DANG! 🎵 Head East - Never Been Any Reason REACTION

[@capstan50g]

"Going down for the last time" is from a mistaken belief that a drowning person always surfaces three times before finally "going down for the last time." Metaphorically, it means being on the edge of failure, helpless unless a rescuer comes along. You don't hear the expression much anymore but it was well-known in my youth.

[@bizwest21]

I think Hank Williams said it as, "I'm goin' down three times, but Lord I'm only comin' up twice". Same idea

[@chrino21]

Exactly - I think sometimes you’d also hear “I’m going down for the third time”.

[@estoy1001]

You also see it in old Warner Brothers cartoons, where a drowning character puts a hand up out of water & counts to three on their fingers.

[@WuWuWuTangTangTang]

It's also double entendre; he's lowering his head to snort one last white line.

[@capstan50g]

@@WuWuWuTangTangTang I never thought of that. Interesting.

[@jonkrispeterson6678]

John .Schlitt just sang this with the house band on the Mike Huckabee show. 72 and can still hit the notes.

[@petepotaczek5844]

He’s going down for the last time because this is a woman who’s rocked his world! More addictive then coke!

[@floorticket]

"Better than a white line" is what the 70s ran on. Bolivian marching powder, "The Lady"

[@Wolverines4ever-sl1js]

Pink Peruvian🤯👍

[@gandalf679]

I've gone around the sun 63 times...this is still one of my favorte bands....among about a dozen others...enjoy the ride as you Head East...Rock ON!!

[@Whats-It-To-Ya]

I live in PA a few miles from the Jersey border, so I don't think I'd enjoy heading East.

[@crzyasylm8340]

i hear ya...65 times myself

[@dizzer182]

I'm 35 and this is still one of my top favorite songs.

[@Dan-zb1ks]

"Head East" wrote one of the greatest party songs in rock history: "Get Up and Enjoy Yourself" Make this a PRIORITY!!

[@eclecticx]

Meaning of the song is clear. Drug problem. Woman helped save him through loving him. Going down for the last time means close to death/utter failure. This song - the arrangement, vocals, lyrics - is pure incredible.

[@dogfighter57]

John Schlitt eventually became the lead singer of Petra. You ought to check out the hard rock band Petra. Petra means rock.

[@steveshaw8607]

It was written about a band member who had a major drug problem and his woman who saved his life by helping beat the drugs.

[@richardhillebrand5353]

nope nothing to do with that!

[@jeffmorris6105]

My first rock concert ever...1975 I think, I was 14

[@aaronherbison7316]

I've been involved in concert promotions in Ireland for many years and worked with PETRA on 4 occasions and with their lead singer John Schlitt on a solo tour, John is the lead singer here with Headeast and is one of the nicest people in music. He was a cocaine addict and contemplated suicide and as someone said his wife saved him from "going down for the last time" more accurately she took him to see her Pastor and he became a Christian and the rest is history

[@neillenet291]

When he says I'm going down for the last time it means he's hit rock bottom. Next destination would be death.

[@stevenmedaugh5289]

John Schlitt went on to be one of the most beloved singers of the Christian band Petra. He continues to sing with them as well as Union of Sinners and Saints, Jay Sekulow Band as well as solo stuff too

[@markavell7111]

I wish you guys were alive when this hit the airwaves!!it was Rock and Roll!!

[@827dusty]

This is one of my favorites from the 70s.

[@Jessica_Roth]

Ironically, lead singer John Schlitt (the guy singing the second part; the first singer is the drummer, Steve Huston) was eventually fired from the band for drug abuse. He cleaned up and ended up singing for a Christian group, Petra. Mike Somerville may have written the song, but he spread the wealth around: vocals for Huston and Schlitt, a solo for bassist Dan Birney, and Roger Boyd gets to play with his mini-Moog synthesizer. (Allegedly, the sound we hear is because Boyd recorded the synth part twice and accidentally left both in the mix, and the band liked it that way.) Other songs: "Gettin' Lucky", "Jefftown Creek", their cover of Rick Springfield's "Take a Hand", the cover of Russ Ballard's "Since You Been Gone", and "Don't Let Me Sleep in the Morning", just for starters. Hugely underrated band. (I'd barely heard of them before I started following reactors. Now I'm the Little Expert, lmao.)

[@gibbystreasures8292]

If I am not mistaken , the other singer was the lead singer of the band Rush , and played the keyboards, you can tell in the video they made

[@TheDesertRoseRanch]

This one takes me back to 1975. One of my favorites.

[@concernedcitizen-1958]

Hi Mom and Dad!! Hope you are doing well and everything is going good! I saw Van Halen open for Head East in San Antonio in 1977, excellent show. ✌️ ☮️ ❤️🇱🇷🎼🎵🎶🎸

[@ret.stockbroker663]

WOW! What a show that must have been. We obviously know who came out on top after a year or two but VH blew away almost everyone they ever opened up for in the end.

[@donalddixon6541]

i love how young people have sooooooo much trouble figuring out the meaning of these songs that are so simple to us "O.G.'s"

[@throwback888]

This song is really great when played loud enough for your neighbors to hear.

[@richard_n]

Talk about a blast from the past. I honestly can't tell you the last time I heard this one.

[@surlechapeau]

Brad & Lex, you'll love their "Since You Been Gone"!! It was written by Russ Ballard of Argent and covered by Rainbow.

[@paulrogers4483]

Love the Rainbow cover!!!!!!

[@richardhillebrand5353]

@@paulrogers4483 Even though most relate Since you been gone to Rainbow They only charted in the US at 57 and Headeast charted the song in the US at 46!

[@BrendanTripp]

Synth and cowbell ... what more can you ask for? This was a HUGE album in my college days, with this cut featuring on nearly everybody's party tapes (mid-to-late 70's).

[@glassontherocks]

The Lead singer was hopelessly hooked on cocaine. His Lady helped him recover. This song was about his recovery. These guys played beer gardens all across Illinois back in the day. I hung with their lead guitarist a couple of times and had a little herbage. Great group it brought back some fond memories. Thanks!!

[@2dashville]

I saw them in a converted movie theater in Canton, Michigan. They had taken out the theater seats and put in regular bar tables and served booze. We were right up front. Great show!

[@rodneypaul3035]

@@2dashville Great bars in that area back then.token,studio,center stage,silverbird,babys,odyssey, 24 carot.....

[@2dashville]

@@rodneypaul3035 my sisters hangout was the studio lounge. She married the bartender and is still married to him today. I lived next to Center Stage for a couple of years. Come to think of it I lived behind Studio in the Westland Towers for a couple of years too.

[@rodneypaul3035]

@@2dashville I used to do lights for bogart,Salem and stinger. Just about lived at the studio.

[@2dashville]

@@rodneypaul3035 saw Salem Witchcraft at the Haufbrau. Sounded great!

[@michellereed7303]

Rossington-Collins Band..."Don't Misunderstand Me" another awesome back-n-forth lyric song from same era with great guitar riffs

[@ssRocker-nn3tp]

Great song. 80s Classic. Have the Vinyl.

[@tx_1]

I've been trying to get chat to pick that. I even mention that they were the guitarists & piano player from Lynyrd Skynyrd (survived the plane crash) and that doesn't work. One day we'll get it! We've been trying to get this song played, and it finally won!

[@markdraine3571]

Yes, Michelle . Great vocals from the female on that one .

[@CANDOKNOWHOW]

YESSSS!!! I’ve tried to suggest it SEVERAL TIMES to a few different reacters but no one ever latches onto to and gives it a try. 🤷 “Don’t Misunderstand Me” is the exact song I always pair this tune with on the jukebox at the bar, and the very thing I dropped down here in the comments to suggest. It pairs really well with this tune in sound and style, but as a duet really shines with the male and female vocalists singing to each other. When I was a young teen in the early 80’s I once saw a couple drinking beer in a local bar/grill out this on the juke box and the dance and sing it to each other, and it was as if no one else were in the room. After they left people were commenting on how cool it was, and how much IN LOVE ❤❤❤ they were.. there was a consensus they were likely gonna hurry home to make another baby together! 😂

[@pyroman6000]

Make sure you watch the live video with Travis Tritt trading vocals with Dale! Both of them just slayed that night.

[@dcmanuel7232]

FanTASTic song. I was a small town radio DJ in High School when this came out and I played it way too much.

[@davidtingley9978]

This is one of the most 70's songs.

[@The_Kiosk]

My parents were in a bar band and covered this. Good times. John Schlitt, the lead singer, later joined a popular Christian band called Petra. I have a longtime friend who used to book bands in Nashville and his parents get a Christmas card from Schlitt every year.

[@The_Kiosk]

My friend tells a story that at a Petra show, Schlitt announced that he would be singing one of their songs in Spanish as he could remember those lyrics but not the English language version and said that's why drugs are bad.

[@brucevidito4923]

John Schlitt didn't form Petra. Petra was formed in 1972 by Bob Hartman, John DeGroff, Greg Hough and Bill Glover. John Schlitt didn't join Petra until 1986.

[@meyers7]

Actually Bob Hartman formed Petra. Greg X Volz was the singer for a few years before he left and John Schlitt joined.

[@kylesuperbaby9616]

Saw Petra Live! Great Band!

[@The_Kiosk]

@@meyers7 fixed it. Thanks.

[@toddstevens13]

Head East Live is where you need to go to hear any Head East song. " Prelude to Creek" and then "Jefftown Creek" on Live will blow you away.

[@chadbassalo5293]

Shea stadium

[@meyers7]

One of my favorite songs of all time.

[@stevengarrity9915]

I saw this live in Oklahoma city unbelievable show. 1980 or 81

[@williamjones6031]

This was the last song played at a nightclub I used to go to.

[@randytorres8211]

This was written by Mike Somerville, who was the band's lead guitarist from 1973-1980, and again from 1994-2003. The song is about a guy who returns home - possibly from a tour - and has it out with his woman. The band formed in southern Illinois in 1969 but went through a number of member changes before arriving at their core lineup in 1973. They honed their craft playing colleges and clubs in the midwest, which is where they developed "Never Been Any Reason." According to lead singer John Schlitt, they would sometimes introduce it as a song by Three Dog Night because club owners didn't want them playing original songs. This song, along with the rest of Head East's debut album, was recorded at Golden Voice Recording, a tiny studio in Mike Somerville's hometown of South Pekin, Illinois. Instead of making a demo and pitching it to record companies, they just made the Flat As A Pancake album and released it independently on their own Pyramid Records label in 1974. They produced it themselves, keeping it simple and faithful to the arrangements they honed from playing the songs on the road. When they were done recording, they had 2,000 vinyl copies pressed and sent one to every radio station and promoter in the area they thought might be interested. They ploy worked; "Never Been Any Reason" earned airplay on KSHE in St. Louis and Y-102 in Kansas City, leading to a deal with A&M Records, who signed the band and re-released the album in June 1975. >> Head East charted higher with their next single, "Love Me Tonight," which made #54 US, but "Never Been Any Reason" is by far their most popular song, showing incredible endurance.

[@loudog2326]

KY - 102

[@cabel000]

There are a few bands who give KSHE credit for their success. The old studio had a window that anyone could walk up to and talk to the DJ, suggest a song or just hang out for a few minutes. There is a really good documentary about them.

[@richardhillebrand5353]

The 1974 Flat as a pancake there was only 5000 vinyl pressing and 500 8 tracks! then in 1975 A&M Records signed the band & Re-Recorded Flat as a pancake the difference between the 74 Release & the 75 Release is the covers and side 1 on the A&M Release is on Side 2 on the 1974 release! Have them both!

[@petepotaczek5844]

Mike Sommerville was my buddy! Such a sweet, humble musical genius , guitarist and human being. He passed into rock n roll heaven two years ago and it set me off of the deep end. Flat as a pancake was the soundtrack of my youth and around 39 years ago Mike moved up to Tomahawk, Wisconsin where he met the love of his life, Mary! The are such sweet people! Thanks for keeping mikes music alive, I miss him so!!!

[@mvellis3863]

Good ol' Midwestern 70's rock and roll

[@jeffreyflint6286]

Love this song. The album it's off is called flat as a pancake. Great live too.🤟

[@markgreiser464]

My God I loved growing up , in the 1970's. I saw them live around 1975, with Mother's Finest and Foghat. Great times.

[@matthewgibbs1366]

My mom played this very loud all the time growing up. 🎸💚

[@michaelasay8587]

Love love this song

[@josephgallagher945]

@2:30 Brad got it lol These guys came from Illinoise along with Styx, REO, & Chicago 🤟 next reaction Jefftown Creek 🙏

[@davidogg5269]

Cheap Trick and Survivor were also from Illinois

[@eastportland]

Wow. I appreciate the golden nugget from my ancient history. Peace.

[@davidfranks8458]

Going down for the last time as in drowning

[@williamreiser]

Head East was one of the most underrated bands of the '70s and John Schlitz voice was part of it but of course he later went on to be the lead singer of Petra a Christian rock band and took them from playing little Avenues to Major Arenas worldwide they went from this okay to really kick ass and heavier

[@friedemannkemm63]

John was actually thrown out of head east due to the effects his drug addiction had on him. He reports that at this time, his wife had already become a born again Christian and persuaded him to see the pastor instead of committing suicide. That saved his life. After that, he worked at a normal day job for some years, before he was asked to join Petra.

[@jonathankohns7848]

Petra was already playing some pretty large venues (hockey arenas etc) but Schlitt did keep that going well into the 90s.

[@tomhenson7168]

Love the way Brads eyebrows lifted when they said woman with a good love is better than a white line and then Lex got it the next verse. No truer words have ever been spoken

[@reality1958]

You guys make a really good combo for reactions. Brad breaking down the lyrics/story and Lex the feel of the music.

[@jmwooldridge60]

Great song, and the live version, from 1978, is even better -- even more energy. I saw Head East in San Jose in 1978 with -- of all bands -- Angel.

[@larryhalbrook6874]

I saw these guys in concert in St. Louis, MO back in 1976 and they put on a "Heck" of a show. Along with them there was Fleetwood Mac and The Henry Gross Group performing that night. Henry Gross Group sang their big hit "Shannon". Love your reaction.

[@bradhelms9408]

1975, some bar in Champaign

[@mvellis3863]

Henry Gross album Plug Me Into Something is killer

[@craigmarkowski7156]

I'm from Saint Louis , these guys used to rent a house less than a 1/2 a mile from my childhood home !

[@RealNightmareMan]

The lead singer John Schlitt became the lead singer to the number 1 Christian rock band of all time Petra in 1986 to 2006 when Petra retired as a band. Which interesting fact the singer before him Greg Volx turned down Reo Speedwagon in the 70s to become Petras lead singer. Petra started in 72 some of their music is pretty good you should check them out sometime.

[@lantose]

Got the cassette!

[@richardhillebrand5353]

Speaking of REO when they 1st did Ridin the storm they was using Roger Boyd Keyboard player for headeast player for the beginning of Ridin the storm out!

[@RealNightmareMan]

@@leviles2633 That is your opinion which is fine Petra paved the way for all Christian rock bands because they were the first by that being said they deserve the top spot.

[@jonkrispeterson6678]

Petra is still playing today. Concerts in August and Sept in KY and TN

[@Mary-cz8pf]

My favorite local band does this song all the time. One night the singers of Head East was at 1 of their shows. They got up and sang this song with Superjam. Can you imagine if this happened to you.

[@ericpoirier9735]

Always have liked Head East since back in the day cool song choice by them,, You Both Rock

[@SquirminHermanthe1eyedGerman]

I still have this on 8 track : back in 1982 I bought a '73 Plymouth Fury III & the Head East 8 track was still in the dealer installed under dash 8 track player ✌💖☮

[@theodoreritola7641]

This song came out the same year as Bohemian Rhapsody and Born to run 1975, The 1970s were sooo Good

[@SquirminHermanthe1eyedGerman]

@@theodoreritola7641 I know man & I am glad that I got to live thru them & enjoy a lot of the good stuff

[@Whats-It-To-Ya]

This song instantly reminds me of Dazed And Confused. I swear that movie has the greatest soundtrack of all time.

[@davidogg5269]

"Never Been Any Reason" is also on the soundtrack to the movie "Sahara"

[@todvball]

...more cowbell!!! ~a rocker!!!

[@CRabbit42]

I love how you two sorted this one out. Well done and thanks for giving Head East a listen.

[@tommygun5038]

This song rocks period!

[@keithhorrigan6230]

More cow bell!!

[@waynepimentel1680]

My first concert I think it was 1976 at the ND State Fair in Minot ND. I was in the Air Force, naturally. Why else would I be there!

[@mts982]

This was written by Mike Somerville, who was the band's lead guitarist from 1973-1980, and again from 1994-2003. The song is about a guy who returns home - possibly from a tour - and has it out with his woman.

[@ritchievernon8099]

You know what I hate is when people interrupt the continuity of the song to throw in their comments! Let the song play for crying out loud you can always comment afterward! You blow it for your listeners when you interrupt the song the song needs no interruption it has its own speed strength and continuity and you two should learn from it! 😠🚨

[@ritchievernon8099]

No it's about a man who had a drug addiction problem and if someone doesn't intervene he's going down for the last time! 🙏🎆🚨 Has nothing to do with crime!

[@mts982]

@@ritchievernon8099 who said anything about crime?

[@mts982]

@@ritchievernon8099 they cant, they will get copyright strikes or something like that.

[@tx_1]

This song came out in 1975, before AC/DC's first album. John schlitt (singer) is in a cover band, and they cover this song. Lol. It also has the singer from Kansas (The Jay Sekulow Band). They're pretty good.

[@davidogg5269]

That would be John Elfante, former lead singer from Kansas, a fantastic vocalist. The Jay Sekulow Band does some incredible covers.

[@jnl8389]

You got it right there at the end. It is a song about love. She is going to save him. It’s the 70s baby. It was all about love. I love you two

[@13_13k]

Great Band, great music. Saw them at the World Music Festival in Los Angeles, my very first concert 1978 or 79 I can't remember which. Two days of music in the LA Coliseum. Amazing bands I think 100k people attended

[@nickkleiber8636]

This was recorded in my town and this town has like 1200 people in it. There was a recording studio built, which is still there but not used anymore.

[@ischmidt]

This is an interesting mix of straight ahead rock (Lex said AC/DC, but I also hear Free's "All Right Now") and some prog elements. The prog elements were strong enough that Head East got to open for Rush.

[@shanecrowe5955]

Classic 70's jam. Major party tune back in my day. Yes, i just aged myself, lol, but great tunes never die and i love with youngsters like you two discover them. Peace!

[@SolarTiger]

Being a "one-hit wonder" is better than being a no hit one...and this is one of the greats!

[@richardhillebrand5353]

Never been any reason even though is the bands main connected song only charted at number 68 and Since you been gone charted at 46! Sorry to say Headeast has never had a number 1 hit on the billboard charts!

[@Uncrushed04]

As long as your one hit never gets old like this song.

[@shelbys6572]

love Headeast! Listen to whole album Flat as a pancake. Album rocks!!!

[@timfrazier7589]

A terrific song from a terrific band 🎉🎉

[@willasacco9898]

I think that you guys are right. That is a logical explanation for these lyrics. Thanks for reintroducing me to this song and band.

[@bobbierobinson6269]

I love this song!

[@stevedahlberg8680]

Totally love that song, it was so unique at the time and it was on the radio all the time and people got high to it all the time. But your guys reaction really is cracking me up once again. You guys are hilarious. And Believe Me growing up listening to this I thought of all the various different meanings and more that you guys discussed, laugh.

[@liles52000]

I am a retired dj. The first time I heard this song, I thought damn that is pure Southern rock &roll. I actually thought a female was singing the 2nd. Lead. I was shocked when I found out John Schlitt was singing the whole song. It made me think of David Lee Roth, Robert Plant, etc. Still it is great to hear!

[@harristurner6836]

The overall message of “Never Been Any Reason” is the importance of letting go and finding closure after experiencing heartbreak. The lyrics encourage listeners to move forward, accept the past, and seek a brighter future. It serves as a reminder that despite the pain, there is always hope for a fresh start.

[@pixie5355]

Not sure if this has already been said....but the singer of this song later went on to be lead singer for a Christian band called Petra. His name is John Schlitt. He also had at least a couple of solo albums as a Christian artist.

[@mikesanders4362]

One of my favorite songs growing up...Head East has St Louis connections too

[@maxbrazil3712]

Women back in the day LOVED this tune.

[@karenmandeville7116]

i saw them for a quarter in a bar in northwest illinois. there was a blizzard that day, and only about 6 of us there. they played this whole album and did an awesome job!!

[@karenmandeville7116]

course, that was 1974.

[@floridajim]

Back in the 70's this song came out about the time people were noticing something was not right with some (not all) of the troops coming back from Vietnam. Violent outbursts, refusal to talk about what happened, heroin addiction, emotional distance from friends & family, suicides - stuff never talked about in public before. It very well may have been written about the lead singer's battle with drugs, but read the lyrics and you'll know why it resonated with returning vets & families, especially the wives & mothers dealing with addiction.

[@dano9008]

This got sooooo much radio play when I was young. I don't know if it was a DJs fav or if it really got requested that much, but it was excessive where I lived.

[@jackempson3044]

Mike Sommerville was the guitar player. He sadly passed a couple years ago. Nice guy and smart guy. He wrote this song.

[@grogueQ]

When this song came out, my brother's girlfriend's cousin bought the album from a guy who went to school with Head East's roadie's podiatrist, which to me, makes this song one of the songs of all time.

[@jeffsummers1894]

Great song

[@4tuneagent]

Great choice doing some Head East!.. They have some more excellent tunes, "Love Me Tonight ", "Lovin' Me Along", "Since You've Been Gone", and "Open Up The Door".. thanks.

[@davidogg5269]

"Jefftown Creek" is another banger by Head East, a coming of age story from the Flat as a Pancake album. Also, "Get Up and Enjoy Yourself" is another great Head East tune that will get your toes tappin'.

[@shelbys6572]

Headeast is fantastic! Off Flat as a Pancake Album. He's talking about a girl who doesn't love him but he's in love. He said you never gave me a reason to think about you. He said that meaning she never loved him anyway

[@RanchHanded]

Head East came from near the St. Louis area (well, closer than to other cities anyway - we claimed them 😅). This used to be a staple on local K-SHE 95 radio. I think he just means she oughta be his girl and is being dramatic about asking.

[@sbrenner2561]

Great song.

[@shelter9236]

Got to see them in concert in college in the early 70s so was a great show, went out and bought Flat as a Pancake album and still have it. Great album, would put it on getting ready to party back in the 80s, LOL...great memories. They had one of those keyboard guitars too which was unusual back then as well. I believe they are still performing. Also had a keyboard synthesizer that could be strapped on and played.

[@theodoreritola7641]

Neve been any reason Came out in 1975 . The ASS kickn 1970s

[@suzycreamchez123]

Nice to see the younger generation enjoy a song I enjoyed in high school.

[@qhl5579]

We got an actual Keyboard Lex, "PeurrrWee" sound she always describes on 80s tunes. Hilarious!!

[@tscully1504]

Nice choice. This album was a favorite of mine in High School.

[@Jason67-c4m]

Flat as a pancake is an underappreciated album!! Loved it when I was a child!! Still do @56❤

[@davemcbroom695]

This was my jam in junior high.

[@michaelhammond4957]

Head East is a band you want to hear live, their self titled live album will blow your mind, same songs but so much better!

[@georgegalbraith9899]

Saw them 3 time,, last time was in 1998 on their 25th Anniversary Tour,, got a t shirt with autograghs and my ticket with their autographs too,, Great band to see in concert,, the keyboard player is the only remaining original members

[@spykatt]

That's Merrill Osmond singing co-lead vocals ("I've been walking behind you...) on the song.

[@anvilseventy-six7715]

Damn this is a song we use to jam loud when were in high school in the 90's . Now it's badass hotrods, lowriders, & my catagory Harley side. Pretty cool .😼🤘🇺🇸🥃🍺🍻😎

[@Rayray-kj9cc]

My dad grew up with one of the guys from Illinois way back when! Great reaction!!

[@denomane7962]

RUSH VIBES

[@Sunshine-wm9jp]

The song refers to a soldier who’s going back to a second Vietnam tour, hence the lines “Did you see any action/Did you make any friends?” He feels he may not return (“Save my life, I’m going down for the last time”), so he reasons that “It could bring a good feeling I ain’t had in such a long time”; therefore, he accepts the woman’s proposition.

[@slimguru]

Loved this song when I was a teenager although we used to change the lyrics. Save = Shave. Life = Wife.

[@cripes3333]

Brilliant lyric change!😂

[@randallpetersen9164]

"Head East"? Wow, you guys really dig deep. This song is fire but I never really thought the band was that popular outside of where I lived.