Expert: Bong Santos - 8/3/2006

Question
Hi Bong,
Thanks for trying and it might be it.
I believe it was around 82-83 time frame so it fits but cant be sure.  Part of the problems is that I mostly listened to all the tracks of the artists at that time and it could have been never played on the radio. I am digging through my tapes barried away to see if that was it.  Looking at the lyrics I remember the words but cant get the sound in my head just yet.

Thanks again for trying.
Steve
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Followup To

Question -
I had a friend from years ask me about a song that we used to listen to and I cant seem to place it.  It ended with the
phrase: "No luck today"? That phrase was uttered by a female towards the
end of the song.

I listed to so much different types of music as well as all the songs each group put out I just cant even place it.

Any Ideas?
Thanks for the help.
Steve


Answer -
Dear Steve,

I hope this is your song: WIND HIM UP by SAGA, a song about a compulsive gambler.

SAGA, of course is composed of ex-FLUDD members, bassist JIM CRICHTON, drummer STEVE NEGUS & keyboardist PETER RACHON who formed the band initially as POCKETS with guitarist IAN CRICHTON and vocalist MICHAEL SADLER. After their first album, GREG CHADD replaced RACHON and by 1980 he was replaced by JIM "DARYL" GILMOUR. NEGUS retired in 2004 and was replaced by CHRISTIAN SIMPSON, until sidelined by a neurological condition and replaced in 2005 by former HELIX drummer BRIAN DOERNER. NEGUS and GILMOUR left SAGA briefly in 1986 to record as the GILMOUR-NEGUS PROJECT but reunited with the band in 1993. With RUSH, they fomed part of Canada's progressive rock movement. They released their self-titled debut album in June, 1978. WIND HIM UP (their second single in the US, Hot 100, #64, May, 1983) was on their 1981 album WORLDS APART, their first major label release and probably their greatest album which also contained the song ON THE LOOSE (first single in the US, Hot 100, #26, February 26, 1983), one of the first video to be aired on the then-fledgling MTV. Their 1983 release HEADS OR TALES mark SAGA's last appearance on the Hot 100 Chart with the single THE FLYER which peaked at #79 on December 3, 1983. SAGA continues to record, their latest album being the 2006 set TRUST, accompanied by a world tour that commenced in April in Germany.

Here's how it goes:  

WIND HIM UP / SAGA

Aldo's standing at his table
And he's wondering if he's able
To pick the number right this time
He watches as the wheel stops spinning
Sees the number that is winning
As he reaches for his glass of wine
Once he starts it's hard to stop
He's keepin'up a pace like a tight wound clock
Be sure you don't step in his way
He'll keep those numbers rolling
This may be his last day.
As all the bets are taken
Aldo lights a smoke, he's shakin'
From carnation right to the ground
He knows tonight holds one last chance
'n gives the wheel a final glance
Slippery fingers drop the money down
Once he starts it's hard to stop
He's keepin'up a pace like a tight wound clock
And as he leaves the table, [ No luck today ]
You can rest assured
He's comin' back to try again
Wind him up, he can't stop
He's wound up tight just like the clock
That's winding its second hand down
Wind him up, he can't stop
He keeps on going 'round the clock
He's winding his second hand down
Wind him up, he won't stop
He's wound up tight just like the clock
That's winding its second hand down
Wind him up, he won't stop
He keeps on going 'round the clock
He's winding his second hand down
Wind him up, he can't stop
He's wound up tight just like the clock
That's winding its second hand down
Wind him up, he can't stop
He keeps on going 'round the clock
He's winding his second hand.

Maraming salamat po!

BONG M. SANTOS
Manila, Philippines

Answer
Dear Steve,

I have a strong feeling it is THE song. You said it could have never been played on the radio. It's #64 chart position on the Hot 100 showed that it's not a very popular song at that time. A song with that ranking certainly did not enjoyed a lot of airplays. I myself do not know it by heart and only have a vague memory of the song (except the NO LUCK TODAY part) unlike their other hit ON THE LOOSE. It's like being a BRYAN ADAMS fan but do not know his song with SWEENEY TODD called ROXY ROLLER (charted #99 on the Hot 100 in 1976), nor its re-release with NICK GILDER on the lead vocals (charted #90 on the Hot 100 again in 1976).
Anyways, thanks for writing in. Let me know if it is the song, eh!

Maraming salamat po!

BONG M. SANTOS
Manila, Philippines