Bachman–Turner Overdrive (1973 album)

Bachman–Turner Overdrive is the self-titled debut studio album by Canadian rock band Bachman–Turner Overdrive, released in 1973. It was originally to be titled Brave Belt III, following the Brave Belt II album, made by the previous line-up of the group, called Brave Belt.

Bachman–Turner Overdrive
Studio album by Bachman–Turner Overdrive
Released	May 17, 1973
Recorded	1972–1973
Studio	RCA Studios, Toronto
Genre	Hard rock, boogie rock
Length	34:57
Label	Mercury
Producer	Bachman–Turner Overdrive, Randy Bachman
Bachman–Turner Overdrive chronology
Bachman–Turner Overdrive (1973) Bachman–Turner Overdrive II (1973)

The album did not produce a true hit single ("Blue Collar" reached #68 on the U.S. Billboard charts and #21 in Canada), but it was certified "Gold" by the RIAA in 1974, largely pulled up by strong sales of Bachman–Turner Overdrive's next two albums (Bachman–Turner Overdrive II and Not Fragile). "Gimme Your Money Please" and "Little Gandy Dancer" were released on a double A-side single in Canada only. After the release of Bachman–Turner Overdrive II, this first album was often referred to as "BTO 1".

Critical reception

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[1]
Christgau's Record Guide	B+[2]
The Rolling Stone Record Guide	[3]

Record World described "Gimme Your Money Please" as "a hard hitting rocker."^[4]

Track listing

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Lead Vocals	Length
1.	"Gimme Your Money Please"	C.F. Turner	Turner	4:41
2.	"Hold Back the Water"	Randy Bachman, Rob Bachman, Kirk Kelly	Turner	5:06
3.	"Blue Collar"	C.F. Turner	Turner	6:10
4.	"Little Gandy Dancer"	Randy Bachman	Turner	4:22
5.	"Stayed Awake All Night"	Randy Bachman	Randy and Tim Bachman	4:07
6.	"Down and Out Man"	Tim Bachman, Randy Bachman	Tim Bachman	3:12
7.	"Don't Get Yourself in Trouble"	Randy Bachman	Turner and Randy	4:54
8.	"Thank You for the Feelin'"	C.F. Turner	Turner	4:07

Personnel

• Randy Bachman - lead guitar, backing and co-lead vocals (5, 7)
• Tim Bachman - rhythm guitar, backing, lead (6) and co-lead vocals (5)
• C.F. Turner - bass, lead (1-4, 7, 8) and backing vocals
• Robbie Bachman - drums, percussion

with

• Barry Keane - congas
• Will MacCalder - piano
• Garry Peterson - percussion, drums, background vocals

Production

• Producers: Bachman–Turner Overdrive, Randy Bachman
• Engineers: Dave Slagter, Mark Smith
• Mastering: Tom "Curly" Ruff
• Technician: Allan Moy
• Design: Robbie Bachman
• Art direction: Jim Ladwig
• Photography: Ed Caraeff
• Booklet design: Joe Kotleba
• Cover sculpture: Parviz Sadighian
• Photography: Tom Zamiar

Songs covered by other artists

A version of "Stayed Awake All Night" was released by the Swiss hard rock band Krokus on their 1983 album Headhunter.

Charts

Chart (1973)	Peak position
Canada Top Albums/CDs (RPM)[5]	9
US Billboard 200[6]	70

Certifications

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada)[7]	Platinum	100,000^
United States (RIAA)[8]	Gold	500,000^
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

References

1. Bachman–Turner Overdrive at AllMusic
2. Christgau, Robert (1981). "Consumer Guide '70s: B". Christgau's Record Guide: Rock Albums of the Seventies. Ticknor & Fields. ISBN 089919026X. Retrieved February 21, 2019.
3. The Rolling Stone Record Guide. Random House. 1979. pp. 18–19.
4. "Hits of the Week" (PDF). Record World. June 9, 1973. p. 1. Retrieved 2023-03-23.
5. "Top RPM Albums: Issue 4931". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved March 7, 2023.
6. "Bachman–Turner Overdrive Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved March 7, 2023.
7. "Canadian album certifications – Bachman–Turner Overdrive – Bachman–Turner Overdrive". Music Canada.
8. "American album certifications – Bachman-Turner Overdrive – Bachman-Turner Overdrive". Recording Industry Association of America.