EPIC! 🎵 Billy Squier "The Stroke" REACTION

This is our first time listening to Billy Squier. The Stroke is not the typical 80s sound we're starting to get used to, but we're not mad about it lol.
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Original #BillySquier #TheStroke video: • Billy Squier - The Stroke
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[@wompa70]

It’s about record companies stroking the egos of musicians while they screw them over in the contracts. Billy Squier has some really great rock songs.

[@jackndew2]

Exactly right

[@katelynneshouse2834]

EXACTLY CORRECT!

[@andrewspam]

Not just record companies, the entire business world at this time was about “The Stroke” (and cocaine).

[@bjhardigan4149]

The rumor I heard was the stroke was an inuendo for male masterbation

[@C.V._McCullar]

This, and the interjections were from studio execs. At this point he had heard it all.

[@annaoswald5943]

I knew Lex would like this one but it's a bonus when Brad likes it just as much. The stroke Billy is talking about is an ego stroke. I'm pretty sure in reference to the game the music industry plays. Similar message as Pink Floyd's "Have a Cigar".

[@michaelmacdermott6340]

Yep another word for schmooze!

[@MS-jc9sy]

Nailed it

[@byronfleener3408]

@music-two-my-ears if you saw him live, the routine with the mic stand gives you that impression.

[@williammckern1442]

"The Stroke" is Billy Squier's sarcastic and cynical take on sleazy record company executives trying to take advantage of musicians - stroking their egos to con them. Check out "The Big Beat" by Billy Squier. The drum part has been sampled between 300 and 400 times. He's still making money from it 40 years later.

[@ebw7060]

Back when Bands made record companies a ton of cash and the band still owed them money.

[@dizastro5437]

I think this comment has the brain behind it. Well said.

[@bigchris7709]

Classic 'break beat'...

[@swampwitch6133]

It really did show record execs did and still do sleezy stuff with the acts they sign and how they are treated.

[@swampwitch6133]

@@ebw7060 It was really horrible because people thought all these acts were getting rich the truth is the records companies weren't paying them shit and keeping the profits for themselves some of them were literally getting paid pennies on the dollar for what they were owed for their work.

[@kathyjam2482]

This was played at the roller rink all the time, it was a jam.

[@georgiahouston8163]

LOL i just thought the same thing... love it..

[@Itelkner]

Just after I stopped going lol

[@melaniejordan1199]

Yes!!!!!!!

[@stefaniebrauer128]

Facts. Just commented the same thing Kathy. 😂😂🤘🏼🤘🏼🤘🏼

[@kathyjam2482]

@@stefaniebrauer128 ha ha🤣

[@shawnkelly1531]

IMHO, Billy Squier is criminally underappreciated - his early 80's output has some great rockers, and as Brad mentions it's a bit harder edged than a lot of rock/pop from that time.

[@armorer94]

Part of the problem was Billy's output. He was notoriously difficult to work with. He did himself no favors. Many bridges were burned in his career.

[@ironhandyman]

The video for stroke me didn't help. Still I had his albums.

[@dizastro5437]

Christmas is a time to say I love you!

[@jonnyyen7169]

Also, as a guitar player gotta say the guitars on his albums sound AMAZING!

[@michaelrstover]

His albums are very listenable from start to finish.

[@ralphfiligenzi6180]

So cool you are reacting to Billy Squier. check out his other songs like "Lonely is the Night", "In The Dark" "My Kinda Lover" "Everybody Wants You".

[@stefaniebrauer128]

All GREAT suggestions my friend! 🤘🏼🤘🏼🤘🏼🤘🏼🤘🏼🤘🏼🤘🏼🤘🏼

[@jamesgallerani2271]

He is from my hometown. When the town was closing the high school to build a new one, they had a final concert and invited anyone who had been in the program. Billy came and played his hits, just him and a guitar. Cool guy.

[@brianforgie7724]

Billy Squier was no joke. Remember when he first came out he was a big deal for a good reason. Video killed him. Saw him live back in the day dude was entertaining. Good one for you. A man and his guitar is the best Peace

[@YandTIII]

Pride of Wellesley, MA.

[@mikecaetano]

"The Stroke" was huge when I was a freshman in high school, but radio overplay soured me on the tune. When you're ready for more from Billy Squier check out "Lonely Is The Night" and "In the Dark", two Led Zeppelin-esque songs that hold up well all these years later.

[@DHFHades]

that whole album was pretty awesome, but I feel ya on this song being played out.

[@Cadinho93]

You guys should react to… Billy Squier - Lonely Is The Night 🎸🤘

[@boki1693]

I agree, I think it's his beast song.

[@riotgrrlpainting]

You both right

[@Mike-ky9jz]

"In the Dark" was my favorite Billy Squire song. Great album overall

[@kennethdecker1462]

In the dark is freaking awesome!

[@TheMilford]

This whole record is a masterpiece. EVERY GODDAMNED SONG… but In the Dark is fave too.

[@jdwelborn]

Biily Squier wrote this about the record industry STROKING his EGO

[@philliponfri7938]

Got to do more Billy. Emotions in Motion is good.

[@jxenciso]

Great song.

[@Eric4471066]

This song is pure rock and roll!!! This was Billy Squire's debut hit from 1981. The song peaked at #16 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

[@realBkay]

Every song on DON’T SAY NO and EMOTIONS IN MOTION is a good song. Billy at his best.

[@hibhibb5429]

I AGREE!!! Both of those albums were so underrated. They were perfection!!

[@shannonbrigante5764]

Everybody Wants You.. 80s perfection 🤌🏻

[@bostonvair]

I wholeheartedly agree with Diana Williams below. You absolutely must react to Everybody Wants You and Lonely is the Night. Great songs. (Also "In the Dark").

[@georgiahouston8163]

they used too play this song, all the time, at the skating rink in the 70-80s... lol Love it.,

[@TheSupernaturalWolf41]

Song that every muscle car guy played in 80s and into the 90s.

[@christhrasher9892]

Grand Funk Railroad - Inside Looking Out Live 1969. 3 white dudes with funk, rock, and soul. You will love it.

[@brianbruce8398]

If you like 80s music- one of the best rock tunes was Jefferson Starship- Jane.

[@ShaunHensley]

Hell yes

[@jasonpellegrino7850]

Toto liked that song too, thats why they wrote "Hold the Line".

[@lantose]

One of my favorite 80’s song, as Mickey Thomas could sing like no other. Once he sang Fooled Around and Fell in Love, Elvin Bishop lost him to Starship! Also one of my favorite guitarist Craig Chaquico plays a screaming solo also.

[@supra1903]

As others have pointed out, this song is about the relationship with record executives and taking advantage of the groups/artists. This came to reality with Billy and the subsequent tumultuous relationship he had with Capitol Records. It started with his 1986 release, Enough Is Enough, then came 1989's Hear And Now, 1991's Creatures Of Habit, but it finally came to a head with 1993's Tell The Truth. In the early 1990's, there was a huge phenomenon of music coming out of the Pacific Northwest, called Grunge. Capitol Records tried to steer Billy in that direction for his next release at the time, which came to fruition as Tell The Truth. Billy was not wanting to go in that direction and he begrudgingly released it and his frustration was reflected in the title of the album and the first song from it, Angry (a hard rocker; great song too). In what could be considered a metaphor, regarding the song The Stroke and the meaning behind it, Billy was very smart on the business side, as he owns all the rights to his music in his catalog --- how often do we see groups/artists that don't have a lot or went broke because they signed all the rights/royalties away early in their career? Also, his song The BIg Beat, from his debut release, 1980's The Tale Of The Tape, is the most sampled song in history.

[@tinylvis]

They are likely confused because the lyrics in that video are wrong.

[@19HuskyWolf70]

Billy Squier - In The Dark Best of the best

[@kdpflush]

That strange bit near the end is part of "The Song of the Volga Boatmen", a Russian folk song.

[@thewiseoldherper7047]

The song fits perfectly with the beat Squire has created. But I’ve always wondered if there were any other reasons for putting that in the music. This was still the era of the Soviet Union and the Cold War. Americans connected that folk song to a Communist regime at that time.

[@homerwimberly8693]

One of our party tunes back in the day.

[@tinagriggs1004]

I have this album in vinyl. My boyfriend back in 1982 bought it for me. I was in the hospital recuperating from a wreck, and he brought it in to me to cheer me up. Haha. :)

[@showtime4243]

Billy Squire was an early 80s rockstar with a unique bluesy groovy sound and was one of my favorites in high school !! Great song to react to !!

[@scottsiebert76]

I was blessed to listen to Billy Squier in the 80s growing up! My Dad used to rock this all over the place and I even had it on vinyl! Love it!

[@richellewest402]

A staple at the skating rink when I was a kid! Billy Squier is one of my favorites

[@sumonjamal1653]

Billy Squire - 'Everybody wants you' 🔥🔥🔥 If u got an ex u r mad at for cheating? That's for you to jam on!😁

[@bjonwong]

Yeah Billy Squier's pretty sick. He actually has done a couple collaborations with Freddie Mercury back in the day that never really got released but you can still find on KZbin. And I dunno if you guys listen to Eminem, but Eminem sampled this song in his song Berzerk!!

[@kevincarpenter8194]

His song "The Big Beat" was one of the most sampled songs in hip hop at one time.

[@stefaniebrauer128]

Was 12 when this came out and my friends and I LOVED it!! Roller skated to it, hung out to it, never having got what it was about. 😆😂😂😂😂

[@steveparker8065]

Two nuns walking down the street, suddenly a streaker ran past. The one nun had a stroke, the other nun couldn't reach. Badumtsh.

[@RSpracticalshooting]

Ziiiiing

[@surlechapeau]

B&L, Billy's "My Kinda Lover" is next for you!!!

[@Golddust427]

I saw Billy do this at the Cotton Bowl, before a Who concert. The Dallas Cowboy Cheer Leaders performed with him. I wondered what the neighbors thought when they heart thousands of people singing "stroke me".

[@kimberlinibambini1988]

Definitely takes me back to our towns roller rink!! WE ALL got on that floor and got down on our skates back in the day! One of the “IT” songs!!! And HIT on the charts as well! Love it! 🛼 🛼 ❤️💙👍✌️

[@carthuscrass2343]

If you guys haven't done them yet, I'd like to recommend Mike and the Mechanics, The Living Years and Silent Running are my favorites but they've got a lot of good ones and a unique sound.

[@kellybarthel8060]

Such great songs! And if silent running is not the song of our time now I don't know what is.

[@bryanknutson1846]

Billy is on of my favorite artists of all time. Couldn’t smash that like button enough times.

[@jacksonmarshallkramer5087]

Killer jam. I was so fortunate to have been a teen in the 80s. Started playing the electric guitar to this music in 1985. Was 15. I was obsessed. 30 plus years later I still play this stuff. This is the good stuff. I've seen every rock band you cover in concert. Good stuff.

[@Zundfolge]

Billy Squier was basically a 70s performer trapped in the 80s.

[@Itelkner]

Haha he gave 80s pop-rock 70s street cred

[@supra1903]

Not sure about that -- he proved he could evolve, as he had a few releases that went thru 1998.

[@erikthompson619]

I disagree. I would place him in the same category, though with his own style, as Bryan Adams. Who, obviously, did quite well in the 80s.

[@bojangles713]

Well freakin put ! 👍🤘

[@bilysquier]

No way. He was 100% an 80s rocker. 70s rock was so wimpy (in general), Squier kicked a$$, louder, harder and stronger than 70s stuff. Plus he actually used keyboards!

[@babaoriley1]

Too bad Billy didn't tell Kenny Ortega to get lost with his video concept for, "Rock me tonight". That was the cluster that ended Billy's career.

[@mikemclaughlin3306]

Shame too..... I remember seeing it, and being like... WTF is this?

[@Itelkner]

Kenny did some cool work with the Tubes, but he did poor Billy no favors...

[@rare_wulf9358]

After that video , he could not fill stadiums anymore, to Billy credit he did not want to do this video, but finally gave in to the record company demands,

[@frankhagerman3502]

Like others have noted "The Stroke" was an OK Squier song but other material was better. "in the Dark", "Lonely is the Night", "Everybody Wants You". Some of his best material was with the band Piper, hard to find, but some really solid songs on their 2 albums.

[@Itelkner]

I won the first Piper album at a record store giveaway. Solid stuff. A little later, Billy was everywhere.

[@kimhubbard826]

I got to see him in concert, open up for Queen! He was fabulous!

[@annpilgrim7685]

Billy is an 70s/80s Legend 🙌🏼

[@rellek64]

Seen Billy Squier open for The Who at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas Texas 1982 during this song he had three cheerleaders shaking their groceries on the drum riser

[@greg2976]

IN THE DARK!!!! By far the best Billy Squier song!

[@GT-ry1cv]

It's about how executives, primarily in music and entertainment, stroke the talents ego. The term comes from when you stroke (pet) an animal you know how they perk up and feel all cool.

[@gheller2261]

Very first concert I went to with friends was Billy Squier at the Meadowlands in 1984. Ratt opened up. I was huge into him.

[@joycemullins3233]

I LOVE BILLY SQUIER!!! You have to check out "My Kinda Lover", "Don't Say You Love Me", "She's a Runner"... too many great ones to list! :)))

[@DonnieRockett]

this jam was huuuuuge the summer between 8th and 9th grade. remember sitting on my towel at the pool hearing this. good times.

[@TenTonNuke]

My weekend visitations with my dad were definitely filled with jean jackets, Corvettes, and Billy Squier.

[@Valorius]

This is right up Lex's alley. Always loved Billy Squier. Great driving fast music.

[@karengoodenough827]

The casino I worked at had a DJ on weekends, I used to request this and dedicate it to my craps crew, they call cheap non tipping customers who require a lot of work strokers, it always lightened the mood when they were dealing with some bad customers,

[@johnnie3Chords]

I saw Billy Squier open for Queen , I had seats in the first row , then I saw Def Leppard open for Billy Squier several months later , I had seats in the third row for that concert , both shows were at The Spectrum , Philly , Pa .

[@jewls9697]

Wow! Finally! I've been trying to get this song & Everybody Wants You, Forever!! Thank you!

[@michellehawkins2865]

One of the Best Singers who was so underrated. Love His Songs. ❤😊

[@MAGAchick63]

Billy squire was in a band called Piper before he was solo. They opened for KISS a long time ago. “Can’t Wait” was a good one

[@sarahdixon1943]

He has such great music. Love his stuff. Lonely is the Night is one of his best.

[@dawnwhite6071]

Love love Billy Squier! One of my favorites from back in the day ❤️

[@TammyM36]

Billy Squier was the man! Definitely groovy rock

[@robertmcpherson7816]

Hi Brad and Lex - Greetings from Canada! I've watched reactions on a number of sites over the past few years, but have to tell you that nothing has affected me as much as Lex's positive attitude, enthusiasm and pure joy in the music. Brad, you are one blessed man to be exploring music with such a marvellous partner. Lex, thank you so much for making watching the reaction sessions so enjoyable. Very best regards to both of you. Rob

[@jessevelasquez5293]

Billy Squier is like the Pied Piper he will make you follow him right until the END!

[@nflr92]

I'm constantly transported back to high school with your music choices.....

[@frndofbear]

Makes me think of All Night Bowling with good friends back in the late 70's early 80's. We would ALWAYS play this on the jukebox while playing Galata arcade game!

[@oceanbluebandflorida]

2nd band i ever saw live Aug 1980 at the old Miami Baseball stadium in Overtown

[@Rasmuth]

Saw Billy and his band open for Queen in the earlyish 1980's...he was amazing

[@BlackHatCinephile]

Great choice. I first heard it at a pool party when I was a teenager.

[@rhondamcbath6279]

One of the hidden treasures of all time, THAT'S BILLY SQUIRE!! This man didn't let the music monster's of the industries take from him, what these music labels have done to so many other artists. What these labelers, think of, Sony, Decca, RCA, and numerous others, they tell singers, bands, groups, that they want to sign them to a record deal, and because of course who doesn't want a record deal? Once you signed on the dotted line, these people have you by the "balls"!! Literally, if you don't follow everything that you signed up for then these producers will ruin their lives!! You both need to go online and look into the battle BILLY SQUIRE had to go to war with these blood sucking people of the music industry. You'll be amazed of what this one man did to call out what these people were able to do, the rotten lies they use to sign big name people such as Billy. I love that he alone fought the good fight to bring down what the music monster's we're all about!!! I hope that you react to more of Billy Squires music because to be truthful I've ask many other Reactors to please do some of his music. Thanks for the uploads... 🎶🎶🎶🎶

[@gregcollins7602]

Billy Squire is underrated. His career was killed by MTV. My days in high school we would sing "slowly stroke me" for the chorus. Lol late 70's and early 80s were wild.

[@gnomeofwar]

Simple structure with an awesome rocking groove.

[@mikepaulus4766]

Billy Squire has a good Christmas song called Christmas Is The Time To Say I Love You. There's only one version, live at the MTV studio.

[@IZZY_EDIBLE]

Do IN THE DARK! Do EVERYBODY WANTS YOU! Do LONELY IS THE NIGHT! Do MY KINDA LOVER! Do ROCK ME TONIGHT!

[@brandimodrak461]

Love Billy you need to show the videos he was big in 80's, but he started in the 70's. Much love 💘

[@trickhayproductions]

stroke me means like butter then up or make them feel good so you can get your way, such as getting a job. You butter them up so you can get the job.

[@pbdez0623]

according to Squier in an interview with VH1, the song is actually about the music business. Squier admits a Queen influence in this song, and Queen's guitarist Brian May was at one point slated to produce the album. When May backed out because of scheduling conflicts, Reinhold Mack, who produced Queen's album The Game, stepped in. In a 1982 interview with Sounds magazine, he said: "I've listened to Queen ever since their first album, I've known them for ten years, and I think they're very innovative and done a lot of things that I like -

[@mgordon1100]

I remember when we first heard Billy Squire back then, coming off of The Game in 1980, I thought at least that Squire sometimes sound like Queen and sometimes Led Zeppelin.

[@jaybirdmansmith]

Billy Squire was my first concert i went to with my dad and brother when i was 13 yrs. old. it was a small Arena, but it was an awesome show! Nazareth opened for him, which i think is odd now looking back, but i think he was more mainstream than they were. I also didn't know who they were until i heard "Hair of the Dog"! ha ha!! I saw him years later at a small meet and greet at Barnes & Noble where he talked about his music and himself and played acoustic songs which was amazing! He was very intelligent, well spoken, and poetic! A lot deeper than I expected, much respect to Billy Squire!

[@vicgonzalesable]

I believe Brad & Lex were 1st to react to billy squier? More plz

[@davidtemple5934]

Gave you a thumbs up purely because you brought back some distant memories , remember when this came out and was massive even at the rock discos I used to go to . yes in the u.k in the 80s we had rock discos !

[@marilynk30]

Everybody Wants You and My Kind of Lover are also bangers! Love it! 💚💙💜

[@fccrick]

Saw Billy back in 1983 in Portland believe it or not Def Leppard opened for him. Great Great concert....

[@cherylhaynes3960]

Oh my! Billy! I had a HUGE crush on him in junior high. Him in those jeans in the official video! Damn!

[@brobinson7978]

Saw Billy with Queen back in 1980. Great show.

[@mortisnoctu]

Lex is grooving so hard LOLLL :)

[@Jd-im4my]

Got to see Billy back in the day and it was incredible it was a great live show. This was a true Banger back in the day.

[@rsw1227]

BILLY SQUIRE: "Whadda You Want From Me?" Is very Zeppelin-like. "Learn How To Live" "She's A Runner"

[@steviekc9057]

One time we had a department white elephant exchange. The gifts that year had to be "things around your house". I brought in a used Billy Squire CD and 1/2 a bottle of Malibu.

[@katheysharp9550]

Saw him in concert too!! Hes extremely tall. My fav by him is Lonely is the Night

[@miguelbotelho2613]

This was total 80s pop rock and you guys have an 80s Spirit

[@davidd3948]

My first concert. Billy Squire and Nazareth. Billy rocked.

[@Land-Shark]

I saw Billy Squier in concert back in the 80's when this was a brand new song. He does an awesome live performanc, and has so many great songs.

[@vernhoke7730]

I had the chance to see Billy twice back in the day. First as the main act in 1981 and again as the opening act for Queen, at Madison Square Garden, in 1982. This song got the crowd going both times. Some other songs of his you might enjoy ar "Lonely is the Night", "In the Dark", "She's a Runner", "Everybody Wants You" & "Don't Say No".

[@artiedeko]

It's about how people you meet that try to "stroke" your ego to take advantage of you.

[@terrymills810]

Saw Billy Squier in concert he was great

[@BossDM-2]

I remember these records. Billy Squire was on such a roll about 5 or 6 years then. Just about every song rocked. There were so many hits as others have already commented on here.

[@GinaGeeILuvu]

I like this song. Check out Billy Squiers song, "Rock Me Tonight" w/official video! The eighties was the best decade because there was such a wide variety of music! Like Billy Joel sang, "Hot funk, cool punk, even if it's old junk, It's still Rock and Roll to me". 💖💖

[@waynestark2457]

Glad you reacted to this song. Great reaction. Even I learned more about it - - what a concept that perhaps it was the guitar singing “stroke me.” Love it!

[@alanbeil8650]

I’ve been watching you guys for a few months now and I don’t subscribe to channels. I just had to with you. You guys are ying and Yang. Love your free spirit Lex.

[@fku76]

Never commented. Y'all got me loving your reactions. I do feel old cause I did rock out to the stroke when I was 8!

[@44mickd]

Its one of those songs that you just don’t dig into the lyrics too much just feel the groove.

[@mountaingator7673]

So glad to see you heading down the Billy Squier rabbit hole .. I'm gonna echo the suggestion of Lonely Is The Night, also In The Dark, My Kinda Lover, Everybody Wants You ...

[@broodhunter2]

"It’s about record companies stroking the egos of musicians while they screw them over in the contracts." This is exactly right.