1 of 1- RadioActive
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How Trooper's "Raise A Little Hell" Became Their Only U.S. Hit
Trooper is not exactly a household name down south. Especially when it comes to one of their signature tunes, "Raise A Little Hell." The band explains that it had been around for a decade before they even bothered putting it on vinyl, because they only used it for a rousing concert ender.
But it almost didn't get onto the charts down there, because of its title.
"Radio stations refused to play the track during the day, claiming it was "too heavy," and relegated it to an after 6 p.m. time slot, which had the record label frantic. As a result, the record label re-released the track with "Round Round We Go" on the other side.
Radio stations ended up playing "Round Round We Go" during the day and "Raise a Little Hell" at night. (Lead singer Ra) McGuire chalked part of the radio stations' lack of wanting to play the track to its use of "hell" in the title, with the frontman revealing Bachman once wanted to change it to "howl." Despite initial reluctance, the track became known as a classic rock and arena rock staple."
1979 Classic Rock Song, Rejected by Radio Stations, Became a Breakthrough Hit
- paterson1
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Re: How Trooper's "Raise A Little Hell" Became Their Only U.S. Hit
Raise A Little Hell wasn't really that big a hit on Canadian radio either. It became more popular in the years that followed at sports events, political rallies, even weddings. The song reached #27 in Canada in 1978. Janine was their only top ten hit at #7, and seven other singles charted higher than Raise A Little Hell. Their greatest hits album (Hot Shots) sold over 6X platinum in Canada reaching over 600,000 purchased. Trooper had four other multi platinum or platinum albums, one gold album and continue to perform to this date.
- RadioActive
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Re: How Trooper's "Raise A Little Hell" Became Their Only U.S. Hit
Best song they ever did - We're Here For A Good Time (Not A Long Time). Didn't get much radio play here in 1977 as I recall, making it to only #43 on the Canuck charts. But somehow it's since morphed into an oldies radio staple.
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Thread Starter- RadioAaron
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Re: How Trooper's "Raise A Little Hell" Became Their Only U.S. Hit
RadioActive wrote:
Best song they ever did - We're Here For A Good Time (Not A Long Time). Didn't get much radio play here in 1977 as I recall, making it to only #43 on the Canuck charts. But somehow it's since morphed into an oldies radio staple.
The non-hit rule, ironically, made that a hit.