TODD RUNDGREN | FIRST COUPLE REACTION to I Saw the Light| REACTING TO AMAZING 70's ROCK!!
Vložit
- čas přidán 8. 09. 2024
- Thank you for joining us! Feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments and don't forget to like and subscribe if you enjoyed this. We're open to suggestions/requests, so if you have one leave in the comments and include #nicknlexrequest for your chance to get a reaction!
This is from the album Something/Anything (1972) by Todd Rundgren
Get it here: amzn.to/3xhvQz2
PATREON (Consider joining for access to exclusive CZcams-blocked content):
/ nicknlex
ABOUT US:
If you'd like to get to know a bit about us, check out our story/background here:
ow.ly/GdRJ50DBbT0
If you'd like to request a song/album or show support to our channel, you can now do so by going here: www.buymeacoff...
Mailing address (THANK YOU!):
Alexia Flores
9615 East County Line Road
Suite B-531
Centennial, CO 80112
MIXTAPE:
If you'd like your customized mix tape like the one you see in the background, visit:
www.amourprint... & enter promo code NICKNLEX for 10% off!
RE: PAUSING, EXPRESSIONS & AIR-INSTRUMENTS:
Please be mindful that we will pause (we prefer to react in the moment & to avoid copyright strike), we will react with enthusiasm, smiles, tears, conversation, exchanged looks and air-instruments. We are expressive by nature and are truly very quirky in every sense of the word. This is who we are and this is what we’ve got to offer. We understand it may not be for everyone, but here's to hoping you all enjoy and we absolutely love positive comments and feedback.
RE: LIVE VERSIONS vs STUDIO:
Check out why we haven't uploaded any live versions... yet. They will be coming, we promise!
• WHY WE HAVEN’T UPLOADE...
For more updates on us, you can follow us here:
Twitter: / nicknlexfilms
Facebook: / nicknlex
Instagram: / nicknlex
OUR MERCH (new!):
www.NicknLex.com
Our equipment:
Our headphones: amzn.to/3dapHta
Microphone: amzn.to/3LPrFi7
Tripod & lighting: amzn.to/2OKqXuJ
Remote shutter button: amzn.to/3u8bMvm
Headphone splitter: amzn.to/2NsACW5
Outro music by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio.
No copyright infringement intended. We do not own the music we are reacting to. This reaction constitutes Fair Use.
Notwithstanding the provisions of sections 106 and 106A, the fair use of a copyrighted work, including such use by reproduction in copies or phonorecords or by any other means specified by that section, for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching (including multiple copies for classroom use), scholarship, or research, is not an infringement of copyright.”
This video and our CZcams channel in general may contain certain copyrighted works that were not specifically authorized to be used by the copyright holder(s), but which we believe in good faith are protected by federal law and the FAIR USE doctrine for one or more of the reasons noted above.
If you have any specific concerns about this video or our position on the fair use defense, please contact us at nicknlex11@gmail.com so we can discuss amicably.
Thank you.
#toddrundgren
The guitarists on this are amazing, Todd Rundgren and Todd Rundgren. The bassist, Todd Rundgren, and the drummer, Todd Rundgren, have such an amazing pocket. And the keyboards by Todd Rundgren are also spectacular. The tambourine and handclaps by Todd Rundgren add a nice touch, as do the background vocals by Todd Rundgren. All in all, Todd Rundgren is a great band.
Great response
Too funny....but true!
All-in-all Todd Rundgren is great!! Also a good one... Hello it's me!!!
How about bugs bunny.😅
The fourth side has some other players.
Todd’s the man. Genius. Crazy man. His music is all over the map. He can be pop. He can be prog. He can be traditional. He can be way out. He’s not in a genre. He is a genre
A man who makes a living from a plastic waffle? How completely awful!
Hahah buts it’s true
Great comment; he IS his own genre. And a genius one, at that!
@@trainman5323 😊
@@MarcosElMalo2 😉😉😉
"Hello It's Me" is so poignant -- it must be Todd's next. #nicknlexrequest
Anyway, this song (I Saw the Light) gives me a Motown vibe.
I suggest that anyone considering "Hello, It's Me" for the first time, to FIRST listen to the version by NAZZ (Rundgren's second band), which was a fairly big hit when it came out. I absolutely fell in love with that original version, which Todd wrote, but did not sing lead. After hearing that version, then one should hear the original studio version!
Just my $.02!
Hello It's Me is, in my opinion, one of the very best pop songs ever recorded. The instrumentation, the vocals, not just Todd's but the backup vocals, it's just a wonderful studio jam.
Hello It’s Me was an instant classic. Same album, too. Must listen.
@@MissAstorDancer Hello, It’s Me is a good choice for this vein of musical gold, but I’d also suggest Real Man, the first track on Initiation for a different side of Todd.
@@MarcosElMalo2 :"Real Man" is up high on my list of fave Todd songs! One of my fave vids with Todd is the performance of "Real Man" done at an outside venue. The performance was included in Todd's film "The Ever Popular Tortured Artist Effect"!
The album of the same name was weak, at best - due to it having been done only to fulfill his contract with Bearsville.
And the movie is NOT for the casual listener. Even some die-hard fans don't care for it.
It's available on youtube, as are just the performances of "Real Man" and the video for "Fair Warning". Both are a must for anyone who loves Todd's mind and music!
Todd is an amazing artist and innovator in his own right, as well as a producer for albums by Hall & Oates, Cheap Trick, XTC and the previously mentioned Meat Loaf. He was finally inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame last year. “Hello, It’s Me” would be a good second song from him.
Yes, please. "Hello, It's Me" is a hugely important song by TR.
Yes, "Hello, Its Me" is the next one for sure.
Yes! But make sure it's the version from Something/Anything rather than the earlier version from Nazz.
@@massimosaffioti8798 Yes, very important. That or the Midnight Special performance.
Hello It's Me and Can We Still Be Friends are two of my favorites by Todd Rundgren. Please make them your next choices.
Love that you're doing Todd. Next stop, "Hello, It's Me"...please. Todd was an amazing musician, often playing all the instruments on his works, and producing them as well. He was a driving force in the production of Meat Loaf's Bat Out of Hell album.
Don't forget the #nicknlexrequest :-)
This one reminds me of my senior year sweetheart after we broke up.. Still get that same feeling when I hear it..
He's still an amazing musician and producer. And 'Bat Out of Hell' is arena rock, power ballad cheese, really compared to the work with Nazz, Rundgren's best solo work, and Utopia.
@@s.scottsdale1839 You're right, wrong verb tense there. I know BOOH is considered cheese by many, but it's one that often gets overlooked.
Try “Hello it’s me” or “it wouldn’t have made any difference “ from the same album. So many hits. Todd is a prolific song writer and has had a long career. His band Utopia is worth a listen too (try “ love is the answer”. )
You're doing Rungren??? YES!!!!!!!! I love it guys 🤟
This track (and most of this album) is ALL TODD - he played all instruments and sang backing vocals. He had a loyal following and definitely caught my ear through the years. ✨😜 He was another artist that other musicians often admired. Great pick and reaction 👍 🫦💕
And Lex’s stunning summer look 👀 💕
“Can We Still Be Friends” was popular too. ✨😉
Don’t forget his amazing production on Steve Hillage’s album L.
Love Todd Rundgren songs. He has such a great feel. But didn’t realize he played all the instruments. Amazing!
@@hoopsmccann9228 I dig your screen name!
I think the first three sides of Something/Anything? are Todd solo in the studio. Then there's a flashback recording to his garage band days on side four, followed by live studio recordings with a band, singers and a horn section.
Yes, he was 24 when he recorded the album, which I love. It's Rundgrend's White album. Tons of great songs. Btw, he's also a great producer, Badfinger, Grand Funk, Meat Loaf, and one of my favorite bands XTC.
Jeez! He Produced "Bad Finger" . . . no wonder they and he have that "Beatles" vibe :).
...and Sparks!... the Tubes!...
@@johnhricko8212 Right, Love Bomb. Played the hell out of that one. Fun stuff
@@Frankincensedjb123 Night People!
For Todd Rundgren ---- go to the 1969 album , and group , titled 'NAZZ' and do the song 'HELLO IT'S ME'. It was the debut album for the group created by Todd Rundgren , again 'NAZZ' . His songs were created to be welcomed for popular radio-play around 1969 ,70,71, but don't let that deter you --so was Chicago !
Todd Rundgren is a musical genius. Other great suggestions: Hello It's Me and It wouldn't have made any difference among many more.
A Dream Goes on Forever. When he did it on Old Grey Whistle Test. Wow, chills. Also Love is the Answer. That one gets me every time! A tear in the eye. He was a prodigy. He played all the instruments on that album. Wrote the songs too.
Two fantastic suggestions!
Todd was the WHOLE band! A GENIUS! Producer, engineer, etc.
All instruments and vocals by Todd.
Also written and produced by Todd.
One man orchestra!
Played this album constantly as a teen, he's the most underrated genius ever. Thanks so much for this.
Todd Rundgren was awesome growing up with his songs on the radio, top notch music artist, love it.
Hello It's Me and Can We Still Be Friends are both musts by him! 🔥🔥
My first exposure to Todd Rungren was while I was stationed in Germany in 1968. At that time he formed a group call NAZZ. They had a couple of hits one of which was "Hello It's Me". He also was in the group UTOPIA. He is multi-talented and his credits include singer, songwriter, multimedia artist, sound engineer and record produce.
Love "Open My Eyes" by Nazz!
Yesss! Love that you finally got to Todd! Next you should try Can We Still Be Friends, Love Is The Answer (as Utopia) and Hello it's me. For 90s Todd try anything from the Almost Human album.
Great song!!! Todd is angelic in voice and lyrics!!! Amazing artist!
It’s so damn sweet, yet somehow avoids being nauseating or syrupy for being so sweet. I don’t know how it charted, but I totally get the car radio nostalgia reference. This is the type of poppy music we’d listen to in my mom’s car on the AM radio. 93 KHJ!!
There is an episode of Live From Daryl’s House that was filmed at Todd’s house in Hawaii. Any performance from that episode would be a great second listen. Todd’s involvement with Meatloaf and Hall & Oates as producer is part of his legacy. ✌️
Not just a great performer and musician, but a cracking producer too.
*A Wizard, A True Star* ⭐️ 🌟 ⭐️
"I Saw the Light" is one of the best pure pop songs of the 70's. "Hello It's Me" was another huge hit for Rundgren. Thanks for the reaction!
There is a lot to love about the entire Something/Anything? album. "Hello, It's Me" may be his best known song but I also love the power pop of "Couldn't I Just Tell You".
MY MAN TODD. He's my all-time favorite musician. I've seen him in concert four times, the first of which I was six (blew a chance to meet him, to my great regret) and the best of which was just him and a piano. You said he had good musicians on the track, so I looked it up to double-check - he played ALL the instruments on this one. (He's said before it was often easier for him to learn a new instrument than try to explain what was in his head to someone else.)
You've probably also heard his work as an album producer before now without even knowing it. Albums he produced include Bat Out of Hell (Meat Loaf) and We're an American Band (Grand Funk Railroad). He also pioneered stuff like online music sales well before iTunes and Spotify became big deals.
The thing about where to go next is that Todd's done a bit of *absolutely everything* - literally the album after this one, he threw out all the rules and did whatever he wanted. He's done a cappella. He's done prog. He's done near-orchestral stuff. (The 'bossa nova covers of his songs' album is kinda weird. XD) Something/Anything alone is diverse enough that another channel's hit four of Todd's songs and three of them were from this one album.
I think my short list is going to have to go in another comment because it will not be all that short. XD Mostly, this isn't even the tip of the iceberg yet. (Also, funny you should mention it sounded a bit Hawaiian - he lives in Hawaii now.)
Thanks, Jill. Great info. Looking for your list now. ✨😉
Just saw Todd 7/24 in Laughlin, NV...absolutely stunning concert...easily one of my top ten, and I have seen hundreds, upon hundreds. At 76 he still has a fantastic voice. Playrd for two and a half hours, singing, and playing guitar, bouncing all over the stage. Man have I missed out not seeing him before. He is a huge producer, and computer programmer as well, and has some of his programs on Apple products. An absolute genius. Awesome live show.
It was great when Daryl Hall took his band and went to do Live From Daryl's House from Todd's house in Hawaii and it was FAB- also when he did live from Daryl's house at Nick Lowe's house in London UK
So I'm a huge Prog fan and I love when you guys play Prog, but I'm also a HUGE Rundgren fan! Todd Rundgren was an incredible songwriter and musician and I feel like his legacy has been a little forgotten over the years. I would encourage you to keep on checking his stuff out! He even had his own Prog band! Called "Utopia" and they were most certainly Prog during the 70's. They are worth checking out.
Todd's solo albums that I would recommend most highly are this one, "Something.... Anything", "A Wizard A True Star", "Todd", "Hermit of Mink Hollow" (my personal favorite album by him), and "A Cappella". But he's had many great albums over the years. I hope you keep checking Todd out!
Great choice! This album is a lost treasure of 70's American rock music. Should be mentioned with the likes of Steely Dan & Little Feat. Next: The Night the Carousel Burned Down.
I forgot about the Carousel Song! Thanks for the reminder.
His album A Wizard, A True Star from 1973 is must-listen for two reasons: 1. It showcases his genius as a songwriter and musician with nods to motown, pop, rock, and more; and 2. Has songs that segue from one to another, ala XTX's masterpiece, Skylarking, which Todd produced. Oh yeah, greetings from up the road...in Cheyenne! Song pick: Sometimes I Don't Know What To Feel
Todd wanted to be different, he produced music on that album motivated from his experience with psychedelics. He wasn’t influenced by anybody but himself. He’s a genius
I had the pleasure of having a one-hour, one-on-one conversation with Todd at a hotel on Kauai. My wife and I were there to produce video press releases for a 1999 conference on “Storytelling for the New Millennium.” Todd is probably the most versatile and outright outrageous singer-songwriter you will experience. This a a classic pop song that Todd is excellent at. If you want to continue in that vein, then do “Hello, It’s Me” or “Can’t We Still Be Friends.” If you want more hard rock, try “The Death of Rock and Roll” or some of his songs with “Utopia.” If you want wildly progressive, try side one of A Wizard, A True Star.” Have fun!
Wow! Thats awesome getting to interview him :). I need to do a deeper dive into his music (other than knowing his earlier tracks and a few by Utopia), but REALLY loved "The Death of Rock 'n Roll"! So much so, that I just added it to an older themed playlist based on its _subject:_ czcams.com/play/PL2DU3TBNutEcz6ZgL0W4Z4x7WcoirutnD.html
Or the RA album and oops wrong planet
Absolutely agree...
Hi Guys, Wow ! Memories. Been a while since I heard this song. Yes very much like a Beatles song. I saw Todd live in 1979. It was at an open air concert known as Knebworth. He was one of the artists playing before the main event. You may have heard of them .... Led Zeppelin ! Yes I was there in '79, and much was captured on dvd. I could see camermen around and on the stage and thought Oh I hope they are filming for a concert release. They were but Jimmy Page refused to have it released, because the recording wasn't good enough for him, for many years then ... he got involved in remastering it. Finally some amazing footage was released on dvd. Amazing to hear & watch live tracks like "Achillies Last Stand" & "Kashmir" It was an amazing day and time in my life. Boy I got some stories. Lol ... Great track from Todd. Thankyou for playing. Byeee ! Jim X
Todd is an amazing singer/songwriter. Many great tracks in his catalog. Heard him a lot on the radio, but there are some nice deep cuts from him as well. Another great guy to check out is Les Dudek, he did work with Steve Miller through his career, and also Steppenwolf. Great guitarist and songwriter, not bad vocally as well. Glad you guys are hitting Todd!
Love Todd! I consider this song to be one of the most perfect pop songs ever recorded! I suggest "Sweeter Memories", and the bittersweet "It Wouldn't Have Made Any Difference", both from Something/Anything, and from the album Todd, "A Dream Goes On Forever" and the anthemic "Sons of 1984". If you do the latter, you may want to check the background story on it, as it is way cool. 🎵❤️🎵
Sweeter Memories and It Wouldn't Have Made Any Difference are two of my favorites from the Something/Anything album as well. Thanks for suggesting them!
@@ohfour-seven6228 You bet!
It truly is a perfect pop song, but very sophisticated, as pop goes. The composition, the lyrics, the vocals, the arrangement, the harmony, the color between...I can go on and on. It's also sweet, beautiful and heartfelt.
"Hello it's me", is one of tod rundgrens best songs! I guarantee you'll love it!
Always did like this song 👍🏽 Lex is looking good 😍
Love this song. Love Todd. “Hello It’s Me” is a must listen!
Todd brings me straight back to riding in the front seat as a little kid with my father driving with the AM radio on. I so miss my father. This brought tears to my eyes…
I love this song so much! One of my favorites by Todd. My Tia (my dad’s younger sister) had this on 45 back in the 70s. She always played records when she took care of me while my parent worked. I have so many fond memories hanging out with her when I was 4-5 years old and a lot of those memories include us listening to music together. We sadly lost my auntie unexpectedly at the beginning of the year but I’ve found listening to some of those old songs has helped with the grief and gives me a sense she’s still around listening with me. I loved this reaction video. 💙👏🏼
Always thrilled to hear someone discovering Todd for the very first time, and this is a very common entry point for his material. From here, as others have suggested, you have to listen next to Hello It's Me. If possible, find the version where he stops and starts the opening few notes to the song. This song was recorded live with session musicians - no overdubs! From this album, I'd also suggest tracks like Couldn't I Just Tell You, It Wouldn't Have Made Any Difference or Marlene . On that last one, the liner notes describe it as "a shiver and a sigh".
"For the Want of a Nail", Love is the Answer, Hello, it's Me, Something Anything album, The Last Ride, Bang on the Drum All Day, A Dream Goes on Forever, "Real Man", Love in Action, Rock Love, so many more!
Todd lovingly raised little Liv Rundgren as his true daughter, until Liv discovered Steve Tyler had actually donated his dna to Liv’s mother. . . . . now, that little girl is Liv Tyler.
I have had that TR album since a senior in high school, 1972. . . . Lovin’ Liv since the horrible Pearl Harbor movie.
But she looks more like Todd to me.
The other song by Todd Rundgren that charted here in Australia as I remember is "Can We Still Be Friends"( a sad song ).
He also produced the BAND's STAGE FRIGHT album
More Todd Rundgren? Something/Anything is my favorite Rundgren album and contains some great songs of his. There are two other single from there... Couldn't I Just Tell You and Hello It's Me (his biggest hit and my personal favorite). Other favorites include Black Maria, Some Folks Is Even Whiter than Me, Piss Aaron, The Night the Carousel Burned Down and Slut.
In the 60s, he was in a band called Nazz. Check out the song Open My Eyes.
In the 80s he had a minor hit with Bang the Drum All Day;
As a producer he made albums with a variety of artists such as The Band, Badfinger, Cheap Trick, XTC, The Tubes, Rick Derringer and The Patti Smith Group.
He produced both We're an American Band and Shinin' On by Grand Funk. Check out both title tracks as well as Stop Looking Back, Creepin', The Loco-Motion and Destitute and Losin'.
He also Produced and played guitar on Bat Out of Hell by Meat Loaf... Please check out Paradise by the Dashboard Light... you won't regret it.
Finally there's Utopia. Todd's Prog Rock side project. Start with Utopia Theme (live) from Todd Rundgren's Utopia and see where you wanna go from there.
Till next time...
Cheers!
Next Up - *_Hello It's Me_* - Is a heavy song for me - her name was Susanne if you need to know. This song stirs up the mud of the bottom of that memory.
Todd Rundgren definitely is a rabbit hole in that there are interesting surprises around corners. Next I would suggest the song Just One Victory for a slightly different and expansive look into his music. The song is on his following album titled, A Wizard, A True Star.
I love "not what I was expecting" -- I'm not sure what you were expecting, but whatever it might be, there is probably a Todd song that will be exactly that, too! You'll need a whole lot more songs to even get a hint of his range, in other words. This is an excellent reaction video and great start! I like all the suggestions I've seen from previous commenters. I'd try maybe "Everybody's Going to Heaven/King Kong Reggae" (really just because the two segue into each other, but particularly the former is unbelievably dense and heavy by comparison to what you've heard, and still really beautiful).
I think I expected something more in the style of Donald Fragen or something. I was really surprised how amazing this was. Thank you ❤️
So much variety!!!
Todd’s huge talent to write great pop songs is actually what drove him away from ‘trying’ to be a pop artist.
Can We Still be Friends is one of his hits that is beautiful and covered by dozens of artists.
But after that, he wanted zero to do with the pop charts.
He, like his friend and collaborator Daryl Hall, was heavily influenced by their hometown, Philadelphia soul groups like the Spinners, Chi-Lites, Delfonics, O’Jays, and Stylistics. Can’t go wrong with the greatest hits of any of
Those groups!
But Rundgren has created a prog group -Utopia- which evolved over time to more of a power pop, new wave sound.
But all the while, he continued his solo output… and it’s pretty legendary.
So many great songs, which only got played on college stations.
Try Love of the Common Man.
Another beautiful suggestion! Excellent comments as well!
Great to get ready for work with this reaction! 😊 I always got a Carole King vibe from this tune. Hello it's Me, this song, and a little Utopía are all I'm familiar with from Todd, but I know there are some gems from him. Isn't there a Beatle-ish record from Utopía that came out in the early 80's? I'm going to have to hear more....
Yeah, I had that album - Deface the Music. And when I first heard this song I thought it was Carole King!
Between covering Prog and Metal, I honestly didn't think you'd ever get to Todd (although his group Utopia might have gotten him in there). So happy I was wrong! If I remember right, he was 21(?) while recording this amazing double album. He's an amazing live artist as well. Saw him a few times but not nearly enough. I won't even make a suggestion since you have literally dozens of albums to discover gems from. And don't expect everything to be the same style - far from it! Just hope to hear more Todd soon!
I've seen Todd more than any other artists. I'll never forget seeing him in Hoch Auditorium at KU. Hoch was the site of my chemistry class!
Todd Rundgren is my favorite songwriter of all time. Been a fan since his early days with Nazz.
Please do "the last ride" from Todd Rundgren. It's his best song in my opinion. It so good! enjoy the Todd ride!
good suggestion.
I was going to suggest that too -- particularly from the live album, but either way. Extraordinary "blue eyed soul" singing.
@@wagstaff6135 the studio one has that amazing solo at the end that the live one just can't bring.
@@pannenkoekspek I just like the freer vocal on the live one
@@wagstaff6135 I think they both should be heart, with the studio version being first!
Mr. Rundgren's one of my faves. Solo, Nazz, Runt, Utopia and a great producer.
Another could be recorded with Daryl Hall's musical show " Daryl's House". They collaborate on "Can We still be Friends". This is a classic!
That show's version of Sweet is really SWEEEEEEET!
Todd is a Wizard a True Star! Todd fan since the early 70’s. He has a ton of great songs so it hard to just pick one favorite song!
Todd Rundgren "Hello It's Me",, "Can We Still Be Friends",, "We Gotta Get You A Woman",, "A Dream Goes On Forever" & "Bang The Drum All Day"
I went to a Todd Rundgren concert (and Carl Palmer of ELP was also on the bill) in 2017 and I expected to hear songs like this BUT early on he played a song called "This Is Not a Drill". Joe Satriani joins him and plays a wicked guitar. It's very loud and in your face. I highly recommend checking that one out.
I attended that concert, and YES was the final act, if I'm not mistaken. Todd Rundgren was fantastic 👏
@@lindazee you are exactly right!
We Gotta Get you a Woman by Runt, which was a short-lived band Todd was in circa 1970.
I saw him 6 years ago in a 800 sear venue in the Twin Cities with his band Utopia. Awesome!!!!
I have loved Todd Rundgren forever! Met him 5 years ago - a friendly, down to earth man.
Funny you picked up on the Hawaiian thing - Todd and his wife own a restaurant in Honolulu.
The restaurant is on the island of Kauai. Great family.
TODD RUNDGREN Bang the Drum All Day Fun song!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You've probably already reacted to songs with Todd Rundgren's influence on this channel without even knowing it. He was (and still is) a prolific producer, engineer, song writer and musician-playing a variety of instruments. a true musical renaissance man.
Probably his biggest hit and a fabulous song, "Hello It's Me"!!
Todd turned into a great producer...has an amazing ear - also make sure you have heard "Hello It's Me"
Very cool that you guys checked out Todd. I don't say this lightly, but Todd is one of the most gifted/innovative American artists/musicians of the past 50 + yrs. Musically Todd covered A LOT of ground during his career. This song represents his early pop oriented period. He would have sold more records, but he was constantly experimenting with his music. Two years after this song, he was doing full blown prog with the first Utopia album! If you want to stick to his pop side, check out, Couldn't I just tell you, The last ride, A dream goes on forever, or Boat on the Charles
Todd is currently touring with Daryl Hall. (Check out their work together on Live From Daryl's House videos.) They did one of those shows from Todd's Hawaiian backyard.
Next dips into his music should include Hello It's Me; Can We Still Be Friends; and for some fun, Bang The Drum All Day. #nicknlexrequest
The entirety of 'A Wizard/A True Star'... an oddball masterpiece after this one...
Saw him in tandem with Daryl Hall a few weeks ago and he stole the show. As a young chauffeur I picked him up from his home in Sausalito and drove he and his two wives to a show he did in San Jose. We all had Chinese food at his place after the show. Cool dude. The Daryl's House recording at Todd's place in Hawaii is awesome!
I double-dirty-dog dare you to tackle "The Ikon" from "Todd Rundgren's Utopia", the debut album of his band Utopia. It is a monster classic of prog-rock.
The song is a full half-hour long. It took up one side of an LP, and they had to push record technology to its limits, squeezing the grooves together on the vinyl, to actually fit this song on a record. Most vinyl albums only have grooves for about 20 minutes.
Todd is a GIANT. He never hit huge commercial appeal (or gave a damn about such) past "Hello It's Me" and this song, which did see great radio play. Not much of his stuff did, perhaps because he didn't cater to anything but his own art.
He put out some THIRTY studio and live albums. He was a wizard and true star of the studio, a wonderful lyricist and singer, and a helluva guitar player. VERY DEEP DIVE if you want to get into Todd, which you absolutely should.
If you aren't brave enough to take on "The Ikon" at 30 minutes, try "Utopia Theme (live)" from the same album. It's only 15 minutes long.
Blessings.
Second that!
The song you want to do is Todd Rundgren - Hello, It's Me, which is also equally amazing! I believe he wrote and recorded these biggest hits when he was still a teenager. Todd Rundgren is an amazing artist, singer-songwriter, guitarist, pianist, and producer... he is legend. He has a well-deserved place in the RocknRoll Hall of Fame fairly recently.
Back in 1993 when I worked for Egghead Software, our company, along with about 10 others, threw a big industry party at the San Francisco Exploratorium during the week of the huge trade show MacWorld San Francisco (the winter one was in Boston). That was an amazing trade show for me, as I ran into a few of my idols. In the hallway of the Moscone Center I ran into Jazz singer Patty Andress of the famous husband/wife duo Tuck & Patti. I ran into her and asked her, "Where is Tuck?". He was wandering the floor looking at Apple Mac based Music Recording Software, of course. And as I was hanging out at one of my vendor's Opcode Vision (MIDI) booths, I run into living Jazz legend Herbie Hancock! He was quite a lovely chap and as a Jazz musician myself, it was a thrill. But we both had business to attend to so off we went in our own directions. Later that night, at the Exploratorium party, Todd is just tearing it up as a one-man band performing on guitar and keyboards along with MIDI tracks. It was amazing. One of my music software distributors knew what a fan I was of Herbie, and he brought him back to meet me again and we took a photo. What an amazing week that was.
The album "Something/Anything" was Todd's biggest commercial success and deserves to be listened too in its entirety. An earlier great tune from Todd is "We Got To Get You a Woman" released in 1970 . He also wrote another hit that was covered by England Dan & John Ford Coley, "Love Is The Answer" and played on the radio all the time in 1979, Todd recorded it with Utopia in 1977.
'Can we still be friends'...that is the jam and a gem. Listen asap!
It made a cameo in the movie 'Vanilla Sky' by Tom Cruise.
So so glad you are finally hitting Todd. He is a musical genius that I have listened to for 50 years. Hopefully this is just the beginning of your TR journey!!! His biggest hit is probably " Hello it's Me", but there are sooo many. He is the king of power pop ballads, but did so much more. He even had a progressive phase. If you want to see an amazing guitar solo by Todd watch one of the live versions of 'Last Ride'.. he really is a wizard, a true star.
Todd is fantastic, named my son after him. Please do "Just one victory" If possible, the best version is from Another Live by Utopia. Other great songs include all the children sing and can we still be friends. He also did an album acapella, where all the instruments are made by his voice.
I was a HUGE Todd fan. He played all the instruments on that album. I went to all his concerts in the early 70's. The concerts ran between 3 and 4 hours. The first stage was just him at a grand piano, playing his pop tunes, like I saw the Light and Hello it Me. The second stage was him and his band in which he played guitar. In 1974, the album Todd came out, and he kept teasing the crowd saying next year we are going to Utopia. And boy did he :) Utopia was his electric Band and I will never forget that introduction and the first song the Utopia Theme. I have tons of wonderful memories about him.
Round 2 :) he has 3 seperate appearances on the Dinner at Darrel's house show. The Last Ride with Darrel Hall is just Killer. Izzat Love is also from the 74 album Todd and is just a joy. Wizard/A true star is unlike other album ever recorded. The theme is basicly a tune that he plays about 4 times. The lyrics change and and as it progresses more and more is added and culminates with "When the shit hits the Fan" He had his own studio and no other studio would have released that album
Todd played all the instruments and did all the voices on sides 1, 2 and 3 of Something/Anything
Todd was ahead of his time. Very unique and super talented.
Yes. My conversation with Todd in 1999 was about a forerunner to Patreon called Patronet. He wanted to bypass record companies and market his music directly to fans.
If I have to pick a favorite song, and with Todd's body of work that's damn near impossible, but if I have to pick one it's "Baby Let's Swing/The Last Thing You Said/Don't Tie My Hands." I *don't* like singing in front of other people but that one's a Mandatory Sing-Along and has been since I was a kid.
"I Saw the Light" is one of his few big hits of note. The others include "Hello It's Me," "Can We Still Be Friends," and (sigh) "Bang the Drum All Day," which if you've gone to enough American Sportsball you have probably heard blasted in some stadium or other. (If I must listen to that one I prefer the ukelele version. XD)
Otherwise, a 'short' list follows:
Broke Down and Busted
We Gotta Get You a Woman
Couldn't I Just Tell You
Song of the Viking
Just One Victory
Real Man
All the Children Sing
Determination
The Want of a Nail
Parallel Lines
The Waiting Game
Hawking
Change Myself
Who's Sorry Now
Kindness
Second Wind
Love Is the Answer (more properly, that's Utopia and not Todd solo, I believe)
I Hate My Frickin' ISP (I wasn't kidding when I said he's done a bit of everything. XD)
Saw him on the Midnight Special. Knew immediately that he has talent. Another legend.
Have a great day!
So glad you're delving into the great Todd Rundgren. I saw him live close up at the Agora in Cleveland in my 20's - fantastic! So many great songs that were big hits. I would suggest "It Wouldn't Have Made Any Difference". "Love Is The Answer", and "Can We Still Be Friends" as "can't miss" choices. Love your show.
OMG, Singrin and the Glass Guitar. He has such an extensive catalogue. Some pop, some incredibly progressive. You'll love Singrin. Love you guys!
Rundren is one of those guys who rarely wants a hit record, but can put one out whenever he wants.
Todd wrote some really pleasant thoughtful songs, "Hello its me" and "We Got To Get You a Woman" come to mind. And also the unthoughtful "Bang On The Drum" is also a classic by him.
My brother, who is 9 years older than I, LOVED Todd Rundgren in the '70s, so I grew up on his music. Todd used to perform in small towns near us before he became a star, and my brother got to see him (alas, I was too young). You should listen to "We Got to Get You a Woman" (1970) and "Bang the Drum All Day" (1982; listen to the 2015 remaster).
I once saw Todd Rundgren (in the 70s) walk out on stage, sit down next to a reel to reel, kick it on and sing over an hour with him playing everything on the reel. It was great!
Wow, that’s awesome! Also: just posted a new Todd Rundgren video! Good timing!
I just resubscribed I was wiped going back and retracing my subscriptions. You guys are excellent and I like your understanding of musicianship….
☮️❤️🙏🌎🌍🌏🇺🇸❤️☮️
Todd Rundgren, hello it’s me should be next. Great reaction Guys, double hugs👌👈...
“A Dream Goes On Forever “
One of my favorites. Just a beautiful song.
Hello, It’s Me 😃
Love Todd! Song sounds just as good today as it did back in high school. 70s were the best time grow up!
Life long fan of Todd. Just realize that there isn’t a typical Todd song/sound. He is a master of variety and is fearless and unapologetic. He is an artist in the purest sense - some would say a wizard, a true star.
OMG you have sooo much to hear-keep listening to Todd
‘Hello it’s me’ was a big hit. Also try ‘All the Children Sing’ and ‘Can We Still Be Friends’.
Brilliant guy. Mainly a solo artist. He did have a rock fusion band called Utopia. Todd has no limits.
I was overseas in Okinawa when this album first came out. Todd is a genius and innovator worked with everyone. Yea, I'm old bus this is true "Classic Rock" Glad you enjoyed it as I did in 1972. "Hello It's Me" should be next,Thanks.
This is a great intro to Todd's music. _Something/Anything?_ is a tremendous album, with Todd playing all the instruments on the first three of four album sides. This is his tribute to Carole King, who was well-known by industry insiders as a hit songwriter since 1960, but had just hit the spotlight the year prior with her 4-Grammy winning album _Tapestry._
Interestingly, in an interview decades later, (by _The Quietus,_ I think, maybe?) the interviewer asked Todd about whether drugs were an influence in his writing. Unlike most older rockers, who tend to downplay that sort of thing, Todd was very frank, and replied (paraphrased): "Oh sure! I was experimenting with Ritalin, and it was super-interesting. The first time I took it, I ended up writing _I Saw the Light_ in about 20 minutes . . ."
Much more to discover here, as prog fans, from his solo albums, and especially the ones with Utopia, the band he formed around his music. Monumental figure and innovative producer.
you're gonna love Todd Rundgren and his group Utopia! Yay!
Yes, he was 20 years old when he recorded this song. "Can We Still Be Friends" among my favorites.
Todd was a true innovator in music industry. A world class sound engineer, songwriter and musician. Just inducted into the Rock Hall 2022.
Terrific that you are heading down this significant music rabbit hole!
My "serious" education into the world of music began age 15, two years after the release of this album, and TR was one of the artists I explored. I was introduced to his music when a friend of mine and I skipped school one afternoon, and headed to his house to listen to albums on his father's killer audio system. Interestingly, the first album we played was the 2nd Steely Dan album Countdown To Ecstasy, released a couple of months prior. We were interrupted by his older sister, along with her boyfriend, who had the same idea as we did - listen to albums. Her boyfriend turned out to be one of the biggest rock/pop musicologists in N.E. Ohio (Cleveland region). He is the one who suggested we listen to this album, Something/Anything, as a starting point. He specifically said "starting point" because Todd's two followup albums (A Wizard A True Star, and Todd) were quite different, even challenging.
Before we even began listening to the first song, he stressed that Todd can't be pigeon holed, doesn't easily fit into a category, or style. Going back to his earliest days with the Nazz (beginning 1968), he was hailed as the next blues-rock guitar god, following in the footsteps of one of his heroes, Eric Clapton. The fact that he owned and played one of Eric's guitars from his Cream days was highly suggestive of where he was going as a musician. That initial image was easy for the music press and fans to embrace. Then came changes, twists and turns, to the point where he perfected the piano forward pop album, which is what you hear on S/A. Truth is that on all those earliest albums by Todd (three with Nazz, on which he was the primary songwriter, and his two solo releases called Runt, 1970, and Runt: The Ballad Of Todd Rundgren, 1971) you will hear a variety of styles, and even some incredible leaps, all of it hinting at what would come on his adventurous post S/A solo albums, and with his prog centered band, Utopia. That said, there is plenty of wonderful material to explore on Something/Anything.
As an explanation as to why and how Todd was able to release albums that might have seemed at odds with his suggested image, and what fans expected of him, is because in 1970 he began producing, both for his record company (Bearsville, a Warner Brothers subsidiary), as well as other labels. He did not need to sell x number of his own albums, or tour endlessly to make money as a music artist. His production work, at his home studio, paid his bills, allowing him the freedom to write and record whatever he wanted for his own albums. He could also play all the instruments, and sing all the parts, further cutting costs, adding other musicians as he saw fit. Very few musical artists had that freedom, multi-instrumental ability, music theory insight, pragmatic skills, work ethic, and creativity. All of that is what you get with Todd. For me, a great inspiration and mentor through my musical education.
That said, I would recommend doing exactly what that musicologist recommended to me when he introduced me to Todd's music: Go back to the beginning, absorb all he had done up to the point where you are now, understanding that by that point in his young life, he had been producing for a number of acts, including Apple Records artist Badfinger, at the suggestion of George Harrison. Get that background in your head before you drop the needle on the first track of A Wizard A True Star.