CANADIANS TALKING ABOUT AMERICA?! First Time Hearing The Guess Who - American Woman Reaction!

[@mikelesley2803]

The Guess Who definitely belong in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

[@wallacewhipps1206]

In the late 1960s, The Guess Who found themselves performing at a Canadian curling arena, a setting that would spark the accidental genesis of “American Woman.” Guitarist Randy Bachman, dealing with a broken guitar string, found himself improvising a riff that would eventually become the song’s signature opening.

[@Cutey-uy4uv]

Yes, Burton has said American Woman was an accident. Take a look an interview. I believe he said there was no politics involved. It was about Canadian vs American women.

[@T-ShirtMagic]

​@@Cutey-uy4uv I was in a room with Randy Bachman while telling the genus of that riff and lyric. Randy re-tuning called Burton back on stage to sing any words to help him remember that riff. The riff was too hard for typical love ballet lyric so Burton belted-out "American Women" in anger of the Vietnam war, referring to the Statue of Liberty

[@Cutey-uy4uv]

@@T-ShirtMagic, ok. Obviously Bachman would know. Cummings didn’t mention that but I guess he didn’t have to. Either way, it is a masterpiece.

[@T-ShirtMagic]

@@Cutey-uy4uv ​ Burton's interview may have been from a time when most gay people hid-in-the-closet. A couple of more parts from Randy's telling of that story: 1) The band just crossed Canada US border for a gig on a work-visa and customs directed them to go directly into *The White Building* But before doing so, they stopped for gas and station owner asked where they were going. Upon learning of custom's directions he strongly advised them to tear up their work-visas, turn around and go back home and not return until the Vietnam War was over. ( *The White Building was the military's direct deployment operations to Vietnam* ) 2) Randy had to keep riff going while others searched for Burton who was eventually found in the parking lot buying weed from some kid. 😆

[@billboyd9028]

I bet you'd like "Share the Land", "Laughing", and "Undun"...

[@susanjones4904]

Great choices 👌 Undun was my favorite as a teenager.

[@dennytaylor1005]

Share the Land. That one. My fav Guess Who song

[@Cutey-uy4uv]

I love both of these songs. Classics.

[@philcortor7886]

Writing and lyrics The music and lyrics of the song were improvised on stage during a concert in Southern Ontario (the guitarist, Randy Bachman, recalled it being at a concert in Kitchener, although Burton Cummings, the lead singer, said it was at the Broom and Stone, a curling rink in Scarborough). Bachman was playing notes while tuning his guitar after replacing a broken string, and he realized he was playing a new riff that he wanted to remember. He continued playing it and the other band members returned to the stage and joined in, creating a jam session in which Cummings improvised the lyrics. They noticed a kid with a cassette recorder making a bootleg recording and asked him for the tape. They listened to the tape and noted down the words that Cummings had extemporized, and which he later revised.

[@RKOENT]

Grand Funk Railroad’s “We’re An American Band” was written in response to this so you might want to check out that out next (if you haven’t already)

[@kallsop2]

👍💯

[@mikerichards67]

I’m on my soapbox again someone needs to explain to me why the Guess Who are not in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. It is a crime and makes the Hall a joke!

[@shaynewest8757]

Because they had no impact outside of the USA and Canada, there is a criteria for the crappy hall of fame.

[@Jamie-lw5sy]

Obviously Madonna, Michael Jackson, boy George,George Michael and Jay z are way more rock and roll than these guys. The Rock and roll Hall of Fame should be called the leftist propaganda Hall of Fame. Kansas, styx, bad company, 38 special, also not in.

[@svkyseth1]

The rock establishment has never been fans of Randy Bachmann plus The Guess Who has been touring for decades without with either Burton Cummings or Randy Bachmann in the lineup. That has weakened the brand.

[@supertrexandroidx]

Because it's been taken over by a bunch of progressive idiots who want to "broaden" the meaning of rock and roll to nominate artists like Mary J. Blige, Kool and The Gang, and A Tribe Called Quest

[@shasta810]

because the rock 'n' roll Hall of Fame is a joke. these bands don't need to be in there. they're great we all know it that's all that matters!

[@RKOENT]

Your shadow on the wall bopping your head is the greatest reaction ever 😂😂😂

[@candacemay7187]

It's something I can't unsee! LOL!

[@glennburch1081]

This song was released as a single in March of 1970 and soared to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for 3 weeks! It was certified gold by the RIAA in May of 1970. The song also reached the top 10 in the Netherlands, Switzerland, and Austria. Great stuff by The Guess Who and Burton Cummings. I was 13 years old in the midst of when The Guess Who was ripping the charts up as a top Canadian Band. Such a unique voice.

[@bryanforis1839]

The man with one of the best voice in the world 🌎great live performances

[@mikeconway9849]

Great reaction, next Undun, No Time.

[@fscottgray9784]

Killer guitar by Randy Bachman, cofounder and writer of the this song and group. Later to become the head of BTO. One of your greatest Canadian artist who does not get his due recognition..

[@ronheyduk1864]

"I don't want your war machines, I don't need your ghetto scenes" says it all!

[@sueingram5157]

I'm next to youngest of 13 kids, I'm now 58yrs old , I was listening to this and other generations of music. The Guess Who has always been a favorite of mine. Have a Blessed and Beautiful Day ❤.

[@rickthoma6428]

The Canadians win again!

[@kirkkimball-martinez2402]

In your dreams! CA or TX cld out do you.

[@rickthoma6428]

@@kirkkimball-martinez2402 ?I don't need your opinion over mine.Why do people like you still live?

[@johnwhear9600]

The movie this was featured in was one the Austin Powers movies. Lenny Kravitz did a cover as well. Look on youtube for the 'running back thru Canada' version... My understanding is the American Woman refers to the Statue of Liberty...

[@bumperu]

The Spy Who Shagged Me.

[@bjornolofolsson2669]

It was also in the fantastic karaoke scene in "Cable Guy" with Jim Carrey. JC killed Jefferson Airplane's "Somebody to love" as well in that same scene.

[@patswanson2870]

They are from my home town of Winnipeg. Neil Young grew up in Winnipeg and started his first band called The Squires. Also from Winnipeg is Bachman Turner Overdrive, Monty Hall of Let’s Make A Deal, Tony winner and actor on Blue Bloods Le Cariou and Winnie the Pooh.

[@SPAMDAGGER22]

Comedian, philosopher, writer and actor David Steinberg as well. Not sure why I knew that as I'm not from Winnipeg!

[@patswanson2870]

@@SPAMDAGGER22 I knew that too but I thought no one would know who he is.

[@M_ondo]

Burton Cummings is one of the greatest singers ever. For me this may be the best song of 1970. I knew it would be a big hit. From Canada. Many very good songs. My favorites are this, These Eyes and Laughing. I believe he wrote most of the songs, very talented!! I believe hes still performing, mid 70s.

[@markgallemore8856]

The guess who their guitar player Randy Bachman went on to form bachman-turner overdrive. His best song in the 70s was called let it ride. Burton Cummings, his best song in the 70s is called Stand Tall. American woman is not being derogatory about women from America. It’s a metaphor on US foreign policy, and the contrast between Canada and big city America.

[@richardkint6531]

American Woman was the Statue of Liberty. Protesting the Vietnam War aka War Machine. Lots of young American men were heading into Canada to avoid the draft. Need to react to jazzy "Undun" where Burton plays the flute!

[@robertgrimes7401]

Well said and YES to “Undun!”

[@stevenseul361]

Yes I spent the summer of '71" with the Hippies and Draft Dodgers in Banff and Jasper Alberta.

[@dillonsronce2583]

I have an uncle who was in the army during the time of the cold War and Vietnam, but he just had to get based in Berlin as an appointment as an mp to guard the Berlin wall.

[@susanjones4904]

So true, as a Draft Dodger on All in the family stated: I can think of more reasons Not to kill, than the President can think of to kill. It was a very politically charged time!! Elvis sang In the Ghetto as well.

[@dillonsronce2583]

When my uncle got his draft papers, he told me that his dad got the mail for him, saw it was from Washington, gave it to my uncle and told him he could do what's in the envelope or get a good paying job and move to Canada.

[@christianmattison6096]

Amazing that this song that slams American women was such a big hit at the time, here in the States! Love your reactions!!

[@rmacdougallaliasdogviticus]

When they were thinking they had not heard this after all, I snickered to myself and said "wait for it". 'Clap For The Wolfman' next please. Cheers.

[@ORagnar]

This song really defined the early 1970s... it set the tone...

[@keymack2477]

Lead singer Burton Cummings discusses this song on an episode of "Professor of Rock" here on YT and it is well worth a look from anyone reading this. I don't recall him saying anything in the interview about "American Woman" representing the Statue of Liberty or the song being a war protest song. It has been several months since I saw the interview, however, so I could be wrong. More Guess Who? "Share The Land", "No Sugar Tonight/New Mother Nature" and the often overlooked, "Life In The Bloodstream"!! Peace!!

[@Rick-or2kq]

I had conversation yesterday with Vietnam vet, it was pretty obvious that he had never come home. He did two tours and got wounded in the second, told me he had had 13 operations, and had been on all types pain killers, he said didn't sleep with his wife because he felt a danger to her. He said I was taught to kill and kill quick and quiet.

[@lakakl3787]

Were 6 yo riding around with my older brothers in 1972. They had a 65 chevy car and 8 track player. 6 yo, muscle cars, bull riding, whiskey, beer and women. God how I am I still alive.

[@lakakl3787]

Long story behind the song as my older twin brothers had to make me stop singing it. To young to understand what it was all about.

[@SG-js2qn]

For me, the top hits by the Guess Who are this song, plus "These Eyes," and also "No Sugar Tonight / New Mother Nature" and "No Time." All in a bit of a theme.

[@kbrewski1]

Undun, Laughing, SHARE the Land

[@thesuperdak7224]

Having only heard it on the radio, I have NEVER heard that intro segment.

[@richardcampbell2261]

Should have done the long LIVE version of American Woman complete with the intro. You will NEVER, EVER hear a better version than that.

[@blackwolf6082]

One of the greatest anti-war songs ever

[@robertfindley921]

Protest songs are largely a thing of the past. Sad. They used to make our youth think about what's going on in the world.

[@bengemeister]

This was right in the middle of the anti-Viet Nam war era that was tearing the country apart. If you weren't around then, you can't understand. People in other countries were protesting against our involvement.

[@thomasmcintosh390]

Hang on to Your Life is an incredible song. Hard hitting, as much as any. And the ending recitation. Peak Psychedelia

[@davemason6501]

There is an interview with Randy about how this song came about. It was completely ad-lib, and if it wasn't for a guy recording a bootleg tape of the concert, the song would have been lost. The band was able to get the tape and now had a record of the song.

[@seanhadden813]

We are "North Americans" too... You know... the continent. To the South Mexico, in the middle US N. Americans and up North, the Canadian N. Americans... There, that was an easy Geagraphy lesson😊

[@mrnobody3161]

Here we go. North America comprises of 3 countries. The Confederation of Canada The United States OF America. The United States OF the Republic of Mexico. The problem is that there is no America. There's North America, Central America, South America. The USA is using the wrong context in their own name. It's The United States OF North America, not America. The USA is Not America. Fkd up, I know. No wonder they can't get their schitt together. 😶‍🌫️✌️🫴🍁

[@JohnnyC60]

Great song, great vocal, great band! I'd suggest No Time next for a tune similar to These Eyes, then Undun, Laughing, and No Sugar Tonight/New Mother Nature. The latter is in the vein of fusing multiple lyrical themes and/or melodies into one song, a practice made popular by The Beatles.

[@kbrewski1]

I never saw The Guess Who in their early 70s heyday (too young), but grew up with their hits on AM radio. Even my Dad liked them. About 2 decades ago I found out that Burton Cummings (lead singer/piano) and Randy Bachman (lead guitar, backing vocals) were doing a BACHMAN/CUMMINGS "duo tour" which featured them playing all the good stuff they had done for The Guess Who (they were the 2 writers of the tunes), songs from their solo or later bands (ie Bachman doing his best BTO tunes) and tell stories about each song. I didn't want to miss a chance to see that, so even though the concert was at a casino, I went. INCREDIBLE SHOW. Their stories and anecdotes were funny and interesting, they really gave us intimate insights, and the setlist was just incredible, hit after hit,both still in peak form. I will always treasure that show. That tour was video recorded, so it would be well worth reacting to some live versions in good quality.

[@kevincaulder20]

Lenny Kravitz has a remake of this, which takes its own turn on this classic song. Next up, CLAP FOR THE WOLFMAN. It's a Humorous song with Wolfman Jack making a great cameo about hit records. You will absolutely love it. Guaranteed.

[@geraldarsenault275]

from Burton Cummings solo career "Stand Tall" show his vocal range

[@wuxin5847]

ironic that since this song came out in the 60s it still applies today - nothing really ever changes

[@timwhitnell7145]

One of the most recognizable guitar riffs ever. So glad you did the full version with the bluesy intro. Thanks. Lots of great Guess Who tunes for you to react to - No Sugar Tonight/New Mother Nature, Undun, No Time, Laughing, Runnin' Back To Saskatoon, Hand Me Down World, Rain Dance, Share The Land, Bus Rider, Albert Flasher and Star Baby.

[@DocRock71]

Radio stations have never typically played the blues intro. Lenny Kravitz gave this song new chart life when he covered it, a huge hit, just like this original classic rock hit.

[@rodlepine233]

Cummings, who composed the lyrics, said in 2013 that they had nothing to do with politics. "What was on my mind was that girls in the States seemed to get older quicker than our girls and that made them, well, dangerous. When I said 'American woman, stay away from me,' I really meant 'Canadian woman, I prefer you

[@dagmar.6954]

Great song! Glad you did the album version as they didn't always play the intro on the radio. I grew up with this great Canadian band. They had so many hits such as "No Time", "Laughing", "Undun", "Hand Me Down World", "Share The Land", "Bus Driver", "Star Baby", "Albert Flasher", "Rain Dance" etc. Burton Cummings has a great voice. One of the best out there. Randy Bachman later left to form (BTO) Bachman Turner Overdrive & had many hits. And Burton Cummings had a great solo career with lots of great songs. "American Woman" is not about a lady but more about a country (I don't want your war machines or your ghetto scenes).

[@randytaylor1406]

I wish I could have been there with you, and at the beginning, say "wait for it." Great song. Thank you for your reacton.

[@ProVest97]

I graduated from high school in 1970 so I listened to all these songs. Radio stations never played the intro though.

[@memorylane7068]

"Hand Me Down World" and "Share the Land" are two more traditional sounding Guess Who hits. "No Time" is more of a rocker mixing a clean guitar with dirty lead line played over it.

[@mitzifrancis9843]

I think you'd really enjoy Burton Cummings' live - vocals and flute solo - on a Midnight Special performance of another great Guess Who song, Undun. My favorite is No Sugar Tonight/New Mother Nature (studio version). Love the blending of the two songs at the end and the lyrics on New Mother Nature work perfectly. ❤

[@Gort-Marvin0Martian]

As someone who got as close as the induction center for "that" war, I can say this was an incredible song. There is a cover by Lenny Kravitz that you MUST see. Yeah do the video. O.M.G. Really glad to see you take the trip. As others have said, seeing your shadow with the beat was just amazing happenstance. Well... maybe you didn't do it intentionally. LOL As we say in Texas; y'all be safe.

[@glenchapman3899]

American Woman = Statue Of Liberty. One of the great protest songs

[@davesaunders7080]

Burton never said that

[@RockinMamaT]

I saw them live in Toronto in front of 500,000 crazy Canadians singing this songs with passion 😂 Anything from The Guess Who, Burton Cummings solo and BTO are fire 🔥 No sugar/new mother nature is a must. Great reaction as usual my friends and Peace out ✌️ 🙏 ☮️

[@xorcha33]

I had The Best of The Guess Who and Rare Earth on 8 Track growing up. Great music!

[@maajorkv]

"These Eyes" is my favorite song by this group.

[@kaess307]

“American Woman” represents state power. This is a protest song against the state and its demands on citizens, for example against military service (in Vietnam at the time).

[@markfeland2285]

Not even close

[@karlsmith2570]

And also about draft dodgers burning their draft cards and fleeing to Canada in opposition of the Vietnam War

[@bofusnco]

You can see many interviews with Burton. It really wasn't a protest song. The band was doing a gig and we're on a break. Burton was in the alley trying to pick up some rare records and heard the band start up. He ran inside and Randy was filling around playing this. Burton got on stage and just started singing what ever came to him. What the words did... they rhymed. Check out some of the interviews.

[@JasonGilbert-yl8hf]

CLAP FOR THE WOLFMAN BY THE GUESS WHO NEXT!!!

[@joetriolo9161]

He's gonna rate your record high

[@duanetelesha]

Great choice, the long version. subtle intro before the song.

[@ernieallison3141]

Yeah, the AM radio version cut the intro out but I can't listen to it without that "blues" lead-in.

[@gswithen]

I've listened to this song 10,000 times and never thought of it as political. It's just a fun song to sing along to. No Time, Share The Land, Hand Me Down World, Laughing.

[@nancy9891]

The beginning is never played on the 45 rpm but clearly on the album. the Guess Who had some wonderful songs .”No Time” was a big hit.

[@rickfortier8664]

The live version recorded at the Olympia in Seattle (?) is also worth a listen :)

[@thomasmcdonough6642]

Saw them live in portland. Oregon on the river,,absolutley terrific

[@daseguin]

Samantha is absolutely right. That was what was going on. Cummings and Bachman will never tell it like it is with this one.

[@waitn4theharpazo]

The Guess Who 👍🏻 Please give a listen to Lee Michaels "do you know what I mean"

[@PhantomGhostWriter47]

My 2nd concert I ever went to was Three Dog Night and The Guess Who was the support band for the concert. Best $3.50 I ever spent. Yes, it was a very long time ago....

[@jacobin1159]

Like the haircut! Looks real clean.

[@namesameasu]

Laughing is their follow-up to These Eyes. Their other many hits of the time included Undun, No Time, No Sugar Tonight, Share the Land, Hand Me Down World, etc.

[@bobblethreadgill4463]

"Share The Land " "Stand Tall " Are a must

[@kevinmcconnell3641]

Lenny Kravitz brought this song back to forefront in 1999. This was a very popular song during its opening run.

[@joelspaulding5964]

So pleased you listened to the full version. The intro should NOT be optional. Burton gives some strong Robert Plant vibes on this one. (Yes, a very trite observation 😒) You two always dig in to the music and rhe lyrics. Nice.

[@suzanneprock7286]

They rarely played that beginning so many people aren't familiar with it. Love the Guess Who.

[@dennish3032]

According to the band, everyone thought it was a Canadian band doing a war protest. But their statement recently was it was a dislike for dating American girls. Sounds to me like the legal department back home lost their minds trying to keep the money coming in for a huge paying album and making it sound like a not so great at the same time.

[@vicprovost2561]

Their best known song and a huge hit, they were the first national act I ever saw in concert in 1971 and boy did they deliver. This song was expanded to 15+ minutes in concert with the entire band getting a chance to stretch out. I suggest you listen to the live suite: American Woman into Trucking Off Across the Sky from their classic live album, Live at the Paramount. It was a whole side from that double album and would blow your minds, just like the Who's Live at Leeds side 2 does with My Generation and Magic Bus, the jams belong together as a whole, we always listened to the entire side in either case. The music is mind blowing good. Either of the above and you will be in a state of euphoria, Enjoy! 🔥🎵🎸🎤🎸🎹🎶🔥

[@Ziko1962]

A 1 chord song...shows how much you can do by just 1 chord...❤

[@ericnowak682]

Would definitely like you to react to Burton Cummings solo effort "Stand Tall". Really incredible vocal display!

[@davidbrock2450]

"American Woman" was a euphemism for American culture and politics overflowing in To Canada. The Guess Who are saying "We don't any of what U R selling". Remember, this was written while the Vietnam War was going on, Watergate, and not to long after "The McCarthy hearings in the US government had just happened "Black Listing" many Jewish people working in American entertainment or had more progressive views.

[@danielbenincasa770]

Love them live! Bad ass band

[@delscoville]

The song I like best from The Guess Who is No Sugar Tonight / New Mother Nature.

[@terrylandess6072]

In the mid/late 80's a musician friend's group had an opening gig at Summers on the Beach in Fort Lauderdale. The headlining act? The Guess Who. I obvious had heard of the band but only a couple songs came to mind. It's hard to explain just how surprised I was when after they began playing - I kept saying to myself: "I know this song." "I know this song too" "And this one" "and this one" - all night long. I was schooled in my ignorance of how many songs I 'knew' but wasn't aware it was them. My best explanation was the name similarity to 'The Who' kinda' put me off as a kid/young man. Edit: Nice hair cut - looks good.

[@arnoldcox9128]

That high guitar tone is such an iconic sound

[@reneerocha1796]

The Spy who Shagged Me. American Beauty 2 movies this was in

[@bamboozlejones]

The Cable Guy

[@dandundon9503]

Wait for it!

[@reneerocha1796]

Knew you guys would dig The Guess who 😊😊

[@jasonlouis697]

Glad you enjoyed it! I love this version, but I also love Lenny Kravitz's version. It would be fun to compare the two because they are soooo different.

[@christarpley6861]

These Eyes and Share The Land are my favorites by them

[@corinecabrera9435]

Undun is a must must for you!

[@sonnypeek6418]

"Share The Land" "No Time" "Undun" "No Sugar tonight" are all Good ones from this band

[@marciebulsaraorcutt]

As with so many of these awesome classics, I would always 1000% prefer to watch a LIVE performance. Which BTW… There is an AMAZING live performance of “American Woman”, done by Lenny Kravitz AND The Guess Who onstage together!

[@teresagorden5984]

Americans were so embroiled in Vietnam War when this song came out. As a Canadian, we were having peaceful anti-war demonstrations here , and many young men trying to stay in Canada to Avoid the USA draft , even arranging marriages to do so . We watched nightly, the war news with the death and wounded stats each day and felt affinity for the situation of the MIA, KIA stats. We were Allies in both WW I and II, but felt this war was not America's war. It was so sad hearing the high numbers of young men being cut short, or the terrible mental, emotional conditions affecting the entire life-long injuries of those fighting this war. To this day, I have no regrets, in trying to do whatever we could to assist these young men returning to a nation that was not treating these young men well upon their return, after being in country. They did not deserve the treatment given by countrymen, mor their government.

[@stevenseul361]

This is the Guess Who I remember they dominated American radio

[@jodavey7709]

And New Zealand: played on the radio every day.... Best sounds.

[@mamaflush9945]

Hello Sam & Phil, I thought I'd suggest another song along the same lines as "These Eyes" (for Phil) by The Guess Who, if interested. "Pop-Up Video: The Guess Who Performs "Laughing" [From The Vaults" (by the channel: CBC) --this song by The Guess Who is from their album called "Canned Heat" released in 1969 and was also released as a single the same year. It became their second of three Gold Records in the US and reached #10 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart...in otherwards another Banger and as always, I enjoyed rocking with you both, Thanks for sharing. peace out~

[@ORagnar]

Burt Cummings sings a song titled "Stand Tall," which he sings brilliantly. Highly recommended.

[@ws3764]

Just discovered your channel. I'm in!!!

[@angelaolson2025]

❤ it & No Sugar Tonight is a great song!

[@anitawright7169]

The Guess Who are icons. Love this song so very much. Love your reactions!

[@t.r.1708]

Thx y’all! As an American male I remember that when this song was out we could relate to the surface part of the song. American women were becoming more independent. Politically, Canadians were sharing great music with us and we rewarded them greatly!

[@user-kc1fx6hr1f]

It was in a Austin Powers movie, where Heather Graham dances.

[@itiswhatitis1345]

The Guess Who is a very talented group and glad you were able to tap into it. They had a few good songs.

[@marcusone11]

Thia was also covered by Lenny Kravits a few years ago, that's why it may sound familiar...

[@badbob6689]

Between The Guess Who and BTO Burt Cummings created so much great music.

[@frankpentangeli7945]

You might have heard Lenny Kravitz do a cover of this song back in the early 2000s or so. It was extremely popular at the time, and was also featured on one of the Austin Powers movies.

[@Oldschoolnana]

Love this song. Check out Lenny Kravitz's cover. It's incredible.✌️🌻🌻

[@jamesnasium4688]

i believe.........this was the 1st Canadian Band to go to the US Top 10 with this song ? Lenny actually did a good job on the Cover.