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
Tin Man
America Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And people share the gift of gab
Between themselves
Some are quick to take the bait
And catch the perfect prize
That waits among the shelves
That he didn't, didn't already have
And cause never was the reason for the evening
Or the tropic of Sir Galahad
So, please believe in me
When I say I'm spinning 'round, 'round, 'round, 'round
Smoke glass stained bright colors
Image going down, down, down, down
Soap suds, green light bubble
Oh, Oz never did give nothing to the Tin Man
That he didn't, didn't already have
And cause never was the reason for the evening
Or the tropic of Sir Galahad
So, please believe in me
When I say I'm spinning' round, 'round, 'round, 'round
Smoke glass stained bright colors
Image going down, down, down, down
Soap suds, green light bubble
No, Oz never did give nothing to the Tin Man
That he didn't, didn't already have
And cause never was the reason for the evening
Or the tropic of Sir Galahad
So, please believe in me
The opening lines of the song "Tin Man" by America set the tone for a pensive, reflective piece. The track touches upon the subject of loneliness and how people can forget to interact meaningfully when they are caught up in the mundane activities of life. The lyrics reflect how people can become engrossed in their lives and fail to see the importance of sharing thoughts with each other. The use of the phrase "the gift of gab" highlights the value of exchanging ideas, opinions, and emotions. However, some people may be quick to take the easy way out and settle for the easy, superficial pleasures in life, whereas the Tin Man from The Wizard of Oz knew of the inherent dangers of such an approach.
The chorus delves into an interpretation of the idea of the Tin Man from The Wizard of Oz. In the book, the Tin Man is said to be a soldier who has lost his heart in combat, and later, in the movie, he joins Dorothy on her journey to find the wizard to ask for a new heart. The lyrics in the chorus reveal that Oz did not give the Tin Man anything that he didn't already possess within himself, implying that it's up to individuals to discover the things that genuinely matter to them. The song emphasizes that one should not look to someone else to provide them with the things they need within themselves.
Line by Line Meaning
Sometimes late
Occasionally, during the late hours of the night
When things are real
When life feels genuine and authentic
And people share the gift of gab
And individuals partake in conversations and freely exchange ideas
Between themselves
With each other, in a private and personal setting
Some are quick
Some people are fast or eager
To take the bait
To be enticed or drawn in by something
And catch the perfect prize
And seize the ideal outcome or reward
That waits among the shelves
That is readily available, waiting to be taken
But Oz never did give nothing to the Tin Man
The beloved character from 'The Wizard of Oz' didn't receive anything from the Wizard
That he didn't, didn't already have
That he wasn't already in possession of or capable of achieving himself
And 'cause never was the reason for the evening
Because of or due to a particular cause was not the purpose or motive of the night
Or the tropic of Sir Galahad
Or the destination of a heroic quest, inspired by the story of Sir Galahad from Arthurian Legend
So please believe in me
So, I implore you to have faith or trust in me
When I say I'm spinning 'round, 'round, 'round, 'round
When I express that I feel dizzy or disoriented and stuck in a cycle or pattern
Smoke glass stained bright colors
Glass that has been colored by smoke, creating vivid hues
Image going down, down, down, down
The vision or mental picture is becoming increasingly obscured or negative
Soapsud green like bubbles
A green color reminiscent of the appearance of soap bubbles
No, Oz never did give nothing to the Tin Man
Again stating that the Wizard did not give anything to the character
That he didn't, didn't already have
Repeating the idea that the Tin Man was not lacking in anything
And 'cause never was the reason for the evening
Once more emphasizing that there was no ulterior motive to the night
Or the tropic of Sir Galahad
As before, referencing the heroic quest of Sir Galahad
So please believe in me
Asking once more for trust and faith in the artist
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Dewey Bunnell
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Edd8
Sometimes late
When things are real
And people share the gift of gab
Between themselves
Some are quick
To take the bait
And catch the perfect prize
That waits among the shelves
But Oz never did give nothing to the Tin Man
That he didn't, didn't already have
And 'cause never was the reason for the evening
Or the tropic of Sir Galahad
So please believe in me
When I say I'm spinning 'round, 'round, 'round, 'round
Smoke glass stained bright colors
Image going down, down, down, down
Soapsud green like bubbles
Oh, Oz never did give nothing to the Tin Man
That he didn't, didn't already have
And 'cause never was the reason for the evening
Or the tropic of Sir Galahad
So, please
Believe in me
When I say I'm spinning' round, 'round, 'round, 'round
Smoke glass stained bright colors
Image going down, down, down, down
Soapsud green like bubbles
No, Oz never did give nothing to the Tin Man
That he didn't, didn't already have
And 'cause never was the reason for the evening
Or the tropic of Sir Galahad
So please believe in me
@vandliszt
Sometimes late
When things are real
And people share the gift of gab
Between themselves
Some are quick
To take the bait
And catch the perfect prize
That waits among the shelves
But Oz never did give nothing to the Tin Man
That he didn't, didn't already have
And 'cause never was the reason for the evening
Or the tropic of Sir Galahad
So please believe in me
When I say I'm spinning 'round, 'round, 'round, 'round
Smoke glass stained bright colors
Image going down, down, down, down
Soapsud green like bubbles
Oh, Oz never did give nothing to the Tin Man
That he didn't, didn't already have
And 'cause never was the reason for the evening
Or the tropic of Sir Galahad
So, please
Believe in me
When I say I'm spinning' round, 'round, 'round, 'round
Smoke glass stained bright colors
Image going down, down, down, down
Soapsud green like bubbles
No, Oz never did give nothing to the Tin Man
That he didn't, didn't already have
And 'cause never was the reason for the evening
Or the tropic of Sir Galahad
So please believe in me
@mijajean6219
This has been mine and my daughters song since she was a little girl , we'd be driving and Tin Man would play on the radio ,she'd get so excited and we would sing it as loud as we could ...Now my little girl is grown up and is terminally ill ,she's fought a good fight ,and soon she'll have no more pain and be at peace .....Thank you America giving us Tin Man ...🙏🏻🌈🙏🏻🌈🙏🏻
@monicamurray5012
My prayers for her and you. Her Tin Man is waiting for her. God bless yours
@DMD5609
Praying for her.
@theresaang802
Praying for your daughter 🙏
@cynthiawhite9830
Sending you lots of love. So glad you have such wonderful memories together.
@jerseygirlinvermont
Sending love, light, peace and prayers to both you and your daughter! May wonderful memories like this one provide comfort to you both.
@dizzlegrizzle1919
This song is so good they name a country after the band.
@PinkyakaAyannaj
😅🤣😅🤣
@eldredcooke7054
❤😂
@dawnminor1031
❤