early stuff. Great reaction!
I was there when part of this LP was recorded in Indianapolis, creeps me out a little bit to hear it today. Same story that's going on today...very little has changed, except youth doesn't know about their parents,grandparents struggles in politics. They think they're the first generation to ever be outraged. Lawdy,Lawdy!
This was always my favorite REO song! The live version actually got a good bit of airplay back in the day--when radio was 'album rock'...it was truly amazing. ~~Katerina
Lol. I just commented they we’re going to be together Missed the tickets 🎟 due to shutdowns . Though I’ve seen both of them Separately. But to see them both at the same time. would be epic .
@@Hobodeluxe960 I saw Styx live back in 1976. They were playing at Gonzaga University in the old basketball gymnasium. The opening act was a little trio out of Toronto, Canada called Rush. There was a special guest called "The Sutherland brothers and Quiver" but honestly that night Rush blew everybody away. Styx were very good, no doubt about that at all. Great show all around, but Rush was just absolutely great. To this day Rush remains my favourite band. Rock on🤘😎 Tioraidh an-drasta 🏴
@@JimiBurleigh Reminds me of the time I saw ARS and they had Foreigner open up for them. They had just came on the scene here and no one knew much about them but let's just say ARS had a hard act to follow. Foreigner kicked major butt that night.
I had this album in college and wore the grooves out as they say. I saw them many times in concert back in the day and about 10 years ago took my son to see them. He was mesmerized. Gary Richrath was a phenomenal guitar player and in concert a real showman. As for the song it is my favorite REO song and the message I heard in the 70’s is still relevant today. Underrated for sure.
This is one of the few where I would definitely recommend the live version - of course, it was engineered to sound great. My wife was AT this concert, she was about 14! Quite easily their best song, IMO, and my favorite.
I saw them when this album was recorded and was close enough to the stage that Gary accidentally spewed water in my face. The band was never as strong in the lead guitar position after Gary left.
Jamel You are very welcome.. We knew you would love it.. Have fun seeing REO.. Looking forward to hearing about it.. Blessings to You And Your Family.. Blessed Season to you all.. Will send more after New Years.. Take care.. Thanks for sharing and making this hard time a lot better.. Peace..
Jamel, they are playing Golden Country on the current tour...have fun! I saw them back at (now demolished) Irvine Meadows Amphitheatre in 1981, great show. You're gonna love it.
If you like the guitar in this video, you should check out the live version of "Flying Turkey Trot". It's an instrumental that starts off with the entire band playing (like the album version), but then the rest of the band takes a break and Gary is out there on his own playing guitar. To me, he's one of the most underrated guitarist that ever played. unfortunately we lost him in 2015 to complications from some stomach problems he was having. But his time with the band was phenomenal! He was one of the reasons I was a big REO Speedwagon fan through the 80's.
Golden Country has been one of my REO favorites since I first heard it in the 70's. Awesome solo. RIP Gary Richrath; one of the best guitarist I've seen live (top 5). Thank you for being a good human brother Jamel.
I saw REO Speedwagon several times from about 1980 until around 2010. They are one of my favorites and Golden Country has always been one of my favorites of theirs. Gary Richrath was phenomenal. One of the most underrated guitarists of ALL time! The man could shred that guitar and ate frets for breakfeast.
How I wish I could have seen Gary Richrath perform live. I was too busy following the Dead - REO came to Wisconsin often enough, should have gone once with my brother. Ahh, regrets, I have a few of them... Great reaction, Jamel ❤️ 🎼🎶 R. I. P. Gary 🎶🎶
This was off their second album, during the Peace movement against the Vietnam War. This period was a time of social unrest and social change. The women's liberation movement, environmental issues/ecology movement, desegregation, and civil rights were some of the main issues of protests. Music was the main form of communication amongst the movement. The Establishment as we called them, were the "Status Quo" and they did everything they could to discredit people of the movement, "Hippies/Freaks as referred to in the song. "Your blacks are dying", refers to the social inequality placed upon the black community, causing massive demonstrations and riots due to the police brutalities of the time. This was the birth of REO Speedwagon. The band was very famous in the midwest until the "High Infidelity" album. The High Infidelity album made REO Speedwagon famous worldwide and the band was labeled "the midwest's best-kept secret". Not many people have heard their self-titled first album, which was also great. There is another hard-hitting song on this album called, "Dead at Last". I think you would enjoy it. It never hit the radio but is a classic in its own right. Here is a link with lyrics and is a high-quality recording of that song! @
Fun fact. The group is named after a truck made from 1915 till the 1950's. The company name was REO started in 1905 and produced vehicles until 1975. The speedwagon was the first production truck.
This is, and always has been my favorite REO song! #2 is “like you do”. You mean like people today, and everything going on, personally and professionally, and how relatable a fifty year old song is today. We still have a golden country, we still have everything we need for everyone to live comfortably, and yet so many live in squalor, with no idea where their next meal will come from.
Gary was the life and blood of REO. The spark, the fire and was the guitarist when they made their best Rock and roll songs. The most under-rated guitarist that ever graced i the stage. He was the show.
REO is underrated for sure, It sounds like he is talking about the Native Americans to me and how as a country we have turned our backs to them, Love ya Jamal, enjoy that concert!
Thanks Jamal! This is a GREAT version of the song and as iconic as anything from their catalog. For many years this wasn't performed because of its political narrative. They've started performing it again, but it just isn't the same. Without the towering talent of Gary Richrath and the freedom he had earned to play what he felt, they're as tame as KEEP ON LOVING YOU. But he lives on... through this epic solo and this song. RIP
Gary RichRath (RIP) was a phenomenal guitarist. You'd have to look into REO's earliest releases to get a satisfying portion of his playing. More importantly, he was an excellent songwriter and is responsible for some of their best songs.
I must say there were quit a few great bands that came out of Illinois in the 70s REO, Cheap Trick, Head East, Survivor.Ides of March Styx and who else?
America is still hopelessly divided but REO in concert is awesome. Everyone will be singing along and the things that divide us will be forgotten for awhile. Hope you enjoy!
This band was pretty big when i was in high school during the late 70's. Early on, they were a decent rock band, but as time went on, they got way too mellow....they went down the same road as Chicago....
@@jefflarson1652 On the contrary, Chicago was pretty hard rockin' especially when Terry Kath got going... I never saw styx as hard rockers, ever.... And REO were kinda hard early on, but as i recall, nowhere near Black Sabbath or Led Zeppelin....
Back in 1972, this song put REO on the map when it was first played on FM radio. I knew I had to see them and did within a year. The guitar solo is up there with Free Bird, but Gary did it with one one guitar and not three. Gary was such a great guitar player.
That was recorded in St Louis. In the late 70's, they were one of the greatest rock bands around. Gary Richrath was a god in STL. Hard to find a better solo, and he wrote the song too. That whole album is awesome to listen to straight through. Was a shame when Gary left after Cronin took control of their direction and was going to the pop side to make the bucks.
We've All played air guitar to the wizardry of Gary for 181 seconds of the greatest shredding of all time. But, the lyrics in this song were and are way ahead of there time for 1972
Hi Jamel, great reaction to a great old song and band. The guitarist Gary Richrath left the band in 1989, as a result of issues with alcohol and partying. He died in 2015. RIP. The legacy of their music will go on forever and we can all be happy for that. I don't know how much of the original band is still touring these days or who the guitarist is, but hopefully you will have a good time and that's what matters. It will be what you make of it. Certainly you will hear a lot of great songs that for sure. The first time I saw them live was in 1988 so I fortunate enough to see them with Gary. It was so good. Everything I expected. It was an outdoor show and started to rain. We were standing in a downpour as they kicked off the "Last song people" with the organ blaring like an air raid siren and we proceeded to "Ride the storm out!" Great memory! I saw REO a few times after that and they are always good, but my first show was the best for me! Please consider reacting to the song "Back on the road again" which features a different vocalist. Enjoy the show! Another great reaction from you of course! Thanks. Go Buckeyes! O-H!
I had a boom box tied to the handlebars of my BMX bike in the 80"s and this Cassette and Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers Damn The Torpedos cassette got played a lot on those bike rides.
I fell in love with this group when I was 15, and have always had a copy of the album this came from which all of it is phenomenal, get you a copy of Reo Speed Wagons , Live you get what you play for, to which this is the last song on that album.
R.I.P. Gary Richrath without you not only is there no REO there's an entire generation of guitar players that never happen. One of only a handful of players who really could talk with their guitars.
The studio version of this song is from my favorite, and in my opinion their best, album, R.E.O. T.W.O. This particular live version (judging from the cover art displayed, haven't heard it in a few years) appears to be from their first live album, Live You Get What You Play For. Sadly, in my opinion, after this live album they ended up going down a more pop rock path. I've always understood this song to be a commentary on our country, USA, and its people. The "Golden Country" is the US, with all its riches. Hence, the opening lines "With all of your money your poor can be fed" (we have the money...however) "You strut around and you flirt with disaster Never really carin' just what comes after" (referencing our countries policing of the world, spending the money that could have fed the poor). Then, it turns to commentary on the apathy, indifference, and disconnect growing in our society. "Mortgage people you crawl to your homes Your security lies in your bed of white foam" refers, I believe, to the suburbanites going off to their homes (Mortgage people=homeowners), crawling into their nice comfy beds, pretending to care, but ignoring the ills of society. Overall, it's a wakeup call to both the country and the people. An ignored wakeup call. And probably the best song they ever did. If you haven't already, check out Styx's "Suite: Madame Blue", from their Equinox album. Similar concepts, but more about the country itself and interactions in the world, influence and achievements of the past and how the country had strayed from that path. I find it both interesting and sad that both of these songs are decades old, yet still seem to apply to current affairs.
Saw them opening for the Doobie Brothers around the time that this live album came out. RIP Gary, who inspired me to pick up the guitar. He just looked like he was having so much fun that I wanted some of that.
The guitar player and songwriter, Gary Richrath, is sadly, no longer with us. His work on this rock anthem is just as relevant today as it was back in the '70s. This live version, recorded in Indianapolis, was part of their midwest home turf since they came out of Champaign Illinois. Great reaction Jamal. You mentioned Gary talking to you with his guitar. If you listen to "Flying turkey trot" & "157 riverside avenue" from this same album, you will hear much more of Garys' guitar speech. Your shirts says it all. You pick up what they are laying down.
When he played that Gibson you knew it was Garry Richrath, he made it sound like no one else could. The great guitarist have a distinct sound. Most underrated guitar player, kept them a rock band not a pop band like they are now
Jamal , you obviously know talent when you see it. Gary was one of the best guitar players of all time. He was my brothers best friend when we were kids. He is gone but not forgotten
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You have to go see the band Here Come the Mummies live! Don't watch any of their videos first just go see them.
It will take at least 3 days to wipe the smile off your face.
Also you should grow out your hair until it looks like the wig, you look cool af that way.
If you want to hear someone talk with their guitar check out 157 riverside avenue off this same album.
Just saw REO about two weeks ago. These guys can still rock it. This song is from 1972, message still rings true. They play this song, and Ridin' the Storm Out and Roll With The Changes on their current tour. The older the REO, the better. You will enjoy this concert!
OMG THANK YOU JAMAL!! I REQUESTED THIS OVER A YEAR AGO!! MY FAVORITE BAND!! I HAVE SEEN REO 108x SOON TO BE 110x! NOW REACT TO “Building The Bridge” and my life will be complete!! 😆 and I will show these reactions to the band members!!
You should give "157 Riverside Avenue" a try. Make sure you watch one of the live performances, like this one: th-cam.com/video/IwXh_7dsEgo/w-d-xo.html. The original album version is cool, but you get a lot more of Gary's guitar in the live versions...and a cool story, too.
Classic song! Gary Richracht is criminally underrated as a guitarist!
Yeah RIP Gary.
Great minds think alike
I've been saying that about Gary Richrath for decades!
Rest in peace Gary. 💔
Jamel, this song is all about being political. This country is supposed to be for ALL of us, and this song points out the disparity. This song is timeless. The proof? It fits today every bit as well as it did then.
This is my favorite REO Speedwagon song. I think you should do 157 Riverside Ave. from the Decade Of Rock And Roll album. "Because NOBODY talks with their guitar the way GARY DOES!"
I promise you they will play that song when you see them and you got to do a reaction to Riding the Storm out the live version
Top 10 no doubt,
Gary was one of the greatest guitar players of any era. Wish he could of been set more free by the band in the 80's. Lot of people do not recognize how great and influential he was. RIP Gary!
💯 I always say he is one of the most underrated guitarists!! Love me some Gary💓 RIP. I hope he’s free of all his demons now. He was def repressed creatively wise in the 80s. Not only a great guitarist but a brilliant lyricist!
Amen RIP Gary
I wish he could have kicked his habits because he was fun to watch in concert. I saw REO with Gary! Great fun show.
I put him right up there with Rik Emmett as one of the most underrated guitarist in rock history.
@@bsandey I've seen Triumph 3 times but it's been a while, most recently in 91' they never disappoint, and I could not agree more Rik is a truly phenomenal guitarist
Gary Richrath was R.E.O
He wrote this song. R.I.P
R.I.P. Gary Richrath, nobody ever sounded like him. Sorely missed!
The fact this song came out in 1972 and was written by Gary Richrath who was probably only 22 at the time is very impressive. RIP Gary, you are truly missed.
According to a former coworker, best REO song. Old school REO. The good stuff.
Pre-High Infidelity.
@@ghostpick8133 REO TWO from 1972. First album Kevin Cronin was on, then he left the Band, and came back in 1976
Have...1st REO lp. Sophisticated Lady...badass!!
LOVE this era of REO. They are so criminally underrated.
AMEN!!!!!!
Gary was an incredible lead guitarist for this band... so sharp, so fluid... REO was a great band until they sold out for the power ballads the record company wanted. That ruined them
I agree with you , after that happened with them I lost interest , it's as if I lost respect for them , and didn't look at them the same way .
Yes, I agree! They were an awsome rocking band, and turned into another Journey, a band I can't stand.
I love all of it!
Completely agree. Big difference from Live you get what you play for to You can tune a piano but can't tune a fish. The raw edge kind of came off. Gary is one of the best guitarists of his era.
@@MBGolfer Seeing REO was a real treat in the mid '70's before they changed from a rock band to a pop band.Gary was the best at engaging the crowd,and I don't think Kevin liked sharing the spotlight with Gary.Gary also wrote some of their best songs.Gary always brings a big smile to my face when I see this version of this song being played.Gary was REO Speedwagon!
Shit, I requested this nearly 2 years ago. Glad someone else did too. This song doesn't get the credit it deserves and this live version is the best
I couldn't agree more. So relevant in 2023
In my humble opinion, their best song.
If you really read the lyrics, it's a song about America. "When a lady was raped on your doorstep today" is the Statue of Liberty. The "bed of white foam" is the oceans. It's about America and how it isn't living up to its potential. A timely warning that we didn't heed.
You should do Suite Madame Blue by Styx if you haven't already. Same concept.
Actually, the lady being raped is a reference to a woman that was raped, murdered and robbed on her front doorstep in Queens, NY in 1964. None of her neighbors interceded or even called the police. They said they didn't want to get involved.
@@barbhaaraoja6935 yes, that too! But also metaphorically the Statue of Liberty, on the doorstep of America. That song is genius. Do you know which of them wrote the lyrics?
@@WardenJune Gary Richrath wrote it.
The lyrics reference “your security lies in your better white foam”. Early birth control was foam spermicide. Rich white women could afford it. Listen again.
@@Gcumom umm, no. Your security lies in your bed of white foam.
RIP Gary…he WAS the band. He could shred and was a great personality and songwriter. That smile… fave song by them. ✌🏼🎶
When their live album came out this and "Riding the Storm Out" blew up pretty big. For a lot of us we love these so much more than the songs they did later that are so popular. 🤘😎🤙
Yeah you're exactly right I saw him three times and they closed their show out with Riding the Storm out and it's an awesome song to hear live
I agree, I saw REO 3 times live during the early days before they started with the pop hits that most people know them for. They always put on a great show.
@@rodjohnson2632 me too brother I saw him in the '70s and '80s you know like you said back when they were really good and they put on one hell of a concert and they didn't sell out to the bubblegum pop yet
157 Riverside Ave.
@@scottlaughlin9897 man I forgot all about that song I had a girlfriend that actually that was her address over in Indiana
Yeah! Someone finally doing real REO! Before tunafish!✌🤘
Man ain't that the truth you can tune a piano but you can't tuna fish
I didn’t mind tuna fish, it was the 80s when they totally turned into a bunch of pussies. Nine Lives was a really good album!
@@doplinger1 yeah I actually pulled my album out and look the songs on tuna fish and they were pretty good actually so I have to agree with you on that
Tuna fish was definitely the end of an era….
@@notajpno way. Plenty of great guitar work on Nine Lives!
Its insane why there not in the Rock and Roll HOF! One of the hardest working long lived bands in history and still touring! Their best-selling album, Hi Infidelity (1980), contained four US Top 40 hits and sold more than 10 million copies. They've sold more than 40 million records and charted 13 Top 40 hits!
They just told us what will happened on the streets of this country in the 70's and 2019, what happened.? Thats exactly what he was talking about. And it happened on the streets in many cities across this country. My take. Backs turned on the homeless, minorities and drug's and deaths that have happened because of others not wanting to change the way we treat each other. I love REO!
I really thought this song was going to have a second coming last summer with all that was going on. I thought of this instantly during all of that.
@@whalers59 Me too
I hear you sister. Will we ever learn?
@@lauraryan8921 its a quickie dink and unrelated too this song..my grandmothers maiden name was Ryan. Small world and alot of Ryan's also!
There's shows, there's performances, then there's REO Speedwagon doing Golden Country live.
the first time i heard this was live in aug 1974 at a fairgrounds in minnesota....to me a better better song than riding the storm out
I saw them in '77 at the Paladium in NYC
This is my top favorite REO song! Thank you for reacting to this one, Jamel. Just so you know, this song was written in 1972 as a protest song about the Untied States and its lack of equality and opportunity for all; especially during the Vietnam war. It's lyrical content is still very relevant today. The guitar player, Gary Richrath was my very first guitar hero. R.I.P. Gary.
Golden Country is a Vietnam War era protest song. With all the money we were spending on the war the poor could be feed.
The audio was on their live album that came out in '77. I think this video was from '79 with the audio dubbed over. This is by far the best version of the song. The studio version doesn't have as long of a guitar solo, or the passion.
Jamel, I think you will like “Like You Do” just as much, or even more. It’s one of their best early tunes, and the guitar talks so well too.
A great patriotic song, what we need right about now. RIP Gary Richrath, one of the greatest guitarists of all time! Back in the 70s the nuclear threat was a LOT greater than it is today, so yeah, the country might actually have burned.
Our streets were burning very recently as we ignored systemic racism, ignored climate change, and ignored the rise of fascism.
Is it really "patriotic?" It's more of a slam on state of America.
@@eluv9660 we ignored what this song warned us about.
@@WardenJune Yes because it's advocating getting back to the original ideals that made this country the Golden Country, the greatest country in the world...fairness, equal treatment of everyone. freedom to be whatever you want without hurting anyone else, etc. That's how I see it anyway.
@@eluv9660 There's pockets of racism, yes, but systemic? No, most people don't care what color skin you have, just whether you're a jerk or not...climate change is nothing but the Earth going through it's natural changes, nothing we have any control over. it's pretty arrogant to think that humans can possibly hurt the Earth, when the Earth itself spews more contaminants into the atmosphere than we could ever do. You do know that fascism means a dictator running government, right? Like Biden MANDATING anything? Facebook, Google, Twitter...all censoring people, therefore dictating what we can or can't see and hear...yep that's fascism all right.
Great solo, great song...very underplayed compared to other REO songs. When High Infidelity came out it kinda took over all the early stuff.
I absolutely hated High Infidelity.
High Infidelity was the downfall of the greatness of REO as we all once knew them. That marshmallow album was below average at best. BUT to be fair I must say I saw REO in concert on my birthday in 1981 on the High Infidelity tour and they were still wicked on stage! The Rockets opened, whew what a show! R.I.P. Gary, we all miss you.
REO Speadwagon was awesome until, as happens with so many bands, they started chasing pop music dollars. This song is one of their best.
Great reaction. This was when REO was still a fire-breathing rock band.
One of their best songs! Early REO was awesome.
First time I saw REO was around 1967. They played at a fairgrounds in Illinois. They were just getting started and they were rockers! That’s why I became a huge fan. I’ve seen them around 10 times, but I miss their early stuff. Great reaction!
Hello. Love your posts. Try out 157 Riverside Avenue or Prison Women for a taste of early REO. Keep on rocking. All the best, always.
Yes!
157 Riverside is AWESOME.
That was freakin awesome!!!!!!!! Ooohh my goodness!! 😊💓🤘✌️
I was there when part of this LP was recorded in Indianapolis, creeps me out a little bit to hear it today. Same story that's going on today...very little has changed, except youth doesn't know about their parents,grandparents struggles in politics. They think they're the first generation to ever be outraged. Lawdy,Lawdy!
My wife was at that concert in Indy on Halloween!
I was there too. Shout out to Indy from a former Hoosier
Not too shabby for a bunch of guys starting out playing gigs in bars in Champaign, Illinois!
Oh yeah, I remember those gigs!
It’s about time Gary was GREAT We truly had the best music in the seventies RIP
I can't believe Gary has been gone almost 6 years now. RIP. He did a great job on guitar on this song.
I was thinking he passed last year or 2019 I sent it was 2015 time flies
This was always my favorite REO song! The live version actually got a good bit of airplay back in the day--when radio was 'album rock'...it was truly amazing.
~~Katerina
Absolutely love REO Speedwagon and the other group is Styx.
me too. Saw them live several times. What''s your favorite REO song. Mine is "Roll with the Changes".
Lol. I just commented they
we’re going to be together
Missed the tickets 🎟 due
to shutdowns . Though I’ve
seen both of them Separately. But to see them both at the same time.
would be epic .
@@Hobodeluxe960 I saw Styx live back in 1976. They were playing at Gonzaga University in the old basketball gymnasium. The opening act was a little trio out of Toronto, Canada called Rush.
There was a special guest called "The Sutherland brothers and Quiver" but honestly that night Rush blew everybody away. Styx were very good, no doubt about that at all. Great show all around, but Rush was just absolutely great. To this day Rush remains my favourite band.
Rock on🤘😎
Tioraidh an-drasta 🏴
@@JimiBurleigh Reminds me of the time I saw ARS and they had Foreigner open up for them. They had just came on the scene here and no one knew much about them but let's just say ARS had a hard act to follow. Foreigner kicked major butt that night.
Saw Styx and REO together, outdoors, in the rain. Outstanding!
I had this album in college and wore the grooves out as they say. I saw them many times in concert back in the day and about 10 years ago took my son to see them. He was mesmerized. Gary Richrath was a phenomenal guitar player and in concert a real showman. As for the song it is my favorite REO song and the message I heard in the 70’s is still relevant today. Underrated for sure.
This is one of the few where I would definitely recommend the live version - of course, it was engineered to sound great. My wife was AT this concert, she was about 14! Quite easily their best song, IMO, and my favorite.
The sound on this live recording is top notch. Big props to the sound engineer
I saw them when this album was recorded and was close enough to the stage that Gary accidentally spewed water in my face. The band was never as strong in the lead guitar position after Gary left.
Jamel You are very welcome.. We knew you would love it.. Have fun seeing REO.. Looking forward to hearing about it.. Blessings to You And Your Family.. Blessed Season to you all.. Will send more after New Years.. Take care.. Thanks for sharing and making this hard time a lot better.. Peace..
My favorite song from REO Two. One of my favorite albums.
I hope someone called the fire department because after that solo his guitar was straight flames.
Jamel, they are playing Golden Country on the current tour...have fun! I saw them back at (now demolished) Irvine Meadows Amphitheatre in 1981, great show. You're gonna love it.
If you like the guitar in this video, you should check out the live version of "Flying Turkey Trot". It's an instrumental that starts off with the entire band playing (like the album version), but then the rest of the band takes a break and Gary is out there on his own playing guitar. To me, he's one of the most underrated guitarist that ever played. unfortunately we lost him in 2015 to complications from some stomach problems he was having. But his time with the band was phenomenal! He was one of the reasons I was a big REO Speedwagon fan through the 80's.
Welcome to the REO family of fans! Their music will hug you hard. It's great.
Finally!!!!!!!!!! I sing the praises of this song to every reactor I see.
Golden Country has been one of my REO favorites since I first heard it in the 70's. Awesome solo. RIP Gary Richrath; one of the best guitarist I've seen live (top 5). Thank you for being a good human brother Jamel.
Omg! I remember when this song first came out on the radio.✨🌟🤗
This older I get, the more emotional this song makes me... ✌️ 🇺🇸✌️
Keep On Rockin in The Free World... RIP GARY 🙏🤘
I sometimes forget how GREAT the late Gary Richrath was. RIP to one of the most under rated players ever.
Saw this live in 1985. Such a ripper. I think its their best. Truer now than it was back then.
I saw REO Speedwagon several times from about 1980 until around 2010. They are one of my favorites and Golden Country has always been one of my favorites of theirs. Gary Richrath was phenomenal. One of the most underrated guitarists of ALL time! The man could shred that guitar and ate frets for breakfeast.
How I wish I could have seen Gary Richrath perform live. I was too busy following the Dead - REO came to Wisconsin often enough, should have gone once with my brother. Ahh, regrets, I have a few of them... Great reaction, Jamel ❤️
🎼🎶 R. I. P. Gary 🎶🎶
Now you're talking! My favorite song by the group! And it's still true today.
This was off their second album, during the Peace movement against the Vietnam War. This period was a time of social unrest and social change. The women's liberation movement, environmental issues/ecology movement, desegregation, and civil rights were some of the main issues of protests. Music was the main form of communication amongst the movement. The Establishment as we called them, were the "Status Quo" and they did everything they could to discredit people of the movement, "Hippies/Freaks as referred to in the song. "Your blacks are dying", refers to the social inequality placed upon the black community, causing massive demonstrations and riots due to the police brutalities of the time. This was the birth of REO Speedwagon. The band was very famous in the midwest until the "High Infidelity" album. The High Infidelity album made REO Speedwagon famous worldwide and the band was labeled "the midwest's best-kept secret". Not many people have heard their self-titled first album, which was also great. There is another hard-hitting song on this album called, "Dead at Last". I think you would enjoy it. It never hit the radio but is a classic in its own right. Here is a link with lyrics and is a high-quality recording of that song! @
Fun fact. The group is named after a truck made from 1915 till the 1950's. The company name was REO started in 1905 and produced vehicles until 1975. The speedwagon was the first production truck.
This is, and always has been my favorite REO song! #2 is “like you do”.
You mean like people today, and everything going on, personally and professionally, and how relatable a fifty year old song is today.
We still have a golden country, we still have everything we need for everyone to live comfortably, and yet so many live in squalor, with no idea where their next meal will come from.
Gary was the life and blood of REO. The spark, the fire and was the guitarist when they made their best Rock and roll songs. The most under-rated guitarist that ever graced i the stage. He was the show.
Have seen these guys 4 times in concert. They are awesome!!!
Under rated for sure. One of my favorite bands...
REO is underrated for sure, It sounds like he is talking about the Native Americans to me and how as a country we have turned our backs to them, Love ya Jamal, enjoy that concert!
Saw them in 79 in Kansas City Missouri. It's a shame that you or anyone else we'll never get to witness the greatness of Gary Richrath.
Thanks Jamal!
This is a GREAT version of the song and as iconic as anything from their catalog.
For many years this wasn't performed because of its political narrative.
They've started performing it again, but it just isn't the same. Without the towering talent of Gary Richrath and the freedom he had earned to play what he felt, they're as tame as KEEP ON LOVING YOU.
But he lives on... through this epic solo and this song. RIP
Gary RichRath (RIP) was a phenomenal guitarist. You'd have to look into REO's earliest releases to get a satisfying portion of his playing. More importantly, he was an excellent songwriter and is responsible for some of their best songs.
I must say there were quit a few great bands that came out of Illinois in the 70s REO, Cheap Trick, Head East, Survivor.Ides of March Styx and who else?
I've probably heard this version a thousand times and it still sounds freaking amazing! This is how I remember REO Speedwagon. 🔥
every song on that album is grate. I had to buy the cassette several times back in the 80's. It's still one of my all time favorites.
America is still hopelessly divided but REO in concert is awesome. Everyone will be singing along and the things that divide us will be forgotten for awhile. Hope you enjoy!
Drummer goes off,too!Keyboards,wow!Well rounded song!Rock out!
This band was pretty big when i was in high school during the late 70's. Early on, they were a decent rock band, but as time went on, they got way too mellow....they went down the same road as Chicago....
Record label influence, unfortunately
I compare them more to Styx. Midwestern rockers that got so popular the record labels mainstreamed them.
@@jefflarson1652 Yes, the mellow years were more like styx, but my point was they went downhill and wussed out in the same manner as chicago….
@@CorneiliusLibowitz I guess I never saw Chicago as being hard rockers like REO and Styx.
@@jefflarson1652 On the contrary, Chicago was pretty hard rockin' especially when Terry Kath got going... I never saw styx as hard rockers, ever.... And REO were kinda hard early on, but as i recall, nowhere near Black Sabbath or Led Zeppelin....
Back in 1972, this song put REO on the map when it was first played on FM radio. I knew I had to see them and did within a year. The guitar solo is up there with Free Bird, but Gary did it with one one guitar and not three. Gary was such a great guitar player.
Take back love those days when you 🎶 put on your radio and good music was awesome 👌
Too busy struck by Kevin Cronin's ability to turn a single vowel sound into 14 syllables, Gary went dismissively, and cruelly, underrated.
That was recorded in St Louis. In the late 70's, they were one of the greatest rock bands around. Gary Richrath was a god in STL. Hard to find a better solo, and he wrote the song too. That whole album is awesome to listen to straight through. Was a shame when Gary left after Cronin took control of their direction and was going to the pop side to make the bucks.
The lead guitarist passed away a few years ago. Like someone else mentioned earlier he was sorely underrated!
REO always great in concert. See them anytime they come you town! Hope you enjoyed them!
We've All played air guitar to the wizardry of Gary for 181 seconds of the greatest shredding of all time. But, the lyrics in this song were and are way ahead of there time for 1972
Hi Jamel, great reaction to a great old song and band. The guitarist Gary Richrath left the band in 1989, as a result of issues with alcohol and partying. He died in 2015. RIP. The legacy of their music will go on forever and we can all be happy for that. I don't know how much of the original band is still touring these days or who the guitarist is, but hopefully you will have a good time and that's what matters. It will be what you make of it. Certainly you will hear a lot of great songs that for sure. The first time I saw them live was in 1988 so I fortunate enough to see them with Gary. It was so good. Everything I expected. It was an outdoor show and started to rain. We were standing in a downpour as they kicked off the "Last song people" with the organ blaring like an air raid siren and we proceeded to "Ride the storm out!" Great memory! I saw REO a few times after that and they are always good, but my first show was the best for me! Please consider reacting to the song "Back on the road again" which features a different vocalist. Enjoy the show! Another great reaction from you of course! Thanks. Go Buckeyes! O-H!
REO is very much underappreciated. A fantastic group and a great bunch of guys. I got high with them backstage in 1978. Awesome dudes!!!!
RIP Gary! One of the greats! Hands down best song by REO.
REO: "You Can Tune a Piano But You Can`t Tune a Fish", classic!
You will love REO live. They will perform it. One of my all time favorite bands.
Great song! Their double live album was excellent!
Would love to see you react to Back On the Road Again. Gary shreds on that one as well!
Back on the Road Again I saw live during the 9 Lives tour. One of my favorites.
I had a boom box tied to the handlebars of my BMX bike in the 80"s and this Cassette and Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers Damn The Torpedos cassette got played a lot on those bike rides.
I was totally in love with Gary Richracht (the funky guitar player) in the late 70's early 80's! So sad that he has left us too soon... 🎶❤
I fell in love with this group when I was 15, and have always had a copy of the album this came from which all of it is phenomenal, get you a copy of Reo Speed Wagons , Live you get what you play for, to which this is the last song on that album.
R.I.P. Gary Richrath without you not only is there no REO there's an entire generation of guitar players that never happen.
One of only a handful of players who really could talk with their guitars.
The studio version of this song is from my favorite, and in my opinion their best, album, R.E.O. T.W.O. This particular live version (judging from the cover art displayed, haven't heard it in a few years) appears to be from their first live album, Live You Get What You Play For. Sadly, in my opinion, after this live album they ended up going down a more pop rock path.
I've always understood this song to be a commentary on our country, USA, and its people. The "Golden Country" is the US, with all its riches. Hence, the opening lines "With all of your money your poor can be fed" (we have the money...however) "You strut around and you flirt with disaster Never really carin' just what comes after" (referencing our countries policing of the world, spending the money that could have fed the poor).
Then, it turns to commentary on the apathy, indifference, and disconnect growing in our society. "Mortgage people you crawl to your homes Your security lies in your bed of white foam" refers, I believe, to the suburbanites going off to their homes (Mortgage people=homeowners), crawling into their nice comfy beds, pretending to care, but ignoring the ills of society.
Overall, it's a wakeup call to both the country and the people. An ignored wakeup call. And probably the best song they ever did.
If you haven't already, check out Styx's "Suite: Madame Blue", from their Equinox album. Similar concepts, but more about the country itself and interactions in the world, influence and achievements of the past and how the country had strayed from that path.
I find it both interesting and sad that both of these songs are decades old, yet still seem to apply to current affairs.
I seriously hope you continue on "our" musical journey. You are a breath of fresh air to the Rock N' Roll community!
Nobody...nobody talks with their guitar the way Gary did. RIP my fellow axe slinger. 🙏❤️
That solo is one of the best ever!
I'm from that generation. Seems like the meaning of this song is long gone. None of us thought we'd end up here.
Great album!! Worth a listen.. The song Like You Do is a killer icebreaker..
Saw them opening for the Doobie Brothers around the time that this live album came out. RIP Gary, who inspired me to pick up the guitar. He just looked like he was having so much fun that I wanted some of that.
The guitar player and songwriter, Gary Richrath, is sadly, no longer with us. His work on this rock anthem is just as relevant today as it was back in the '70s. This live version, recorded in Indianapolis, was part of their midwest home turf since they came out of Champaign Illinois.
Great reaction Jamal.
You mentioned Gary talking to you with his guitar. If you listen to "Flying turkey trot" & "157 riverside avenue" from this same album, you will hear much more of Garys' guitar speech.
Your shirts says it all. You pick up what they are laying down.
When he played that Gibson you knew it was Garry Richrath, he made it sound like no one else could. The great guitarist have a distinct sound. Most underrated guitar player, kept them a rock band not a pop band like they are now
Jamal , you obviously know talent when you see it. Gary was one of the best guitar players of all time. He was my brothers best friend when we were kids. He is gone but not forgotten
had forgotten this song and I love it!!! thanks who requested.
A truly great song. Outstanding musicians playing their best but the power of the message that seems more relevant 40 years later
REO Speedwagon, another classic of those good old days. Thank you so much.