No Time - The Guess Who (1970) 3/22/21

In 1969, The Guess Who released their "Canned Wheat" album, which included the hits, "Laughing" (#1 in Canada, #10 in the US) and "Undun" (#21 in Canada, #22 in the US).

The album also included the first version of a song that was later re-recorded and became a "Great Song of 1970!"

Randy Bachman and Burton Cummings were fans of fellow Canadian Neil Young, and the country rock he was making with Crosby, Still & Nash. They set out to write something similar and they came up with what Bachman called "a reverse 'Dear John' letter." Lyrically, they succeeded brilliantly.

On the other hand, "No Time" was a bit heavier than most CSNY songs, and while it was well done, it wasn't quite the "country rock" they were shooting for. RCA records did not release it as a single.

So for their next Guess Who album, "American Woman," Randy and Burton decided to retool the song a bit. They dialed back the psychedelia, and Burton softened the growing anger in his voice (slightly), making it more in line with the album's title cut (which we highlighted back on 5/2/20: https://www.facebook.com/MichaelCuuuk/posts/173889777417811

They also got rid of the oddball intro and changed the order of the lyrics.

This time, it WAS released as a single...and it went straight to #1 in Canada. In the US, it wasn't far behind, peaking at #5 on Billboard's Hot 100.

Like the old saying, "If you first you don't succeed, try try again." But truthfully, BOTH versions are "Great Songs." Click the links below and compare!

"No Time," by The Guess Who: "American Woman" version (1970):

"Canned Wheat" version (1969):