Song for America
Encyclopedia
Song for America is the second album
by American
rock
band Kansas
, released in 1975. The album was reissued in remastered format on CD in 2004.
Endless touring had given Kansas a small following of loyal fans, some of whom would follow the group from one show to another. Despite the minor success of their debut album, they were still, for the most part, a struggling bar band.
While Song for America did little to change that, it is regarded by many as their most progressive and heavy work, as their next albums would transit into a softer format. "Down the Road" is a typical example of Kansas with this heavy sound. Like the first album, the writing duties were divided between Kerry Livgren
and the former members of White Clover, most notably vocalist/keyboardist Steve Walsh
.
Musically, Song for America features complex arrangements for electric and acoustic guitar, violin, and keyboards (including piano, organ, and Arp
and Moog
synthesizers). Lyrically, Kansas had begun to take a dark turn. Walsh’s songs reflected life on the street ("Lonely Street"), drug dealing ("Down the Road"), and temptation by Satan ("The Devil Game"). Livgren’s world included a haunting ghost story ("Lamplight Symphony"), a hymn to the Atman
("Incomudro"), and the album’s sweeping title track, which is regarded by violinist Robby Steinhardt
as the band’s signature song. The record company's effort to turn this 10-minute piece into a short hit single by cutting it down to a sloppily edited three minutes (with an "instrumental" version on the b-side) failed to impress radio stations. The song has suffered other edits as well, including a spliced edit as lead track on Kansas's first live album Two for the Show, and a minute chopped off of the original studio version on several compilations. The 45" edit resurfaced 30 years later as a bonus track on the remastered release, which provided much needed improved sound as well as expanded liner notes, rare photos, and a vintage live version of "Down the Road".
Album
An album is a collection of recordings, released as a single package on gramophone record, cassette, compact disc, or via digital distribution. The word derives from the Latin word for list .Vinyl LP records have two sides, each comprising one half of the album...
by American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
rock
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
band Kansas
Kansas (band)
Kansas is an American rock band that became popular in the 1970s initially on Album-Oriented Rock charts, and later with hit singles such as "Carry On Wayward Son" and "Dust in the Wind"...
, released in 1975. The album was reissued in remastered format on CD in 2004.
Endless touring had given Kansas a small following of loyal fans, some of whom would follow the group from one show to another. Despite the minor success of their debut album, they were still, for the most part, a struggling bar band.
While Song for America did little to change that, it is regarded by many as their most progressive and heavy work, as their next albums would transit into a softer format. "Down the Road" is a typical example of Kansas with this heavy sound. Like the first album, the writing duties were divided between Kerry Livgren
Kerry Livgren
Kerry Allen Livgren is an American musician and songwriter, best known as one of the founding members and primary songwriters for the 1970s progressive rock band, Kansas.-Biography:...
and the former members of White Clover, most notably vocalist/keyboardist Steve Walsh
Steve Walsh (musician)
Steve Walsh is a singer and songwriter best known for his work as a member of the progressive rock band Kansas.-Introduction:The keyboardist/vocalist/songwriter/producer/percussionist is best known for his visionary work with Kansas...
.
Musically, Song for America features complex arrangements for electric and acoustic guitar, violin, and keyboards (including piano, organ, and Arp
ARP Instruments, Inc.
ARP Instruments, Inc. was an American manufacturer of electronic musical instruments, founded by Alan Robert Pearlman in 1969. Best known for its line of synthesizers that emerged in the early 1970s, ARP closed its doors in 1981 due to financial difficulties...
and Moog
Moog synthesizer
Moog synthesizer may refer to any number of analog synthesizers designed by Dr. Robert Moog or manufactured by Moog Music, and is commonly used as a generic term for older-generation analog music synthesizers. The Moog company pioneered the commercial manufacture of modular voltage-controlled...
synthesizers). Lyrically, Kansas had begun to take a dark turn. Walsh’s songs reflected life on the street ("Lonely Street"), drug dealing ("Down the Road"), and temptation by Satan ("The Devil Game"). Livgren’s world included a haunting ghost story ("Lamplight Symphony"), a hymn to the Atman
Atman (Hinduism)
Ātman is a Sanskrit word that means 'self'. In Hindu philosophy, especially in the Vedanta school of Hinduism it refers to one's true self beyond identification with phenomena...
("Incomudro"), and the album’s sweeping title track, which is regarded by violinist Robby Steinhardt
Robby Steinhardt
Robert Eugene Steinhardt is a rock violinist and singer best known for his work with the group Kansas, for which he was co-lead singer / "frontman" and emcee along with keyboardist Steve Walsh, from 1973–1982 and 1997–2006...
as the band’s signature song. The record company's effort to turn this 10-minute piece into a short hit single by cutting it down to a sloppily edited three minutes (with an "instrumental" version on the b-side) failed to impress radio stations. The song has suffered other edits as well, including a spliced edit as lead track on Kansas's first live album Two for the Show, and a minute chopped off of the original studio version on several compilations. The 45" edit resurfaced 30 years later as a bonus track on the remastered release, which provided much needed improved sound as well as expanded liner notes, rare photos, and a vintage live version of "Down the Road".
Track listing
- "Down the Road" (Kerry LivgrenKerry LivgrenKerry Allen Livgren is an American musician and songwriter, best known as one of the founding members and primary songwriters for the 1970s progressive rock band, Kansas.-Biography:...
, Steve WalshSteve Walsh (musician)Steve Walsh is a singer and songwriter best known for his work as a member of the progressive rock band Kansas.-Introduction:The keyboardist/vocalist/songwriter/producer/percussionist is best known for his visionary work with Kansas...
) – 3:43 - "Song for AmericaSong for America (song)Song for America is the title track from the second album of American progressive rock band, Kansas. It was written by guitarist keyboardist Kerry Livgren during the period of heavy touring for their first album. The song was released on their 1975 album Song for America, and later released as the...
" (Livgren) - 10:03 - "Lamplight Symphony" (Livgren) – 8:17
- "Lonely Street" (Phil EhartPhil EhartPhillip W. Ehart is the drummer in the rock band Kansas. He and Rich Williams are the only two members who have appeared on every Kansas album. He has also taken on the band's management responsibilities in recent years. Born in Coffeyville, Kansas on February 4, 1950, Phil took up the drums in...
, Dave HopeDave HopeDave Hope is an American bass guitarist who played with the American rock band Kansas from 1973 until the band's first split in 1983. He then started the Christian band AD with Kerry Livgren and others....
, Rich WilliamsRich WilliamsRichard Williams is the guitarist for the rock band Kansas, and has been with them since their 1974 self-titled debut album. Rich lost his right eye in a childhood fireworks accident. He wore a prosthetic eye for many years, but now wears an eye patch instead.In the beginning, Williams shared...
, Walsh) – 5:43 - "The Devil Game" (Hope, Walsh) – 5:04
- "Incomudro - Hymn to the Atman" (Livgren) – 12:11
2004 CD reissue bonus tracks
- "Song for America" (Single edit) - 3:02
- "Down the Road" (Live) - 3:48
Personnel
- Phil EhartPhil EhartPhillip W. Ehart is the drummer in the rock band Kansas. He and Rich Williams are the only two members who have appeared on every Kansas album. He has also taken on the band's management responsibilities in recent years. Born in Coffeyville, Kansas on February 4, 1950, Phil took up the drums in...
- drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person .... - Dave HopeDave HopeDave Hope is an American bass guitarist who played with the American rock band Kansas from 1973 until the band's first split in 1983. He then started the Christian band AD with Kerry Livgren and others....
- bass guitarBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick.... - Kerry LivgrenKerry LivgrenKerry Allen Livgren is an American musician and songwriter, best known as one of the founding members and primary songwriters for the 1970s progressive rock band, Kansas.-Biography:...
- guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
, keyboardsKeyboard instrumentA keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments... - Robby SteinhardtRobby SteinhardtRobert Eugene Steinhardt is a rock violinist and singer best known for his work with the group Kansas, for which he was co-lead singer / "frontman" and emcee along with keyboardist Steve Walsh, from 1973–1982 and 1997–2006...
- violinViolinThe violin is a string instrument, usually with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is the smallest, highest-pitched member of the violin family of string instruments, which includes the viola and cello....
, vocals - Steve WalshSteve Walsh (musician)Steve Walsh is a singer and songwriter best known for his work as a member of the progressive rock band Kansas.-Introduction:The keyboardist/vocalist/songwriter/producer/percussionist is best known for his visionary work with Kansas...
- keyboards, vocals - Rich WilliamsRich WilliamsRichard Williams is the guitarist for the rock band Kansas, and has been with them since their 1974 self-titled debut album. Rich lost his right eye in a childhood fireworks accident. He wore a prosthetic eye for many years, but now wears an eye patch instead.In the beginning, Williams shared...
- guitar
Production
- Producers: Jeff Glixman, Wally Gold
- Engineer: Peter Granet
- Mastering: Tom Rabstenek
- Preparation: Don Meehan
- Arranger: Kansas
- Art direction: Ed Lee
- Paintings: Peter Lloyd
Charts
Album - Billboard (North America)| Year | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|
| 1975 | Pop Albums | 57 |