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
Slow Down
America Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You wear your stockings like you think it's a sin
Don't try to tell me you ain't been where you been
'Cause I know that you've been messin' round with him
So slow down
(Bop shoo wop, you'd better slow down)
Come on down
Oh down
(Bop shoo wop, you'd better slow down)
Before it gets too late
Before it gets too late
I met you dancin' at the high school gym
You rubbed against me my head started to spin
You turned around gave me a wink and a grin
And then you told me that you'd like to be friends
Don't slow down
(Bop shoo wop, you'd better slow down)
Don't slow down
(Bop shoo wop, you'd better slow down)
Don't slow down
(Bop shoo wop, you'd better slow down)
Don't slow down
Before it gets too late
Before it gets too late
Take it!
(Bop shoo wop, you'd better slow down)
On down
(Bop shoo wop, you'd better slow down)
On down
(Bop shoo wop, you'd better slow down)
Don't try to tell me
(Bop shoo wop, you'd better slow down)
You'll never sell me
(Bop shoo wop, you'd better slow down)
Before it gets too late
I said before it gets too late
You know before it gets too late
Oh, hey
The song "Slow Down" by America, released in 1972, is about a guy who meets a girl at the high school gym and is instantly smitten by her. However, he soon learns that the girl has been messing around with someone else. He tells her to slow down and take a step back, warning her that if she continues with her current lifestyle, it will be too late for her to turn back. He reminisces on their initial encounter, when her actions caused his head to spin and she suggested they become friends. The song shifts in tone from a warning to a plea to not try to deceive him, ending with a final call to slow down before it becomes too late.
The use of the bop shoo wop phrase, which is a common vocal improvised percussive phrase in doo-wop music, gives the song a playful feel despite its serious message. The lyrics reflect the conservative values of the time, criticizing promiscuity and warning of potential consequences. The singer's concern for the girl and his attempt to guide her towards a better path makes the song a precursor to the moralistic themes of many 70s singer-songwriters. Despite the serious message of the song, the band's laid-back vocal delivery and the simple rock-and-roll beat create a light-hearted and catchy tune.
Line by Line Meaning
I hear you knockin' but you can't come in
I am aware of your presence and intentions, but I am not willing to let you in.
You wear your stockings like you think it's a sin
Your actions suggest that you believe what you are doing is wrong.
Don't try to tell me you ain't been where you been
I am not naive, I know you have been engaging in questionable activities.
'Cause I know that you've been messin' round with him
I am fully aware that you have been involved with someone else.
So slow down (Bop shoo wop, you'd better slow down)
I am advising you to take a step back and proceed with caution.
Come on down (Bop shoo wop, you'd better slow down)
I am inviting you to calm down and approach the situation rationally.
Oh down (Bop shoo wop, you'd better slow down)
I am emphasizing the urgency of slowing down and thinking things through.
Before it gets too late
I am warning you that if you continue your current behavior, you will regret it in the future.
I met you dancin' at the high school gym
I first encountered you at a social gathering in the past.
You rubbed against me my head started to spin
Your actions towards me had a strong physical and emotional effect on me.
You turned around gave me a wink and a grin
You responded positively to my attraction towards you.
And then you told me that you'd like to be friends
You expressed interest in maintaining a platonic relationship with me.
Don't slow down (Bop shoo wop, you'd better slow down)
I am advising myself to not let my guard down and be cautious.
Take it! (Bop shoo wop, you'd better slow down)
I am urging myself to take control of the situation and not let it spiral out of control.
On down (Bop shoo wop, you'd better slow down)
I am emphasizing the need to keep moving forward but at a slower pace.
Don't try to tell me (Bop shoo wop, you'd better slow down)
I am reminding myself to stay alert and not let others deceive me.
You'll never sell me (Bop shoo wop, you'd better slow down)
I am confident in my ability to see through people's lies and manipulations.
I said before it gets too late
I am repeating my earlier warning to emphasize its importance.
You know before it gets too late
I am affirming that the consequences of our actions will catch up with us eventually.
Oh, hey
I am ending the song with a casual exclamation.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Larry Williams
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind