Great song, and very informative article, MK! Thanks! I never thought to look beyond AW's performance. Thanks for the songwriter info and video....again, somebody hears the potential of a song, and (in April Wine's case), crafts a riveting arrangement that I love to think pleased the writer no end! I kinda hope Hud had the reaction that THIS is exactly how "Sign" was meant to sound, when all is said and done! As it happens, "Sign" made the very first edition of our "Yacht Pop Anchors": https://bradkyle.substack.com/p/yacht-pop-anchors-jay-ferguson-henry?utm_source=publication-search
What sets apart AW's arrangement (besides the very upfront guitars) is the close harmonies so well done!
I have a soft spot for April Wine. I saw them in 1981 (I was 12) on their "Nature of the Beast" tour and it was my third-ever concert. Their albums 'On Record', 'Electric Jewels.' and 'Harder Faster' were my favorites because they were a bit harder edged and less stadium rock. However, I still have all of them from their lesser known proggy 1st album (with the horrible cover photo of gnarly feet) to 'Nature of the Beast' and I still throw them on from time to time.
I have never heard the original before, but I quite like it. That said, it's impossible not to hear April Wine as Hud's version plays!
I had the same experience with the Hud version. I somehow never managed to make it to one of their shows and I really only know the hits. That's something I have to rectify.
Cool tour to have seen them! Their peak of popularity (at least in the states). I do like their harder edged albums, as you mention, but Nature of the Beast was my first exposure to them so it will always be my #1. Also, the songs "Future Tense" and "Crash and Burn" fulfill the rocker quotient for me on the album.
Like everyone else, I had no idea the April Wine version was a cover. Love learning this and I dig the original. I still play "Nature of the Beast" regularly as it's a truly solid album that hits many nostalgia buttons for me. "SOTGQ" is just one of several great ones here.
For some reason, this song reminds me of another 1981 tune, Blue Oyster Cult's "Burnin' For You." Both have that lush production, full background vocals in the chorus, and smooth, comforting yet doomy themes. Though "Burnin' For You" might just be a life on the road song. Though 'givin' the devil his due' might have other meanings...
Love this song - thanks for the reminder!!
Always fun to rediscover good tunes!
Great song, and very informative article, MK! Thanks! I never thought to look beyond AW's performance. Thanks for the songwriter info and video....again, somebody hears the potential of a song, and (in April Wine's case), crafts a riveting arrangement that I love to think pleased the writer no end! I kinda hope Hud had the reaction that THIS is exactly how "Sign" was meant to sound, when all is said and done! As it happens, "Sign" made the very first edition of our "Yacht Pop Anchors": https://bradkyle.substack.com/p/yacht-pop-anchors-jay-ferguson-henry?utm_source=publication-search
What sets apart AW's arrangement (besides the very upfront guitars) is the close harmonies so well done!
I do remember you had this track in that post! And thanks for the reminders about the harmonies. It's an integral part of their sound.
I have a soft spot for April Wine. I saw them in 1981 (I was 12) on their "Nature of the Beast" tour and it was my third-ever concert. Their albums 'On Record', 'Electric Jewels.' and 'Harder Faster' were my favorites because they were a bit harder edged and less stadium rock. However, I still have all of them from their lesser known proggy 1st album (with the horrible cover photo of gnarly feet) to 'Nature of the Beast' and I still throw them on from time to time.
I have never heard the original before, but I quite like it. That said, it's impossible not to hear April Wine as Hud's version plays!
I had the same experience with the Hud version. I somehow never managed to make it to one of their shows and I really only know the hits. That's something I have to rectify.
Cool tour to have seen them! Their peak of popularity (at least in the states). I do like their harder edged albums, as you mention, but Nature of the Beast was my first exposure to them so it will always be my #1. Also, the songs "Future Tense" and "Crash and Burn" fulfill the rocker quotient for me on the album.
Like everyone else, I had no idea the April Wine version was a cover. Love learning this and I dig the original. I still play "Nature of the Beast" regularly as it's a truly solid album that hits many nostalgia buttons for me. "SOTGQ" is just one of several great ones here.
For some reason, this song reminds me of another 1981 tune, Blue Oyster Cult's "Burnin' For You." Both have that lush production, full background vocals in the chorus, and smooth, comforting yet doomy themes. Though "Burnin' For You" might just be a life on the road song. Though 'givin' the devil his due' might have other meanings...
So many songs of that era have lush production and full background vocals. I really miss that.