My first experience with SAGA - Reaction and Vocal Analysis featuring "On the Loose"

Yet another Canadian band I hadn't heard... until today! We're listening to SAGA and the brilliant vocals of Michael Sadler in the song "On the Loose."
Watch the original video uninterrupted: • Saga - On the Loose (O...
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#saga #reaction #vocalcoach

[@seanmcnally5560]

Saga has never received their due praise. Thanks for shining the light on a truly underrated band.

[@Non-ToxicGeekery-eo5ws]

I just saw these guys in concert last night. Michael Sadler is around 70 now and his voice is actually even better than it was back then. It's unreal how talented these guys are.

[@jimzazzera9516]

they're back? I thought they "retired". good to hear.

[@CarlCumby]

@@jimzazzera9516 short lived "retirement" in 2017, these guys have no other way to make money if they're not calling themselves Saga, very few people know who Michael Sadler is.

[@Jasper0o0]

Thank you for doing this. A lot of Canadian bands get overlooked.

[@brokl26]

What Canadian band that remotely hit is overlooked? Each band, from any location, tends to receive all the attention they deserved, unless an unforeseen event occurred. If a band doesn’t hit, it’s almost always the band’s own fault. I’m so tired of hearing about the label, management and any other scapegoat. The truth is, bands have options. If bands didn’t have options, very few would ever be heard. Bands need to push the product. Play live. Write songs. Play live. Nobody wanted to hear the music Rush was playing. They stuck to it. Wrote songs. Played live. Opened for lesser bands for a decade. Wrote. Played. Over and over. If writing isn’t working, write better songs. Read books, talk to other musicians, write better songs. KISS wrote, played, wrote, played. If you don’t fit in a genre, so what. Make your own genre. The Art Of Noise was an avant-garde group with odd videos and songs. Push the product until the audience finds you. Punk blew up with so many bands having no real musical skills. Keep playing live. Pay your own way. Small clubs in odd towns. Get enough cash to survive until the next town. If your band isn’t getting anywhere, but you still want to, find a different band. Options are available. Canada has ridiculous bands. Ridiculous band. So many. Rush Triumph Aldo Nova (a dude) Honeymoon Suite BTO The Guess Who Loverboy (yuck, but huge) Tragically Hip April Wine A Foot In Cold Water (so amazing) Helix Celine KD Lang Leonard Cohen (greatest of them all) And that’s just what I could come up with. I’m from Montana and in the 80s, I watched MuchMusic, on satellite tv, as much or more than I watched MTV because the Canadian channel played a bit of good rock music early on. As well as tunes and bands new to me. The channel also banned some videos like one of the W.A.S.P. tunes. (Blind in Texas, I believe) If you happened to have read my whole comment, your only takeaway should be this: brokl26 might be an idiot. There’s a good chance.

[@charlesgarnhum6963]

Like Haywire

[@1olddirtroad]

Not by me

[@charlesgarnhum6963]

@@brokl26 Hey check out Haywire Band PEI and give them a try! Their guitar player Marvin Birt is up there with the other great guitar rock legends!

[@joelhoulette3244]

@@brokl26 chilliwack

[@DavidLazarus]

Honestly, it's about darn time Saga is getting some recognition! They are one of the most underappreciated bands in the industry. Michael Sadler is a classically trained vocalist and, IMO, one of the best out there in the realm of rock 'n' roll! Ian Crichton, who is entirely self-taught, has a very unique style and is a brilliant guitarist; yet, very underappreciated. Jim Gilmour is not only a fantastic keyboard player; in addition, he has created some of the most unique keyboard sounds over the years. Saga deserved to fill stadiums from the 80s to present! How they just have a cult following is absolutely criminal! As for a song recommendation, I say The Cross from their Generation 13 album; which is a phenomenal concept album!

[@ericjohnson2083]

Crazy thing is that they put out a live version of this song 4 or five years ago and he sounded even better!

[@jopay142]

They have a wide inventory of good songs. Personnally, "Wind Him Up" and "Scratching The Surface" are my all-time favorites.

[@mightyV444]

'Scratching The Surface' also is one of my own SAGA favourites 🤩👍

[@KWACanada]

Wind Him Up. Only Saga could get away with writing a song about a gambling addiction.

[@mightyV444]

@@KWACanada - When this song first came out, I was only 11 and only just started to learn English at school (I live in NZ but am originally German) and had absolutely no idea what he was singing about 😄 That happened only 10 years later, when SAGA suddenly popped up in my life again and I really got into them this time, too 😁 Great and unusual lyrics also in other songs, like 'The Perfectionist'! 😀👍

[@rockinrobbie1968]

Humble Stance is better than all of them.

[@mightyV444]

@@rockinrobbie1968 - If one is YOU, then yes, sure! 😄 Myself, I like other songs better on that first album alone! 😊

[@EdValencia]

The most underated band ever. They were huge in Germany and Latin America, but somehow the U.S. market just missed them. My favorite album is "Heads or Tails". Saw them live back in 1983 in Caracas Venezuela.

[@edwinjahnes2739]

Who are you talking about?

[@EdValencia]

@@edwinjahnes2739 Joe Biden

[@user-yw5rq4rz7l]

I wouldn't say they only have a few hit songs

[@cocoboobenstein]

I may have never found them if it wasn’t for the old MTV, when they played real music videos and hadn’t started with all the reality TV nonsense.

[@michaelt3308]

@@EdValencia FJB

[@jmcd4999]

Michael Sadler is a great vocalist. One of my favorites bands and they are still active putting out great albums.

[@mightyV444]

Great vocalist and also multi-instrumentalist! 😊

[@takaorobinson8719]

I love it when you get excited over the songs. You can stop and go back to a part a hundred times and I wouldn't mind. Just seeing your smile is worth it.

[@robertcobras8320]

This band is still going, 23 albums to date... and they actually have a story told throughout their albums (The Chapters). They are a prog band through and through, and so severely under-rated. So happy that people are now starting to discover this band

[@michel_g]

Thank you for the Canuk love! 1981 was the year I graduated from high school and this song was a big part of my "soundtrack" at the time. The Rush and Triumph reactions have been great and I agree that April Wine would be another worthy stop for your Canadian journey. All this nostalgia is terrific!

[@kayagon]

definitely need an April Wine reaction.

[@vincentlara4563]

I graduated high school in 1982 and 100% agree with you!

[@sc4hawx1967]

Terrific song.....terrific band that doesn't get a lot of love

[@mightyV444]

...except from Germany 😊

[@JoeWilger]

@@mightyV444- This is the first time I've heard a reactor analyze / listen to SAGA. Another great song / video is "Wind Him Up"

[@mightyV444]

​@@JoeWilger- The _Hanier Family_ channel had reacted to 'Wind Him Up' last year 🙂

[@choosecarefully408]

@@mightyV444 The reason for this is bizarre: American music company promoters got this Great Idea into their heads that they would Only Promote Canadian bands & artists In Canada. Isn't that _brilliant? They had a market 10 X the size that spoke the same language that they smartly decided to exclude. _Genius!_ I mean *look* at these guys. There is No Way they wouldn't have made it huge with that sound & the lead singer's presence had it not been for this. Bands with less than this going for them made it. Also, there was another consideration. Because large Canadian cities are few & far between, playing the country live by itself didn't turn much of a profit. So this idiotic policy made it virtually impossible for these bands to sustain themselves because in the U.S. market they had to compete with other bands getting their radio time. *All* the Canadian artists we're more familiar with are from _BEFORE_ the 80s. Neil Young, Joni Mitchell, Rush. If anyone wants to see an act that was almost impossible to _NOT_ rise to stardom in the video age with even a tiny bit of promotion, check out kzbin.info/www/bejne/p5apnmCogppkgZY. Talk about a Missed Opportunity.

[@paulpadilla6913]

@@mightyV444 Lots of love in Germany. They play here all the time. I saw them last year in Munich and will be seeing them again this year in June. , Michael and the entire band still sound great!

[@a.andrewhussey6403]

You’re appreciating Canadian bands, lovely. You wanna experience another great underrated band with an amazing singer. Streetheart!

[@pdcrmr]

Love the reaction to one of my faves from back in the day. Suddenly, I feel slightly less weird.

[@erictripton]

Saga were refreshing! Michael Sadler's voice is Epic! Great songs I was 15 when this hit the FM stations. Great progessive guitar

[@sandrolaurignano2461]

Next up,April Wine.R.I.P. Myles Goodwyn.

[@georgewallerlll496]

Would love to hear her reaction to "Roller", or "Sign of the Gypsy Queen" from April Wine!

[@sandrolaurignano2461]

@georgewallerlll496 ,Just between you and me is where Myles' voice shines best IMO,I like to rock is also great.Such an under appreciated band.

[@correctlyrics]

I'm dying to hear her opinion on Myles' voice. I'd go with "Roller" because he does so many different voice elements in that one song. Plus, the song rocks and the triple guitar solos will blow her away

[@sandrolaurignano2461]

@correctlyrics ,True,I like to rock is another great one,paying homage to the Beatles and Stones with Day Tripper/Satisfaction/I Like to Rock riff played together is genius.

[@sadtomato7262]

I vote for "Say Hello"

[@alexhicks5889]

I love how Michael Sadler's voice has a natural mixture of cutting high end and chesty depth.

[@johnrust592]

Thank you for giving me a new appreciation for how awesome this song is.

[@rogeriorengifo2874]

They performed a few days ago in Caracas Venezuela, and they continue to be virtuosos with an impeccable sound, the truth is admirable how much talent. A concert that is always worth seeing ♥️🙏

[@ClassicTVMan1981X]

I have heard of them for awhile. "On the Loose" was the band's only U.S. Top 40 hit, going to number 26 in February 1983. It was taken from the band's fourth album, Worlds Apart, which was first released in 1981 in Canada, but had only been released here (the U.S.) as of October 1982. As others have said, they had quite a few great songs, including "Humble Stance," "How Long," "Images at Twilight (Chapter One)", "It's Time! (Chapter Three)", "Don't Be Late (Chapter Two)", "Careful Where You Step," "Wind Him Up," "No Regrets (Chapter Five)", "The Flyer" and "Scratching the Surface."

[@AManCalledMoose]

Definitely an 80s song. Has a great driving beat, synth strings , a very 'hooky' vocal line and the freedom and brightness of the new wave of music that came out of the 70s. Excellent as always. Another band that you've introduced to me. I shall enjoy diving deeper into the discography

[@mightyV444]

Yay! That's awesome! 😍👍 I recommend starting with their album 'World's Apart' from '81, which opens with this song, and then it'll be up to you to choose whether to go backwards in their discography (3 albums) or forward (oodles of albums) 😊 In any case: Enjoy the music! 😀👍

[@AManCalledMoose]

@@mightyV444 thanks for the suggestion 🤘🏻

[@mightyV444]

@@AManCalledMoose - My pleasure! 😊

[@mvunit3]

After the excellent (following after "Worlds Apart") album "Heads or Tales", they go into a unique _Prog Pop_ era. But the 3 standouts of that time; "Behaviour", "Wildest Dreams", and "Security of Illusion", not only is Michael Sadler's vocals TREMENDOUS, "Ian Crichton" on guitar, he is just incredible! "Generation 13" is also excellent and was their 1st Concept Album. Have fun doing a deeper dive!

[@AManCalledMoose]

@@mvunit3 thanks 🤘

[@sammarsh3679]

Michael is a phenomenon. He still has every bit of what he had back then, and then some. Total command of the stage. He's also one of the nicest guys you could ever meet.

[@mightyV444]

...except for his hair! 😉

[@dreamweaver1168]

All great Canadian bands thus far but it’s time for The Tragically Hip. Gord Downie’s passing shook the nation and their last concert knowing the end was near was an incredible moment. For more rock oriented songs - New Orleans is Sinking, Locked in the Trunk of a Car, and Nautical Disaster are fantastic. It’s a Good Life If You Don’t Weaken is a personal favourite. Gord was mesmerizing to watch perform and an incredible story teller.

[@windchillcs1434]

All great suggestions for TTH! I'll also recommend one of my fave songs, although less on the rockin' side, Fiddler's Green. I think that would be a great showcase for Gord's vocals and a really interesting analysis video!

[@ClassicTVMan1981X]

Gord Lightfoot ("If You Could Read My Mind," "Sundown" and "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald") also died earlier.

[@RussInCanada]

Their final concert was watched by an estimated 16 million people.

[@markb4188]

I got to see Saga in concert in San Antonio and they put on a great show. They were the opening act for, not 100% sure but I think it was April Wine. Another one of their songs that I like a lot is Wind Him Up.

[@jeffersonmassive]

Definitely awesome band. I miss the 80’s

[@richardgibbs5241]

The perfectionist is a great song from Saga!!! One of my all time favourite band.

[@marvellousmarvin]

Bethany, I’m so happy that you are listening to Saga 😊 I’m listening to there greatest hits these days and they bring back memories. ‘Wind him up’ and ‘Don’t be late’ are also great and hopefully you’ll check those out. ❤

[@SarahFromCanada]

This is my favourite Saga song! When I was little, my dad would put this record on to show off his stereo's volume to anyone that came over. lol

[@tuffs4it]

Yeah, me too. This song hasn't lost any of it's shine for me. I can listen to it (and often do) a couple times back to back and I'm just as pumped as the 1st time heard it when I was kid back in '81.

[@drew65sep]

Great band with a great catalog of material...wholly underrated.

[@dennypayne]

It's not often that such a technical musical tour-de-force also becomes a hit, but this song was huge when it came out.

[@jessejamessimons483]

All right my lady friend... Thank you for reacting to this song. The music is amazing and rocks‼️☺️👍🏼

[@ACLStands]

What I love about saga and the fixx is the craftiness of the compositions...what an excellent channel this is, what a beautiful host.

[@jamescoderre9595]

Saga is a fantastic Canadian band , Saga, Triumph & Rush are all from Toronto Check out these songs from Sags, Wind Him Up, Don't Be Late, The Flyer, Catwalk, Scratching the Surface .... to name a few.😊

[@plrt6794]

Other Canadians Gino Vanelli, very powerful voice. And for clear diction Gordon Lightfoot. For unclear diction Neil Young. 😂

[@jamescoderre9595]

@@plrt6794 very true, 😊

[@mightyV444]

'Scratching The Surface' is also a good choice for the fact that the lead singer is a different one, keyboardist Jim Gilmour 🙂

[@jamescoderre9595]

@mightyV444 There is somewhat of a Genesis vibe on Scratching The Surface ..

[@mightyV444]

@@jamescoderre9595 - Yes, it has a bit of an 'Abacab' vibe to it! 😀 Which in turn I'd also always believed to have been an inspiration to Van Halen for their song 'Jump!', but no - apparently, that was a Hall & Oates song! 😄

[@errolcuthbert1649]

One of the best vocalists, Michael Sadler. ... he's still knocking it out these days An über-talented band behind him, too

[@kevinmuzerMetalMind64]

Their biggest hit by far! Wind 'em Up is another great song and Amnesia by Saga ❤🖤

[@mightyV444]

* 'Wind _Him_ Up', though! 😉 Which had been the first SAGA song I'd heard, in '81, when I was only 11 😁

[@erikmaronde2244]

One of my faborite bands for about 45 years now. And they still go today. 🎉🎶🖖

[@matts9]

On the Loose came out my Senior of High School. It's one of my all time favorite songs foreshadowing the 80s as my favorite musical decade!

[@kylekerwin4993]

Awesome reaction to an awesome song and video. First time hearing this on the radio when it was released I was hooked. Still love jamming it out today and always. Pure gem of fluidity with this song.

[@christianhoneyman5533]

Great reaction to a great song and band. I am from Canada and I think Sagamore is a very underrated band. Hope you have a very Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year's. 🙂☺😊

[@brianrussell6570]

they still perform and his voice hasnt degraded

[@kazza5599]

This is one of my all time favorite songs and it popped into my head and I thought I’d like to hear it live. So I watched a video from 5 years ago and they are still killing it! His voice is still so good!!

[@Ahsosauce]

It's nice that somebody actually did this song because this is always been a go-to classic of mine I love the video as well thank you so much for covering this😊

[@chrisnowicki443]

Oh My Gosh Bethany! I got excited when I saw that you where reviewing this. For the last 3 years it's made my Spotify Wrapped list and it always finishes in my top ten songs I've listened to. Awesome song by a very underrated band. I give this video 2 big 👍👍up! 👋and ✌️from Detroit Rock City

[@claimguy]

Bethany - I know you have received a TON of recommendations form us Canucks for The Tragically Hip. If you want to hear what I consider one of the most thrilling and passionate vocal performances ever, my recommendation would be their song Three Pistols. They have had "bigger" songs but the varies tones and growls and tremolic wails that come out of Gord Downie's mouth as he lurches through this quintessentially Canadian anthemic story is just amazing NO ONE ever sounded like Downie and form the first moment I heard this song over 30 years ago I said to myself "That is one of the finest 'bleepin' vocal performances I have ever heard" and it remains so/ This is one of the songs to which a channel focussed on vocals was meant to react.

[@johnandrews3568]

Downie sounded good until about Fully Completely and then his voice ... just ... left.

[@edwinjahnes2739]

Canada had a Canadian invasion from 1979 to 1985. There were so many bands that came out. I’ll always will be. Huge Triumph fan. It’s going on for 40 years now. Canadian music lover

[@jamessams4133]

We knew all about Saga here in Maryland in 1981, ran out and bought the album. They still sound great.

[@GINGERALERR]

This track never gets old or boring. I loved it when it came out in 1982 and it's still fresh and uplifting in 2024!

[@mightyV444]

I totally agree! 😍👍 1981, by the way 😉

[@shanehester5317]

i was a kid in that time period.many things were happening with music that was new as well as a cultural revolution in society.

[@PUBHEAD1]

The great thing about these classic Canadian bands is that they are even better live. Check out Saga live

[@cedricmilford5254]

I love this band! They deserved more fame and recognition, yet are somehow unappreciated.

[@scottlafleur4148]

Thank you. No one knows of this band. This entire album is so good. I bought it at a second hand store and fell in love with it.

[@kurzzyou5537]

Those great 80s outfits . Loved early MTV and that era of music.

[@jamescoderre9595]

Agreed 👍

[@mightyV444]

Those look like fencing pants he's wearing 😄

[@jamescoderre9595]

@mightyV444 Yeah, pretty firece, he kind of had the early 80's Freddy Mercury look minus the mustache going on in the video 🤔

[@mightyV444]

​@@jamescoderre9595- Interesting remark, James! I watched a more recent SAGA live clip not long ago, and Sadler's movements and gesture totally had reminded me of Freddie! 😁 Which I have no problems with, though; Freddie and Queen are cool, too! 😊

[@jamescoderre9595]

@mightyV444 Yeah, I have always thought Freddy Mercury was an influence on Sadler, which is alright.

[@andersgranstrom7128]

Totally unique!! Not one band sounds like Saga. Love guitarist Ian Chrichton´s playing - it has had a big impact in my own playing! The first time I really listened to them was when buying the album "Behaviour". I put it on and my hardrock-brain said "Naaw dawg" (or maybe something similar)... I listened to it again, and again...and it grew every time!! Today it is a favorite of mine, just amazing! 🙂So much good stuff here, as with Triumph! I have been to see Saga here in Stockholm, and it has been great!! Thank you for this one Mrs Vocalyst! More, please? 🙂

[@vh1984ful]

Happy days are here again! A top ten '80s favourite, hooked at 13 years young. Thanks for the react, and the very best in '24 from Arnprior, Ontario Canada ❤

[@rohan5150]

So glad to see more Canadian music being appreciated like this. The Canadian music scene in the 70s and 80s was truly something else and so many bands over looked outside of the mainstream in the states. Saga, April Wine, The Guess Who and so many others. I'd love for you to have a listen and react to Harlequin, Trooper, Loverboy, Streetheart, The Northern Pikes and even The Killer Dwarfs. So many over-looked Canadian artists. Keep up the good work you do

[@Helen247]

First, you picked one of my favorite songs and absolutely there's something about how he delivers the same line , over and over again, without getting boring!!! Then you mentioned more of my favorite artists. I can't wait to see what you had to say about Rush and Triumph! Thank you for giving this song attention! ❤

[@reinholdmessner1703]

This song takes me back to my childhood. I would love to see more reactions to Canadian musicians.

[@youropionmattersnot]

Saw them live on this album tour. To their credit, I don't recall who they opened for but I remember them. They sounded just like this. A really good show with professional musicians. And as a fellow musician your reactions make me smile.

[@dirkprobert]

Oh Canada indeed. Home to a plethora of great and generally underrated bands. Thank you for showing a small fraction of the many talented Canadian musicians there are and have been in this world.

[@Jesusistheway5724]

Please check out Marillion 🙏🙏🙏 Neverland live '09 is awesome and The Great Escape live '13 too !!

[@kenkonwick6660]

I can always tell when u really get into a song coz u lock that smile on and do that little sway to the beat. Its ur very best tell, lol

[@darrenloudfoot378]

you are now officially an honorary Canadian Beth- TONS of great music 60s-80s

[@lakinen_69]

I've never met a girl who has even heard of Saga, let alone listens to that band... seeing the reaction of such a beautiful woman to a legendary prog band is a really nice feeling 😊❤️

[@deancummings586]

I absolutely LOVED your reaction to this SAGA masterpiece. Looking forward to more. New subscriber 😊

[@62CDN]

It's almost IMPOSSIBLE to not feel happy when you review artists. Of course, as a Canadian, I always pay closer attention to your thoughts and comments about our artists. Maybe I'm slightly crossing a line, but you are smart, thoughtful and very beautiful. Thoughts from Canada!!

[@timcarder2170]

I've been a fan of Saga a long long time. When describing them to someone that's never heard them I usually say, "think of them as Canadas, Steely Dan". 😁😎

[@Pixelologist]

Speaking as a big fan of both bands, I have to say....their styles have nothing whatsoever to do with each other. An acquaintance of mine once described Saga as Canada's ELP and, again, the two bands' sounds have virtually nothing in common. Steely Dan is grounded in jazz chordings while Saga is emphatically not; SD's compositions and arrangements are sophisticated and fluid while Saga's are more rigidly blocky with groupings of four all over the place. Again, I love 'em both....but I see them as VERY different from each other.

[@hansap]

This band is the soundtrack of my life. Michaels voice, but also the actual sound of Saga...just pure magic!

[@The4thDensity]

OMG, Saga are one of my favourite bands. The singer Michael Sadler was actually born in my home Country of Wales in the U.K. (Penarth in Cardiff) Thanks for finally getting around to SAGA

[@aleks1939]

The 80s were so awesome! Growing up in New England, I was fortunate to hear a lot of Canadian bands. In fact, Triumph was my favorite band when I was in Middle School and High School. But I remember loving Saga when I was in 8th grade.

[@ArcaneWolf9]

YES, Saga! There are some great Canadian bands to come...The Tragically Hip, Harlequin, Streetheart, Toronto, Headpins, and on and on. Toronto and Headpins both had really strong female vocalists at a time when it really wasn't common for rock (more folk or disco). Ann Wilson from Heart is an American parallel.

[@Ken5244]

That keyboard sound at the beginning, that you said sounds kind of like "a synthetic harp" (good description, BTW), was likely played on either a Minimoog or PPG Wave analog synth. Keyboardist Jim Gilmour created a great patch for that part -- he probably tweaked the stock Minimoog sound a bit to make it even better, or created his own customized patch with the Wave (one of its capabilities). And the string patch that slowly fades in behind the lead synth line really adds to the drama of that part. That might've been done on either a Prophet 5 (or 10) or maybe a Memorymoog. I'm not sure. I really like your analysis of this great song. Terrific job. As a music major in college, your videos are gold for me.

[@SirOreo62]

Oh Saga. Oh the 80’s. I’m a true child of the 80’s. I graduated from high school in 1980 and went to college pretty much throughout the entire decade. I lived that decade entirely and to the fullest. Many great bands and artists. When this song came out I knew I had to go to a Saga concert even if it was to listen to this one song only. Beautiful song and performance.

[@typeorulz]

Very well mixed production!! It's nice to hear all the excellent lines within this song.😊

[@johnorr5118]

The Perfectionist is a masterpiece!!

[@mightyV444]

Yes, amazing song! 🤩 He also had a different singing style in those early days - until producer Rupert Hine told him to drop those operatic elements 😅

[@rray848]

I loved Saga back in the 80s. The reverb/echo on the vocals is reminding me of another Canadian rock band from the 80s... Honeymoon Suite. Their two biggest hits were "New Girl Now" and "Feel It Again".

[@ggoodro]

Saga are one of my favorite bands of all time. They were groundbreaking, with their own kind of progressive rock sound that did not try to emulate any other band out there, really. They are still touring, more than 40 years later. I discovered them via this song back in the 80's and have been a fan ever since. The band has been generous in recent years and has done many, many meet and greet sessions after their shows. I'm even lucky enough to have a copy of this album signed by the band now! This album and Saga's next were produced by Rupert Hine and engineered by Stephen W. Tayler, an amazing production team (until Rupert sadly passed away just a few years ago). They produced one of the most recognizable "sounds" ever to me. All of the details you hear in this recording they were somehow able to capture and mix in such a way that nothing is lost in the process. I appreciate that you were picking up on those kind of details and recognize how it makes this song what it is. You really need to listen to the whole album sometime...the entire thing is amazing. Rupert and Stephen were responsible for the production of many iconic bands/albums from this era, including most of the key albums by The Fixx, Chris De Burgh, and Howard Jones plus other great work with Tina Turner, Rush (2 albums), Stevie Nicks, and Thompson Twins. One of my favorite bands ever, produced by my favorite production team ever...what's not to love?

[@seabreeze2001]

Awesome!!! So cool you reacted to SAGA, thank you!! Love them....was listening to them in my teens in the 80's. This song was my favorite, so cool!! 😎 Love your channel ❤️ 😎

[@pappyoutdoors9736]

I graduated high school in 1983, I’ll be 60 yrs old next April and TO THIS DAY, every time I hear this song I’m instantly transported back to senior year, behind the wheel of my 1979 Honda Civic driving to school pounding the steering wheel to the beat of the snare and singing this song at the top of my lungs… and I still do it today 😂

[@elarsh24]

Articulation and diction used to be demanded in schools. The singers you spoke of were probably the last of a generation to conduct themselves accordingly. They probably still write neatly and in cursive from their schooling.

[@michaelkirkpatrick7483]

Always loved this Band, and could never understand why they didn't get a bigger following outside of Canada and some areas of Europe. They have a lot of great songs. Thx for posting this video.. It reminds me how long it's been since I've given them a listen, and it's always time well spent.

[@markferrett700]

Their "Heads or Tales" album is amazing....one of the first digital recorded albums....at the time it sounded amazing....Still does.....Scratching the surface is a banger of a song.

[@slainteron4027]

I know it wasn't on Heads or Tales, but I have always loved The Perfectionist. Was it on Images at Twilight? Can't remember.

[@markferrett700]

@@slainteron4027 That I believe was on Saga "songs"

[@mightyV444]

​@@slainteron4027 - 'The Perfectionist' is on their first, self-titled album 😉 Great song, too! 😀👍

[@mightyV444]

​@@markferrett700- Different lead singer on 'Scratching The Surface', too! Keyboardist Jim Gilmour 🙂

[@tuffs4it]

Actually, commercially released digitally recorded albums had been around for about 12 years by the time "Heads or Tales" came out, but it's a great album nonetheless.

[@nikkikat1325]

Great reaction! Ty! Excellent band! Anyone notice the lyrics went from… No one can stop YOU now Then, No one can stop ME now Then, No one can stop US now Interesting…

[@lexusguy9127]

One of the most awesome songs ever. Haunting, ethereal, rocking and on and on. This song was released when I was in high school. It was great then and great now. One of my favorites.

[@bruceolie8644]

Try April Wine. Their leader, Myles Goodwin, just passed away. They were so good for so long. Thanks

[@danhurley2274]

Thanx Bethany so much for doing this reaction /analysis of Saga's "On The Loose"!! A great track and still killer when they do it live. I have been very lucky to have seen Saga live about 8-10 times in the last ten years and they put on such a great show. Michael's voice and stage presence is still in top form. As is the rest of the band. I have been very fortunate to meet them and chat with them a few times. Wonderful people! Other songs you should check out from their substantial portfolio include many that are already listed here like: Wind Him Up, Catwalk, The Flyer, Scratching The Surface, Humble Stance, and many more. Other Canadian bands I think you should check out would be: April Wine, Zon, The Stampeders, Lover Boy, Streetheart, 54-40, Econoline Crush, FM, The Spoons, Lighthouse, Strange Advance, Northern Pikes, The Guess Who, Bachman Turner Overdrive, The Tragically Hip, Church Of Trees, Slave To The Square Wave, Max Webster, Five Man Electrical band, and many more. Thanx again.

[@Dragonsinger71]

Dead on the money. I saw them in 1982 in the S.F. Bay Area. They're so talented and skilled that the performance sounds equal to their recordings yet even a bit better, if that makes any sense. Live they turned the energy up compared to their recordings.

[@jamierobson8825]

Oh man, Bethany hits one of fav bands from my youth! Amazing track - Saga was so good. Fabulous instrumentally, beautiful vocals, intelligent lyrics. I was always surprised they were not bigger than they were. Another great track from them is “Wind Him Up”. Thanks for this - great reaction.

[@TheReeldeel15615]

❤❤my husband's favorite song.

[@Dolfan5413]

This song is still in my all time top 10 songs. It was an MTV staple back in the day.

[@WineSippingCowboy]

Classic Saga. Rocks 🤘. This is a favorite for a Canadian singer and songwriter named Shania Twain. Speaking of "loose", Loverboy has Turn Me Loose and its lead singer Mike Reno sang Almost Paradise with Ann Wilson for the soundtrack to the movie 🎥 Footloose. Other Canadian male groups to consider for reacting: April Wine 🍷 (RIP Myles Goodwyn, December 2023), Red Rider, Glass Tiger 🐅, Triumph, Sheriff, Platinum Blonde, Headpins, VOA, Prism, Payola$, Barenaked Ladies, Guadalcanal Diary, Blue Rodeo. Canadian bands with female lead singers: The Beaches, Lillix, Rough Trade, Toronto, Cowboy Junkies. Individuals: Bryan Adams, Corey Hart, Aldo Nova, Kim Mitchell, Dalbello, Fefe Dobson, Alanis Morissette.

[@JerryM710]

Aldo Nova is one of my favorites of all time. He writes all of the music and plays everything except the drums on his albums. That's how it was on his first few albums anyway. He has also wrote a few songs for Celine Dion.

[@gregorykenfield3134]

I would recommend "Don't Be Late" for your next encounter with this amazing band. God bless!!

[@Fulschermd]

Omg! LOVE this song !!

[@70gabino]

I crank this song once a week in my car haha

[@srt8rocketship241]

Love your reactions. Here's a different one , how about the song-The Price You Pay by Molly Hatchett? Danny's voice is perfect for the music they gave us.

[@ChrisLegner-qp1yh]

Excellent choice and analysis. Sadler was the perfect vocalist for this underrated band.

[@mightyV444]

Still is, too! 😁 Just with no hair and a beard! 😄

[@eidetecker]

I LOVE THIS SONG! I LOVE THIS BAND! Sorry, I get excited for Saga. As you were.

[@mightyV444]

Oh emm gee, yes! I too got sooo excited when this video had popped up in the notifications today! 😁👍

[@sixslinger9951]

I forgot all about this song. Brought me back to the 80s instantly. Killer guitar player. great band

[@louisevessey3839]

Takes me back to my teenage years. I still listen to them regularly, especially on road trips! Epic musicians.

[@AlexB910FN]

Yes! Please more SAGA! Loved your analysis. I‘m a fan since 1980, but I never listened to his voice this way.

[@AviatorLuber]

Thanks so much for doing this reaction! I remember hearing this song when I was a kid and always enjoying it, but I never knew who performed it. Now I know and can listen to it again! Please continue to do more Triumph and Rush! I always enjoy your reactions and insights!

[@warrenthoms8423]

Sounds great live