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
Ventura Highway
America Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Walking down the road
Tell me, how long you gonna stay here Joe?
Some people say this town don't look good in snow
You don't care, I know
Ventura Highway in the sunshine
Where the days are longer
Than moonshine
You're gonna go I know
'Cause the free wind is blowin' through your hair
And the days surround your daylight there
Seasons crying, no despair
Alligator lizards in the air
In the air
Do, do-do, do, do-do
Do, do-do, do, do-do
Do, do-do, do, do-do
Do, do-do, do, do-do
Do, do-do, do, do-do
Do, do-do, do, do-do, do
Wishin' on a falling star
Waitin' for the early train
Sorry boy, but I've been hit by purple rain
Aw, come on Joe, you can always change your name
Thanks a lot son, just the same
Ventura Highway in the sunshine
Where the days are longer
The nights are stronger
Than moonshine
You're gonna go I know
'Cause the free wind is blowin' through your hair
And the days surround your daylight there
Seasons crying, no despair
Alligator lizards in the air
In the air
Do, do-do, do, do-do
Do, do-do, do, do-do
Do, do-do, do, do-do
Do, do-do, do, do-do
Do, do-do, do, do-do
Do, do-do, do, do-do
Do, do-do, do, do-do
Do, do-do, do, do-do
Do, do-do, do, do-do
Do, do-do, do, do-do
Do, do-do, do, do-do
Do, do-do, do, do-do
Do, do-do, do, do-do
Do, do-do, do, do-do
Do, do-do, do, do-do
Do, do-do, do, do-do
Do, do-do, do, do-do
The opening verse of America's Ventura Highway invites listeners to join Joe on his journey as he walks down the road, chewing on a piece of grass. Joe is asked by the singer how long he will stay here, to which Joe doesn't care. Some people might say the town doesn't look good in snow, but Joe's mind is set. He's going to Ventura Highway. The song embodies a sense of freedom and escape as the open road and carefree nature of the lyrics encourage the listener to join Joe, and follow their dreams, blowing with the 'free wind.'
The chorus features the line "Ventura Highway in the sunshine, where the days are longer, the nights are stronger than moonshine." The singer describes how the free wind is blowing through Joe's hair and the 'days surround your daylight there.' The seasons cry, but there's no despair, almost as if Joe has left everything behind and is chasing the American dream. A reference to 'alligator lizards in the air' conjures up images of the beauty of the road-trip across America, where anything seems possible.
Overall, Ventura Highway is an ode to liberation and self-discovery. The song speaks to the limitless possibilities that come with leaving everything behind to follow a dream. The steady strumming of the guitar and the soulful vocals invite listeners to join Joe on his journey for as long as they want to stay.
Line by Line Meaning
Chewing on a piece of grass
Joe is casually strolling along while grazing on some grass.
Walking down the road
Joe is taking a leisurely walk outside.
Tell me, how long you gonna stay here Joe?
Someone is asking Joe how long he plans to remain in town.
Some people say this town don't look good in snow
According to some people, the town is not pleasant to be in during the winter.
You don't care, I know
The person asking Joe suspects he isn't concerned about the weather or staying in the town.
Ventura Highway in the sunshine
Joe is daydreaming about the Ventura Highway on a bright, sunny day.
Where the days are longer
Joe imagines that the days on the Ventura Highway are longer than they are in the town he's currently in.
The nights are stronger
The nights on the Ventura highway have more power or impact than the ones in town.
Than moonshine
The nights on the Ventura highway are as strong as, or even stronger than, moonshine.
You're gonna go I know
The person asking Joe knows that he is longing to leave and travel to the Ventura highway.
'Cause the free wind is blowin' through your hair
Joe is experiencing a sensation of freedom as the wind blows through his hair while he travels on the Ventura highway.
And the days surround your daylight there
The daylight hours feel more encompassing and fulfilling on the Ventura highway.
Seasons crying, no despair
Joe feels a sense of positivity on the Ventura highway, even though the changing seasons may bring about some negative emotions.
Alligator lizards in the air
Joe has noticed some indigenous wildlife and is taking in the beauty of the surroundings.
'Cause the free wind is blowin' through your hair
Joe is embracing the freedom that he feels as the wind blows through his hair while he travels on the Ventura highway.
And the days surround your daylight there
Joe feels a sense of contentment and fulfillment during the daylight hours on the Ventura highway.
Seasons crying, no despair
Even the changing of the seasons can't dampen Joe's spirits while he's on the Ventura highway.
Alligator lizards in the air
Joe is appreciating the natural beauty around him, including the sight of alligator lizards fluttering in the sky.
Wishin' on a falling star
Joe is making a wish upon a shooting star he sees in the night sky.
Waitin' for the early train
Joe is patiently waiting for an early train, likely to take him to his destination on the Ventura highway.
Sorry boy, but I've been hit by purple rain
Joe's plans may have been derailed by something unexpected, like a sudden rainstorm.
Aw, come on Joe, you can always change your name
Someone is trying to cheer Joe up, suggesting that he has the power to reinvent himself if something goes wrong.
Thanks a lot son, just the same
Joe appreciates the encouragement provided to him, but he is determined to continue on his path to the Ventura highway.
'Cause the free wind is blowin' through your hair
The freedom that Joe feels as the wind blows through his hair is a big part of what's drawing him to the Ventura highway.
And the days surround your daylight there
Joe has found a sense of fulfillment and contentment on the Ventura highway during the daylight hours.
Seasons crying, no despair
Even the changing of the seasons can't dampen Joe's spirits while he's on the Ventura highway.
Alligator lizards in the air
Joe continues to appreciate the beautiful and unusual wildlife he sees while traveling on the Ventura highway.
Do, do-do, do, do-do
This is the refrain of the song and represents a kind of relaxed, contented mood.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Dewey Bunnell
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind