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
Rainy Day
America Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Drives a big car too
And when I hold her in my arms
I never know what to do
She's got everything she needs
What does she need me for
Just a crazy fool comin' back for more
And I know she's no good
Everybody says-a watch out boy
She'll break your heart like it was a toy
You better save it for a rainy day
You better save it for a rainy day
Well I'd leave in a minute if I only could
But when she touches me
It makes me feel so good
My heart's in her hand this is sure a mess
There's no way I say "no"
When she says "yes, yes, yes!"
Take me, shake me and tell me this ain't a dream
Everybody says-a watch out boy
She'll break your heart like it was a toy
You better save it for a rainy day
You better save it for a rainy day
Save it for a rainy day
You better save it for a rainy day
You better (save it) save it for a rainy day
You better (save it) save it for a rainy day
(Oh, I'm talking to you)
You better (save it) save it for a rainy day
(Ah, yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah)
You better (save it) save it for a rainy day
(Ah-ah, yeah yeah I'm talking to you)
"Rainy Day" by America is a song that tells the story of a guy who is in a dysfunctional relationship with a woman who is far from perfect. Although she is materialistically rich and looks beautiful, she is not loyal and uses him as a toy. Despite knowing that he is making a mistake, he is unable to resist her company and affection when they are together. He cannot say "no" when she offers him the chance to be with her, regardless of her loveless and harmful behavior. Everyone warns him to be careful of her and her intentions, but he cannot escape her. He is stuck in this cycle of being with her, even though he knows it is wrong.
The song's meaning is a warning about being with somebody who is not worth it, even if they offer materialistic pleasure. The singer understands that his situation is not sustainable, yet he continues to indulge in it. The girl in question is described as pretty and having everything she needs, yet she seems to be a heartless human being. Furthermore, the lines “Save it for a rainy day” emphasize the fact that precious things should be saved for a time when they are genuinely needed, rather than exhausted in a relationship that has no future.
Line by Line Meaning
Well she's kinda pretty
She is physically attractive.
Drives a big car too
She is financially successful.
And when I hold her in my arms, I never know what to do
I feel overwhelmed by my emotions when I am with her.
She's got everything she needs, what does she need me for?
She already has everything she wants or needs, so why is she with me?
Just a crazy fool comin' back for more
I am foolishly returning to her despite the fact that she is not good for me.
And I know she's no good
I am aware that she is not a good partner for me.
Can't blame her but I know I should
I cannot fault her for my own emotional attachment to her, but I should.
Everybody says-a watch out boy, she'll break your heart like it was a toy
Others have warned me about the potential emotional harm of being with her.
You better save it for a rainy day
I should reserve my emotional energy and investment for times when I truly need it, rather than spending it all on her.
Well I'd leave in a minute if I only could
If I were able to detach myself from her, I would leave the relationship immediately.
But when she touches me, it makes me feel so good
Despite my reservations about her, I am physically and emotionally drawn to her.
My heart's in her hand this is sure a mess
She has a lot of control over my emotions and wellbeing, which is a problematic situation.
There's no way I say 'no' when she says 'yes, yes, yes!'
I am unable to resist her advances or requests, even when I should say 'no'.
Take me, shake me and tell me this ain't a dream
I am in disbelief about the intensity of my connection to her.
Save it for a rainy day
Again, I should save my emotional energy and investment for future needs, rather than investing it all in her.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: STEPHEN BISHOP
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind