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
Hurricane
America Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
With a person I loved since long ago
Into a place nobody wants to go
Into a hurricane
Whoa, hurricane
Some'll be taken
Some'll remain
Heard people screamin' and the sky was torn
I looked around and the faces were so forlorn
No relief, only scorn
In a hurricane
In a hurricane
Some'll be taken
Some'll remain
Hurricane's just another name
For the torment in a man's soul
His mind is gone
And he starts to lose control
In a hurricane
Oh, the hurricane
Some'll be taken
Some'll remain
How long will the wind blow?
How long will the wind blow?
Everybody talks; nobody really knows
How long will the wind blow?
How long will the wind blow?
Shoo-ba-ree-ba, shoo-ba-ree-ba
Nobody knows
How long will the wind blow?
How long will the wind blow?
Everybody talks; nobody really knows
How long will the wind blow?
How long will the wind blow?
Shoo-ba-ree-ba, shoo-ba-ree-ba...
The song "Hurricane" by America is a vivid depiction of the devastating and uncontrollable power of a hurricane. The first verse sets up the scene of sailing down the coast of Mexico with a loved one, but the joyous moment suddenly turns into a nightmare when they are thrown into the eye of a hurricane. The chorus emphasizes the unpredictability of the situation, "Some'll be taken, some'll remain," highlighting the fact that no one can truly predict what the outcome of a natural disaster will be.
The second verse brings in the heart-wrenching cries of the people caught in the storm, with faces filled with despair and hopelessness. The hurricane serves as a metaphor for the torment that humans experience, with the repeated line "Hurricane's just another name for the torment in a man's soul." The chaotic and uncontrollable nature of a natural disaster reflects the chaos that can occur within one's own mind.
The final verse poses the question of how long will the wind blow, emphasizing the uncertainty and fear that comes with a hurricane. The repetition of "Shoo-ba-ree-ba" at the end of the song creates a sense of helplessness and the realization that natural disasters cannot be controlled, and it is ultimately up to fate who will be taken and who will remain.
Overall, "Hurricane" serves as a powerful reminder of the uncontrollable power of natural disasters, as well as the emotional turmoil that individuals can experience.
Line by Line Meaning
Sailin' down the coast of Mexico
Traveling by sea along the Mexican coastline
With a person I loved since long ago
Accompanied by someone they have had feelings for for a long time
Into a place nobody wants to go
Venturing into an undesired or dangerous location
Into a hurricane
Entering a powerful storm with strong winds and rain
Whoa, hurricane
Expressing awe or shock at the intensity of the storm
Some'll be taken
Some will experience harm or damage from the storm
Some'll remain
Others will survive the storm's effects
Heard people screamin' and the sky was torn
Witnessing the chaos and destruction caused by the hurricane
I looked around and the faces were so forlorn
Observing the sadness and hopelessness in people's expressions
No relief, only scorn
Feeling that there is no help, only criticism and negativity
Hurricane's just another name
Comparing the storm to an internal mental struggle or turmoil
For the torment in a man's soul
Describing the storm as a representation of emotional pain and suffering
His mind is gone
Referring to a state of mental instability or breakdown
And he starts to lose control
Describing a loss of ability to manage oneself or one's surroundings
How long will the wind blow?
Questioning the duration and intensity of the storm
Everybody talks; nobody really knows
Noting the unknown and unpredictable nature of the storm
Shoo-ba-ree-ba, shoo-ba-ree-ba
A nonsensical phrase or sound, possibly expressing frustration or anxiety
Nobody knows
Emphasizing the uncertainty and unpredictability of the storm
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DAN PEEK
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
SunnyBz
This was the most terrifying storm we got over 2 feet of water inside the house and we were lucky to just survive this. Pray for everyone please.
Monique Cobb
Omg please be safe
Velocity edits シ scraps
Please be safe
Curley Sam
Prayers
libxa
I’ll be praying🙏🏻
Athena
Where you located? So sorry for your loss; may your recovery be safe and fast.
Britty Vegas
Prayers for the Florida residents and prayers for everyone involved on the islands. I pray my family and friends in Brunswick Georgia get out ok also
Mandy Gene
My great grandmother and grandma are down there right now in Englewood, I am so worried for them I want to cry. I just hope everyone in that area will be ok 😢
Iamzhonté
I’ll pray for them for you🥺💕
MJ Remy
Don't worry, they will be fine. They will have stories to tell you. Be strong. One more day and rescues will begin. May you find peace and your grandmas in fine form.