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
Right Before Your Eyes
America Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
On the bus to Madison Avenue
Working the big gray store
With the revolving door
You don't even know my name
I guess that I'm to blame
Don't know the right things to say
So I pretend away
That I'm Rudolph Valentino
Pull up in a limousine
Oh won't you come in out of the rain
Things will never be the same
And then just like Greta Garbo
You staring like there's no tomorrow
And you know what I'm thinking of
Right before your eyes I fall in love with you
(Do do do do do do do do do do do)
Today I'm done with games
Gonna ask you for your name
Say I've been watching you
I even know what you do
Maybe today I'll tell you
I've found the nerve to sell you
On a guy like me
Wishes that he could be
Your Rudolph Valentino
Pull up in a limousine
Oh won't you come in out of the rain
Things will never be the same
And then just like Greta Garbo
You're staring like there's no tomorrow
And you know what I'm thinking of
Right before your eyes I fall in love with you
(Do do do)
The song "Right Before Your Eyes" by America tells the story of a man who sits beside his love interest every day on their way to work at a big store on Madison Avenue, but she doesn't even know his name. He feels that he is to blame for not knowing the right things to say to her, so he pretends to be someone else in his mind by imagining himself as the famous actor Rudolph Valentino. He dreams of impressing her by pulling up in a limousine and sweeping her off her feet.
The chorus of the song repeats the line "Right before your eyes I fall in love with you," emphasizing the singer's frustration with his own inability to express his feelings to the woman he admires. The final verse shows a shift in his attitude, as he decides that he's done playing games and is ready to take the risk of asking for her name and confessing his feelings. He hopes that he can convince her to see him as a worthy partner, even though he's not famous like Valentino.
The lyrics of the song create a nostalgic and romantic atmosphere, as the singer yearns for a connection with the woman he loves. The use of old Hollywood icons like Rudolph Valentino and Greta Garbo adds to the sense of glamour and fantasy, as the singer imagines a life with the woman of his dreams. Ultimately, "Right Before Your Eyes" is a story of unrequited love and the struggle to find the courage to share one's true feelings.
Line by Line Meaning
Everyday I sit beside you
I am frequently near you
On the bus to Madison Avenue
I ride public transportation with you to work
Working the big gray store
We have the same job at a large, dull shop
With the revolving door
The store has a circular entryway
You don't even know my name
You are not aware of my identity
I guess that I'm to blame
I bear responsibility for our lack of acquaintance
Don't know the right things to say
I am unaware of how to appropriately converse with you
So I pretend away
I disguise my true feelings
That I'm Rudolph Valentino
I imagine myself as a charming Hollywood actor
Pull up in a limousine
Arriving in a fancy car
Oh won't you come in out of the rain
Come inside and avoid getting wet
Things will never be the same
Our relationship will be positively altered
And then just like Greta Garbo
Similar to the actress known for her allure
You staring like there's no tomorrow
You gaze at me intently
And you know what I'm thinking of
You understand my thoughts
Right before your eyes I fall in love with you
I realize that I have fallen in love with you
(Do do do do do do do do do do do)
Repeating instrumental part
Lyrics © ANTHEM ENTERTAINMENT LP
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ryanpelaez3313
My cousin has a cd of america, they use to play this every morning when i was in grade school. Those were such simplier times back then, i use to Wake up to this song, it was so soft and calm that it would bring me back to sleep. My father would wake me up so we can eat breakfast together! I miss you pa!
@daisyjanereas6126
This is my father’s favorite song. I cry silently whenever I listen to this. I miss you Tatay. I love you. I’ll see you in heaven one day 😊❤️🙏🏻
@marjeriequijon9973
That explains your name. 💖
@eelchiong6709
Yeah. Your name's also a fav of mine. 😆
@gracedurias5720
Hi Daisy Jane, Your Tatay's in Heaven.....
@gracedurias5720
i love Daisy Jane song
@jonmelchizedekabad8050
naiyak naman ako dito Ms. Daisy Jane. nakakatuwa na pati name mo kanta ng America. stay strong kabayan. 2021
@madri8248
Halos mabuang na ako kakahula ng title ng song na to. Finallyyyyy! 😍
@lenardpangilinan6210
Hahhhahahaha
@joycerobles9842
Same here..kala q "Rodolf Valentino