Personally, I think this is one of the best songs ever made, but I don’t know many people into music to get other views. If I was at party full of music types and said this was my all time fav, would I be regaled for my good taste, or looked at like I said “Heartbeat- It’s a Lovebeat” was the best song ever? I’m talking of course about the studio version where the vocals are more impassioned and the drums really kick in, not the live version. Also, does anyone know if there is an actual recorded version with the line “old maids, dykes and whores”? I think keeping this line would have added so much to the song, made it much more funnier, but alas, that’s censorship.
The live version at Budokan is so much better than the studio recording! And yes, Surrender is one of the great rock songs. As the Rolling Stone Record Guide once said, the climax is about the singer finding his parents making out on the couch to a Kiss album. “And if that’s not your idea of ‘surrender’, you’re reading the wrong book.”
Note that In the Street, the title song of That '70s Show, sung by Cheap Trick, quotes the "We’re all all right, we’re all all right. . . " section of Surrender.
All Music.com has a song review of Surrender.
I’m not a music expert by any means but it’s one of my favorite songs of that era.
Thanks Walloon, maybe I am confusing the studio and live versions.
It’s a good solid song, certainly. It’s everything an arena-rock era song should be
- slightly funny
- slightly dirty (or with such overtones)
- eminently sing-a-long-able (I can’t believe I just typed that)
- can be read as taking a shot at parents
What’s to dislike? Great chorus and good hook.
One of the best all time? That’s always a hard call to make.
I’ve always thought radio stations should be criminally liable when they play the Budokan version of I Want You To Want Me and don’t just let the album keep playing. I actually kicked a radio once when IWYTWM ended, and I then heard “This next one is…the first song on our new album. It just <DJ kicks in> Woah, sorry folks! I let that one go a little too long.” Bastard!
I’ve seen Cheap Trick live at some of the local clubs a few times, and Surrender is always a highlight. The extended “we’re all alright!” bit at the end is great for pumping up a crowd.
So yeah, it’s one of the perfect rock songs, even if it only contains two or three lines that actually rhyme.
I’m still confused about what the song is about!
Great song though. Never heard it until I moved over here from Ireland.
Anyone notice that it’s being used as the theme song for the new sitcom “Sons and Daughters”?
I only mention that because I watched it the other night, and it reminded me how much I like the song, which I hadn’t thought about for awhile. Maybe not the best song ever – but yeah, a wonderful song.
One of my all time favorites, as is Cheap Trick in general.
One thing funny about CT is that (IMHO) there was a very significant drop-off in quality after three albums. There were a few really good songs, but not nearly as many as early on. It’s widely known that most of the material for there first three albums was written before even the first one came out. I always wondered what happened with Rick Nielsen’s writing. I almost suspect there was a ghostwriter involved in the early stages, but that’s musical tinfoil hat territory for sure…I’m probably totally off-base on that one.
I thought it was a decent song until I had to good fortune to see Cheap Trick perform it live a few years ago at the Hammerstein.
Now I think it is an absolutely outstanding song.
I don’t have a TV, but thought Cheap Trick was doing a cover of a Big Star song for the That 70s Show theme, no? Or that they actually use(d?) the original?
“Surrender” is an all-time classic for all of the reasons listed above.
On the first season (1998-1998) of That '70s show, the Big Star recording of In the Street was used as the title music. Since then, a cover version by Cheap Trick, retitled That '70s Song has been used.
I think it’s just ok. Never understood the fascination. I don’t dislike the song or the band, and I see the reason why it works for some people, just not for me I guess.
I’m not really familiar with most of their stuff, but I really don’t like their version of In the Street.
I read it as being about the realization that the singer’s parents used to be young and full of fun, and maybe they aren’t so square after all. Oh, hey, now they’re making out on the couch! See? They still got it!
It’s actually a pro-parent song.