Music Metrics Vault

America

Data updated on 2025-02-11 10:08:51 UTC
The first half of the 1970s was the heyday of introspective songwriting and close-harmony singing. The band America lay at the commercial end of this movement, releasing a string of singles that earned radio play for years. The trio's debut was "A Horse with No Name," a Neil Young-derived, hallucinatory story-song that hit number one in the U.S. and became a worldwide smash. Further hits "I Need You" and "Ventura Highway" helped them win the Grammy Award for Best New Artist of 1972. A string of Top Ten singles and albums followed in the mid-'70s ("Tin Man," "Lonely People," "Sister Golden Hair"), and they scored a latter-day hit in 1982 with "You Can Do Magic."

Vocalists/guitarists Dewey Bunnell, Dan Peek, and Gerry Beckley met while they were still in high school in the late '60s; all three were sons of U.S. Air Force officers who were stationed in the U.K. After they completed school in 1970, they formed an acoustic folk-rock quartet called Daze in London, which was soon pared down to the trio of Bunnell, Peek, and Beckley. Adopting the name America, the group landed a contract with Jeff Dexter, a promoter for the Roundhouse concert venue. Dexter had America open for several major artists and the group soon signed with Warner Bros. By the fall of 1970, they were recording their debut album in London with producers Ian Samwell and Jeff Dexter.

"A Horse with No Name," America's debut single, was released at the end of 1971. In January 1972, the song -- which strongly recalled the acoustic numbers of Neil Young -- became a number three hit in the U.K. The group's self-titled debut album followed the same stylistic pattern and became a hit as well, peaking at number 14. Following their British success, America returned to North America, beginning a supporting tour for the Everly Brothers. "A Horse with No Name" was released in the U.S. that spring, where it soon became a number one single, pushing Neil Young's "Heart of Gold" off the top of the charts. "I Need You" became another Top Ten hit that summer, and the group began work on their second album. "Ventura Highway," the first single released from this collaboration, became their third straight Top Ten hit in December of 1972. In early 1973, America won the Grammy Award for Best New Artist of 1972.

Homecoming was released in January of 1973, becoming a Top Ten hit in the U.S. and peaking at number 21 in the U.K. America's essential sound didn't change with this record; it just became more polished. However, the hits stopped coming fairly soon -- they had only one minor Top 40 hit in 1973. Hat Trick, the group's third album, was released toward the end of 1973 and failed to make it past number 28 on the American charts. Released in the late fall of 1974, Holiday was the first record the group made with producer George Martin. Holiday returned America to the top of the charts, peaking at number three and launching the hit singles "Tin Man" and "Lonely People." "Sister Golden Hair," pulled from 1975's Hearts, became their second number one single. That same year, the group released History: America's Greatest Hits, which would eventually sell over four million copies.

Although America's 1976 effort Hideaway went gold and peaked at number 11, the group's audience was beginning to decline. After releasing Harbor to a lukewarm reception, Peek left the group, deciding to become a contemporary Christian recording artist. The band continued as a duo, and their last Martin-produced record, Silent Letter, was released in 1979 to little attention. America returned to the Top Ten in 1982 with "You Can Do Magic," an adult contemporary pop number that featured synthesizers along with their trademark harmonies. "The Border" became their last Top 40 hit in 1983, peaking at number 33. After releasing America in Concert in the summer of 1985, the group continued to tour successfully into the '90s, re-surfacing in 1998 with Human Nature.

The early part of the new millennium saw America release not only a handful of live albums and a holiday-themed studio recording, but also the exhaustive, career-spanning box set Highway, released in 2000. On the heels of this renewed interest, America were tempted back into the studio in 2006 by longtime fans and musicians Adam Schlesinger of Fountains of Wayne and James Iha of the Smashing Pumpkins. Although encouraging Bunnell and Beckley to stick to America's core sound, producers Schlesinger and Iha brought in younger musicians influenced by America to guest on the album. Released in early 2007, Here & Now featured new material by America as well as covers written by bands heavily influenced by the soft rock pioneers including Ryan Adams, Nada Surf, and others. The duo of Bunnell and Beckley returned with the independently released covers album Back Pages in July 2011. That very same month, the duo's former bandmate, Dan Peek, died at his home in Missouri at the age of 60.

Gerry Beckley and Dewey Bunnell continued to perform as America throughout the rest of the 2010s, celebrating their 50th anniversary in 2019 with a tour and an accompanying compilation called 50th Anniversary: Golden Hits. Heritage II: Demos/Alternate Takes 1971-1976, a sequel to the 2017 set Heritage: Home Recordings/Demos 1970-1973, appeared in April 2020. Willie Leacox, who had been America's drummer on the road and in the studio for over 40 years, died on February 2, 2022 at his home in Stockton, California at the age of 74. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, Rovi

Total plays

2.7 billion
Updated on 2025-02-11

Monthly listeners

11,471,761

Followers

1,890,237

Top Cities

  1. Australia
    184,667 listeners
  2. Australia
    145,846 listeners
  3. Mexico
    122,405 listeners
  4. Chile
    121,581 listeners
  5. United States
    121,805 listeners

Most popular tracks

Track Plays Duration Release date
A Horse with No Name
A Horse with No Name
783,827,936 4:12 1972-01-01
A Horse With No Name
A Horse With No Name
783,827,936 4:11 2005-12-02
Ventura Highway
Ventura Highway
286,005,816 3:32 1972-01-01
Sister Golden Hair
Sister Golden Hair
257,699,381 3:17 1975-01-01
You Can Do Magic
You Can Do Magic
86,227,191 3:57 1982-01-01
Tin Man
Tin Man
65,164,132 3:30 1974-01-01
Lonely People
Lonely People
60,967,406 2:30 1974-01-01
I Need You
I Need You
57,619,053 3:03 1972-01-01
All My Life
All My Life
51,924,963 3:04 1979-01-01
Sandman
Sandman
19,203,922 5:09 1972-01-01
Inspector Mills
Inspector Mills
14,961,061 5:13 1982-01-01
Daisy Jane
Daisy Jane
14,855,031 3:06 1975-01-01
Riverside
Riverside
13,733,691 3:01 1972-01-01
Don't Cross the River
Don't Cross the River
13,115,197 2:30 1972-01-01
The Last Unicorn
The Last Unicorn
12,806,524 3:09 1997-02-03
A Horse With No Name
A Horse With No Name
11,874,499 3:47 2011-03-15
A Horse with no Name
A Horse with no Name
11,874,499 3:48 2018-10-05
Horse With No Name
Horse With No Name
11,085,714 3:38 2012-01-10
Muskrat Love
Muskrat Love
7,770,299 3:07 1973-01-01
Ventura Highway
Ventura Highway
6,606,159 3:37 2011-03-15
Right Before Your Eyes
Right Before Your Eyes
6,273,573 3:53 1982-01-01
Three Roses
Three Roses
6,137,892 3:54 1972-01-01
Only in Your Heart
Only in Your Heart
5,409,827 3:17 1972-01-01
Woman Tonight
Woman Tonight
4,143,660 2:22 1975-01-01
Here
Here
3,996,145 5:28 1972-01-01
Rainy Day
Rainy Day
3,979,719 2:54 1972-01-01
All Around
All Around
3,873,267 3:22 1979-01-01
Today's the Day
Today's the Day
3,408,152 3:16 1976-01-01
Survival
Survival
2,914,589 3:16 1980-01-01
To Each His Own
To Each His Own
2,476,669 3:15 1972-01-01
Children
Children
2,452,934 3:08 1972-01-01
The Border
The Border
2,307,778 4:02 2011-03-15
Never Found the Time
Never Found the Time
2,278,933 3:51 1972-01-01
Sandman
Sandman
2,272,979 4:08 1977-10-11
Moon Song
Moon Song
2,218,062 3:42 1972-01-01
Till the Sun Comes up Again
Till the Sun Comes up Again
2,211,994 2:13 1972-01-01
Another Try
Another Try
2,093,312 3:22 1974-01-01
Donkey Jaw
Donkey Jaw
2,089,692 5:20 1972-01-01
Jody
Jody
1,972,690 3:57 1982-01-01
Ventura Highway - Live
Ventura Highway - Live
1,933,618 3:45 2007-01-16
Clarice
Clarice
1,930,316 4:01 1972-01-01
Head and Heart
Head and Heart
1,643,867 3:50 1972-01-01
Pigeon Song
Pigeon Song
1,572,068 2:18 1972-01-01
My Back Pages
My Back Pages
1,517,661 4:24 2011-07-26
Sometimes Lovers
Sometimes Lovers
1,486,260 4:38 1982-01-01
California Revisited
California Revisited
1,399,067 3:05 1972-01-01
Look Up, Look Down
Look Up, Look Down
1,386,979 2:11 2019-04-12
Old Man Took
Old Man Took
1,334,451 3:15 1974-01-01
Chasing The Rainbow
Chasing The Rainbow
1,268,364 3:18 2007-01-16
Ventura Highway
Ventura Highway
1,249,674 3:24 2005-12-02
I Need You
I Need You
1,246,522 2:16 2012-01-10
Ventura Highway
Ventura Highway
1,167,882 4:10 2019-04-12
Never Be Lonely
Never Be Lonely
1,155,195 3:59 1982-01-01
Cornwall Blank
Cornwall Blank
1,128,760 4:19 1972-01-01
Tin Man
Tin Man
1,062,258 3:30 2011-03-15
Glad to See You
Glad to See You
1,032,471 3:46 1974-01-01
Amber Cascades
Amber Cascades
1,028,573 2:52 1976-01-01
Special Girl
Special Girl
989,463 3:47 1984-01-01
Horse With No Name
Horse With No Name
981,597 5:04 2019-04-12
A Horse With No Name (CYRIL Remix)
A Horse With No Name (CYRIL Remix)
967,183 2:04 2024-08-30
Rainbow Song
Rainbow Song
953,635 3:53 1973-01-01
Sister Golden Hair
Sister Golden Hair
914,289 3:26 2011-03-15
Tomorrow
Tomorrow
911,927 2:50 1975-01-01
Saturn Nights
Saturn Nights
882,660 3:32 1972-01-01
It's Life
It's Life
857,346 4:15 2019-04-12
She's Gonna Let You Down
She's Gonna Let You Down
846,371 3:41 1973-01-01
Hollywood
Hollywood
826,582 2:53 1974-01-01
Old Virginia
Old Virginia
822,091 3:32 1975-01-01
I Need You
I Need You
805,821 3:04 2011-03-15
Baby It's up to You
Baby It's up to You
769,574 2:26 1974-01-01
Daisy Jane
Daisy Jane
761,434 3:30 2019-04-12
I Need You
I Need You
694,434 3:41 2019-04-12
Everyone I Meet Is from California - Single Version
Everyone I Meet Is from California - Single Version
681,364 3:06 2001-08-21
A Christmas To Remember
A Christmas To Remember
673,868 3:56 2002-01-01
A Christmas to Remember
A Christmas to Remember
673,868 3:57 2018-11-02
Indian Summer
Indian Summer
652,077 3:25 2007-01-16
Horse With No Name - Live From The Arlington Theatre, Santa Barbara, U.S.A./1985
Horse With No Name - Live From The Arlington Theatre, Santa Barbara, U.S.A./1985
628,888 3:54 1987-01-01
Sister Golden Hair
Sister Golden Hair
625,710 3:03 2019-04-12
Woodstock
Woodstock
614,201 3:53 2011-07-26
Work To Do
Work To Do
612,697 2:53 2007-01-16
All My Life
All My Life
596,261 3:28 2011-03-15
Wind Wave
Wind Wave
590,994 2:55 1973-01-01
Sandman
Sandman
588,127 4:07 2011-03-15
Watership Down - Alternate Mix
Watership Down - Alternate Mix
584,341 4:60 1976-01-01
Stereo
Stereo
578,783 3:22 1984-01-01
Story of a Teenager
Story of a Teenager
573,826 3:20 2019-04-12
The Border
The Border
559,274 3:59 1983-01-01
I Don't Believe In Miracles
I Don't Believe In Miracles
552,421 3:23 1980-01-01
We Got All Night
We Got All Night
514,215 3:27 1984-01-01
Ventura Highway - Live From The Arlington Theatre, Santa Barbara, U.S.A./1985
Ventura Highway - Live From The Arlington Theatre, Santa Barbara, U.S.A./1985
509,918 3:41 1987-01-01
Daisy Jane
Daisy Jane
495,131 3:17 2011-03-15
You Can Do Magic - Live From The Arlington Theatre, Santa Barbara, U.S.A./1985
You Can Do Magic - Live From The Arlington Theatre, Santa Barbara, U.S.A./1985
492,290 3:58 1987-01-01
She's A Runaway
She's A Runaway
489,086 4:11 1983-01-01
Love On The Vine
Love On The Vine
475,246 3:02 2019-05-17
Tin Man - Live From The Arlington Theatre, Santa Barbara, U.S.A./1985
Tin Man - Live From The Arlington Theatre, Santa Barbara, U.S.A./1985
465,770 3:44 1987-01-01
1960
1960
452,650 3:11 1979-01-01
Midnight
Midnight
442,341 2:43 1975-01-01
Sister Golden Hair - Live
Sister Golden Hair - Live
441,485 3:26 1977-01-01
Green
Green
440,278 4:44 2019-05-17
Miniature - Instrumental Version
Miniature - Instrumental Version
432,588 1:14 1974-01-01
I Need You - Live
I Need You - Live
431,805 2:33 2007-01-16
You Girl
You Girl
428,379 3:33 1982-01-01
Sister Golden Hair - Live From The Arlington Theatre, Santa Barbara, U.S.A./1985
Sister Golden Hair - Live From The Arlington Theatre, Santa Barbara, U.S.A./1985
420,722 3:22 1987-01-01
America
America
406,411 3:40 2011-07-26
Tin Man - Live
Tin Man - Live
402,466 3:46 2007-01-16
Bell Tree
Bell Tree
397,765 2:34 1975-01-01
Woman Tonight
Woman Tonight
388,776 2:37 2019-04-12
What Does It Matter
What Does It Matter
382,133 2:22 1974-01-01
Right Back To Me
Right Back To Me
381,405 3:31 1980-01-01
Green Monkey
Green Monkey
380,871 3:38 1973-01-01
Submarine Ladies
Submarine Ladies
380,256 3:13 1973-01-01
Mad Dog
Mad Dog
374,629 2:42 1974-01-01
Only In Your Heart
Only In Your Heart
372,838 2:11 2019-04-12
Company
Company
366,547 3:26 1975-01-01
Time Of The Season
Time Of The Season
366,045 3:40 2011-07-26
One Chance
One Chance
354,169 4:27 2007-01-16
Rainy Day
Rainy Day
353,561 2:49 2019-04-12
I Need You - Live From The Arlington Theatre, Santa Barbara, U.S.A./1985
I Need You - Live From The Arlington Theatre, Santa Barbara, U.S.A./1985
352,791 2:29 1987-01-01
Half a Man
Half a Man
352,038 3:37 1975-01-01
Hat Trick
Hat Trick
348,777 8:27 1973-01-01
A Horse with No Name (Live)
A Horse with No Name (Live)
346,274 5:07 2013-05-01
A Horse With No Name
A Horse With No Name
346,274 5:07 2011-07-01
Remembering
Remembering
340,628 3:44 2020-08-21
The Story of a Teenager
The Story of a Teenager
339,736 3:20 1975-01-01
Always Love
Always Love
332,159 3:24 2007-01-16
Ventura Highway - Early Take 4
Ventura Highway - Early Take 4
330,742 4:00 2019-07-12
Seasons
Seasons
320,806 3:01 1975-01-01
Tin Man - Live
Tin Man - Live
318,599 3:32 1977-01-01
You
You
317,941 2:28 1974-01-01
Driving
Driving
307,838 3:43 2019-05-17
Love On The Vine
Love On The Vine
299,917 3:21 1982-01-01
Molten Love
Molten Love
295,418 3:08 1973-01-01
Only Game In Town
Only Game In Town
290,155 4:13 1979-01-01
A Road Song
A Road Song
289,986 3:15 2011-07-26
It's Life
It's Life
289,029 4:00 1973-01-01
Tall Treasures
Tall Treasures
288,146 3:19 1979-01-01
Sailing to Philadelphia
Sailing to Philadelphia
285,660 4:57 2011-07-26
Caroline
Caroline
281,739 3:23 2011-07-26
Survival
Survival
277,609 3:19 2011-03-15
Riverside
Riverside
274,446 3:46 2019-04-12
People in the Valley
People in the Valley
272,852 2:43 1975-01-01
In the Country
In the Country
271,777 2:56 1974-01-01
Sister Golden Hair - Live
Sister Golden Hair - Live
271,769 3:25 2007-01-16
Lonely People - Live
Lonely People - Live
269,031 2:20 2007-01-16
Desperate Love
Desperate Love
256,509 3:59 1982-01-01
Something In The Way She Moves
Something In The Way She Moves
254,604 4:21 2011-07-26
God of the Sun
God of the Sun
254,075 3:16 1977-01-01
Catch That Train
Catch That Train
248,891 3:03 1980-01-01
You Could've Been The One
You Could've Been The One
248,410 3:08 1980-01-01
Chasing The Rainbow
Chasing The Rainbow
246,039 2:47 2011-03-15
Chasin' The Rainbow
Chasin' The Rainbow
246,039 2:46 2009-01-01
Chasing the Rainbow
Chasing the Rainbow
246,039 2:47 2018-10-05
Sarah
Sarah
245,840 2:48 1977-01-01
Daisy Jane - Live
Daisy Jane - Live
241,948 3:02 2007-01-16
Muskrat Love - Live
Muskrat Love - Live
239,118 3:07 2007-01-16
One In A Million
One In A Million
234,189 2:52 1980-01-01
A Horse with No Name - Live
A Horse with No Name - Live
231,343 4:21 1977-01-01
Never Be Lonely
Never Be Lonely
231,245 3:44 2019-05-17
Sandman - Live
Sandman - Live
230,283 6:24 2007-01-16
Ventura Highway - Live
Ventura Highway - Live
229,970 3:51 2024-04-19
One Horse Town
One Horse Town
227,018 4:28 2019-05-17
Hangover
Hangover
226,274 3:42 1980-01-01
Someday
Someday
223,158 3:38 2011-07-26
Daisy Jane - Live From The Arlington Theatre, Santa Barbara, U.S.A./1985
Daisy Jane - Live From The Arlington Theatre, Santa Barbara, U.S.A./1985
221,884 2:60 1987-01-01
My Kinda Woman
My Kinda Woman
220,595 3:08 1983-01-01
Love & Leaving
Love & Leaving
213,091 3:39 2007-01-16
Walk In The Woods
Walk In The Woods
211,950 4:12 2007-01-16
Golden
Golden
211,563 4:17 2007-01-16
Look At Me Now
Look At Me Now
210,348 4:05 2007-01-16
Honey
Honey
209,337 3:49 1983-01-01
Are You There
Are You There
209,151 2:54 1977-01-01
Don't Cross the River - Live
Don't Cross the River - Live
208,148 2:25 2007-01-16
One Morning
One Morning
203,375 2:15 1979-01-01
Paradise
Paradise
202,615 3:40 2011-03-15
This Time
This Time
199,441 3:58 2007-01-16
Crying In My Sleep
Crying In My Sleep
197,043 4:41 2011-07-26
All I Think About Is You
All I Think About Is You
196,144 2:20 2007-01-16
Might Be Your Love
Might Be Your Love
194,616 3:46 1980-01-01
Even The Score
Even The Score
191,912 3:37 1982-01-01
Goodbye
Goodbye
190,951 3:11 1973-01-01
Love's Worn Out Again
Love's Worn Out Again
189,603 3:36 1983-01-01
On The Way Home
On The Way Home
189,073 2:38 2011-07-26
Till I Hear From You
Till I Hear From You
187,873 3:45 2011-07-26
Ride On
Ride On
187,569 4:01 2007-01-16
Sister Golden Hair - Live
Sister Golden Hair - Live
186,180 3:37 2024-04-19
Willow Tree Lullaby
Willow Tree Lullaby
183,852 2:34 1973-01-01
The Border - Live From The Arlington Theatre, Santa Barbara, U.S.A./1985
The Border - Live From The Arlington Theatre, Santa Barbara, U.S.A./1985
181,926 3:53 1987-01-01
Riverside - Live on Old Grey Whistle Test
Riverside - Live on Old Grey Whistle Test
176,932 3:02 2019-07-12
Sister Golden Hair
Sister Golden Hair
175,043 3:12 2012-01-10
Mad Dog - Demo Version
Mad Dog - Demo Version
171,243 2:46 2019-07-12
Political Poachers
Political Poachers
170,516 2:41 1977-01-01
Survival - Live From The Arlington Theatre, Santa Barbara, U.S.A./1985
Survival - Live From The Arlington Theatre, Santa Barbara, U.S.A./1985
169,343 3:24 1987-01-01
Jet Boy Blue
Jet Boy Blue
167,816 3:25 1976-01-01
Sergeant Darkness
Sergeant Darkness
164,580 2:59 1977-01-01
Lovely Night
Lovely Night
164,250 2:34 1976-01-01
My Dear
My Dear
160,025 4:23 1983-01-01
Your Move
Your Move
158,573 3:20 1983-01-01
Only In Your Heart - Live
Only In Your Heart - Live
156,529 3:04 2007-01-16
Foolin'
Foolin'
155,003 2:55 1979-01-01
And Forever
And Forever
154,852 3:14 1979-01-01
Letter
Letter
152,050 3:08 1976-01-01
Children - Live on Old Grey Whistle Test
Children - Live on Old Grey Whistle Test
149,875 3:10 2019-07-12
(Can't Fall Asleep To A) Lullabye
(Can't Fall Asleep To A) Lullabye
148,323 3:47 1984-01-01
Lady With A Bluebird
Lady With A Bluebird
147,899 3:08 1984-01-01
Woman Tonight - Live
Woman Tonight - Live
147,503 2:29 2007-01-16
Ventura Highway
Ventura Highway
145,049 4:18 2011-07-01
I Do Believe In You
I Do Believe In You
141,023 3:46 1980-01-01
Ventura Highway - Live
Ventura Highway - Live
140,452 3:29 1977-01-01
Last Unicorn
Last Unicorn
139,444 3:22 2004-09-24
Don't Cry Baby
Don't Cry Baby
137,618 3:20 1977-01-01
Coastline
Coastline
135,911 3:27 1980-01-01
Dream Come True
Dream Come True
135,368 4:18 2019-05-17
Company - Live From The Arlington Theatre, Santa Barbara, U.S.A./1985
Company - Live From The Arlington Theatre, Santa Barbara, U.S.A./1985
135,144 3:41 1987-01-01
Slow Down
Slow Down
134,120 3:15 1977-01-01
Can't You See
Can't You See
132,658 2:23 1976-01-01
You Can Do Magic
You Can Do Magic
128,586 4:05 2004-09-24
These Brown Eyes
These Brown Eyes
125,377 2:33 1977-01-01
All in All
All in All
119,396 4:17 2019-05-17
Cast The Spirit
Cast The Spirit
117,954 4:06 1983-01-01
Sergeant Darkness - Demo Version
Sergeant Darkness - Demo Version
117,864 2:55 2019-07-12
Valentine
Valentine
117,156 3:35 1980-01-01
No Fortune
No Fortune
116,171 3:21 1979-01-01
Cornwall Blank
Cornwall Blank
108,983 4:37 2019-04-12
I Need You - Live
I Need You - Live
108,121 2:40 1977-01-01
See How The Love Goes
See How The Love Goes
107,525 3:17 1984-01-01
Don't Let It Get You Down
Don't Let It Get You Down
105,945 2:59 1976-01-01
Monster
Monster
105,853 2:03 1977-01-01
Daisy Jane - Live
Daisy Jane - Live
102,421 3:04 1977-01-01
Who Loves You
Who Loves You
101,749 4:31 1976-01-01
5th Avenue
5th Avenue