Song for America (song)
Encyclopedia
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 band's third single, although it did not chart. It is known for its symphonic structure, and it's lyrics showing America's state before and after colonization. To this day it remains one of Kansas' definitive pieces of music, appearing on most of their live albums and DVDs.
The song begins with a 3 minute instrumental overture; many of the melodies would be reprised later in the song. It is dominated by the keyboards of Steve Walsh and Kerry Livgren, along with Robby Steinhardt's violin. Dave Hope's bass is also very prominent. Both Steinhardt, and Walsh have vocal parts in the song. It, like many other Kansas songs, is noted for its symphonic structure, one of the defining features of progressive rock. The final section of the instrumental overture, closes the song, totaling a little over ten minutes long. The single version of the song had most of the instrumental parts edited out, and is cut down to three minutes.
The song begins in a time before America was experiencing a vast colonization from Europe, as characterized by the lines, "No man rules this land; no human hand has soiled this paradise. Waiting patiently, so much to see, so rich in earth's delights." The first few verses of the song portray America's beauty, and its abundance waiting to be discovered. The lines "Ravage, plunder see no wonder; rape and kill and tear asunder," show the destruction of the land's beauty once its vast expanse begins being colonized. The next part of the song addresses the modern day saying,"Highways scar the mountainsides, buildings to the sky, people all around. Houses stand in endless rows sea to shining sea, people all around." It then proceeds to tell us that we now own this land, and the preservation of its beauty and abundance is up to us.
Steve Walsh
- Organ, ARP Synthesizer, Lead Vocals
Robby Steinhardt
- Violin, Vocals
Dave Hope
- Bass
Phil Ehart - Drums, Glockenspiel
Rich Williams
- Acoustic and Electric Guitars
Progressive rock
Progressive rock is a subgenre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s as part of a "mostly British attempt to elevate rock music to new levels of artistic credibility." John Covach, in Contemporary Music Review, says that many thought it would not just "succeed the pop of...
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"...
. 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
Song for America
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....
, and later released as the band's third single, although it did not chart. It is known for its symphonic structure, and it's lyrics showing America's state before and after colonization. To this day it remains one of Kansas' definitive pieces of music, appearing on most of their live albums and DVDs.
Structure
"Song for America is a watershed for Kerry. He wrote that song from beginning to end." -Phil EhartPhil Ehart
Phillip 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...
The song begins with a 3 minute instrumental overture; many of the melodies would be reprised later in the song. It is dominated by the keyboards of Steve Walsh and Kerry Livgren, along with Robby Steinhardt's violin. Dave Hope's bass is also very prominent. Both Steinhardt, and Walsh have vocal parts in the song. It, like many other Kansas songs, is noted for its symphonic structure, one of the defining features of progressive rock. The final section of the instrumental overture, closes the song, totaling a little over ten minutes long. The single version of the song had most of the instrumental parts edited out, and is cut down to three minutes.
Lyrics
"I remember writing the title track to this album while in a jet high over America. Looking down, I was musing over our relatively young nation and how unique we are." - Kerry LivgrenThe song begins in a time before America was experiencing a vast colonization from Europe, as characterized by the lines, "No man rules this land; no human hand has soiled this paradise. Waiting patiently, so much to see, so rich in earth's delights." The first few verses of the song portray America's beauty, and its abundance waiting to be discovered. The lines "Ravage, plunder see no wonder; rape and kill and tear asunder," show the destruction of the land's beauty once its vast expanse begins being colonized. The next part of the song addresses the modern day saying,"Highways scar the mountainsides, buildings to the sky, people all around. Houses stand in endless rows sea to shining sea, people all around." It then proceeds to tell us that we now own this land, and the preservation of its beauty and abundance is up to us.
Live Versions
Several live versions of the song have been recorded. One is featured on the live Two for the Show, that has a Kerry Livgren's piano solo near the end edited out. Kansas also plays it on their new live CD/DVD There's No Place Like Home with the Washburn symphony orchestra.Personnel
Kerry Livgren - Piano, Moog Synthesizer, ARP StringsSteve Walsh
Steve Walsh
Steve, Stephen or Steven Walsh may refer to:* Steve Walsh , British disc jockey* Steve Walsh , of the 1970s progressive rock band Kansas...
- Organ, ARP Synthesizer, Lead Vocals
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...
- Violin, Vocals
Dave Hope
Dave Hope
Dave 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
Phil Ehart - Drums, Glockenspiel
Rich Williams
Rich Williams
Richard 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...
- Acoustic and Electric Guitars