(1975) Original pressing and original inner sleeve with lyrics. I bought this record used at Rhino Records in Westwood probably in 1989. It’s a bummer that store closed. I always enjoyed shopping there and from time to time I would run into Harry Shearer flipping through the stacks.
My history with America and their songs is long. As a 3rd grader I would sing A Horse With No Name while walking home from school. Kinda creeped me out lyrically, but the “laa, laa, la-la-lala laa” was caught in my ear for days. As a high school senior, I had an English literature class. When we studied poetry, our teacher Ms. M included studying rock and roll lyrics. She brought in her copy of this record so we could listen to it while studying. How cool that the song’s title is Ventura Highway because when you hear it you think “venture a highway”, and think about getting out of wherever you are at the moment- or at least I did.
I loved this record so much she let me borrow it. I typed all the lyrics to my favorite songs and scotch taped them to my bedroom wall. Believe it or not I still have those lyrics, just couldn’t throw them away.
SIDE I
- A Horse With No Name (4:10)
- I Need You (3:04)
- Sandman (5:03)
- Ventura Highway (3:32)
- Don’t Cross The River (2:30)
- Only In Your Heart (3:16)
SIDE II
- Muskrat Love (3:02)
- Tin Man (3:25)
- Lonely People (2:27)
- Sister Golden Hair (3:16)
- Daisy Jane (3:07)
- Woman Tonight (2:19)
I know, I know. This is pop radio 1970’s. You have to appreciate the entire package of songs; the Warner Bros palm tree label and produced by George Martin! I am not typically a fan of Greatest Hits packages but if you are going to own one this is a good one to have in your collection. Each song has such a purity to it. They each tell a good story, and have enough of a hook that you want to hear them again. And I can’t finish this post without mentioning Tin Man. If you know me, you know that the Wizard of Oz is my all-time favorite movie and this song is my favorite America tune.
Put On A Record 