The early eighties proved to be an exploratory period for Donna’s music. Af… Read Full Bio ↴The early eighties proved to be an exploratory period for Donna’s music. After her retirement in 1968, she fully devoted herself to being a wife and mother of three children. In 1980, she developed a rapport with pianist John Thomas and legendary guitarist James Burton, to produce a plethora of songs over a two year span. Most of the music was recorded at Amigo Studios in Burbank, California. Two of the songs, Wishin’ and Hopin’ and Somewhere Down the Road were released by Warner Bros Records in 1982. She performed the latter on the Merv Griffin Show in 1984 and in February, 1985 she performed Hard to Believe in Tokyo at an International Ballroom Dancing event. Sedona and Simply Loving You were released in 1982 on Donna's own Royalty Records label. All of the other tracks and the Bonus Video have never before been seen or heard by the public. On Sedona, James Burton, whom Donna worked with since childhood, orchestrated a reunion of his former TCB (Elvis) Band to play back-up: Ronnie Tutt on drums, Jerry Scheff on bass, Glen D. Hardin on piano, himself on guitar and special guest Chris Hillman (Flying Burrito Bros) on mandolin. Wishin’ and Hopin’ was recorded in Nashville with musicians David Hungate (Toto) on guitar and John Thomas on piano. A host of other musicians organized by either David or John have contributed to this gem.

Sedona
Donna Loren Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

What do you think
Of Arizona
Is it just the desert wind
Or a delta flood plain valley
Where the towering cactus live

It's the Call of the Canyon
Bell Rock, Cathedral, Mitten Ridge

It's Sedona, Sedona
Where the lovin' people live

Lady of the Red Rock with that pleased ta meet you look
She's a lady, no mistaken
Once you meet her, ya gonna sure be hooked

It's the Call of the Canyon
Bell Rock, Cathedral, Mitten Ridge
It's Sedona, Sedona
Where the lovin' people live

High chaparral and a big tooth maple
Autumn's breeze crimson and gold
And the rushin' creek gracefully sayin'
Boy your dream will never grow old

It's the Call of the Canyon
Bell Rock, Cathedral, Mitten Ridge

It's Sedona, Sedona
Where the lovin' people live

Overall Meaning

Donna Loren's song "Sedona" is an ode to the beauty of Arizona's famous Sedona region, known for its red rock formations, towering cacti, and natural landscapes. Loren's lyrics ask the listener what they think of Arizona, and wonders if it is simply the desert wind that makes the area so enchanting, or if it's the "delta flood plain valley" where the cacti thrive. Loren then proceeds to list off some of the well-known landmarks of the Sedona region, including the Call of the Canyon, Bell Rock, Cathedral, and Mitten Ridge, culminating in the refrain that Sedona is the place where the loving people live.

In the second verse, Loren describes Sedona's Lady of the Red Rock, a striking figure with a "pleased to meet you" look who embodies the very essence of the region. She warns that once you meet her, you will surely be hooked on Sedona's charms forever. Finally, Loren mentions some of the flora and fauna native to the area, including the high chaparral, big tooth maple, and rushing creek, urging the listener to hold onto their dreams and let them never grow old.

Line by Line Meaning

What do you think
What are your impressions

Of Arizona
Of the state with that name

Is it just the desert wind
Is it merely the blowing sand

Or a delta flood plain valley
Or perhaps a fertile expanse

Where the towering cactus live
Where the tall plants grow

It's the Call of the Canyon
It's the compelling allure of the valley

Bell Rock, Cathedral, Mitten Ridge
Notable natural features

It's Sedona, Sedona
It's Sedona, the town

Where the lovin' people live
Where friendly people reside

Lady of the Red Rock with that pleased ta meet you look
A woman amidst the red rocks who appears friendly

She's a lady, no mistaken
She's certainly a lady