Single flashback
Trooper - Janine [1980]
Starting out in 1965, what we now know as Trooper was originally a cover band - Winter’s Green, with a penchant for The Doors.
Renamed Applejack in ‘72, the group caught their big break from no less than Randy Bachman. The Guess Who and BTO man signed them to his Legend label and went on to produce their next four records.
Since the beginning, Trooper has been a vehicle for songs from Vancouver-born Ra McGuire and Englishman Brian Smith. They built a reputation as a party band, but one with great tunes and a crazy touring ethic. I’m not sure there are any towns in this country where they haven’t played over the years.
Supported by a lot of talented sidemen, McGuire and Smith have built an impressive catalog of hits. Many from the 70s, but no fewer than five in the 80s. In fact, if you don’t own a copy of hits package ‘Hot Shots’ you’re in the minority.
As for ‘Janine’, it is one of three singles from the ‘Flying Colors’ LP, and Trooper’s only Canadian Top 10 hit - which was a shock for me to learn!
Trooper - Janine | peaked #7, 1980
One thing I admire about Trooper is that their ballads are not overwrought.
‘Janine’ is suffering for some reason, but she is also getting a pledge of unconditional love and support.
Janine, don't you see
that it doesn't really matter what anybody says,
what anybody does
I'll still love you, I'll still love you
The blend between Ra’s vocals and the harmonies are really ear-grabbing, and I like the way he leans into the ‘j’ of Janine. Smith’s two guitar solos follow the trend of the rest of the track - restraint. This is skilful songwriting and musicianship.
Trooper - Live From The Moon | b-side
Interesting that ‘Live From The Moon’ was chosen as the flip side for this single as it was the opening track from their previous album ‘Thick As Thieves’.
Nice little tune, though. My interpretation is that it is a ‘road song’, but with a timely space travel wrinkle as well.
While Trooper are still touring, they are doing so without McGuire and Smith. The boxset ‘Hits From 10 Albums’ was released in 2010.
I was literally just listening to “Hot Shots” a couple days ago. A fantastic compilation. I saw them live in Halifax in the early 90s and they were brilliant.
Completely unknown this side of the Atlantic. Nice song though!