I was born and raised in Rockford, Illinois. I've crossed paths with all the members of Cheap Trick and their children. I can tell you from first hand experience they are all stand up people. A credit to Rock and Roll and our fine town.
Bun E. Carlos is my favorite rock drummer of all time. So cool at his work, never sped up, brilliant fills and restrained cymbal usage, steady as a metronome. Bun E. Carlos is a SURVIVOR, too. Can't say that about too many others in his generation. Viva Bun E.!
I live in Rockford and once a month Bun E play’s at Mary’s Place on Monday night. Doesn’t play Cheap Trick stuff more blues but a great night of music 🎶
He might be mine as well, or he and Ringo! I don’t know anything about drums, and maybe it’s that Cheap Trick’s songs are made to showcase the drums, but he just seems to have some sort of magic soft touch.
When my daughter was 2 I bought her a shirt that said Surrender on it and underneath It says Mommy's Alright Daddy's Alright They just seem a little Weird. She is now 20. She told me when she was little and even now. She would sing that whenever she gets/got scared and would feel better.❤ I am 48 and they are still my favorite rock band.
"Indonesian Junk" and "soldiers falling off" isn't a reference to drugs. It's a reference to mom warning her son about sleeping around and catching an STD ("Mama told me I'd meet girls like you"). The song is about realizing that your straight-laced and uptight parents weren't always that way, and had a life before you came along....and they were likely cooler than you were back then. They still like to party every now and then, just when the kids aren't around.....
My first concert 9th grade 1978 at Swing Auditorium, San Bernardino, CA. 68 shows later, they're still tops for me. We are all getting old, but the music never ages. Rock on!
For this boomer, I totally agree: Mommy’s alright, Daddy’s alright, They just seem a little weird! Thanks for the epic narration and backstory of this fantastic song!
I once heard Rick Nielsen say “ you know you got the 2 good looking guys and then the 2 other guys and I get so tired of being stereotyped as one of the good looking guys”.
This was wonderful. It actually brought a tear to my eye. I started seeing Cheap Trick shows in 1980 and haven't stopped. I honestly don't know how many times I've seen them and in what cities. Certainly all over America, in bars and in arenas. Surrender is one of the greatest rock anthems ever recorded and I'll be listening to it forever. Play it at my funeral, friends, and play it loud. Cuz we're all all-right.
I know that's right. What an awesome band. When I was a teenager in the late '70s *Live At Budokai* was on near-constant rotation. And the way Robin Zander sings "Surrender", his expressions and the way he prowls the stage--its as good as it gets.
I saw Cheap Trick at the Second Chance Bar in Ann Arbor, MI in 1981 when i was in college there. They were billed as the Randymen and were there to try out new songs that would be part of their One on One album that would come out the next year. They played all their hits too and were amazing. I even ended up with a Rick Nielsen guitar pick that was flipped into the audience. I still have it too.
If you want to hear the great "We're all alright" chant at the end, you need to listen to a live version. That line is actually in the studio version too, but it is so buried in the backing vocals, you have to really know it's there and listen hard to hear it. The later live versions do it better than Budokan.
Cheap Trick was my first real rock concert. 7th grade, Dream Police tour. I got the album for Christmas. I had a Cheap Trick belt buckle, black background with the band name in Mylar or some reflective, rainbow coloring material. I’ve seen them multiple times and they never disappoint.
Cheap Trick is the only band that I've seen live in concert twice. Still living with the tinnitus that you get from standing 2 rows back and dead center from the left stage stack at a Cheap Trick show. Still one of my top 3 favorite bands of all time.
Honestly lost count.. didn't realize I was so dedicated to these guys! They were more than a band to me. To say that is 'just a little weird'. I learned how to play guitar by them and wore out my first copy of Heaven Tonight. The grooves were gone and the needle slide right across the LP like it was on glass. In listening to their music I bought all their albums and when I got to their first album I was the one sold. Nothing in my mind ever came close and I came from a music rich family of many generations. I went to a show in 2022, I'll be going in '23. 👍🏽
@William Silva Think my number is 12 or 13. They ALWAYS bring it. First in 1981... Hollywood Palladium. I was 17. Met Robin by freak chance. I was a drunk idiot kid trying to find a bathroom before the doors opened. Snuck through a side door and happened upon a magazine reporter interviewing Robin at a table. I brazenly sat down and extended Robin some drunken love. Robin was way more gracious than I deserved. Then the reporter asked me if I had any questions for Robin. Don't recall my questions, but I sat with them for 4 or 5 minutes. Bouncer finally came and dragged me out by my collar. Transformative rock n roll moment for me. 3 albums changed my world; Van Halen 1, Aerosmith Toys in the Atic and Heaven Tonight.
I helped set up Cheap Trick in Baton Rouge around 1980. During the sound check my ears sounded like I had rice crispies in them. One of the loudest bands I’ve heard.
I've seen Cheap Trick more times than I've seen any other band- They're not good live- they're INCREDIBLE! some bands you see live and they sound like a garage cover band of themselves- these guys are ABSOLUTELY PHENOMENAL! Note for note, they hit every lick, every fill, every everything- every time!!! I've seen them in little bars and giant arenas- and every time, they're perfect. I only wish I would have seen them more!
There are actually TWO modulations in "Surrender". The song starts off with an intro riff in B flat; it then modulates up a half step to the key of B right as the first line of the lyrics is sung. The second modulation right at the "Whatever happened to..." line is to the key of C.
"Father said 'your mother's right, she's really up on things. Before we married mommy served in the WACS in the Philippines'" this is the best line ever written in rock n' roll.
My first rock concert at age 16 in 1979 was Cheap Trick at Alpine Valley, Wisconsin. Kind of the home town venue for Cheap Trick since it wasn’t far from Rockford. Pat Travers band opened. Two bands at their peak. What a night that was.
Hey kids! Back in the 70's, a slang word for a marijuana cigarette was "number". So the final verse is mom & dad rollin' up a doob on the couch whilst listening to KISS...
My first exposure to Cheap Trick was August 1977 at the LA Forum waiting for KISS to come on as a very excited 10 year old. I was blown away by them, and could not stop talking about them when school started back up the next month.
I never imagined that I would ever hear Surrender analyzed as if it were some kind of assignment for a college English class 😀. But it is spot on...Surrender is absolutely brilliant.
I modeled my bands look based on Cheap Trick in that 2 of us dress up, 2 are casual. We don't look like the music we make , I stand stage right even though i'm the front man and the bass played stands in the middle. It really throws people off in a good way. Thanks guys! By the way , back then a "number" was slang for a joint .
Their self-titled album had some truly towering songs on it. “‘Ello Kiddies” rocks so beautifully hard. (Thanks, Bun) and “Monticello” is painfully elegant. I used to play it when I lived in a flat in SF, in 1990. My staunchly punk roommates fell in love with that album. One of my great regrets; never having seen them. That they were put into the R&R Hall of Fame in 2016, shows that the year wasn’t an entire disaster. Sub’d
Power chord masterpiece. THAT is the secret to Surrender, plus the weirdly childish delivery of the lyrics. And of course, the brilliant swing of the beat.
I was a freshman in high school in 1979 and bought this album and listened to it like mad. But Punk hit and I forgot about this song for 35 years. I listen to a lot of 30's, 40's, 50's, and 60's music. And your/this video popped up. Subscribed
I saw Cheap Trick in a suburb called Weston Creek at the Royals Rugby club in my home town of Canberra, Australia. Best club band I ever got to see and I saw a lot.
I grew up with these guys in Rockford. Remember hearing them at the Continental Bar and hearing they were going big, we all thought they sucked because all they did was covers, hmmmm little did we know how great there own music was.
I met Robin on my senior class trip in the Hyatt Regency in Indianapolis In ..1981.. He graciously signed a receipt from the gift shop.. Class of 1981..Get Nutz . Robin Zander...We put it in our class book !
This was wonderfully written and narrated. Thank you. I’ve been listening to this song on repeat the last month or so, as I always come back to it every so often. It always seemed to me to be a kind of giving of permission to grow up, but to make sure to always keep that wonder and love of life. The line “we’re all alright” is reminiscent of the Grateful Dead singing “WE will get by” at the end of Touch of Grey. A reminder that through a shared love of music, especially rock and roll, we can all find a way to be happy, no matter the obstacles that we all face. Have a wonderful day. ❤
@@crazyconcertdude ehh, you’re being a bit pedantic, because it’s totally possible for me to be reminded of something regardless of its release date, especially since both songs were released when I was very young and I have no memory of which one I heard first. I grew up in a rock loving family and these songs have always been part of my life’s soundtrack. That being said, I just feel lucky that I existed in a time of such incredible music. Cheers! Also, your pfp is very cool!!
I'm 55 years old and live in the Milwaukee area. I've always liked Cheap Trick because they got some decent radio play in the late 70's in our area. I also remember seeing their videos on MTV in the early to mid 80's. Then in the 90's they sort of feel off the radar for me because of the grunge scene. Over the last 10 years I've been watching some of their videos from time to time (the ones I saw on MTV). Then my fiancee got interested. She said how are they live? So I searched Cheap Trick live on RUclips. We watched the Don Kirshner Rock Concert and were blown away. We saw them live in Mequon, WI at the Gathering on the Green in 2021 and were blown away again. I can't get enough of this band, especially the music from their first two records.
I think the line "Surrender, Surrender,but dont give yourself away". Means "Dont argue with your parents. You cant win. Just grin and nod your head.". But also "Dont give yourself away". Dont tell them what you really think or do. They either won't understand or will feel they need to tell you not to do certain things because that is their responsibility, as good parents. Following both courses will prevent active conflict and keep you on good terms with them. And also yes, in a way, they were like you as kids but they can't admit it now because they are now responsible adults.
Thanks . Enjoyed this analysis... I have a friend who textes me, and I text her .. everything we hear Surrender .. with a line of lyrics... And still catch them in concert every time I can
I remember when "Surrender" came out and thought it sounded like something really different on the radio at the time... It seemed to have some kind of hybrid sound of new wave, punk, but mostly rock.. Robin's vocals on it weren't the typical rock vocal and lyrics, there was a hint of that snotty sounding attitude of punk in it. You could hear this garage sound in it, and Bun E.'s drumming style was something completely different as well. You could tell that they might have been influenced by bands like Sweet, Slade and of course the Beatles. But their approach and sound were very unique and the songwriting was top notch. When the Budakan album came out I was hooked on them, and that album was really popular with everyone at school
Saw the band in a small bar north of Chicago...danced to their songs 3 foot from them.....said to my friends they will go big..and 6 months later...they were on the charts...
I have to thank Guitar Hero for exposing my Gen Z self to classic rock and roll. Played a ton of Surrender and Dream Police on Guitar Hero 2 and Aerosmith just because those songs were fun and catchy as hell. My 8 year old self didn't even know who any of the bands were (mind you this was 2008 and I didn't really use a computer for RUclips or web searching), but all the songs on those games have forever made a mark on imprinting me with the greatest era of music. They say the music you listen to from when you're about 10-15 will be the music you will forever love and not want to change from ("that isn't music, back in my day"). I'm forever grateful for Guitar Hero and my older brothers who bought me those games.
When I was a teen I had this "side of mouth/tongue in cheek" line that was in direct opposition of what would be asked at the end of prime time television back then; "It's 11:00. Children, do you know where your parents are?" Surrender was art reflecting my life back then in the 70's.
Rockford is also the hometown of America's first professional Egyptologist and perhaps greatest archaeologist, James Henry Breasted (1865-1935). He was also a close friend and beneficiary of John D.Rockefeller and the founder and first director of the Oriental Institute at the University of Chicago. The author of scores of books and hundreds of articles, Breasted is hailed as the "Dean of American Egyptology." He is also considered one of the greatest literary stylists of all time, along with Will and Ariel Durant and the later Loren Eisely.
Yeah, Cheap Trick may be boomers, but kids in the seventies weren’t. Their parents most likely were. Mine were born right at the beginning of the war, so I don’t know what they’re supposed to be called
First time I saw Trick was on the Heaven Tonight tour. They were the opening act at a small theater venue in Miami. Surrender was not a hit yet and we had never heard of them. We weren't expecting much - just hoping they didn't take too much time away from the headliner. They blew us away. After they went offstage we were thinking there was no way to top them - then AC/DC came out and burned the place down.
Cheap Trick sounded so fresh and new in the late ‘70’s. I saw them as a young teen and was hooked. They were such a breath of fresh air after years being inundated with disco and songs with long, guitar solos! 😁
Thank you, Janda, for that wonderful piece. What a song and lyric!! And love the way you intone that line with a wry smile: 'they just seem a little weird…'
I can't believe I found this video today! another RUclipsr I follow did a video today about a song from Fast Times at Ridgemont High and I was just thinking about all the classic songs on that soundtrack- and the one reference but not played: "Surrender" and then to hear Janda reference the same moment from the film- how serendipitous. Cheap Trick music was in the soundtrack to my life during the 70's/80's, their music is so good, perfect pop and rock fusion that captures youth and the innocence. So talented and Amazing Musicians! Very well written Janda, I am now following your channel- Keep on Rocking
2nd greatest band in my eyes. Was a bouncer in 83 (Brat Stop-Kenosha,Wi.) and as big as they were, you knew they loved those gigs. I'll never forget and i've seen lots of great shows in 40 years.
I saw them in the early 80s, where?, I don't remember😄😄😄, but they were great, a lot of fun. Rick Neilson is impossible to forget once you've seen him live, as were all the other band members.
I saw Cheap Trick in Jan 1978 in San Antonio as the opening act for Kansas. They rocked the house! So good that when Kansas took the stage people started leaving before they finished.
Live @ Budokan was the first record I ever owned. I've played Surrender live at least 100 times. I used to introduce it as the third track on my first album, mimicking Robins intro on the actual record. I don't know where it was in the actual track list but it served the purpose. I played that record end to end so many times. Taking turns with my twin brother who played KISS ALIIVE over and over. I still love both those records but we both feel Cheap trick wins the day as our favourite band of all time.
Heaven Tonight ranks up there with all of the greatest rock albums of all time. I should know, I have great taste in music. Surrender, On Top of the World, California Man - it's great. Exile on Main Street - sure. Electric Warrior, of course. Who's next, Physical Graffiti, Machine head, Lights Out, Too Fast For Love, etc, but don't forget this record, it's stellar. Your mom and dad are weird, but they are cool. The greatest rock song ever. I remember being 12 years old and being allowed to stay up late to watch Don Kirshner's rock concert with Cheap Trick. Rick had like 5 guitars strapped to himself, did a solo on each one and then let it clang down and moved on to the next one. If anything made me want to play the guitar, it was that. The magnetism of Robin Zander and the charisma of Rick Nielsen indeed !
I've loved this song since it came out, and I'm gonna play it at a gig in a few hours. I can't think of any other songs with a theme of the grudging acceptance of parents as people. I didn't think "Indonesian junk going 'round" was heroin. I thought it was some Indonesian venereal disease going around which gave a soldier a serious problem, continuing the topic from the previous line ("...you'll never know what you'll catch"). The lyric leaves the listener to fill in what's falling off the soldier, presumably and ironically what would come to be called his 'junk.'
I wish there had been mention of the original lyrics, which reflect upon how the amended lyrics break down. Rick writes wack lyrics, and story of how this song arrived at its final release version is relevant. Lovely video! We used it in our wedding vows. Thanks, guys!
Awesome review. When I've been asked what is the most underrated song in rock history the answer is always the same- Surrender. I know it's a matter of opinion but Surrender just hits differently then any other song. Thank you for your wonderful take on it!
'Surrender' was featured by Cheap Trick while opening for KISS on their summer tour in '77 before Cheap Trick released Heaven Tonight. 'Surrender' was the centerpiece song when I saw Cheap Trick again at the same venue in '79 on their Canadian tour in support of the Budokan album. A song in the vein of 'Rock and Roll All Night', 'Photograph' or 'Talk to Ya Later'; Surrender will stand the test of time and has become a classic of the 70s.
@@quiricomazarin476 In '79 Cheap Trick was the headliner, with Prism opening. June 6th, London Gardens. In '77 Cheap Trick opened for KISS, July 18 same place, London Ontario.
"In the Street" is the theme to the sit com "That 70s Show". The theme references "Surrender" by chanting, " we're all, all right" at the end. The theme was originally performed by the band " Big Star" in 1972, but was actually performed as the shows theme song by Cheap Trick.
@shoeshane6494 Thank you for reminding me! I watched all seasons of That 70's Show, and knew at the time that it was Cheap Trick. I had since forgotten. I couldn't watch an episode without singing the theme song along with them. Something about how catchy it was that it got me singing, moving, and making me happy. And that ending with "we're all alright, we're all alright... hello Wisconsin" seemed to make my day. To top it off, when I was 5, a few months after my dad passed away, my mom, brother, and I flew from LAX to Lansing Michigan to go to the Oldsmobile factory to pick up the brand new Vista Cruiser my mom had ordered, just like the station wagon in the show. We drove all around the East Coast (Pennsylvania for the Liberty Bell, NYC, DC, Virginia, historical sites, etc.), then across the country back to the California desert. The summer long vacation of a lifetime! Thanks again for the great memories of the show and theme song I loved, and a fantastic vacation that helped us after losing my dad.
@desertratjean ...Thanks for the great reply! We lost our Dad last year, so I understand what your all have been through. Way to keep your head up. Best of luck to you and your family!
Yes greatness and my youth! I used to (When I was 13 or so) play Dream Police side to side (they had sides in those days LOL) at full volume and pounding as hard as we could with all the heart they put into it I'm sure!
Thanks Janda.. Well done and you put a lot of work into doing this.Hate to mention it but, in the captioning, some spelling I'd fix if possible. It's "Nielsen" every time. Thanks again Rick Nielsen
WOW!!! Thank you so much, Rick! I'm so thrilled that you found this episode and like it. My goal with the podcast, as a labor of love, is to honor the songs and their creators and I don't mind telling you that I freaking love Cheap Trick! You have made my day, indeed, and I really appreciate you taking the time to comment. As to the spelling error in the captions, I have fixed it and thanks for bringing that to my attention. Congratulations on your awesome new album, and thank you so much for all the songs! xo Janda
No, thank you. Like I said you really did your research and well put together. Both you and the video! Ha PCCCC incorrect, but that's been my whole life and career
@@selftaut1 Hahaha thank you so much! I’m so glad you found this episode and that’s super nice of you to say. I could keel over, actually! 😁 I can’t tell you how many times I’ve pulled your records out and listened to them so this is all quite thrilling!
I was born and raised in Rockford, Illinois. I've crossed paths with all the members of Cheap Trick and their children. I can tell you from first hand experience they are all stand up people. A credit to Rock and Roll and our fine town.
Can't hear this enough. Thank you!
Everyone from western Illinois eastern Iowa and southern Wisconsin has a never ending supply of good things to say about cheap trick.
Bun E. Carlos is my favorite rock drummer of all time. So cool at his work, never sped up, brilliant fills and restrained cymbal usage, steady as a metronome. Bun E. Carlos is a SURVIVOR, too. Can't say that about too many others in his generation. Viva Bun E.!
Right there with ya
I live in Rockford and once a month Bun E play’s at Mary’s Place on Monday night. Doesn’t play Cheap Trick stuff more blues but a great night of music 🎶
@@jimdubois445 Great! Lucky for you.
He might be mine as well, or he and Ringo! I don’t know anything about drums, and maybe it’s that Cheap Trick’s songs are made to showcase the drums, but he just seems to have some sort of magic soft touch.
Love the Bun!
When my daughter was 2 I bought her a shirt that said Surrender on it and underneath It says Mommy's Alright Daddy's Alright They just seem a little Weird. She is now 20. She told me when she was little and even now. She would sing that whenever she gets/got scared and would feel better.❤ I am 48 and they are still my favorite rock band.
That’s awesome!
They are one of the first bands I ever saw!!
I don’t know about buying your daughter a shirt that says surrender, that might send her the wrong message.
Best parents ever.
@@spankynater4242 I don't see how. She is doing great in life.
Cheap Trick ignited my love for rock n roll when I was 15. Changed me forever. Truly an American original. And they still rock hard in concert.
Me too. I was 15 and they were the first concert I went to.
They sure still do!
"Indonesian Junk" and "soldiers falling off" isn't a reference to drugs. It's a reference to mom warning her son about sleeping around and catching an STD ("Mama told me I'd meet girls like you"). The song is about realizing that your straight-laced and uptight parents weren't always that way, and had a life before you came along....and they were likely cooler than you were back then. They still like to party every now and then, just when the kids aren't around.....
Truth and it was the start of those STD's (most notably far east strains of gonorrhea) having a far greater resistance to things like penicillin
Exactly.
My first concert 9th grade 1978 at Swing Auditorium, San Bernardino, CA. 68 shows later, they're still tops for me. We are all getting old, but the music never ages. Rock on!
For this boomer, I totally agree: Mommy’s alright, Daddy’s alright, They just seem a little weird! Thanks for the epic narration and backstory of this fantastic song!
Thank you for watching!
The kids are the weirdos now, what happened to the new generations?
They are some of the most un-creative and un-humorous kids of all time.
Everybody in the punk scene in the 70s welcomed Cheap Trick as one of them
Mr. Nielsen is definitely in the pantheon as a songwriter and a rocker!
I once heard Rick Nielsen say “ you know you got the 2 good looking guys and then the 2 other guys and I get so tired of being stereotyped as one of the good looking guys”.
🤘🤘🎸 🎸
Lmao thats great 😂
This was wonderful. It actually brought a tear to my eye. I started seeing Cheap Trick shows in 1980 and haven't stopped. I honestly don't know how many times I've seen them and in what cities. Certainly all over America, in bars and in arenas. Surrender is one of the greatest rock anthems ever recorded and I'll be listening to it forever. Play it at my funeral, friends, and play it loud. Cuz we're all all-right.
Awww. Thanks for watching. We’re all alright! 🤗
I know that's right. What an awesome band. When I was a teenager in the late '70s *Live At Budokai* was on near-constant rotation. And the way Robin Zander sings "Surrender", his expressions and the way he prowls the stage--its as good as it gets.
If there is one song that takes me back to the nostalgic summer nights of my teen age years, it's Surrender.
Nostalgia? F NOSTALGIA! THIS SONG IS ALIVE.
Couldn’t agree more 😊
I heard it today on the radio for the first time in a while... I realized it was much deeper than I had ever realized. Glad I found this
Glad you did!
I saw Cheap Trick at the Second Chance Bar in Ann Arbor, MI in 1981 when i was in college there. They were billed as the Randymen and were there to try out new songs that would be part of their One on One album that would come out the next year. They played all their hits too and were amazing. I even ended up with a Rick Nielsen guitar pick that was flipped into the audience. I still have it too.
If you want to hear the great "We're all alright" chant at the end, you need to listen to a live version. That line is actually in the studio version too, but it is so buried in the backing vocals, you have to really know it's there and listen hard to hear it.
The later live versions do it better than Budokan.
I really love the verse Bun es alright, Tommy's alright, Robin's alright Ricky's alright we're all all right.
Cheap Trick was my first real rock concert. 7th grade, Dream Police tour. I got the album for Christmas. I had a Cheap Trick belt buckle, black background with the band name in Mylar or some reflective, rainbow coloring material. I’ve seen them multiple times and they never disappoint.
Cheap Trick is the only band that I've seen live in concert twice. Still living with the tinnitus that you get from standing 2 rows back and dead center from the left stage stack at a Cheap Trick show. Still one of my top 3 favorite bands of all time.
I’ve seen them in concert six times. First time was in 1980, last time was probably around 2014.
Honestly lost count.. didn't realize I was so dedicated to these guys! They were more than a band to me.
To say that is 'just a little weird'.
I learned how to play guitar by them and wore out my first copy of Heaven Tonight. The grooves were gone and the needle slide right across the LP like it was on glass. In listening to their music
I bought all their albums and when I got to their first album I was the one sold. Nothing in my mind ever came close and I came from a music rich family of many generations. I went to a show in 2022, I'll be going in '23.
👍🏽
@William Silva Think my number is 12 or 13. They ALWAYS bring it. First in 1981... Hollywood Palladium. I was 17. Met Robin by freak chance. I was a drunk idiot kid trying to find a bathroom before the doors opened. Snuck through a side door and happened upon a magazine reporter interviewing Robin at a table. I brazenly sat down and extended Robin some drunken love. Robin was way more gracious than I deserved. Then the reporter asked me if I had any questions for Robin. Don't recall my questions, but I sat with them for 4 or 5 minutes. Bouncer finally came and dragged me out by my collar. Transformative rock n roll moment for me. 3 albums changed my world; Van Halen 1, Aerosmith Toys in the Atic and Heaven Tonight.
I helped set up Cheap Trick in Baton Rouge around 1980. During the sound check my ears sounded like I had rice crispies in them. One of the loudest bands I’ve heard.
@@tomb504dog let me introduce you to spinal tap.
I've seen Cheap Trick more times than I've seen any other band- They're not good live- they're INCREDIBLE! some bands you see live and they sound like a garage cover band of themselves- these guys are ABSOLUTELY PHENOMENAL! Note for note, they hit every lick, every fill, every everything- every time!!! I've seen them in little bars and giant arenas- and every time, they're perfect. I only wish I would have seen them more!
They really are. One of the best live acts EVER.
There are actually TWO modulations in "Surrender". The song starts off with an intro riff in B flat; it then modulates up a half step to the key of B right as the first line of the lyrics is sung. The second modulation right at the "Whatever happened to..." line is to the key of C.
"Father said 'your mother's right, she's really up on things.
Before we married mommy served in the WACS in the Philippines'"
this is the best line ever written in rock n' roll.
Why?
@@jason4482 Make up a reason.
@@markmm1066 no... you.
Very nicely written appraisal of a great song and band... 👏
Thanks Mike!
Thanks Mike-Rick
@@selftaut1 😮
My first rock concert at age 16 in 1979 was Cheap Trick at Alpine Valley, Wisconsin. Kind of the home town venue for Cheap Trick since it wasn’t far from Rockford. Pat Travers band opened. Two bands at their peak. What a night that was.
What a great fricking venue. So many great memories at that place.
So many awesome concerts there. The Who, Steve Miller...
@@joxyjoxyjoxy1 I’d call it a legendary Midwestern venue. I was also there for Stevie Ray Vaughan’s last concert the night he died.
@@MnBicycleCommuter Stevie. Such a loss.
Hey kids! Back in the 70's, a slang word for a marijuana cigarette was "number". So the final verse is mom & dad rollin' up a doob on the couch whilst listening to KISS...
My first exposure to Cheap Trick was August 1977 at the LA Forum waiting for KISS to come on as a very excited 10 year old. I was blown away by them, and could not stop talking about them when school started back up the next month.
I never imagined that I would ever hear Surrender analyzed as if it were some kind of assignment for a college English class 😀. But it is spot on...Surrender is absolutely brilliant.
I modeled my bands look based on Cheap Trick in that 2 of us dress up, 2 are casual. We don't look like the music we make , I stand stage right even though i'm the front man and the bass played stands in the middle. It really throws people off in a good way. Thanks guys! By the way , back then a "number" was slang for a joint .
I discovered them in 1977. Great band
Their self-titled album had some truly towering songs on it. “‘Ello Kiddies” rocks so beautifully hard. (Thanks, Bun) and “Monticello” is painfully elegant.
I used to play it when I lived in a flat in SF, in 1990. My staunchly punk roommates fell in love with that album. One of my great regrets; never having seen them.
That they were put into the R&R Hall of Fame in 2016, shows that the year wasn’t an entire disaster.
Sub’d
Your writing is absolutely brilliant; your voice & delivery just as gifted.
Thank you!
Met these guys when they came to endemyion ball in New orleans. Really cool chill guys
Power chord masterpiece. THAT is the secret to Surrender, plus the weirdly childish delivery of the lyrics. And of course, the brilliant swing of the beat.
I was a freshman in high school in 1979 and bought this album and listened to it like mad. But Punk hit and I forgot about this song for 35 years. I listen to a lot of 30's, 40's, 50's, and 60's music. And your/this video popped up. Subscribed
I saw Cheap Trick in a suburb called Weston Creek at the Royals Rugby club in my home town of Canberra, Australia. Best club band I ever got to see and I saw a lot.
It's such a dynamite track that stands the test of time. Excellent vid!
Thank you!
I grew up with these guys in Rockford. Remember hearing them at the Continental Bar and hearing they were going big, we all thought they sucked because all they did was covers, hmmmm little did we know how great there own music was.
That "soldier falling off" line is about venereal disease, not heroin. It's military slang from the Vietnam era.
I met Robin on my senior class trip in the Hyatt Regency in Indianapolis In ..1981..
He graciously signed a receipt from the gift shop..
Class of 1981..Get Nutz .
Robin Zander...We put it in our class book !
Her narration brings tears to my eyes. So well done.
just brillant a fan from austrla cheap trick are legendfs in music. great essay well writen brought many memories back thanks
This was wonderfully written and narrated. Thank you. I’ve been listening to this song on repeat the last month or so, as I always come back to it every so often. It always seemed to me to be a kind of giving of permission to grow up, but to make sure to always keep that wonder and love of life. The line “we’re all alright” is reminiscent of the Grateful Dead singing “WE will get by” at the end of Touch of Grey. A reminder that through a shared love of music, especially rock and roll, we can all find a way to be happy, no matter the obstacles that we all face. Have a wonderful day. ❤
Thanks so much for watching and taking time to comment. Much appreciated, and I agree with you - this is a rite of passage song without question!
I agree for the most part, but Touch of Grey was released 9-10 years after Surrender, so TOG would be reminiscent of Surrender, if at all. 🤟🏻
@@crazyconcertdude ehh, you’re being a bit pedantic, because it’s totally possible for me to be reminded of something regardless of its release date, especially since both songs were released when I was very young and I have no memory of which one I heard first. I grew up in a rock loving family and these songs have always been part of my life’s soundtrack. That being said, I just feel lucky that I existed in a time of such incredible music. Cheers!
Also, your pfp is very cool!!
I remember rocking out to this song in the backseat of my parents car while going on vacation when I was 14. Love Bun E.
Don't forget that Surrender was featured in the 1979 movie Over the Edge (Matt Dillon).
I also like the way he uses non-rhymes to make certain lines stand out. "Never know what you'll catch" is nearly impossible to miss.
I'm 55 years old and live in the Milwaukee area. I've always liked Cheap Trick because they got some decent radio play in the late 70's in our area. I also remember seeing their videos on MTV in the early to mid 80's. Then in the 90's they sort of feel off the radar for me because of the grunge scene. Over the last 10 years I've been watching some of their videos from time to time (the ones I saw on MTV). Then my fiancee got interested. She said how are they live? So I searched Cheap Trick live on RUclips. We watched the Don Kirshner Rock Concert and were blown away. We saw them live in Mequon, WI at the Gathering on the Green in 2021 and were blown away again. I can't get enough of this band, especially the music from their first two records.
True! All true. Loved them at 1st sight. So much fun! We played CT covers as kids
The best!
I think the line "Surrender, Surrender,but dont give yourself away". Means "Dont argue with your parents. You cant win. Just grin and nod your head.". But also "Dont give yourself away". Dont tell them what you really think or do. They either won't understand or will feel they need to tell you not to do certain things because that is their responsibility, as good parents. Following both courses will prevent active conflict and keep you on good terms with them. And also yes, in a way, they were like you as kids but they can't admit it now because they are now responsible adults.
Aaah, one of my very favorite bands since I was about 15. So glorious to hear them covered here. Thanks!
Rock on!
Thanks Janda ... Live @ Budakon Rocked....I spun that around abuncha times....Cheap Trick ferever
I love these guys and really miss this time in music
Thanks . Enjoyed this analysis...
I have a friend who textes me, and I text her .. everything we hear Surrender .. with a line of lyrics...
And still catch them in concert every time I can
I remember when "Surrender" came out and thought it sounded like something really different on the radio at the time... It seemed to have some kind of hybrid sound of new wave, punk, but mostly rock.. Robin's vocals on it weren't the typical rock vocal and lyrics, there was a hint of that snotty sounding attitude of punk in it. You could hear this garage sound in it, and Bun E.'s drumming style was something completely different as well. You could tell that they might have been influenced by bands like Sweet, Slade and of course the Beatles. But their approach and sound were very unique and the songwriting was top notch. When the Budakan album came out I was hooked on them, and that album was really popular with everyone at school
Check out Fuse - Rick Nielson's pre-Trick band. They sound nothing like CT.
Been rocking to Cheap Trick since I was 11 years old in 1979 , the late 70's was a great time to be a kid
It sure was. I was 12 in 79
Saw the band in a small bar north of Chicago...danced to their songs 3 foot from them.....said to my friends they will go big..and 6 months later...they were on the charts...
I was born in 1989 and I just heard this song couple days ago, and I love it more everyday ❤
I have to thank Guitar Hero for exposing my Gen Z self to classic rock and roll. Played a ton of Surrender and Dream Police on Guitar Hero 2 and Aerosmith just because those songs were fun and catchy as hell. My 8 year old self didn't even know who any of the bands were (mind you this was 2008 and I didn't really use a computer for RUclips or web searching), but all the songs on those games have forever made a mark on imprinting me with the greatest era of music. They say the music you listen to from when you're about 10-15 will be the music you will forever love and not want to change from ("that isn't music, back in my day"). I'm forever grateful for Guitar Hero and my older brothers who bought me those games.
When I was a teen I had this "side of mouth/tongue in cheek" line that was in direct opposition of what would be asked at the end of prime time television back then; "It's 11:00. Children, do you know where your parents are?" Surrender was art reflecting my life back then in the 70's.
Keep the day job
WOW!!!! Thanks for your dissection of a great classic!!!!! An interesting and fun take!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Rockford is also the hometown of America's first professional Egyptologist and perhaps greatest archaeologist, James Henry Breasted (1865-1935). He was also a close friend and beneficiary of John D.Rockefeller and the founder and first director of the Oriental Institute at the University of Chicago. The author of scores of books and hundreds of articles, Breasted is hailed as the "Dean of American Egyptology." He is also considered one of the greatest literary stylists of all time, along with Will and Ariel Durant and the later Loren Eisely.
I was 14 in the summer of 1979. This song was the song of that summer. Great times!
The anthem of my youth excellently explained in depth.
Cheap Trick's 2021 album, In Another World, showcases their incredible talents and varied styles. They're still rockin'.
Boys and Girls and Rock n Roll is solid!!!!
She has a great, old-school radio voice
Janda has such a pleasant voice. She’s one of the best!
Thanks so much!
God bless Cheap Trick, the best band i have ever heard after Boston(the original Boston) Thank you Rockford for sharing.
Not just boomers. I was born on the tail end of the boomer years. So I grew up a GenX'er. A lot of GenX'ers loved this band.
Yeah, Cheap Trick may be boomers, but kids in the seventies weren’t. Their parents most likely were. Mine were born right at the beginning of the war, so I don’t know what they’re supposed to be called
I’m a GenXer and I’ve loved this band as long as I can remember
First time I saw Trick was on the Heaven Tonight tour. They were the opening act at a small theater venue in Miami. Surrender was not a hit yet and we had never heard of them. We weren't expecting much - just hoping they didn't take too much time away from the headliner. They blew us away. After they went offstage we were thinking there was no way to top them - then AC/DC came out and burned the place down.
Loving it.... from Southern Illinois 👍
Cheap Trick is just awesome
When SURRENDER prelude starts on the radio it always excites me so that I learned all the lyrics to sing along....
Cheap Trick sounded so fresh and new in the late ‘70’s. I saw them as a young teen and was hooked. They were such a breath of fresh air after years being inundated with disco and songs with long, guitar solos! 😁
🤘🤘🎸 🎸
Thank you, Janda, for that wonderful piece. What a song and lyric!! And love the way you intone that line with a wry smile: 'they just seem a little weird…'
I can't believe I found this video today! another RUclipsr I follow did a video today about a song from Fast Times at Ridgemont High and I was just thinking about all the classic songs on that soundtrack- and the one reference but not played: "Surrender" and then to hear Janda reference the same moment from the film- how serendipitous. Cheap Trick music was in the soundtrack to my life during the 70's/80's, their music is so good, perfect pop and rock fusion that captures youth and the innocence. So talented and Amazing Musicians! Very well written Janda, I am now following your channel- Keep on Rocking
Glad you found us! Thank you and welcome aboard!
2nd greatest band in my eyes. Was a bouncer in 83 (Brat Stop-Kenosha,Wi.) and as big as they were, you knew they loved those gigs. I'll never forget and i've seen lots of great shows in 40 years.
I saw them in the early 80s, where?, I don't remember😄😄😄, but they were great, a lot of fun. Rick Neilson is impossible to forget once you've seen him live, as were all the other band members.
You left out, rolling “numbers” used to mean rolling joints. We knew what they were referencing when I was 11 in 1982.
I saw Cheap Trick in Jan 1978 in San Antonio as the opening act for Kansas. They rocked the house! So good that when Kansas took the stage people started leaving before they finished.
The Live from Budokan 8 Track Rocked, but later seeing the video of the Concert and the energy they used was godly!
Tom Peterson played a Bass Solo like a Guitar and I heard sounds that I never heard before
The Japanese copy of "Live at Budokan" vinyl album is a bona fide collector's item.
I totally agree and couldn't have said it better..." we're all, alright."
You have done a great job, over and over. Love it!! Keep it going.
One of the greatest bands of all time!!!
I can happily say is that Cheap Trick was my first concert. Dream Police at the Long Beach Arena in California.
Live @ Budokan was the first record I ever owned. I've played Surrender live at least 100 times. I used to introduce it as the third track on my first album, mimicking Robins intro on the actual record. I don't know where it was in the actual track list but it served the purpose. I played that record end to end so many times. Taking turns with my twin brother who played KISS ALIIVE over and over. I still love both those records but we both feel Cheap trick wins the day as our favourite band of all time.
Heaven Tonight ranks up there with all of the greatest rock albums of all time. I should know, I have great taste in music. Surrender, On Top of the World, California Man - it's great. Exile on Main Street - sure. Electric Warrior, of course. Who's next, Physical Graffiti, Machine head, Lights Out, Too Fast For Love, etc, but don't forget this record, it's stellar. Your mom and dad are weird, but they are cool. The greatest rock song ever. I remember being 12 years old and being allowed to stay up late to watch Don Kirshner's rock concert with Cheap Trick. Rick had like 5 guitars strapped to himself, did a solo on each one and then let it clang down and moved on to the next one. If anything made me want to play the guitar, it was that. The magnetism of Robin Zander and the charisma of Rick Nielsen indeed !
I found out about that song today. I've been missing a lot.
I've listened it about 10 times since noon.
Awesome 🙂
Jozze seems a lil weiiiiiird
Keeps getting better
There are great bands and then there are great live bands. Cheap Trick was both. I also like the bands with a sense of humor. Good episode.
SAW THEM AT THE CHICAGO AMPHITHEATRE AT LOOP ROCKFEST IN 1979 OR 1980.......BLOWN AWAY, FAN FOR LIFE...
I've loved this song since it came out, and I'm gonna play it at a gig in a few hours. I can't think of any other songs with a theme of the grudging acceptance of parents as people.
I didn't think "Indonesian junk going 'round" was heroin. I thought it was some Indonesian venereal disease going around which gave a soldier a serious problem, continuing the topic from the previous line ("...you'll never know what you'll catch"). The lyric leaves the listener to fill in what's falling off the soldier, presumably and ironically what would come to be called his 'junk.'
Cheap Trick is American Rock-N-Roll! Rockford ,Illinois is the Home of Arachnid Darts as well.
How am I only just now discovering this great channel! I guess I’ll be binging for a few days. Excellent and fun analysis ❤
1st time being here too!!! Love it myself!!
Cheap Trick was always playing in Florida back in THE day. I was so blessed to have lived 39 years in the 20th century!
They're still here on a regular basis. I've seen them around 15 times from '78-'17
I wish there had been mention of the original lyrics, which reflect upon how the amended lyrics break down. Rick writes wack lyrics, and story of how this song arrived at its final release version is relevant. Lovely video! We used it in our wedding vows. Thanks, guys!
BRILLIANT SONG gives me chill bumps every time I listen to it without fail til this day I'm 57 🤘😎🎵💖💕
Awesome review. When I've been asked what is the most underrated song in rock history the answer is always the same- Surrender. I know it's a matter of opinion but Surrender just hits differently then any other song. Thank you for your wonderful take on it!
Thanks so much!
'Surrender' was featured by Cheap Trick while opening for KISS on their summer tour in '77 before Cheap Trick released Heaven Tonight. 'Surrender' was the centerpiece song when I saw Cheap Trick again at the same venue in '79 on their Canadian tour in support of the Budokan album. A song in the vein of 'Rock and Roll All Night', 'Photograph' or 'Talk to Ya Later'; Surrender will stand the test of time and has become a classic of the 70s.
What venue / city in 77?
@@quiricomazarin476 In '79 Cheap Trick was the headliner, with Prism opening. June 6th, London Gardens.
In '77 Cheap Trick opened for KISS, July 18 same place, London Ontario.
@@johnpatterson4272 Were you able to see kiss in London in 74?
Me July 12th forum mtl 77.
"In the Street" is the theme to the sit com "That 70s Show". The theme references "Surrender" by chanting, " we're all, all right" at the end. The theme was originally performed by the band " Big Star" in 1972, but was actually performed as the shows theme song by Cheap Trick.
@shoeshane6494 Thank you for reminding me! I watched all seasons of That 70's Show, and knew at the time that it was Cheap Trick. I had since forgotten. I couldn't watch an episode without singing the theme song along with them. Something about how catchy it was that it got me singing, moving, and making me happy. And that ending with "we're all alright, we're all alright... hello Wisconsin" seemed to make my day. To top it off, when I was 5, a few months after my dad passed away, my mom, brother, and I flew from LAX to Lansing Michigan to go to the Oldsmobile factory to pick up the brand new Vista Cruiser my mom had ordered, just like the station wagon in the show. We drove all around the East Coast (Pennsylvania for the Liberty Bell, NYC, DC, Virginia, historical sites, etc.), then across the country back to the California desert. The summer long vacation of a lifetime! Thanks again for the great memories of the show and theme song I loved, and a fantastic vacation that helped us after losing my dad.
@desertratjean ...Thanks for the great reply! We lost our Dad last year, so I understand what your all have been through. Way to keep your head up. Best of luck to you and your family!
Love the facts you present and the way you present them. Thanks for the research, so interesting. Better than that other guy. Subbed.
Glad you like them! Thank you and welcome aboard!
Yes greatness and my youth! I used to (When I was 13 or so) play Dream Police side to side (they had sides in those days LOL) at full volume and pounding as hard as we could with all the heart they put into it I'm sure!
Thanks Janda.. Well done and you put a lot of work into doing this.Hate to mention it but, in the captioning, some spelling I'd fix if possible. It's "Nielsen" every time. Thanks again Rick Nielsen
WOW!!! Thank you so much, Rick! I'm so thrilled that you found this episode and like it. My goal with the podcast, as a labor of love, is to honor the songs and their creators and I don't mind telling you that I freaking love Cheap Trick! You have made my day, indeed, and I really appreciate you taking the time to comment. As to the spelling error in the captions, I have fixed it and thanks for bringing that to my attention. Congratulations on your awesome new album, and thank you so much for all the songs! xo Janda
No, thank you. Like I said you really did your research and well put together. Both you and the video! Ha PCCCC incorrect, but that's been my whole life and career
@@selftaut1 Hahaha thank you so much! I’m so glad you found this episode and that’s super nice of you to say. I could keel over, actually! 😁
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve pulled your records out and listened to them so this is all quite thrilling!
Rick Nielsen turns 75 this December. Where the F does the time go!?!?
This was a great video. Enjoyed the story. I bought the Budokan album when I was 13.