Starland Vocal Band is an American rock band, known primarily for "Afternoo… Read Full Bio ↴Starland Vocal Band is an American rock band, known primarily for "Afternoon Delight", one of the biggest singles in 1976. The group began as Fat City, a husband/wife duo of Bill Danoff and Taffy Nivert.

The band was also composed of Jon Carroll (keyboards and vocals) and Margot Chapman (vocals). Carroll and Chapman were also married after meeting as members of the group, but later divorced. They had one son, Ben Carroll, who is also a musician.

Their debut was the self-titled Starland Vocal Band, which included "Afternoon Delight". The song was a hit, reaching #1 and the album also charted. They were nominated for five Grammy Awards and won two - Best arrangement (voices) and Best New Act. The follow-up, Rear View Mirror was a failure in comparison, although it was a minor chart entry, spending 13 weeks on the Billboard 200 (reaching a peak of #104).

The band hosted a self-titled variety show that ran on CBS for six weeks in the summer of 1977. David Letterman, then unknown, also participated in the show, as did Mark Russell, Jeff Altman, and Proctor and Bergman.

The band broke up by the early 1980s, unable to match their previous success. Danoff and Nivert divorced shortly afterwards.

Each of the band members has gone on to a solo career.

As recently as 1998 Starland Vocal Band has reunited for a few concerts, often featuring the children of the four original members as vocalists.

American Tune
Starland Vocal Band Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Many's the time I've been mistaken
And many times confused
Yes, and I've often felt forsaken
And certainly misused

But I'm all right, I'm all right
I'm just weary to my bones
(Still) Still you don't expect to

Be bright and bon vivant
So far away from home so far away from home
I don't know a soul who's not been battered
I don't have a friend who feels at ease
I don't know a dream
That's not been shattered
Or driven to it's knees

But it's all right, it's all right
We've lived so well so long
(Still) Still when I think of
The road we're traveling on
I wonder what's gone wrong
Can't help it, I wonder what's gone wrong

And I dreamed I was dying
I dreamed that my soul rose unexpectedly
And looking back down at me
Smiled reassuringly

And I dreamed I was flying
And high up above, my eyes could clearly see
The Statue of Liberty sailing away to sea
And I dreamed I was flying (Flying)

We come on a ship they call the Mayflower
Come on a ship that sailed the moon
We come in the age's most uncertain hour
And sing an American tune
But it's all right, all
Right, it's all right, it's all right
We can't be forever blessed
Still tomorrow's going to be
Another working day

I'm trying to get some rest
That's all, I'm trying to get some rest

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Starland Vocal Band's "American Tune" convey a sense of weariness, disillusionment, and hope in the face of adversity. The opening lines discuss feeling mistaken, confused, forsaken, and misused. This suggests a sense of being misunderstood and mistreated, perhaps in a personal or societal context. However, despite these challenges, the singer asserts that they are still alright, albeit weary to their bones. This speaks to a resilience and determination to persevere despite difficulties.

The second paragraph highlights the universal nature of struggle. The singer claims not to know anyone who hasn't been battered or felt at ease, emphasizing the shared human experiences of pain and disappointment. Dreams, too, are depicted as fragile and easily shattered, revealing the vulnerability and fragility of our aspirations. Yet, despite these setbacks, the singer asserts that it is still alright. The phrase "we've lived so well so long" suggests a recognition of the relative comfort and privilege they have experienced.

In the third paragraph, the lyrics take a turn towards introspection and reflection. The singer describes a dream in which they were dying and their soul rose unexpectedly, only to be reassured by the sight of themselves from above. This dream symbolizes a sense of coming to terms with mortality and finding peace in the face of death. The subsequent dream of flying represents liberation and freedom. From a higher vantage point, they see the Statue of Liberty sailing away, suggesting a departure from ideals and values once cherished. This imagery serves as a commentary on the changing nature of America and its principles.

The final paragraph reflects on the historical context of America's founding and the uncertainty of the present. The references to the Mayflower and a ship that sailed the moon highlight both the nation's origins and its achievements in space exploration. The phrase "age's most uncertain hour" captures the sense of instability and uncertainty in the current time. Despite this, the singer asserts that it is still alright. They acknowledge the need for rest, alluding to the toll that the ongoing struggles have taken. Through it all, there is a determination to keep going, pushing forward to face another working day.

Overall, "American Tune" is a contemplative and introspective song that touches on themes of disillusionment, resilience, and the changing nature of America. It encourages listeners to find solace in their dreams, to persevere in the face of adversity, and to hold on to hope for a better tomorrow.

Line by Line Meaning

Many's the time I've been mistaken
There have been numerous occasions where I have been misunderstood or taken the wrong way.

And many times confused
There have been multiple instances when I have felt uncertain or perplexed.

Yes, and I've often felt forsaken
Furthermore, I have frequently experienced a sense of abandonment or being left behind.

And certainly misused
Additionally, there have been definite instances where I have been taken advantage of or exploited.

But I'm all right, I'm all right
Despite these challenges, I am actually okay and managing.

I'm just weary to my bones
However, I am exhausted both mentally and physically.

(Still) Still you don't expect to
Nevertheless, one does not anticipate

Be bright and bon vivant
To be lively, carefree, and full of joie de vivre

So far away from home so far away from home
When being so distant from one's place of origin

I don't know a soul who's not been battered
Personally, I am not acquainted with anyone who has not been emotionally or mentally beaten down.

I don't have a friend who feels at ease
Furthermore, I do not have a companion who truly feels comfortable or relaxed.

I don't know a dream That's not been shattered
Moreover, I am unaware of a single aspiration that has not been broken or destroyed.

Or driven to its knees
Or brought to a state of submission or defeat.

But it's all right, it's all right
Nevertheless, it is acceptable or tolerable.

We've lived so well so long
We have had a good quality of life for a considerable length of time.

(Still) Still when I think of The road we're traveling on I wonder what's gone wrong
However, when I contemplate the path we are currently following, I question what has gone awry.

Can't help it, I wonder what's gone wrong
I cannot control it; I can't help but question what has gone astray.

And I dreamed I was dying
During a dream, I envisioned my own death.

I dreamed that my soul rose unexpectedly
In this dream, my spirit ascended unexpectedly.

And looking back down at me Smiled reassuringly
While observing me from above, it smiled in a comforting and reassuring manner.

And I dreamed I was flying
Another part of my dream involved flying in the sky.

And high up above, my eyes could clearly see
From a great height, my eyes had a clear view.

The Statue of Liberty sailing away to sea
I witnessed the Statue of Liberty departing towards the ocean.

And I dreamed I was flying (Flying)
In my dream, I experienced the sensation of flying (repeated emphasis on flying).

We come on a ship they call the Mayflower
We arrived on a ship known as the Mayflower.

Come on a ship that sailed the moon
We arrived using a ship that metaphorically traveled to the moon.

We come in the age's most uncertain hour
We arrived during the most unpredictable moment in history.

And sing an American tune
And now we express ourselves through this distinctly American song.

But it's all right, all Right, it's all right, it's all right
However, everything is acceptable or tolerable.

We can't be forever blessed
We cannot always be fortunate or favored.

Still tomorrow's going to be Another working day
Nevertheless, tomorrow will bring yet another day of work.

I'm trying to get some rest
I am attempting to find some respite or repose.

That's all, I'm trying to get some rest
That's the only thing I seek at the moment, simply trying to find some peace and relaxation.

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Paul Simon

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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4y↑2

Paul was down the hall in another recording studio working on his Still Crazy album and Phil Ramone brought him down to watch us record this, he liked it...a lot

@DesertSingerAZ

yes! me too!! My mom had the vinyl album, which I recorded onto cassette and listened to it almost every day driving to school in the early 80s. How shocked I was to know much later that it was Paul Simon!

@timb9999

2y↑1

Heard this performed live in Buffalo NY in like 1976. It's my favorite song by SVB!

@starlandandmore

Thanks, we appreciate hearing from you

@epyx88

3y↑1

I only discovered this album a few years back, even though I'm the right age to have encountered it when it came out ;) I instantly fell in love with Boulder to Birmingham and American Tune, both of which became the definitive versions for me. Maybe it's because they both have a hymn quality to them? If so, the 4-part harmony makes that even more evident.

@starlandandmore

3y↑1

Boulder was Emmylou Harris way of grieving over the loss of her singing partner and mentor Gram Parsons, she wrote it with the help of Bill Danoff "and the canyon was on fire " refers to Grams manager stealing his body/coffin from a plane bound for Florida after his death and taking it to Joshua Tree National Park and cremating him ...American Tune was written by Paul Simon and he hasn't said what it's about.Thanks for watching and Listening and commenting

@epyx88

3y↑1

4y↑5

Context for us was our TV show,this was filmed at Pepperdine University and this was always a showstopper in our live shows and included on the first album

@kergarin7389

18w

They could have been like Manhattan Transfer if only they pursued it instead of settling to be John Denver's backup vocals....

@starlandandmore

18w

We didn't settle to be John's backup vocals, we weren't a household name, but we toured a lot,recorded 9 albums, had more hits overseas than in America, but we'll always be the songwriters of Take Me Home Country Roads and Afternoon Delight, money's not bad.Thanks for listening and commenting.