Turn Me Loose

The song Turn Me Loose by Loverboy is a quintessential '80s rock anthem, bursting with a bold synthesizer intro and electrifying guitar riffs that hooked listeners when it dropped in 1980. One juicy tidbit comes from an interview with lead singer Mike Reno, where he shared that the song was born out of a desire to capture raw energy and freedom, reflecting the band’s hunger to break out after years of grinding in the music scene. Reno described the track as a “declaration of independence,” with lyrics like “I gotta do it my way, or no way at all” mirroring their defiance against record labels that initially rejected them. The song’s edgy vibe even caught the attention of the S&M and leather community, who, according to Songfacts, noted its subtle sadomasochistic undertones, tying into themes of bondage and liberation with lines about being “tied down” and wanting to “fly.”

Another cool story about Turn Me Loose surfaced in a 2021 Professor of Rock video, where Reno recounted how the band’s first music video for the song helped cement their image. Shot after signing with Columbia Records, the video featured Reno rocking his iconic headband, which sparked an '80s fashion trend. Posts on X from @landofthe80s in 2020, 2021, and 2022 celebrated the song’s place on Loverboy’s debut album, noting its status as a breakout hit that climbed to #7 on Canada’s RPM singles chart and #6 on the Billboard Top Rock Tracks chart. The song’s lasting appeal is evident in its covers, like the 1999 collaboration by Eminem, Limp Bizkit, and Austrian band Fahrenheit, which reworked the lyrics into something entirely different, as mentioned on Wikipedia.

Loverboy kicked off their journey in Calgary, Alberta, in 1979, a time when the Canadian rock scene was buzzing. The band’s name, as guitarist Paul Dean revealed in a Songfacts interview, came from a playful twist on “Covergirl” while flipping through a fashion magazine, landing on the cheeky “Loverboy.” The founding lineup—Mike Reno on vocals, Paul Dean on guitar, Doug Johnson on keyboards, Jim Clench on bass (soon replaced by Scott Smith), and Matt Frenette on drums—had all cut their teeth in other bands. Reno, formerly with Moxy, and Dean, from Streetheart, brought a gritty determination to make it big. After being turned down by every major U.S. label, they signed with Columbia/CBS Records Canada and hit the studio with producer Bruce Fairbairn. Their debut album, recorded in just a few months in 1980, exploded with over a million sales in Canada alone, per Wikipedia. That year, they played over 200 shows, opening for heavyweights like KISS and Def Leppard, with their first gig being a chaotic opener for KISS in front of 15,000 fans, as Dean recalled.

You can keep up with Loverboy on their official website, where they post tour dates and merch. They’re active on Facebook, boasting over 312,000 likes and sharing show updates, and on Instagram, where they post nostalgic throwbacks and tour snaps. Their X account keeps fans in the loop with quick updates. For fan communities, check out the Loverboy Fan Club on Facebook, a lively group where “Zoo Freaks” can swap stories and trade memorabilia. Another fan hub, Rock Reflections, dives deep into the band’s history, offering detailed write-ups on tracks like Turn Me Loose. These platforms are perfect for connecting with fellow fans and staying plugged into Loverboy’s enduring legacy.