Music

"A Horse with No Name" is a song written by Dewey Bunnell, and originally recorded by the band America. It was the band's first and most successful single, released in late 1971 in Europe and early 1972 in the US, and topping the charts in several countries. It was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America. Here are some facts about this famous song: America was formed in England by sons of US servicemen who were stationed there. Lead singer Dewey Bunnell wrote this when he was 19. Although the song is commonly misinterpreted about being on drugs, it is not: Bunnell based the images in the lyrics on things he saw while visiting the US. This was originally titled "Desert Song," since Bunnell wrote it based on the desert scenery he encountered when his dad was stationed at an Air Force base in Santa Barbara County, California. According to Dewey Bunnell, the "horse" represents a means of entering a place of tranquility, and this tranquil place was best represented by the desert, which sounded pretty good to him while he was stuck in rainy England. As for why the horse had no name and why it went free after nine days, Bunnell doesn't have any answers - it seems the various listener interpretations are far more colorful than any meaning he assigned to it. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FACTS "A Horse With No Name" On the first part of the journey I was looking at all the life There were plants and birds and rocks and things There was sand and hills and rings The first thing I met was a fly with a buzz And the sky with no clouds The heat was hot and the ground was dry But the air was full of sound I've been through the desert on a horse with no name It felt good to be out of the rain In the desert you can remember your name Cause there ain't no one for to give you no pain La, la After two days in the desert sun My skin began to turn red After three days in the desert fun I was looking at a river bed And the story it told of a river that flowed Made me sad to think it was dead You see I've been through the desert on a horse with no name It felt good to be out of the rain In the desert you can remember your name Cause there ain't no one for to give you no pain La, la After nine days I let the horse run free Cause the desert had turned to sea There were plants and birds and rocks and things There was sand and hills and rings The ocean is a desert with it's life underground And a perfect disguise above Under the cities lies a heart made of ground But the humans will give no love You see I've been through the desert on a horse with no name It felt good to be out of the rain In the desert you can remember your name Cause there ain't no one for to give you no pain La, la "Sister Golden Hair" is a song written by Gerry Beckley and recorded by the band America for their fifth album Hearts (1975). It was their second single to reach number one on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, remaining in the top position for just one week. The lyrics were largely inspired by the works of Jackson Browne. Beckley commented, " has a knack, an ability to put words to music, that is much more like the L.A. approach to just genuine observation as opposed to simplifying it down to its bare essentials... I find Jackson can depress me a little bit, but only through his honesty; and it was that style of his which led to a song of mine, 'Sister Golden Hair', which is probably the more L.A. of my lyrics... was one of the first times I used 'ain't' in a song, but I wasn't making an effort to. I was just putting myself in that frame of mind and I got those kind of lyrics out of it." READ MORE FACTS ABOUT "SISTER GOLDEN HAIR" Although the song is a message from a man to his lover, explaining that he still loves her despite being not ready for marriage, the title was initially inspired by the mothers of all three members of the group, all of whom were blondes. "Sister Golden Hair" Well I tried to make it Sunday, but I got so damn depressed That I set my sights on Monday and I got myself undressed I ain't ready for the altar but I do agree there's times When a woman sure can be a friend of mineWell, I keep on thinkin' 'bout you, Sister Golden Hair surprise And I just can't live without you; can't you see it in my eyes? I been one poor correspondent, and I been too, too hard to find But it doesn't mean you ain't been on my mindWill you meet me in the middle, will you meet me in the air? Will you love me just a little, just enough to show you care? Well I tried to fake it, I don't mind sayin', I just can't make itWell, I keep on thinkin' 'bout you, Sister Golden Hair surprise And I just can't live without you; can't you see it in my eyes? Now I been one poor correspondent, and I been too, too hard to find But it doesn't mean you ain't been on my mindWill you meet me in the middle, will you meet me in the air? Will you love me just a little, just enough to show you care? Well I tried to fake it, I don't mind sayin', I just can't make it READ MORE FACTS ABOUT: "VENTURA HIGHWAY" "Ventura Highway" Chewing on a piece of grass Walking down the road Tell me, how long you gonna stay here, Joe? Some people say this town don't look good in snow You don't care, I knowVentura Highway in the sunshine Where the days are longer The nights are stronger than moonshine You're gonna go I know'Cause the free wind is blowin' through your hair And the days surround your daylight there Seasons crying no despair Alligator lizards in the air, in the airDid di di di dit ...Wishin' on a falling star Waitin' for the early train Sorry boy, but I've been hit by purple rain Aw, come on, Joe, you can always Change your name Thanks a lot, son, just the sameVentura Highway in the sunshine Where the days are longer The nights are stronger than moonshine You're gonna go I know'Cause the free wind is blowin' through your hair And the days surround your daylight there Seasons crying no despair Alligator lizards in the air, in the airDid di di di dit ... "Tin Man" The song's title and some of its lyrics refer to the Tin Woodman from The Wizard of Oz. Songwriter Bunnell was quoted describing the parallel: "My favorite movie, I guess. I always loved it as a kid. Very obscure lyrics. Great grammar - 'Oz never did give nothing to the Tin Man.' It's sort of a poetic license." READ MORE FACTS ABOUT: "TIN MAN" "Tin Man" Sometimes late when things are real And people share the gift of gab between themselves Some are quick to take the bait And catch the perfect prize that waits among the shelvesBut Oz never did give nothing to the Tin Man That he didn't, didn't already have And Cause never was the reason for the evening Or the tropic of Sir Galahad.So please believe in me When I say I'm spinning round, round, round, round Smoke glass stain bright color Image going down, down, down, down Soapsuds green like bubblesOh, Oz never did give nothing to the Tin Man That he didn't, didn't already have And Cause never was the reason for the evening Or the tropic of Sir GalahadSo please believe in me When I say I'm spinning round, round, round, round Smoke glass stain bright color Image going down, down, down, down Soapsuds green like bubblesNo, Oz never did give nothing to the Tin Man That he didn't, didn't already have And Cause never was the reason for the evening Or the tropic of Sir GalahadSo please believe in me "Lonely People" was the second single release from America's 1974 album Holiday. "Lonely People" reached number five on the Billboard Hot 100, Dan Peek's only credited song to reach that chart's top 10, and was America's second number one on the Easy Listening chart, where it stayed for one week in February 1975. MORE FACTS ABOUT: "LONELY PEOPLE" "Lonely People" This is for all the lonely people Thinking that life has passed them by Don't give up until you drink from the silver cup And ride that highway in the skyThis is for all the single people Thinking that love has left them dry Don't give up until you drink from the silver cup You never know until you tryWell, I'm on my way Yes, I'm back to stay Well, I'm on my way back home (Hit it)This is for all the lonely people Thinking that life has passed them by Don't give up until you drink from the silver cup And never take you down or never give you up You never know until you try (Sources: SongFacts & Wikipedia) What was your favorite "America" song? They had some greats! 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