REO Speedwagon - You Can Tune A Piano But You Can't Tuna Fish Album Discussion

Hello Hoffman forums,

Just picked this album in mint condition from Jerry's Records Bargain Basement closing store a few days back. Played this album twice and I can clearly hear the steps this band was taking towards the great, classic Hi Infidelity. Wanted to get everyone's opinion of this album as I haven't settled on mine yet. Below I'll post the tracklist and my thoughts after a few more spins.

Side one
1. "Roll with the Changes"
2. "Time for Me to Fly"
3. "Runnin' Blind"
4. "Blazin' Your Own Trail Again"
5. "Sing to Me"
Side two
6. "Lucky for You"
7. "Do You Know Where Your Woman Is Tonight?"
8. "The Unidentified Flying Tuna Trot" (Instrumental)
9. "Say You Love Me or Say Goodnight"

 

IMHO YCTAPBYCTAF is the highlight of all of REO's albums.

 

This would be my favorite REO album.
Not a fan of Hi Infidelity.
Other recommendations would be REO T.W.O. & Live you get what you play for

 

This is my favorite REO albums ,I bought it when it was first released and it got me interested in all their previous work also.

 

I like it. Had it on cassette many moons ago from Columbia House. Still like Hi Infidelity better but they are both great. I think I am more jealous that you got to go to Jerry's.

 

The few cases where finding lp's is a quite a bit easier and cheaper than hunting down the pre-remaster compact discs
Actually was listening to 'Life As We Know It' the other day, Variety Tonight has always been a favorite

 

One of the best album titles ever...the music is great too!

 

Great album and what a 1-2 punch to start the album.

 

Always thought Gary Richrath was underrated. What a monster guitar player.

 

This one and Nine Lives were the beginning of the end for me. I was still playing the early LP's on my stereo while it seemed like the rest of the world was singing along to ballads like Keep on Loving You.

 

I remember a couple cuts on this album being revived during the mega-success of Hi Infidelity, particularly "Time for Me to Fly." Some friends wondered why that radio song wasn't on the current record!

I also remember thinking that "Roll With the Changes" was a cover of an oldie. As it turned out, the song I dimly and incorrectly remembered was Stephen Stills' "Love the One You're With," which has a very similar gospel-y chorus.

 

love me some REO, tuna is a great record not a dud on it anywhere. i'm partial to their 80s output but REO TWO, REO, and the live lp are all solid.

chad

 

Live You Get What You Play For is an album that never seems to get the respect it should. It is a great rock n roll record. It is the first REO I ever bought. Tuna is a classic album. The one I think is better than anything since Tuna was Wheels Are Turnin'. Maybe, because I didn't over hear it. Hi Infidelity was great the first thousand times you heard it.......... I don't know the last time I even pulled that one out. I have seen REO numerous times since the late 70's.

 

Tuna is a great album! I've liked all of Reo's albums except for This Time We Mean It and Lost in a Dream. Basically I don't care for Mike Murphy other than the Ridin' the Storm Out album and I mainly like the title track and Son of a Poor Man, of course I prefer the live versions with Kevin over the studio versions.

 

Because of my age, I got on board with Hi Infidelity. I now find that one a bit dated but still like it out of nostalgia. I now regard Tuna as their best. They lost me at Good Trouble and I never really went back.

 

Great album. I love it, as I do most REO.

 

Yeah...This is the best REO album...

 

Loved this record and the live record that came out earlier. Gary Richrath was a monster.

 

R.I.P. Gary Richrath.

 

I bought this on cassette when I was 14. I can't remember much about the album beyond the first two songs, which were quite good.

 

I've always liked this album, and yes I see it as pointing the way towards HI. Saw them on this tour as well, and show was great - Rainbow was opening act.

 

My first REO album. I had to settle for Tuna when my mom wouldn't let me get Hi-Infidelity because of the risqué cover. Great album. I do prefer TWO, Cow, and Lost In A Dream over it. But it's a great listen from beginning to end and "Roll..," is one of the 10 greatest rock singles ever.

 

I saw REO open for Joe Walsh when they were relatively unknown.
There were fantastic, especially Gary Richrath.
So I have a fondness for the first two albums.
Especially REO TWO.
That album rocks.....great version of Little Queenie.
Golden Country is a classic.
I do enjoy You CanTune A Piano, but it was the start of their rock ballad hits era that
I am not a fan of at all.
Glen

 

There are no ballads on this album though.