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
Lonely Boy
America Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And with a slap of a hand
He landed as an only son
His mother and father said what a lovely boy
We'll teach him what we learned
Ah yes just what we learned
We'll dress him up warmly and
We'll send him to school
To be nobody's fool
Oh what a lonely boy
Oh what a lonely boy
Oh what a lonely boy
In the summer of '53 his mother
Brought him a sister
And she told him we must attend to her needs
She's so much younger than you
Well he ran down the hall and he cried
Oh how could his parents have lied
When they said he was an only son
He thought he was the only one
Oh what a lonely boy
Oh what a lonely boy
Oh what a lonely boy
Goodbye mama, goodbye to you
Goodbye papa I'm pushing on through
He left home on a winter day 1969
And he hoped to find all the love
He had lost in that earlier time
Well his sister grew up
And she married a man
He gave her a son
Ah yes a lovely son
They dressed him up warmly
They sent him to school
It taught him how to fight
To be nobody's fool
Oh what a lonely boy
Oh what a lonely boy
Oh what a lonely boy
The lyrics of America's song "Lonely Boy" tell the story of a boy who feels a deep sense of loneliness and isolation throughout his life. The song starts by describing the boy's birth in 1951, as the only son of his parents. At the beginning, his parents are full of hope and promise for their son, stating that they will teach him everything they have learned. They dress him up warmly and send him to school, believing it will toughen him up and prevent him from being taken advantage of.
However, in the summer of 1953, the boy's mother gives birth to a sister, shattering his belief that he was the only child. He feels betrayed by his parents' lie and wonders how they could have deceived him about being an only son. This revelation deepens his sense of loneliness and isolation.
As the boy grows up, he eventually leaves home in 1969 in search of love and a connection that he feels he lost in his earlier years. Throughout his journey, he witnesses his sister growing up, getting married, and having her own son. The cycle seems to repeat, as they dress up the son warmly and send him to school, just like they did with the boy. This signifies that the boy's loneliness and isolation may be an ongoing pattern within his family.
The lyrics of "Lonely Boy" capture the profound sadness and longing for connection that the singer feels throughout his life. The repetition of the phrase "Oh what a lonely boy" emphasizes the depth of his loneliness and serves as a poignant reflection on the human condition.
Line by Line Meaning
He was born on a summer day 1951
He entered this world in the midst of warmth and brightness, his existence beginning in the year 1951.
And with a slap of a hand
His arrival was marked with the touch of someone's hand, perhaps an announcement of his arrival.
He landed as an only son
His entry into this world positioned him as the singular male child, without the presence of any other sons.
His mother and father said what a lovely boy
Upon his birth, his parents expressed admiration and affection for him, recognizing his beauty and charm.
We'll teach him what we learned
They determined that they would impart onto him the knowledge and wisdom they themselves had acquired.
Ah yes just what we learned
Indeed, they were resolved to pass on only the lessons and experiences that had impacted their own lives.
We'll dress him up warmly and
They decided that they would clothe him in cozy attire, ensuring his comfort and protection.
We'll send him to school
They committed to providing him with an education, knowing that it would play a significant role in shaping his future.
It'll teach him how to fight
They recognized that school would equip him with the tools and strategies necessary to face challenges and overcome obstacles.
To be nobody's fool
They aimed to instill in him the ability to navigate through life without being easily deceived or taken advantage of.
Oh what a lonely boy
Expressing a sense of longing and solitude, he reveals his personal experience of feeling isolated and alone in his journey.
In the summer of '53 his mother
During the summer of 1953, his mother took a significant action that altered the dynamics of his family.
Brought him a sister
She introduced him to the presence of a younger sibling, undoubtedly a sister, thereby changing his position as the sole child.
And she told him we must attend to her needs
She conveyed the responsibility he now had towards his sister, emphasizing the importance of caring for her and meeting her requirements.
She's so much younger than you
His sister was significantly younger than him, highlighting the age difference that existed between them.
Well he ran down the hall and he cried
Overwhelmed by the news, he swiftly dashed down the hallway, overcome with sorrow and anguish.
Oh how could his parents have lied
In his distress, he pondered how his parents could have deceived him by stating that he was their only son.
When they said he was an only son
He questioned the truthfulness of his parents' previous claim, casting doubt on their earlier assertion that he had no siblings.
He thought he was the only one
He held the belief that his existence was unique, assuming that he was the sole child in his immediate family.
Goodbye mama, goodbye to you
With deep emotion and a sense of departure, he bids farewell to his mother and acknowledges her role in his life.
Goodbye papa I'm pushing on through
Likewise, he says goodbye to his father, expressing determination to move forward and face the challenges that lie ahead.
He left home on a winter day 1969
It was a winter day in the year 1969 when he made the decision to depart from his family home, embarking on a new chapter in his life.
And he hoped to find all the love
In his heart, he held onto the expectation of discovering the affection and care that he had once lost, desiring to experience those emotions again.
He had lost in that earlier time
Referring to a previous period in his life, he reflects on the love that had slipped away, leaving him with a sense of absence and longing.
Well his sister grew up
As time passed, his younger sister matured and transitioned into adulthood, undergoing personal growth and development.
And she married a man
She entered into a marital union with a partner, committing herself to a loving relationship and a shared life with another individual.
He gave her a son
Within their marriage, her husband provided her with a child, granting her the joy and privilege of motherhood.
Ah yes a lovely son
Undoubtedly, the child born to his sister and her husband was welcomed with adoration and appreciation, seen as a beautiful addition to their family.
They dressed him up warmly
With great care, they adorned the child in cozy attire, ensuring he was protected and comfortable.
They sent him to school
Recognizing the significance of education, they made the decision to enroll the child in school, contributing to his future development and growth.
It taught him how to fight
Education equipped the child with the knowledge and skills necessary to face challenges and defend himself in various circumstances.
To be nobody's fool
Through his schooling, he learned the importance of avoiding naivety and refusing to be easily deceived or taken advantage of by others.
Oh what a lonely boy
Resurfacing feelings of isolation and solitude, he acknowledges that he remains haunted by a profound sense of loneliness.
Oh what a lonely boy
He laments the enduring loneliness that defines his existence, reiterating the weight of his emotional isolation.
Oh what a lonely boy
Once again, he expresses his deep loneliness, remarking on the profound impact it has on his life.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Andrew M Gold
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Douglas Roth
He was born on a summer day 1951
And with a slap of a hand
He landed as an only son
His mother and father said what a lovely boy
We'll teach him what we learned
Ah yes just what we learned
We'll dress him up warmly and
We'll send him to school
It'll teach him how to fight
To be nobody's fool
Oh, oh what a lonely boy
Oh what a lonely boy
Oh what a lonely boy
In the summer of '53 his mother
Brought him a sister
And she told him we must attend to her needs
She's so much younger than you
Well he ran down the hall and he cried
Oh how could his parents have lied
When they said he was an only son
He thought he was the only one
Oh, oh what a lonely boy
Oh what a lonely boy
Oh what a lonely boy
Goodbye mama, goodbye to you
Goodbye papa I'm pushing on through
He left home on a winter day 1969
And he hoped to find all the love
He had lost in that earlier time
Well his sister grew up
And she married a man
He gave her a son
Ah yes a lovely son
They dressed him up warmly
They sent him to school
It taught him how to fight
To be nobody's fool
Oh, oh what a lonely boy
Oh what a lonely boy
Oh what a lonely boy
Oh, oh, oh, oh what a lonely boy
Oh what a lonely boy
Oh what a lonely boy
Night Moves
Remember how much we thought the 70s sucked and looking back just how great the 70s were, the music, the innocence, the parties just a great time compared to today it was heaven.
Steffen Smith
Yes, we had the best music, cars, fashion, hair.etc. in the 70's
Owen McCafferty
70s were awesome!! 80s sucked!! Personally for me anyway lol
Michael Rauch
It's wrong. The 70's still suck. After listening to complete popular music of 60's I must confess: 70's music was boring to death. Be glad you survived.
Sara Skywalker
So thankful I grew up in the 70s. LOVED them!!!!
JC
The "suck" seventies included but are not restricted to: The Rolling Stones, The Who, Allman Brothers, The Doors, Chicago (with Terry Kath), Yes, Elton John (pre-pop), Eric Clapton, Moody Blues, Small Faces, The Band, The Grass Roots, Toto, Ambrosia, Emerson, Lake and Palmer, America, Deep Purple, Sugarloaf, Earth Wind and Fire, and LED ZEPPELIN, et al. I am not sure the seventies "sucked."
Politischer Beobachter
Andrew Gold was one of the great allrounder musicians, who can sing, write songs, and play different instruments on a high skill level.
His work should be more recognised, he should have deserved much more attention and higher commercial success because his projects are simply amazing.
JoAnn Mattaliano
His mother and father as well. Amazingly talented family.
George Red Hawk
He had some commercial success in Europe and England.
He had songs used for TV shows.
This song is as slick as the song Galveston. Where you can’t find the one, the first beat.
The drums sound like ska and it has the classical bit too.
I woke up this morning with this song going in my head so I found it on YouTube. I forgot how good it is.
Paul DeCoster
@George Red Hawk He wrote "Thank You For Being A Friend" which became the theme of The Golden Girls. So he's immortalized; people just might not realize it's his song.