Barenaked Ladies - Gordon (1992)

"If I Had $1,000,000" by Barenaked Ladies


Steven Page and Ed Robertson were schoolmates but only acquaintances until both discovered the other loved Peter Gabriel.  They worked as counselors, went to concerts, and played music together.  Eventually, they performed together but would do so without without rehearsing.   After it became a habit, this led to a unique live style founded on their comedic banter, fresh set lists, and improvised raps and cover songs.  They eventually invited friends and brothers Andy (percussion, keyboards) and Jim Creegan (bass) to join the band.  Drummer Tyler Stewart would join as a second percussionist while Andy studied abroad and stayed on after Andy returned.

The band recorded several demos together and then a professionally (and expensively) put together demo, The Yellow Tape, intended for recording labels.  Turned down by all, the band resorted to selling the tape at their live shows.  Yellow was so popular that it sold over 100,000 copies; good enough for platinum status on the Canadian charts.  They released their debut album Gordon with Reprise Records in 1992 to big success in Canada, partially because it contained a number of the band's most popular songs known from their live sets.  Their songs were highlighted by beautiful harmonies, witty lyrics, and an outstanding number music references.  One of these namedrop songs is "Be My Yoko Ono" which turned out to be Canada's first independently released, chart-topping single (that would soon be followed by Moxy Früvous's "King of Spain").

Here is the discography surrounding Barenaked Ladies's debut album:

Buck Naked (1989 demo)
Barenaked Lunch (1990 demo)
Barenaked Recess (1990 demo)
The Yellow Tape (1991 demo)
Variety Recordings: Barenaked Ladies (1991 radio promo)
Be My Yoko Ono (1992 single)
Lovers in a Dangerous Time (1992 compilation song)
Gordon
Enid (1992 single)
Grade 9 (1992 single)
If I Had $1,000,000 (1992 single)
Brian Wilson (1993 single)
What a Good Boy (1993 single)

"Be My Yoko Ono" by Barenaked Ladies


"Brian Wilson" and Interview with Conan O'Brien by Barenaked Ladies


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