“Come on Tonight” was “American Man” all over again. The Katz had just finished recording “Nouveau Riche” and were looking for a follow-up song. As separatism had become a hot political issue of the day, I decided to write a song about national unity and pride. Written about a week before the Katz were due to return to Nimbus 9, “Come on Tonight” was originally called “Come on Canada,” with the chorus going like this:
Come on Canada
Time is moving on
And yes I am a Canadian man
It’s taken me that long
Unveiled at the studio, the song drew laughter from the engineering booth and the Katz didn’t know whether to take the song seriously or not. Stuck without an alternative song for the session, sound engineer Vince Newly suggested I change the title and re-word the chorus, and the band agreed. A four-part harmony was worked out for the end of the chorus and a ska style of rhythm was worked out for the guitars. Rick adlibbed some lead and Gord did his best with a bass line, and in the end, I pretty much swore off writing another politically motivated song again.
lyrics
Come On Tonight
Everybody stop being someone else
To break up in the middle
no that wouldn't help
Heads up everybody
Yah, you staring at the wall
and we all need you
if we want to shout at all
A beckon call, move over baby
we can be right
and after all we've done for them
hurray for the red and white
Wake up everybody
Yes, you've seen it done before
You wake up and read about it
doubt it we could be the one
Patriotic, shouting it in the street
Let them know you are the one to beat
We've done alright in the years before
Our nation fight
I only say for everyone
hurray for the red and white
Come on tonight
Time is moving on
and everything's alright
It's taken me that long
We've done alright in the years before
Our nation fight
I only say for everyone
hurray for the red and white
Get up everybody, stop being someone else
To break up in the middle
no that wouldn't help
Heads up everybody
Yah, you staring at the wall
and we all need you
if we want to shout at all
A beckon call, move over baby
we can be right
and after all we've done for them
hurray for the red and white
Come on tonight
Time is moving on
and everything's alright
It's taken me that long
credits
from Kat Trax,
released November 23, 2012
Xristopher Bland: drums, vocals
Lance Bland: rhythm guitar, vocals
Rick Wood: rhythm/lead guitars, vocals
Gord Bell: bass, vocals
Words and Music by Xristopher Bland
Recorded at Nimbus 9
Engineered by Vince Newly
In Adrian Snood’s songs, soulful vocals and slow-moving alt-pop swirl together to create something distinctly moving. Bandcamp New & Notable Apr 1, 2023