Five Best Songs By America – Zane’s Picks

For over 40 years America has been singing, recording, traveling, and sharing their unique sound with fans all over the world. With no less than 16 chart hits including two #1's and 7 top ten hits,  America is one of the most enduring bands of the rock 'n roll era. Honestly, it's hard to narrow the list down to five, but, here is a look at my top 5 America songs of all time.

LONELY PEOPLE

This is a rare video of America performing "Lonely People" in the studio.The song features Dan Peek on lead vocals and harmonica. Written by Dan and his new bride, the song, from the "Holiday" album,  became the band's 5th top 10 hit. After leaving the band in 1977 and going into Contemporary Christian music, Peek re-worked the lyrics a bit and released a Christian version of the song.

TODAY'S THE DAY

This Dan Peek tune was the lead single from the 1976 album "Hideaway," making it to #23 on the pop charts, and #1 on the Adult Contemporary chart. This is a happy,feel-good song, and was an easy pick for my top 5. It was the last big hit for America before Peek's departure.

I NEED YOU

Written by Gerry Beckley, "I Need You" was the follow up to America's first chart hit, "A Horse With No Name", which spent 3 weeks at #1.  While the exact meaning of a lot of America's songs are difficult to understand, "I Need You" is a straight forward romantic ballad. A sad song, to be sure, but for hopeless romantics it's full of  sad but wonderful images.

RIGHT BEFORE YOUR EYES

As America's popularity began to wane following the #1 success of "Sister Golden Hair", Dan Peek left the band, but Dewey Bunnell and Gerry Beckley decided to continue on, and in 1982 experienced a brief resurgence with the top 10 hit  "You Can Do Magic". "Right Before Your Eyes" was the follow up single, and although it didn't have great chart success, only reaching  #45, the song did receive a lot of radio airplay.The song is about a guy who's in love with a girl who doesn't even know he exists- a classic love song. Although Dan Peek was gone, "Right Before Your Eyes"  still offered the familiar  America harmonies we came to love.

CALIFORNIA DREAMIN'

While most of the songs recorded by America were original, once in a while they would try someone else's composition. 1973's Muskrat Love was just the second time the band recorded a song not written by one of the band members. It only got to #67.(Muskrat Love went to #4 for the Captain and Tennille in 1976) In 1979, America covered the Mamas and the Papas "California Dreamin", for the movie of the same name starring Dennis Christopher. Commercially, the song was forgettable,  only reaching  #56 on the charts, but it was a fun song that showed a different side of the band. If possible,  you need to get the Mamas and the Papas version out of your head just long enough to enjoy Dewey Bunnell's rendition.

America is continuing it's 40th anniversary tour this year and will be in concert at the Avalon Theatre on March 14th, presented by Sandstone Concerts.Tickets are on sale now at City Market, Backporch Music, by phone at 243- TIXS, or on line at ticketswest.com.