I’ve always loved this song.

As a teen I saw Triumph a couple of times, some of the first rock concerts I went to see. Incredible performers, of course I was wowed (as 17-year-olds can be) Here’s how the big show looked back then, complete with early 80s video effects:

You don’t hear Triumph very often on the radio anymore, typically the acts that are on their eighth or tenth “farewell tour” have paid to be promoted which doesn’t leave much room. But Rik is still touring, still making some awesome music. A little more grey, but hell, that happens to a lot of us. Look at all that hair, he’s ahead of the game.

Check this one out (1983, represent, when I graduated high school):

Some of my favorite lyrics of all time:

I’m tired of playing all your foolish games
I’m tired of all of your lies making me insane
I don’t ask for much, the truth’ll do just fine
Won’t you lay it on the line

Oh, the second time I saw Triumph was a bit of a clusterfuck. I was seeing this girl, and we broke up. However, we had each already paid for a ticket to the concert, so somehow we decided to go together anyway. Of course we did. They were selling beer, and I had more than my share, so by the end of the show I could barely walk. She drove us home (just like in the commercials, don’t drink and drive idiots) but didn’t really know the way so I remember some squealing tires but we made it without a scratch. I passed out at her house (literally do not remember much of this evening) and at some point in the middle of the night my parents must have called because her dad came in to tell me to go home.

So, yeah. Make it worth the price we pay.