Bassist/vocalist Timothy B. Schmit, later of the Eagles, replaced original Poco member Randy Meisner after Poco's debut album. Meisner was unhappy with Furay and Messina, feeling they gave him zero respect in the production of songs. Meisner went on to join Rick Nelson's Stone Canyon band and later the Eagles. Schmit later joined the Eagles in 1978. Jim Messina, later of (Kenny) Loggins and Messina fame, who formed the band with Furay, departed in 1970, feeling Furay exhibited too much control. Paul Cotton replaced Messina on lead guitar in 1971. Original drummer George Grantham added a strong rock beat to country flavor picking and provided excellent harmony vocals. Other Poco members included later seventies/early eighties Drummer Steve Chapman and Bassist Charlie Harrison and current bassist Jack Sundrud. George Lawrence replaced Grantham on drums after illness took him from the band in the summer of 2004.
Poco's back catalogue includes a wide variety of styles, from 60's folk rock to 70's hard rock and from country to electric pop. The band's three first albums, "Pickin' Up The Pieces (1969)", "Poco (1970)" and "Deliverin (1970)'" all share a joyful, slightly psychedelic atmosphere. For some fans, this was the real Poco.
Guitarist/songwriter Paul Cotton's joining Poco then brought more variety and also considerably more rock punch to the band on "From The Inside (1971)", "A Good Feelin' To Know (1972)" and "Crazy Eyes (1973)" .
However, a disappointed Furay departed , lamenting that the band had not increased it's audience since it's inception..
.After Furay's departure, the band released it's last two LP's on Epic,.The albums "Seven (1974)" and "Cantamos (1974)" also resulted in mediocre sales, charting at #'s 68 and 76, respectively.
Poco left Epic after Cantamos and signed with ABC-Dunhill Records. Head Over Heels was their first ABC release, featuring Schmit's acoustic "Keep On Tryin'", which became the group's most successful single to date, charting at #50 on the Billboard Hot 100. Around the time of the release of Head Over Heels, The Very Best of Poco was released as a compilation album that documented the group's years with Epic. Epic's release fought with Head Over Heels for attention though neither charted very well, hitting #43 and #90, respectively.
The group's next ABC-Dunhill album was Rose Of Cimarron which also failed to generate much enthusiasm and peaked at #89. Another Epic release also came out in 1976, the live album Live. Indian Summer was released the following spring, reaching #57.
In August 1977, Schmit quit to join the Eagles, coincidentally replacing former Poco member Meisner yet again. As a result, a possible new live album was cancelled by ABC. After languishing in storage for many years, the album was eventually released as The Last Roundup in 2004.
After Schmit's departure, Poco decided to take a break. Grantham took some time off, while Young and Cotton decided to continue as the "Cotton-Young Band". They added Steve Chapman (drums) and Charlie Harrison (bass) to round out their new quartet. However, ABC decided to pick up the Cotton-Young album — as long as they continued under the 'Poco' name. Thus, although Grantham had never quit Poco, he found himself bought out of the group. He subsequently landed a job as drummer for Ricky Skaggs.
The new Poco couldn't have started much better, since "Legend (1978)" became band's first hit album with two TOP-20 hits. The album is very different from everything Poco had so far done and the hard rocking title track hinted for what was to follow.
The joy was short lived, however. In the 1980s, the group released five more albums: Under The Gun (1980), Blue And Gray (1981), Cowboys & Englishmen (1982) on MCA and, moving over to Atlantic Records, Ghost Town (1982) and Inamorata (1984). Poco failed to duplicate the success achieved by Legend, with each album doing more poorly than its predecessor.
After poor commercial success, Poco went into hiatus until the original line-up surprised everyone with new album "Legacy (1989)". It was also a hit album with another TOP20 hit single "Call it love". The album to many listeners was a welcome return to band's original country rock style. This line-up didn't last, however, and only recorded this one album. This wasn't the end of Poco, though. The band, now again Cotton & Young -lead, continued gigging and even made a new studio album "Running Horse" in 2002, which failed to gather much acclaim.
The band has been active in the 2000's ever since, having so far released three live albums from both recent and older concerts: "Keeping The Legend Alive", "The Last Roundup" and "Bareback at Big Sky". A concert DVD is also available. Paul Cotton's three solo albums "Changing Horses (1990)", "Firebird (2000)" and "When The Coast is Clear" (2005)" are also available and well worth a check.
On March 11, 2010, Cotton departed the band . Keyboardist Michael Webb from Nashville TN joined the band and Poco continued to tour.
Plans are underway for a new CD in early 2011 as well as a tour.
Read more about Poco at http://www.poconut.org.
Long Shot
Poco Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Smell of freedom, taste of dust
City of gold or bust
Said my goodbyes, ain’t goin’ back now.
Such a strange and scenic route
To tryin’ on that big town suit
Oh, I’m takin’ that long shot
Maybe scratch this itch I’ve got, you never know
Oh, kick the pedal down all the way
Ain’t waitin’ on someday, here I go.
Took a ride through the heart of the beast
Dark detours, sparkling streets
I saw the light then I saw it scatter.
Fortune’s smile is a fickle thing
King to pauper, pauper to King
But I’m still here and that’s all that matters.
Oh, I’m takin’ that long shot
Maybe scratch this itch I’ve got, you never know
Oh, kick the pedal down all the way
Ain’t waitin’ on someday, here I go.
(Hear the sound of that tail-wind blow)
(New day pullin’ me down the road)
(Playin’ my life on the radio)
I heard about dreams scrapin’ the sky
Sweet angels singin’ all night for a song
That’s where I belong.
Oh, I’m takin’ that long shot
Maybe scratch this itch I’ve got, you never know
Oh, kick the pedal down all the way
Ain’t waitin’ on someday, here I go, here I go
Yeah yeah, oh here I go
Baby, here I go.
The song "Long Shot" by Poco is an ode to the pursuit of one's dreams and the journey it takes to achieve them. The lyrics speak of the desire for freedom and the taste of dust in the pursuit of success. The singer of the song appears to have left their old life behind in search of something greater, symbolized by the "City of Gold." They acknowledge that it's a risky and uncertain path to take, but they're determined to give it a try anyway.
The second verse of the song describes the ups and downs of the journey, including various detours and obstacles, but the singer keeps pushing forward. They know that fortune is fickle, but they remain resilient in the face of adversity. The bridge of the song refers to the singer's inspiration: dreams that "scrape the sky" and sweet angels singing all night for a song. The song ends with a triumphant declaration of determination and perseverance: "Here I go, here I go, yeah yeah, oh here I go, baby, here I go."
Overall, the lyrics to "Long Shot" celebrate the courage it takes to pursue one's dreams and the resilience needed to overcome any obstacles in the way. The song encourages listeners to take risks and to keep pushing forward, even when the journey is uncertain.
Line by Line Meaning
Smell of freedom, taste of dust
The feeling of being free and the taste of adventure, but also the harsh reality of facing obstacles and challenges along the way.
City of gold or bust
The pursuit of a great and rewarding journey, even if it means facing failure and disappointment.
Said my goodbyes, ain’t goin’ back now.
The decision to move forward and commit to the journey, no matter how difficult or uncertain it may be.
Such a strange and scenic route
The journey taken may not be the most direct or logical, but it can still offer unique and beautiful experiences.
To tryin’ on that big town suit
Entering a world and environment that is unfamiliar and intimidating, but trying to adapt and succeed within it.
There comes a time for steppin’ out.
The realization that one must take risks and step outside of their comfort zone in order to grow and achieve success.
Oh, I’m takin’ that long shot
The decision to take a big risk and go after a dream or goal, despite the uncertainty of success.
Maybe scratch this itch I’ve got, you never know
The possibility of fulfilling a deep desire and need, without knowing for certain what the outcome may be.
Oh, kick the pedal down all the way
The determination to push forward and give everything in pursuit of the goal.
Ain’t waitin’ on someday, here I go.
The refusal to wait for the perfect moment to pursue the dream, and instead taking action and making it happen now.
Took a ride through the heart of the beast
The challenge and danger of facing the difficulties and obstacles within the journey.
Dark detours, sparkling streets
The contrasts and opposing experiences within the journey, including both difficult and rewarding moments.
I saw the light then I saw it scatter.
The realization of hope and possibility, followed by the fear and uncertainty of losing it.
Fortune’s smile is a fickle thing
The unpredictability and inconsistency of success, luck, and wealth.
King to pauper, pauper to King
The potential for drastic, unexpected changes in circumstances and status.
But I’m still here and that’s all that matters.
The recognition that despite the challenges and setbacks faced within the journey, the perseverance and determination to continue is what truly matters.
I heard about dreams scrapin’ the sky
The idea of aiming for the highest and most ambitious goals, despite how impossible they may seem.
Sweet angels singin’ all night for a song
The potential for great reward and success, possibly even beyond what was imagined or expected.
That’s where I belong.
The realization that the journey and the pursuit of the dream is where one truly belongs, regardless of the outcome.
Baby, here I go.
The final determination and commitment to go after the dream, no matter what lies ahead.
Contributed by Aubrey G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.