Behind The Vinyl: "Romantic Traffic" with Sandy Horne from the Spoons

[@cdncitizen4700]

In the early 80's, while at University... I desperately wanted to see the Spoons on campus, but tickets had sold out. I had used black marker to draw the Arias & Symponies "Horse Coat of Arms" on a neon yellow t-shirt... it looked great!... While leaving the bar for the band to set up and ticket holders to come in, Sandy spotted my home-made t-shirt (as they were setting up the ticket check-in) and asked if I was seeing the show, to which I said no, tickets were sold out. SO... she added me and my friends to the guest list. I never forgot that night and the generosity. We danced our butts off that night and I've seen them so many times over the years. Amazing songs to this day. Both Gord and Sandy are very humble and approachable. A Canadian treasure!

[@TheAmtwhite]

The doo, doo, doos and the opening bass lines is what put this song over the top! Good choices!!!

[@markholmes6279]

Sandy Horne is an exceptionally good bassist. Looking forward to our upcoming concert with them soon.

[@batphink2655]

Last time I saw you Mark was coming out of a washroom at the El Mocombo around 1988 you were high as a kite and rubbing your very red nose. Just saying you were still nice to us lol!

[@sandie302]

Come back and play River cree in Enoch! Luv you guys!!!Had a blast a few years back

[@SilentKnight43]

@markholmes6279 Saw you guys a few years back at Montebello Park in St. Catharines. Great concert! You guys sounded just as good as back in the 80s. And speakin' of...saw ya's at Nathan Philips Square in Toronna on a New Years Eve bash back in the 80s. If memory serves one of the songs that night you released as a video.

[@cziprick]

I first heard this song about 38 yrs ago and never knew who did it. The other morning I was getting up to go to work and heard it again on the radio. I logged onto my computer to get the radio station play list and there it was. This song brings back great memories from when I was 27.

[@kirkjones7135]

Met her in Kingston a few years ago. Super nice, and they still put on a great show.

[@suelingchang5153]

I had no idea Gord and Sandy were actually involved behind the scenes before that Romantic Traffic video. It's good that they could both put their personal feelings aside to keep that great band going.

[@tonylalangue6243]

Gord’s book is a good read.

[@AC2237]

@@tonylalangue6243 tell me more....plz

[@tonylalangue6243]

@@AC2237 Get the book.

[@CP-kb1du]

Sandy was slamming back then Don't blame Gord

[@beehive5835]

@@CP-kb1du ?

[@guinnesstrail6799]

The keyboards, bass, and chorus-brilliant track! Still stands to this day.

[@aFascinatingMind]

I went to school with her... she was a grade ahead of me. I was completely awe struck with her look... she was the most gorgeous girl in the school.

[@SamB-fv6su]

Guess that time fades our memories

[@IanHotson]

​@@SamB-fv6suwhat are you just being a jerk Sammy boy?

[@JamesPhieffer]

I remember seeing The Spoons, with Cats Can Fly ("Flipping to the A Side") as their opening act, at Ontario Place in 1987 (I think). Romantic Traffic is one of my two favourite songs by the Spoons, along with the underappreciated "Waterline". Great memories. Thanks Sandy.

[@myles-spikewebby8519]

"Romantic Traffic" is one of my all-time faves by the Spoons. Thanks Sandy!

[@OMGWTFLOLSMH]

Old Emotions is my fave. I can't understand how that song never took off, worldwide. It had such a great intro, hook, and beat.

[@seinsmeld13]

Thank you for your great music Sandy. Cheers from a fellow Hoser.

[@mgguygardening]

My son bought he and I front row seats to the Spoons show in North Bay tomorrow night! I have a picture of myself and friends with them backstage at a concert 40 years ago, going to bring it and see if Gordon and Sandy will sign it.

[@Dehzee]

Such a simple, but deep, song. Nice to hear some back story on ir.

[@RobertPérusse]

Absolutely love that song!😊

[@AC2237]

I still LOVE this woman....since the beginning

[@edwardbliss8931]

It's always great to learn something new about your favourite songs. Had no idea the do-do-do part was because Gordon couldn't think of lyrics

[@azjakeza]

Great band !!Great Tunes !

[@brothaman007]

Is this what my dream woman in the 80s looks like today? Thank you for the great music and times, Ms Horne.

[@peter12246]

Great song, loved it from the first time I heard it in 1984

[@Moshe_Dayan44]

Sandy, it's so wonderful to hear your stories and thoughts around the making and recording of this song and video! I had a mixed tape with 'Old Emotions' and 'Romantic Traffic' on my Sony Walkman back in the early 1980s, and I'd listen to both of those songs over and over again sometimes after leaving the stable where I'd ride horses north of Toronto, and wait for the Markham bus, or walk the long walk all the way to Steeles Ave. and catch a TTC bus there. What struck me about both of these two songs was how deeply emotional they both were, while at the same time, presented with such bright, cheerful optimism. It made me feel like I wasn't alone in being both capable of tremendously deep love and affection, as well as kindness and playfulness. I was at the Ontario Place forum for that show you're (I believe) referring to, and still remember having a lot of fun there! I also remember how very cute and sexy I thought you were in the Romantic Traffic video, which, incidentally, my brother happens to appear in at 2:39, holding the guitar--a gorgeous 1965 Vox 12 string electric (although you can't see it inside the case!) Thank you for the music from the bottom of my heart!

[@paulgrant1988]

Oh i love love this woman!! .. Sandy is a such a great BASSIST, AND PERFORMER!. I loved her in the SONG [when time turns around! ]

[@Cicilo1983]

So great for you to give a voice to all those artists, many of which were unfairly left behind... Always liked Spoons, they had some awesome tunes, this one being my favorite.

[@kamdiamond9282]

Sandy is gorgeous. Had a major crush on her back in the 80s too. Spoons were really cool.

[@KJ-ez6bm]

I love the background stories..great memories 😊

[@danielmelvold7231]

Go SANDY! Thanks for sharing some more insider stories. Love knowing that you actually have a Bowie connection musically - besides the obvious, Nile Rogers.

[@tambourini]

I respect that Sandy is always a classy dressers for Spoons shows. Nice!

[@christinabridgeman3859]

I love The Spoons. Such talent. I love watching the video for this single.

[@imdjc4]

I was a high school student attending my first concert when I found myself staring up from the feet of Sandy Horne. In addition to playing bass, she had the voice of an angel and wearing only white. Periodically she would cast a downward glance with a smile that changed this young boy's life. My gawd....like an episode right out of an 80s movie, I could not stop composing marriage proposals in my head - many, many times that night. That concert, I entered the auditorium as a boy, but departed feeling more like a man. I still have my autographed cigarette pack....signed by the 'littlest spoon.'

[@damonhines8187]

Awesome! Indeed you are, Sandy.

[@bluenoiser]

really enjoyed the history behind that sound

[@MikeWood]

Saw them play more than once at the Forum at Ontario place. And the video is a nostalgic look to how the TTC was back in the day. Nice behind the vinyl piece. :)

[@waynehosick6862]

Love the story Sandy. Thank you.

[@VMX1.]

Sandy is as beautiful today as she was back then.

[@dgm2485]

I had a big crush on her when I was a kid...

[@beehive5835]

We all did!

[@winstontk]

As always, some great behind the scenes stories. Thanks, Sandy!

[@freakyflow]

I was that kid watching Platuim blonde Cory heart And my kid crush The spoons onstage 1984 I was that kid at the fourm that showed Sandy a heart sign bursting from my chest And she waved and held her heart 1 second and blew a kiss back.......I was melted butter on the floor lol ( 14 year old ) Today i live in the same place they went to school

[@davistalhone9482]

Not sure why this was recommended to me but so glad it was. Very interesting! Love the song and the behind the scenes is just awesome.

[@imannonymous7707]

The ontario place forum, well that takes ya back

[@chiefscheider]

I saw them there in the summer of 84 and vividly remember the lead singer asking for quiet before they started "Old Emotions" -- of course the crowd erupted when the first couple of notes were played 😁 Great show they put on btw

[@sandie302]

I always crushed on Sandy..I always like the music too, " my favorite page"

[@CP-kb1du]

Great high school memories ...

[@CusterFlux]

Didn't know that 'nard & Nile produced RT … but of course they did! And given that Nile came up with "Do-do do dooo" on Chic's "Everybody Dance", then it's only natural that he made it also work on The Spoons' RT - a beautiful song … ( FWIW Chic's "Everybody Dance" -> kzbin.info/www/bejne/fIDbaWSXfJJ4hJY … if you're curious, check out Bernard's killer bass intro - in short, when it came to a production team, Sandy couldn't have been in better hands )

[@daevidharvey7113]

They were a great band back in time & Sandy was hard not to Love - super cute

[@timrs2001]

She is still so beautiful. I've always been a fan. :)

[@thesteamingbean.]

A great new wave song.

[@stub2022]

Cool.

[@mikealley8691]

I grew up with good music.

[@jamesbond9873]

I meet her in Ottawa and got her autograph still have a crush!

[@SimcoeGuy]

It was actually the Asbury Jukes (Southside Johnny And The Asbury Jukes) Horn section.

[@fakkedd]

Still beautiful

[@TycoVai]

I think I saw them on a New Years Eve with Corey Hart and Platinum Blonde? Anyone else kinda remember that?

[@jameshaslam2048]

I was there too. A friend and I argued about how played better, the Blondes or Hart (hmm, maybe The Spoons should have won that argument?). I recall a very long delay due to some problem with Steffler’s drum kit, but what a great show!

[@squidman556]

Wow I'm 16 again. Haven't heard this for a while

[@MacTeee]

Fantastic bit of pop here. Bernard Edwards bass on this track...did not know that

[@paleshelter4002]

A feel good song...

[@brandonmarsh906]

The Spoons has dinner at my house when I was a kid . I still have a few pics .

[@hebber1961]

Ok this is weird. I was humming it in my head when this came up on recommended.

[@hookian2010]

Rabbit snare : you're not the only one who had a crush on sandy

[@sebastientanguay4866]

So sad the Spoons didn't get more success! I thought they made great catchy tune..

[@paulcollan6758]

Bernard Edwards bass? Nile Rodgers? A Lamborghini? Wow. Pretty awesome times. I used to hang out with Gord and Sandy when they played as The Big Chill in the 90's. I also remember long speculatory discussions about the Bernardo case at the time as well. I believe there was some sort of publication ban regarding the case so there were lots of rumours. Gord and Sandy are great people to hang out with.

[@davidbuswa9425]

This was the Spoons greatest song. It was catchy and the bassist, Sandy Horne was a cutie. But, c'mon, Sandy. How could you go in the the world famous Power Station studio without your own instruments? But I love the story of "Romantic Traffic" nonetheless

[@junkboxxxxxx]

She has more than a hint of the Buffalo accent common to the Niagara peninsula

[@geftiler2112]

We don't have an accent in Niagara.... Toronto people have an accent and the Western NY has a very distinct accent.

[@WCSkills]

@@geftiler2112 ahhhh it's Toronah not Toronto.

[@mckessa17]

@@geftiler2112 Toronto does not have an accent

[@xTheFly]

Excellent song and excellent story. I literally had no idea about any of the whole Power Station and David Bowie brass section and backup singers! I think it's fair to say that almost every teenage Canadian male had a crush on Sandy. Love the Spoons.

[@ivonepereira8838]

Sandy,you still so lovelly,my girl👍👌

[@AwesomeCanadianHomes]

Ask Elon Musk to put in in a Tesla commercial. The girl in a cyber truck passing by a dude in a cyber truck going the other way.

[@rverro8478]

DAMN ! The turntable looks like a Technics SL-1200 Mk2... I'll have to buy 2 of them.....Again

[@darkoanton5]

About twenty years ago I bought one at a garage (yard for the Americans) sale. No word of a lie, I paid $10 for it. I just ask if they would plug it in so I could see if it turned.

[@batphink2655]

Good band no doubt saw them a few times live always great and met the briefly. However Sandy always had this hoity toity snob attitude that I could never understand ,I guess she helped destroy what looked to be a promising career.

[@JohnTheBear1961]

Saw them at London Gardens in 1983. Headlined that evening (bands rotated that role) with Platinum Blonde and Blue Peter (RIP Paul). Sandy shot Derrick a couple of glares during their set. Not sure if he missed a beat or what happened, but it was obvious from where we were standing at the front of the stage. 😉

[@joebodnar3768]

What Canadian male during the 80s didn't have a secret crush on her?

[@shaneyoung3407]

Sandy, call me.

[@rocketguardian2001]

You and Gord were a couple back then? Well thanks...my teenage self is dying inside right now.

[@batman1169]

Wow 😯 she is still hot with that hair, great band and stories. now auto tuned and computer generic sounds