Sons of American fathers and British mothers, their fathers being military personnel stationed at the West Ruislip USAF base in London, all three attended London Central High in Bushey, Hertfordshire in the mid-60s where they met while playing in two different bands.
They eventually got together and formed the rock band America, honoring the name of the homeland they had hardly even seen during their several travels around the world. They played their first gigs in pubs and clubs in the London area, including some highlights at the Roundhouse, where Pink Floyd had been playing at the beginning of their own career.
Their first LP was recorded at Trident and Morgan studios in London and produced by Ian "Sammy" Samwell, who was known for the hits he had written for Cliff Richard, with the assistance of Jeff Dexter.
The album was initially released in Europe with only moderate success and without the breakout hit "A Horse With No Name." Samwell helped the group to record and persuaded the Warner Brothers label to release the new song on an EP which was highly popular in the United States as well as in Europe.
America the album was re-released with "Horse", and quickly went platinum with the other favorites "I Need You," "Sandman," and "Riverside." Their second album, appropriately named Homecoming, saw the band moving back to the United States to record. The most notable song was "Ventura Highway."
The group's fourth album Holiday had them with George Martin (former producer for The Beatles), who worked with them through Silent Letter in 1979 with much success. The next album, Hearts, featured "Sister Golden Hair" and "Daisy Jane."
Peek left the group after recording Harbor in 1977. The remaining duo produced many more albums and had one more significant radio hit, "You Can Do Magic," reaching #8 on the pop charts in 1982. Their last top-40 hit was "The Border," which went to #33 on the pop charts (and #4 on the adult contemporary charts) the next year.
America continued with consistent live work and sporadic recordings following their departure from Capitol Records in the mid-80s.
In 1982 America provided the soundtrack for the magical anime film The Last Unicorn. Although officially produced by an American company, the film is an important transitional work in the development of Japanese anime, since most of its animation was subcontracted to the Japanese company Topcraft. The music was composed by Jimmy Webb, though performed by America, and the title song was covered many times later on. The tone is wistful and the themes are of loss.
Beckley released a solo set - "Van Go Gan" - in 1999.
Later, in his post-America career, Peek became a born-again Christian and released some highly-successful Contemporary Christian albums. His autobiography "An American Band" chronicles America's most successful period and his own spiritual journey.
Members include:
Gerry Beckley (1970-present) - lead and backing vocals, keyboards, guitars, bass, harmonica
Dewey Bunnell (1970-present) - lead and backing vocals, guitars
Dan Peek (1970-1977) - lead and backing vocals, guitars, bass, keyboards, harmonica
Company
America Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Come as you are in your broken car
The company
Carousel is wishing well
As a wonder night that spoke delight
To the company
Can you hear him call you now
Can you hear the summer calling you
Can you hear him call you now
Broken dream, just a token scheme
Silver man with a telegram
For the company
Scalding blue, come talk to you
Search the cave for the grave
Of the company
Can you hear the summer calling you
Can you hear him call you now
Can you hear the summer calling you
Can you hear him call you now
Can you hear the summer calling you
Can you hear him call you now
Can you hear the summer calling you
Can you hear him call you now
Can you hear the summer calling you
Can you hear him call you now
Can you hear the summer calling you
Can you hear him call you now
The lyrics to America's song Company are somewhat enigmatic and open to interpretation. Some have speculated that the "company" referred to in the song represents a sense of community or connection, while others see it as a more literal reference to a company or organization. Whatever the case may be, the song evokes a sense of longing for something more, something deeper and more meaningful than the everyday routine of life.
The first verse sets the tone with its mournful tone and a sense of despair expressed through the idea of coming "as you are in your broken car." The "company" is presented as a kind of refuge or sanctuary where one can find acceptance and understanding. The second verse is more fantastical, with a reference to a "carousel wishing well" and a "wonder night that spoke delight." The contrast between the mundane and the magical adds to the sense of longing for something more.
The chorus reinforces this longing, with its repeated refrain of "Can you hear the summer calling you?" The idea of summer suggests a time of warmth and light, a time of growth and renewal. But there is also a sense of urgency in the phrasing, as if time is slipping away and the opportunity for change and growth may be lost if not seized upon. Overall, the song invites the listener to contemplate their own sense of yearning and to ask themselves what they are truly seeking in life.
Line by Line Meaning
Some can see it's poetry
There are some people who recognize the artistry and creativity in this song
Come as you are in your broken car
Everyone is welcome to join this company, regardless of their material possessions or societal status
The company
Refers to the community and sense of togetherness created by the people in this song
Carousel is wishing well
The company has a sense of hope and optimism, like a wishing well on a carousel
As a wonder night that spoke delight
The company is like a magical and joyful evening, filled with delight and wonder
To the company
Continues to emphasize the sense of community and belonging created by this group of people
Can you hear the summer calling you
The song is urging the listener to embrace a carefree, joyful mentality often associated with the summertime
Can you hear him call you now
The 'summer' is personified as calling out to the listener, inviting them to join in the lightheartedness of the season
Broken dream, just a token scheme
Suggests that the traditional American dream may be unattainable and only a superficial goal devised to keep the masses content
Silver man with a telegram
The presence of a 'silver man' with a telegram implies an otherworldly or supernatural element to the song
For the company
Reiterates the importance of the collective experience created by the people in this song
Scalding blue, come talk to you
The 'scalding blue' may refer to the intensity of emotions or experiences being felt within the company, inviting the listener to join in the conversation
Search the cave for the grave
This may symbolize a search for deeper meaning or understanding within the darkness; the 'grave' here may represent a metaphorical stopping point or endpoint
Of the company
Again highlighting the importance of the collective experience created by the people in the song
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DEWEY BUNNELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind