Behind The Vinyl: "A Criminal Mind" with Lawrence Gowan

Singer/Songwriter Lawrence Gowan is once again back in the boom 97.3 studios to play "A Criminal Mind" on vinyl! Gowan talks about the genesis of the song including how he got inspired by a trip to the CNE. He talks about the impact that trip had on him, how it affected recording the song and what this song has done for his career. Watch as Gowan goes Behind The Vinyl!
For more BEHIND THE VINYL go to: boom973.com/beh...
Follow boom online:
WEBSITE: boom973.com
FACEBOOK: boom973t...
TWITTER: / boom973

[@dixienormous3262]

Lawrence is one of the most talented Canadians ever. Period.

[@chiefscheider]

Thanks for not saying underrated. Seriously.

[@dixienormous3262]

@@chiefscheider Heck no, he's the real deal! Any person with an understanding and knowledge of music would recognize that he is stellar.

[@chiefscheider]

Totally agree, DN. I think he's right up there with Robbie Robertson, Cummings and Bachman, Bryan Adams, and Neil Young 👍

[@ciscokid4539]

@@chiefscheider also on our proud to be from here list is, Lightfoot, joni Mitchell, Corey hart, Allan's m, Anne murray, Chilliwack*,April wine*, trooper* etc

[@ciscokid4539]

Might I add Doug and the Slugs, Lover boy, Tom Cochrane and Red Ryder, Triumph, Rush, and Darby Mills with the Headpins. The Tragically Hip also belong here. Etc

[@simt1973]

He wrote this song brilliantly! Oh my god this song is SOOO Canadian and I love how he got the inspiration of this song from the CNE!

[@Vatch1966]

...And as far as I know..Gowan still performs this Live in concert with STYX...The Audiences go totally ballistic when the band performs it.

[@ldolphin34]

Can confirm. Came to this video solely on his Styx performance, which probably could make Dennis DeYoung feel small for a minute.

[@TwentyOne_Five]

He has chops, is prepared, and gives it. Pro.

[@watson956]

My wife and I saw Gowan and his band perform at Ontario Place back-in-the-day - THE best non-arena concert I've ever been to. He's a wonderful musician and showman.

[@mixisixi2367]

My band was doing a house gig at Ontario Place that summer so we got to catch all of the performances at the Forum. Gowan was releasing this song and album then and his concert was great.

[@bonniespruin6369]

I love Gowan, and I love this song. I want to see Styx because Gowan is in the band now.

[@trysometenderness7466]

This man is an extraordinary talent.

[@gastondeveaux3783]

I LOVE Gowan. I've seen him live 3-4 times. Never disappointed. What a musician, what a performer.

[@jackiem1903]

Being an American I was thrilled to work with Larry when he played his solo show with Orchestra London. Canada .

[@Ghoulstille]

I could listen to him tell stories for hours.

[@chiefscheider]

Same here, very well spoken guy with a great voice.

[@alancummings5651]

Love it and he is one of the most underrated musicians ever. He is an amazing singer, composer and keyboard player. And he is a humble human being.

[@cdoyle1034]

I love that he's talking about writing it after an experience at the Ex, and I first saw him play at the Red River Ex. Canadiana! Bonus marks for having the legendary Tony Levin play on it as well!

[@TwentyOne_Five]

Saw him live in Sydney, NS in 1986. A great talent. Earned his money that night for sure. Pro performer.

[@purplebutterfly7257]

Wow I find Lawrence to be better looking now than in his younger days and he has a really cool vibe about him 😉

[@chiefscheider]

True, and he was 60 here!

[@joeq.public281]

He had an awesome purple mullet back in the day

[@KatBlack07]

What an amazing man GOWAN is. Always loved his music. He is entertaining, intelligent and attractive. What more can a man ask for. I for one one thank you for your great talent and voice.

[@Bikewithlove]

I saw this video on Mtv when it was released, and the music blew me away. Later in life I studied psychology and the personality disorders - focusing on borderline & sociopathy, and it changed many of my previous perceptions and associations but this song rings truer than ever because it’s correct.

[@Mr90sMusiclover]

what an amazing story, a true Canadian Musician/Poet

[@simt1973]

Mr Gowan, this is most definitely your Magnum Opus! :)

[@chrisstashik6830]

As being in the Criminal Justice world, I find this song brilliant. I wish I was in that cell with Gowan so I could of heard that conversation between him and that guard. I’ve been in several institutions (not a resident) but this song is spot on. Creepiest institution, The old Men’s Central Jail in Los Angeles. No longer around. Very lucky to have seen historic facility. To go back there more than once, you have to have a Criminal Mind. I think Gowan would of loved it. Biggest Styx and Gown fan

[@milkcarton6654]

The very first music video i remember ever seeing. I was maybe 7, circa 1985, Years later, geek alert, when i was playign GTA Vice City in 2004, i had the game on PC so i made my own 80's playlist for the in-game radio and it was epic driving on a motorcycle in virtual miami with this tune on. it fit the character of the game (a recently released from prison criminal) very well. A shame they don't know the song enough in the US (if at all) to have included it in the game, it's so fitting.

[@joeblow2069]

Lawrence, I'm a huge Styx fan and I want you to know you are appreciated!

[@hendershot01]

Watching this it is obvious to me Gowan is a wonderful storyteller and could easily be an actor.

[@scotiadragoon5974]

This was one of those rare songs that, for me, was an instant favourite. I knew that this was an album that I had to buy the very first time that I heard this one song on the radio. I typically would hold off on buying something until I knew that there were at least three songs from the record that I liked, and that included established artists. It was a very small list of artists that I would buy an album form sight-unseen, and Lawrence Gowan has been on that list.

[@Madmun357]

Lawrence is a good guy. We used to play a trivia app head to head. I made the mistake of playing against him in the classic rock category.

[@pty8s]

The cne was behind me in the 80s but mon uncle was in Kingston for armed robbery rehabilitated to be the first computer programmer for a multinational down on Carlaw ave. I was born into a mob at queen and parliament T.O. Played hockey in Scarborough. Sang in bands from my parents basement. Saw Larry at old leaf gardens with 2 cuties on each side of him, blue section.

[@ADarkandStormyNight]

I had a very singular chance to see Gowan live. He hosted Wolf-Cop 1 and 2 at our local theater (he has a song in 1 and appears in 2) and was the most engaging host of anything ever. Like yeah, he is a rock god and all that...but he was also just a really fun MC for two movies. I was already a fan, and my GF became a RABID fan after. He banged out some songs (he can really hammer those keys) and Just charisma to burn, he has. You rarely see musicianship like that anymore.

[@ThorntonValiant]

Only just discovered Gowan. This is a great song. Very talented guy.

[@garthquapp6370]

I met Gowan at the Calgary International Airport back in early 80's. I asked him what was being said at the end of song. It was " I have a criminal mind" played backwards

[@DarkSkies72]

He’s an unforgettable performer! What a song. 🇨🇦

[@flon57]

Whenever I hear this, I think of my Sister, this is 1 of her favourite songs ever, she passed in 2018, and this song touches me dearly.

[@ziopapa1777]

Larry’s an excellent singer song writer. His energy on stage is unmatched. His music is large part of my teenage years. I go back to his music every once in a while and feel uplifted.

[@ALTDOK667]

I was about 16 when this came out. It was so dark and different! Still love it!

[@LANDSEAAIRCANADA]

Brilliant musician Thank You

[@AdamasMst]

I was going to post the EXACT same words and then saw yours :-) Criminal minds think alike :-)

[@htuah1]

Gowan is brilliant, and what an interesting place to find inspiration for a song, especially one that's as big as this one.

[@sergeanttibs6345]

One of the most underrated songs of all time. This should have been a world wide hit but of course Larry is Canadian....

[@tonguepetals]

Totally shafted like Strange Advances We Run should have been a worldwide banger as well. Criminally underrated musician.

[@indifferentadvocate1737]

Yes. Such a shame there are no world-famous Canadian singers.

[@shannonwhaaat1117]

Actually he’s Scottish

[@shannonwhaaat1117]

@@indifferentadvocate1737what about Shania Twain, Justin Bieber, Avril Lavigne and Celine Deion?

[@sergeanttibs6345]

@@shannonwhaaat1117 actually he's Canadian. He was born in Scotland but moved to Canada as a child.

[@jhonhall928]

Most I've ever heard him speak. A musical mind is all he's ever had.

[@peter12246]

I remember hearing this song back in 1985, still can listen to it over and over.

[@tonylalangue6243]

My first introduction to Gowan came when I was studying for exams with the relatively new Much Music on the tv, in front of me. I was gobsmacked.

[@gullscomic]

This song means so much to me! I discovered it in 2016. I had just gotten sober. I was in Toronto for work in Feb. for the NBA All Star game. I was alone all week working crazy long hours. So far from home. It would've been so easy for me to relapse. But I put on my headphones, walked Yonge street in the freezing cold, or working in the Eaton Centre, and this song was my mantra to stay sober and not let the darkness in. I've never relapsed and am still sober. This song helped!

[@albertdesalvo]

It was DAMN cold that week. Thank you for posting, it's helping me.

[@gullscomic]

@albertdesalvo I walked to the shore of Lake Ontario and watch the huge slabs of ice slowly ungulate with the cold. It was wild! I love Toronto. Stay strong my friend.

[@donnaoberlin915]

2 of my favorite songs from the 80s!! I love it when Lawrence plays BEETHOVEN.

[@M27-f4f]

What a great time in life

[@yettiman2817]

This is such a good song... its his own Stairway to Heaven

[@jeffsutton950]

Absolutely a fantastic singer/songwriter

[@MarinelliBrosPodcast]

I was lucky to see Gowan live and also meet him in Markham in December 2022. His music is amazing and an amazing person to meet

[@amandahuginkiss4098]

I saw him live before. Awesome. Just him and a piano (and sometimes his guitar instead)

[@substrate001]

STYX put out a concert blu-ray a few years ago and performed this song; it was magical!

[@1928ModelA1931]

Great song. I was mostly a metal head at that time but hearing that line "I am" equaled anything from the dark side I had ever heard. So many lyrics that tried to some up evilness had come and Gown hit it on the head of the nail with two words. I broadened my listening the next day by buying the album.

[@stephaniecharbonneau7371]

I absolutely love him! What a great musician and amazing showman!!! I was introduced to his music specifically this song when i was about 10 yrs old and ive crushed on him ever since. Now seen him twice solo stuff and twice with styx and will continue to see him and or then just to see him whenever there around ❤

[@thejax61]

Perfect song and perfect man!

[@marioiacolucci]

Awesome dude thanks gowan

[@annettekinsella6978]

Great to hear the story behind the song. Iconic.

[@OccasionallyEvil]

I love this song so much. The percussion work is amazing. I always imagine I'm the drummer when I hear it. And I never tire of hearing it.

[@tonguepetals]

Me too, I play an impressive set of air drums to this and in the air tonight. 😂

[@STRUMMERBOY1975]

Gowan.... What aaaaaa Voice,,,, & Songwriter......:)

[@VMill3]

Thankful to say I saw him solo in Summerside, PEI many years ago, and got an autograph! A solo performance in a small venue - so memorable, the best!

[@MrSmokingstrings]

fantastic.....the whole album is great!!

[@davidmohr1920]

I love these videos so much as a musician it inspires you so much Thanks Lawrence for the beautiful music :-)

[@MrROTD]

Im distantly related to this guy never met him but I like his songs and if you can front STYX youre amazing. Check out Criminal Mind with Styx live its incredible.

[@bcb2555]

How did the music industry miss this talented musician

[@linzyvixen9913]

One of my favourite songs and singers!!

[@airflyerflyvids7875]

I saw him live in St. John's Newfoundland. In 1987 It was my first concert.

[@brycemcneil4404]

Same as me, my first concert was also the Great Dirty World tour! Sydney, NS with the Spoons opening.

[@Deborahtunes]

Love it... I wish someone would do a couple of JY's and Tommy's tracks like this...

[@MedalionDS9]

Dat piano riff... perfect 80's new wave piano melody

[@freddelves3815]

I lived my first 30+ years in our system..11 years out..This song since my release really resinates with me..when it comes on I blast it..He really captured self thoughts as u lay in that cell..

[@marinalina6348]

I wish gowan could have been an actor, hed be great

[@jamesbond9873]

What a great tune!

[@gregspero1588]

this is amazing, amazing song!!! amazing back story

[@45sguy68]

I LOVE the big heavy Stanton 500. Plays the vinyl with AUTHORITY

[@SilentKnight43]

I was wonderin' what make/model that was. Thanks.

[@Freeyourmind13]

I was wondering how to get good sound out of my vinyl

[@lane99]

Great song. Which also had a great video. Lovin' this series. Thanks for the reminisces.

[@canuckereh5646]

Fantastic song. Yeah, my preteen kids love it too. Never gets old.

[@frankie2936]

The song is amazing and the story behind it is even more amazing.

[@nelsonverissimo5839]

Great song Lawrence! I'm listening over and over... A Mtl QC guy who just loves your song bro.

[@RockStarParking10]

An amazing song writer and talent

[@DaveNagel-nq7me]

One of my all time favorite songs, TYSM. Forever a part of my life.

[@petecsanky]

Great series & great song!

[@kevinammons1374]

Definitely his Magnum Opus.

[@Melanie-ve7bb]

Beautiful insight into the creation of an absolute masterpiece. As a Canadian I love the reference to the CNE.

[@lionelrichie-1]

Thank you for being a fan ❤

[@Darryl6636]

Very cool guy with a great style of music

[@lolasoul3502]

Tremendously cool story…love the CNE Kingston Pen inspiration. I just found out today Gowan is with Styx now! 😂… and has been for like 25 years 🤷‍♀️

[@wk1810]

I've watched most of the Canadian BTV episodes and I have to say, these singers/musicians have aged really well! I know it has nothing to do with the brilliance of their music, but it's just something that struck me as I watched them.

[@alexlabarda2871]

Legend.

[@sheldonvandal6895]

We saw you in 1993...ish..in Moose Jaw. I was so happy to see you live! Thank you!

[@davidshepherd397]

I worked in Ontario Corrections for over 30 years, starting at the Don Gaol. Its an interesting song as he in my mind is correct about human nature. I knew inmates who acted this way as over 90% of our boys were regulars, I'm not sure they recognized that they were lead by their beast side, but they were certainly unrepentant, and kept doing the same things over and over. Some told me that their time in jail was their holiday from their "old ladies" and stress on the street.

[@CraigSpannier]

This is really good

[@pinkbackprogrampinkbackpro8065]

Always loved it

[@cwaloszczyk2650]

Wow what a great story!

[@lionelrichie-1]

Thank you for being a fan ❤❤

[@petermontagnon4440]

Lives in Manitoba!! Fantastic Canadian boy!! Yes we do!! We all have dark sides!!

[@SkyandMoon909]

A masterpiece.

[@jamesbond9873]

What a great story. Funny my youngest son he’s 13 and has a red stripe in his hair.

[@lisaburgess7103]

Gowan your awesome

[@dayanera2138]

Amazing musician, so thankful I got to see him with Styx on tour August 2019.

[@mikehebert6721]

I am grateful as well that I had the opportunity!

[@lionelrichie-1]

Thank you for being a fan ❤

[@ricksegal3065]

One of the greatest songs ever written!

[@Faulkdizzleyearsand]

Great song

[@irenepoczynek5722]

One of Canada's best!

[@AldellezCaputto70]

Masterpiece!!! Anti social personality disorder Anthem!

[@vassa1972]

Good stuff

[@andrewkoenigsberger3517]

Brilliant

[@frankie2936]

So underrated.

[@dalemcmillan7231]

Excellent ❤❤ 🇨🇦

[@vassa1972]

Still very cool song and loved going to the ex too as a kid lol

[@vassa1972]

Interesting loved the song

[@thatlittlevoice8292]

I still have questions, questions that have haunted me since the 80s. How is "I feel no wrong intent" a defense?

[@milumav]

Nothing shown in the video is an accurate depiction of what's happening in reality, we are hearing the criminal's inner dialogue and thoughts, revealing to us the criminal/psychopathic mindset, that's why the song is called 'A criminal MIND". We are seeing things through his eyes and from his twisted perspective. The human silhouette cardboard cutouts that he knocks down aren't really there, it's a reference to how psychopaths view other people as nothing more than 2D faceless paper dolls meant to be used, manipulated, then tossed aside, like chess pieces, (hence the chessboard floor he's on in the video). The cops and the judge are depicted as clowns only because that's how the psychopath sees them. He's not actually in that tiny cage at the end of the video, that's just how a normal prison cell feels, and the imagery is intentionally showing him behaving like a wild predatory animal, (i.e: tiger or lion), stalking behind the bars of its circus-type cage. I could go on and on. All this to say that the video only shows what's in a criminal's mind, not how a criminal presents his case in court, (his lawyer would be doing that or at least be present in the courtroom).