Among the hundreds of artists he's worked with include Phil Ochs, Tim Buckley, Haruomi Hosono, The Byrds, Rufus Wainwright, Harry Nilsson, Randy Newman, Ry Cooder, U2, Joanna Newsom, Inara George, Keith Moon, Frank Zappa, Harpers Bizarre, Little Feat, Ringo Starr, Silverchair, and Skrillex.
In addition to producing, Parks has released seven studio albums of his own recordings: Song Cycle, Discover America, Clang of the Yankee Reaper, Jump!, Tokyo Rose, Songs Cycled, and with Brian Wilson, Orange Crate Art. He has also released a live album, Moonlighting: Live at the Ash Grove. His first official release was the 1966 single Number Nine, a modernized version of Beethoven's 9th backed with Do What You Wanta.
Parks has also established himself in film scores, and over the years has directed, arranged, produced, and composed soundtracks for a great number of motion pictures and television shows.
During his childhood, Parks became extremely fond of old-style American music, most notably the sounds of Tin Pan Alley. This interest in Depression-era songwriting would correlate heavily with his artistic goals and interests during the 1960s and beyond. He was also deeply affected by musicians Spike Jones and Les Paul, which led him to develop an interest with studio experimentation in the form of pop music.
America
Van Dyke Parks Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
My country, 'tis of thee
Sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing
Land where my fathers died
Land of the Pilgrims' pride
From every mountainside let freedom ring
Van Dyke Parks's rendition of the traditional song "America" in his album "Song Cycle" reveals his creative interpretation of American folk traditions. The song builds upon the image of America and its national identity, depicting the land as a sweet land of liberty. The lyrics express a deep sense of love and devotion to the country, honoring the sacrifices made by the fathers and the pride of the Pilgrims. The phrase "let freedom ring," which recurs throughout the song, serves as a call to action, urging people to celebrate and uphold the values of freedom and democracy.
Parks's interpretation of "America" extends beyond the traditional lyrics, creating a narrative that explores America's complexities and contradictions. The song incorporates a variety of musical genres, including country, soul, and gospel, showcasing Parks’s diverse musical interests. The song's layered instrumentation, including a choir and a string section, provides a sense of depth and complexity to the arrangement. In this way, Parks's version of "America" offers an interpretation that is more than just a simple celebration of the nation's values, but a nuanced exploration of its rich cultural heritage.
Line by Line Meaning
My country, 'tis of thee
The land of my birth and my loyalty lies here
Sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing
This country is a place of freedom and I am grateful for it
Land where my fathers died
My ancestors fought and gave their lives for this country
Land of the Pilgrims' pride
This is a nation built on the principles of determination, courage and hard work that were exemplified by the Pilgrims
From every mountainside let freedom ring
Freedom must be proclaimed loud and clear across the land, from every valley and hill, so that all may hear and enjoy it
Contributed by Scarlett V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.