Lyr Req: A Horse with No Name (from America)

Subject: RE: Desert-Horse-Name
From: Joe Offer
Date: 21 Jul 09 - 02:24 AM

100.

The devil made me do it.

But Michael Jackson doing "Horse With No Name"? I think Michael could have experimented much more than he did. He certainly seemed to have talent.

Now, did America have talent? I dunno. I saw them performing what I thought was a live performance, and then their tape broke and they couldn't sing. It would have been a wonderful chance for them to do something straight acoustic, but they couldn't. I wanted my money back.

Now, I think Michael Jackson could have done well acoustic, or even a cappella.


-Joe-

Subject: RE: Desert-Horse-Name
From: GUEST,BigDaddy
Date: 21 Jul 09 - 02:21 AM

Apparently Michael Jackson was going to revive this song and "make it his own." The following is a posting on Yahoo about the new version...

Elena W - Thu Jul 16, 2009 4:32pm PDT
Wow i absolutely love the song horse with no name. so soothing, such a great message, and i love the la la la lala la part and i like micheal's to but not as much as america's version.

Subject: RE: Desert-Horse-Name
From: GUEST,frankie
Date: 09 Dec 01 - 09:48 AM

I don't know if it was a typo but LR Mole refered to the group in question as Amurca. Brilliant, but Amurka might be better still.
I don't really understand all this animosity toward Amurka considering all the other FM pop that's been inflicted on us that is far more offensive (did someone mention Neil Diamond). When Amurka first struck I found them derivative of CSNY but not too unpleasant to listen to. When I began my backward journey through "roots music" I dismissed them with almost all other practitioners of contemporary popular music.
Nowadays, when I hear some of their music, usually while strolling through Walmart, it sounds alright. Of course, I've developed the trick of letting my ear hair grow just long enough so it obscures the lyrics but doesn't filter out that snappy guitar lick from "Ventura Highway".
And DWditty, I too thought Red Rubber Ball was a pretty sappy song for a long time until I went through a particularly nasty breakup about 7 years ago. In a depressed and grieving state I heard it on an oldies station and felt like it had been written just to help me get thtough that troubled time and adopted it as a theme song (in spite of Cyrcle's[sp?] saccharine, adenoidal rendition of it). In fact, a lot of corny pop lyrics started to make sense to me at that time.

f

Subject: RE: Desert-Horse-Name
From: GUEST,sazzle*
Date: 09 Dec 01 - 08:16 AM

Howdy. I love this song, (Desert-Horse-Name), and REALLY wanna know how to play it! Would the guy who gave the chords way back,(TonyK,?) or anyone who can actually play the guitar tell me what the numbers after the letters of the chords mean? Like E-7?! Ta! x

Subject: RE: Desert-Horse-Name
From: Fibula Mattock
Date: 16 Nov 01 - 07:02 AM

whew! Brilliant! I had forgotten how much fun shite songs could be. After reading this I had to go and listen to the Weird Al Yankovic parody of MacArthurs Park - Jurassic Park:

I recall the time they found those fossilized mosquitos
And before long they were cloning DNA
Now I'm being chased by some irate velociraptors
Well believe me...this has been one lousy day
...

Subject: RE: Desert-Horse-Name
From: Gypsy
Date: 15 Nov 01 - 06:34 PM

Look out Wallace Stevens...your Blue Guitar has competition!

Subject: RE: Desert-Horse-Name
From: Clifton53
Date: 15 Nov 01 - 02:23 AM

Thanks Hawk for the reply, perhaps he should have had a better campaign slogan, " Goldwater and America, perfect together". Would have made 'Ol Hound Dog' Lyndon run for cover.

Clifton

Subject: Lyr Add: BONNETS OF BLUE
From: Snuffy
Date: 14 Nov 01 - 07:52 PM

When I wrote this I thought I was just trying to find as many rhymes for "blue" as would fit into a performance of the Upton-on-Severn Handkerchief Dance, but perhaps there was an unknown significance in it all along, and I was just an unwitting vessel for the outpourings of a greater cosmic intelligence:

I took the kids to the zoo.
I fed them cabbage and stew.
There's not a lot you can do,
When wearing a bonnet of blue.

Well, I know a pink kangaroo,
Who's got an auntie in Crewe,
But Haydn wrote three symphonies
While wearing a bonnet of blue.

Now when you read a review
To laugh out loud is taboo:
So bring out the Branston
Wearing a bonnet of blue.

A lovely lady called Lou,
She likes an old cockatoo,
So now they're forming a queue
All wearing a bonnet of blue.

Now when you've had quite a few
And you think you're going to spew,
Well, don't expect much sympathy
While wearing a bonnet of blue

The Daleks shot Doctor Who,
'Cos he drank his mum's Iron Bru,
So beam me up, Scotty,
Wearing a bonnet of blue.

The poor old man from the Pru
Has got a dose of the flu
And he's not going to pull through
While wearing a bonnet of blue.

Well although I'm not from Peru
I drink the old Mountain Dew
But there's no cure for baldness
When you're wearing a bonnet of blue.

I know a fellow or two
Can play the didgeridoo,
So tie my kangaroo down, sport
Wearing a bonnet of blue.

I had a watch that was new
A present from Danny La Rue
But now I haven't a clue
While wearing a bonnet of blue.

Well if you're good at Kung Fu,
Ignore the hullabaloo
But you could get your Hampton Court
While wearing a bonnet of blue.

So if your puppy won't chew,
Just find a goose and say boo.
'Cos I can't believe it's not butter
Wearing a bonnet of blue.

I found a wasp in my shoe.
I turned my back and it grew,
And now it's bigger than you
Through wearing a bonnet of blue.

The daughter of Brian Boru
Was always sniffing at glue,
But you won't catch an overdraft
By wearing a bonnet of blue.

Now what I tell you is true.
If you say it isn't I'll sue.
So now you'd better believe us
Wearing a bonnet of blue.

WassaiL! V

(Or perhaps it's just crap, anyway)

Subject: RE: Desert-Horse-Name
From: Little Hawk
Date: 14 Nov 01 - 06:42 PM

Got that right, Mousethief...we're jealous! Here I've slaved away for decades writing lyrics that actually mean something, and what has it got me? The respect of a small circle of fellow songwriters and musicians in my area. Meanwhile, the guys in the band America are no doubt filthy rich as a result of lyrics that mean practically nothing (I'm being charitable).

It's just not fair!

But maybe it's not too late...

"Well I've been to the ocean on a Newt with no name
It felt good to be out of my brain
On the ocean, you can't remember no blame
Cos there ain't no bum for to give you no shame
La la la la la la la la la la la la la..."

Awright!!! Royalty checks, I'm a-waitin'! I feel more inspiration a-comin' on...

"Baby, I'm a-want you, baby I'm a-need you, baby I'm a-nidiot, BABY!!! Don't LEAVE ME!!!"

Gosh, this stuff is easy...

All those years wasted on folk music. I could cry.

- LH

Subject: RE: Desert-Horse-Name
From: GUEST,BigDaddy
Date: 14 Nov 01 - 03:58 PM

Just when I thought it was safe to come back to this thread, Little Hawk and mousethief have me LOL again. Thanks, I needed that. Coming soon to a discussion forum near you: "The Thread That Would Not Die."

Subject: RE: Desert-Horse-Name
From: mousethief
Date: 14 Nov 01 - 01:50 PM

Hawk, thanks for the belly-laugh.

You guys are all just jealous because America have retired and are living like kings on the ASCAP cheques.

SharonA, "Cause" (i.e. "because") was never the reason for anything, what your momma told you notwithstanding. Including, I suppose, the evening and the Tropic of Sir Galahad (an unpublished work by Henry Miller, if I'm not mistaken).

Don't dig too deeply in the mine of nonsense. There's a mother lode just waiting to come down on your head.

A mine is like a bank with the gold underground and tons of dirt above, la la la la la la la la la la la la....

Alex

Subject: RE: Desert-Horse-Name
From: Little Hawk
Date: 14 Nov 01 - 01:15 PM

Clifton - Well, there was this satirical comic in the late 60's that had all the well-known American politicians of the time in it, dressed up as various superheroes in tights...Marvel Comics style. Goldwater was one of them. He flew a plane rather like the Batplane, only it was more colorful...and it had only a RIGHT wing! No left wing whatsoever. Flying that sucker must have been quite a challenge!

BTW, the friggin song that started off this thread kept me awake half of last night, torturing me for hours by going round and round in my head. AAAAARGHHHH!!!

- LH

Subject: RE: Desert-Horse-Name
From: catspaw49
Date: 13 Nov 01 - 03:06 PM

This thread has become a bit dull.......a whiter shade of pale so to speak.

Spaw

Subject: RE: Desert-Horse-Name
From: LR Mole
Date: 13 Nov 01 - 01:45 PM

I was openin' my presents
And thinkin''bout my past
Woulda played more than one slidy chord
But my hand was in a cast
La la, la......
...ahrr, the lizards, the lizards...

Subject: RE: Desert-Horse-Name
From: Clifton53
Date: 13 Nov 01 - 12:40 AM

LH, Goldwater? I don't get the reference

Subject: RE: Desert-Horse-Name
From: Gypsy
Date: 12 Nov 01 - 10:36 PM

'ats me, ITH

Subject: RE: Desert-Horse-Name
From: Little Hawk
Date: 12 Nov 01 - 02:24 PM

Barry Goldwater did.

- LH

Subject: RE: Desert-Horse-Name
From: Clifton53
Date: 12 Nov 01 - 11:37 AM

Cripes! This thread's been here longer than I have! Back in the 70's, we would pluck those lizards gamely from mid-air and when dried were quite an addition to the smudge pot! As my good pal and now trusted lawyer Bleary O' Leary used to say; " You can't fly on one wing".

Subject: RE: Desert-Horse-Name
From: Mr Red
Date: 12 Nov 01 - 07:49 AM

pass the tissues someone, there's a lot of drivelling in here.

Subject: RE: Desert-Horse-Name
From: Little Hawk
Date: 11 Nov 01 - 02:10 PM

ARTIST: America TITLE: Muskrat Love

Muskrat, muskrat candlelight Doin' the town and doin' it right In the evenin', it's pretty pleasin'

Muskrat Susie, Muskrat Sam Do the jitterbug out in the muskrat land And they shimmy and Sammy's so skinny

{Refrain} And they whirled and they twirled and they tangoed Singin' and jinglin' the jango Floatin' like the heavens above It looks like muskrat love

Nibblin' on bacon, chewin' on cheese Sammy says to Susie, "honey, would you please Be my missus," and she says yes with her kisses

And now he's ticklin' her fancy, rubbin' her toes Muzzle to muzzle now, anything goes As they wiggle and Sue starts to giggle

{Refrain}

Subject: RE: Desert-Horse-Name
From: Maxine
Date: 11 Nov 01 - 07:06 AM

Hi. Go to www.guitartabs.cc/home All sorts of guitar chords there.....happy hunting!

Subject: RE: Desert-Horse-Name
From: rangeroger
Date: 11 Nov 01 - 12:51 AM

It's about time to return to a serious discussion of drivel.

rr

Subject: RE: Desert-Horse-Name
From: GUEST,intheholler
Date: 10 Nov 01 - 09:41 PM

Gypsy, you must be one of them John Bulls...

Subject: RE: Desert-Horse-Name
From: Gypsy
Date: 10 Nov 01 - 08:35 PM

The colours, the colours......

Subject: RE: Desert-Horse-Name
From: GUEST,intheholler
Date: 10 Nov 01 - 01:00 PM

I got some on my bib overalls once and got undressed faster than when Becky ----- said she would. Anyway, they was just about eat up with holes and I couldn't use them for nothin but a wash rag...la la la la la la la la la la la la...

Subject: RE: Desert-Horse-Name
From: Mooh
Date: 10 Nov 01 - 06:46 AM

Does everybody here drop acid?

Subject: RE: Desert-Horse-Name
From: Gypsy
Date: 09 Nov 01 - 11:17 PM

Turkey Lips! You're all Turkey Lips!

Subject: RE: Desert-Horse-Name
From: GUEST,intheholler
Date: 09 Nov 01 - 05:50 PM

have a sip, fellas, you're soundin' kinda dry...

Subject: RE: Desert-Horse-Name
From: Lonesome EJ
Date: 09 Nov 01 - 05:13 PM

Well I tried to make it Monday
But I got so goddam drunk
That I lost my keys on Sunday
When I locked them in my trunk, blah, blah, etc

Subject: RE: Desert-Horse-Name
From: Jack The Lad
Date: 09 Nov 01 - 04:50 PM

After ten days I had to drink my pee, 'cos the cola was hot and the cookies were free, In the desert you don't feel no shame , if the words make no sense and the rhyming is lame la la la la la la la la la la la la la...

Subject: RE: Desert-Horse-Name
From: Little Hawk
Date: 09 Nov 01 - 02:11 PM

On the ninth day I was diggin' a hole with a pocket full of beans/there were ants and rats and little black moles on the back of a monkey's spleen...la la la la la la la la la la la la la...

Subject: RE: Desert-Horse-Name
From: GUEST,intheholler
Date: 09 Nov 01 - 11:49 AM

the graveyard is real quiet 'cause they're all underground and I'm glad that this guy's above/your grave's just a house that's made of ground but it fits just like a glove...la la la la la la la la la la la la...

Subject: RE: Desert-Horse-Name
From: Gypsy
Date: 09 Nov 01 - 11:25 AM

Ah, c'mon, it was pretty stuff, and no shame in likin' it.....

Subject: RE: Desert-Horse-Name
From: GUEST,inthe holler
Date: 09 Nov 01 - 11:17 AM

after nine days I let my hound run free 'cause his coat was full of fleas...there was ants and ticks and burrs and things that I didn't want on me...la la la la la la la la la la la la...

Subject: RE: Desert-Horse-Name
From: GUEST,intheholler
Date: 08 Nov 01 - 08:51 PM

on my back porch, I can remember my name 'cause this mason jar has got me feelin' no pain...la la la la la la la la la la la la...

Subject: RE: Desert-Horse-Name
From: Little Hawk
Date: 08 Nov 01 - 02:47 PM

Last time I looked down my nose I didn't see you anywhere, intheholler...

What I did see was this neat little lizard, right there suspended in midair at upper nose level. Must have been an alligator lizard...

- LH

Subject: RE: Desert-Horse-Name
From: SharonA
Date: 08 Nov 01 - 02:07 PM

Nope, only ON the air, on that "Crocodile Hunter" show!

Subject: RE: Desert-Horse-Name
From: GUEST,Guest intheholler
Date: 08 Nov 01 - 02:04 PM

y'all mean you've never seen them alligator lizards in the air? must be 2 busy lookin' down yer noses...

Subject: RE: Desert-Horse-Name
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 08 Nov 01 - 12:43 PM

SharonA

I think America just liked to paint surreal little pictures which, with the proper chemical enhancements, much of their audience could see.

Subject: RE: Desert-Horse-Name
From: Bill D
Date: 08 Nov 01 - 12:19 PM

LOLOL....my sentiments exactly, leftykin

Subject: RE: Desert-Horse-Name
From: GUEST,Leftykin
Date: 08 Nov 01 - 12:16 PM

"McArther Park" is the gratest song ever wrote accept for "The Nite Chicago Dyed". I wish I had the recippe for that one is awl I can say. - Leftykin

Subject: RE: Desert-Horse-Name
From: catspaw49
Date: 08 Nov 01 - 12:10 PM

MacArthur Park?

Well Hawk, as the song says, "it took so long to bake it" and perhaps that is where the problem lies because the whole thing is half-baked. Fortunately Webb says he "can't take it" so maybe there won't be another turkey like this one. Plus the recipe seems to have gone missing which we can all be thankful for too.

Spaw

Subject: RE: Desert-Horse-Name
From: Little Hawk
Date: 08 Nov 01 - 12:01 PM

America's tunes were brilliantly crafted mainstream-radio fare...which is almost the same as to say that they were examples of utter banality, although pleasant enough in a musical sense. They sure got a lot of airplay, and must have made a fortune for those lads.

But I always liked the alligator lizards line...and I liked Muskrat Love too, strangely enough.

Spaw - Insult MacArthur Park one more time and you will NEVER get that free membership in the WSSBA. You have been warned for the last time.

Alex - You dare to suggest that 99% of Dylan is "nonsense"??? 99 %!??? You poor lad! You misguided, intellectually challenged soul! You are playing without a full deck, adrift without a paddle. Your instrument is missing a couple of strings and needs a fret job. Your lance is impaled in a windmill. You are preparing to launch lifeboats from a ship that has already sunk. Your brain has gone into stasis. Your license to think has been revoked. :-)

On the other hand, you said "what the hell is wrong with nonsense?"...so, reading between the lines I deduce that you actually LOVE Dylan, but are afraid to admit it!

Alex, you don't have to be afraid. It's time to "come out" and admit that you secretly adore Dylan. We will not think the less of you for it. As a kindred spirit and a Mudcat brother, I encourage you to screw up your courage and come clean with the truth. We are a compassionate lot here and you will find support and understanding on all sides.

- LH

Subject: RE: Desert-Horse-Name
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 08 Nov 01 - 11:55 AM

Funny how GUEST sings the same song in the same phrasing, in this thread, as Mbo used to...

Subject: RE: Desert-Horse-Name
From: SharonA
Date: 08 Nov 01 - 11:21 AM

As long as this thread contains a discussion of America's lyrics, I thought I'd ask about some that have had me scratching my head ever since one particular song of theirs was released:

In the song "Tin Man", what do they mean by
"Cause never was the reason for the evening
Or the tropic of Sir Galahad"?

Also, I've always assumed that the following lines were just nonsensical babble, but do they mean something?
"When I say I'm spinning round, round, round, round
Smoke glass stained bright colors
Image going down, down, down, down
Soapsud green like bubbles"


To BigDaddy: Oh! The quip that had me chuckling was LR Mole's reference to " the line 'Alligator lizards in the air', which was so fascinating it needed repeating"!! *G*

Then there's BillD's depiction of other people's reaction to...
art: "you eat WHAT?"
cooking: "you painted your bathroom WHAT color?"
choice of automobiles: "you really LIKE that abstract non-sense?" and
décor: "a BUICK?" *BG* !

Subject: RE: Desert-Horse-Name
From: Bill D
Date: 08 Nov 01 - 10:55 AM

Mbo seems to have gotten a life that suits him..I wondered why he tortured himself by wearing his heart on his sleeve, then wondering why it got bruised when he flailed his arms about.

"suggesting they have a mental disability for enjoying the sort of music that they do. "...pooh! No one said anything like that...

Subject: RE: Desert-Horse-Name
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 08 Nov 01 - 10:42 AM

Well.. I guess we know what happed to Mbo/MattR, eh...

Subject: RE: Desert-Horse-Name
From: GUEST
Date: 08 Nov 01 - 09:44 AM

Further, as the song says:

You may not see things my way Like my methods or my reasons I don't car, because I'm not asking But you can't tell me that I'm wrong

Subject: RE: Desert-Horse-Name
From: catspaw49
Date: 08 Nov 01 - 09:43 AM

Indigestion is not a mental disablility unless someone has their head way far up their ass!!!

*smile*grin*chuckle*(:<))

Spaw

Subject: RE: Desert-Horse-Name
From: GUEST
Date: 08 Nov 01 - 09:40 AM

Ah, but there is a difference between sharing views on the music and telling a person to their face that they are WRONG or suggesting they have a mental disability for enjoying the sort of music that they do.

Subject: RE: Desert-Horse-Name
From: catspaw49
Date: 08 Nov 01 - 09:34 AM

Sorry Guest....That's what the little smiley face was about. Personal taste can be validated by our receptionist and make sure you have your claim check initialed or the attendant still won't take it.

*smile*grin*chuckle*(:<))

Spaw

Subject: RE: Desert-Horse-Name
From: Bill D
Date: 08 Nov 01 - 09:34 AM

*breaking my rule about responding to 'guests' just once*

" invalidating their personal tastes"...

no one "invalidates" diddly-squat....they are as free to say they don't like MY taste in little old ladies singing, long, quavering, off-key ballads! I listen anyway! And anytime I post my preferences openly, I take the chance that someone will make a remark about it. I don't care for Elvis...YOU may listen anyway. That's how it goes.

some songs strike some people as shallow, banal drivel....so? This is a PUBLIC forum where one can trade views on such things...and if someone has the courage of their convictions, they will like what they like, in spite of silly remarks!

It's the same in art, cooking, choice of automobiles and décor..."you eat WHAT?" "you painted your bathroom WHAT color?".."you really LIKE that abstract non-sense?".."a BUICK?"

People are going to disagree, and some are going to joke about it....we welcome EVERYONE to this site to, among other things, discuss and compare tastes!..If no one did anything but post lists of favorites, it would get mighty dull very fast!

Subject: RE: Desert-Horse-Name
From: Mooh
Date: 08 Nov 01 - 09:14 AM

America is available on cd? Wonders never cease. Pretty expensive beer coasters...

Mooh.

Subject: RE: Desert-Horse-Name
From: RichM
Date: 08 Nov 01 - 09:10 AM

Stay around, Guest.Spaw means no harm.

Just don't stand behind him when he farts...

Subject: RE: Desert-Horse-Name
From: dwditty
Date: 08 Nov 01 - 09:07 AM

This song has one of the all-time stupid lines - "The heat was hot." Right up there with Neil Diamond's conversation with a freaking chair of all things.

dw

Subject: RE: Desert-Horse-Name
From: Steve Latimer
Date: 08 Nov 01 - 09:04 AM

Ah,. Guest, You've been 'Spawed. I don't think that any one of us has felt like they truly belong here until that's happened.

The illustrious Catspaw has many opinions and is quite willing to share everyone of them.

My advice, don't take it lying down. Throw a heartfelt "nee" in his direction.

Subject: RE: Desert-Horse-Name
From: GUEST
Date: 08 Nov 01 - 08:47 AM

You have a rotten way of making people feel welcome on your site by invalidating their personal tastes.

Subject: RE: Desert-Horse-Name
From: catspaw49
Date: 08 Nov 01 - 08:35 AM

Then you haven't played your boxed set huh? Probably wise to keep it in the original unopened condition so it's value will not decrease too badly.

Spaw

Subject: RE: Desert-Horse-Name
From: Steve Latimer
Date: 08 Nov 01 - 08:33 AM

Confession time. One of the first concerts I ever attended was America. Third row seats. The opening act? You guessed it. The Captain & Tenille. I was about fifteen and trying to get into the drawers of a young lady who loved America. It didn't work. What a waste of time and money.

Why can I never get seats that good for Dylan or Willie?

Subject: RE: Desert-Horse-Name
From: GUEST
Date: 08 Nov 01 - 08:26 AM

I've never had indigestion or heartburn.

Subject: RE: Desert-Horse-Name
From: catspaw49
Date: 08 Nov 01 - 08:13 AM

Yeah Guest, that's why indigestion is often called "heartburn." (:<))

Spaw

Subject: RE: Desert-Horse-Name
From: GUEST
Date: 08 Nov 01 - 08:11 AM

I've always loved America...I have their boxed set from last year...excellent music, and very close to my heart.

Subject: RE: Desert-Horse-Name
From: catspaw49
Date: 08 Nov 01 - 01:30 AM

Thanks Bill but I've gotten now about 8 laughs in 14,000 posts so my ratio ain't too hot. Want what I just found to be a really funny line? Try reading this thread and when you come to Dick's post, be sure you're not drinking or eating, and that you have an empty bladder.

Spaw

Subject: RE: Desert-Horse-Name
From: GUEST,BigDaddy
Date: 07 Nov 01 - 11:42 PM

Yes, inadvertently. It was rangeroger and TonyK's serious discussion of the origins of Muskrat Love that got me started.

Subject: RE: Desert-Horse-Name
From: SharonA
Date: 07 Nov 01 - 06:03 PM

BigDaddy: "Inadvertently"?! Now you're making ME laugh!!!!

Subject: RE: Desert-Horse-Name
From: Bill D
Date: 07 Nov 01 - 05:51 PM

I think "AirBiscuit" may be one of the funnies lines I have read in here in ages...good thing I was between sips of coffee.

Subject: RE: Desert-Horse-Name
From: GUEST,BigDaddy
Date: 07 Nov 01 - 05:02 PM

Thank you all (since my last post) for telling me more than I wanted to know. And thank you all for (inadvertently) making me laugh out loud for the first time today. I needed that! Maybe we should discuss drivel more often.

Subject: RE: Desert-Horse-Name
From: mousethief
Date: 07 Nov 01 - 05:00 PM

And neither is a major-7.

Alex

Subject: RE: Desert-Horse-Name
From: SharonA
Date: 07 Nov 01 - 04:55 PM

Thanks, rangeroger and TonyK! Silly me, I should have known America did not write "Muskrat Love"; the song has more than two chords!

Subject: RE: Desert-Horse-Name
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 07 Nov 01 - 04:04 PM

Chords and words for horse with no name can be found here

http://www.guitarnotes.com/tabs/

"America" originated in England but the bandmates were US citizens, Airforce Brats who met on and airbase where their parents were stationed. I bought their greatest hits album at 16 stopped playing it at 17.

Horse with no Name was their breakout hit and on it they seem to be parodying out of Neil Young. But as someone pointed out it is not a great parody because of the backs lack of vocal infirmities. I imagine a later day Sam Phillips in some studio in England in 1970 thinking "If I only had a Neil Young who could actually sing."

Subject: RE: Desert-Horse-Name
From: GUEST,Swan
Date: 07 Nov 01 - 03:47 PM

I saw America twice in Manchester and I couldn't stick the band. (They were supporting other acts I did like). As I remember they were very young at the time, because I was too and I remember feeling a bit strange that I was watching people on stage that were younger than me (and less talented!) So if it really was about heroin addiction they must have been moving some. I think it comes under the heading of 'high-flown crap'

Subject: RE: Desert-Horse-Name
From: mousethief
Date: 07 Nov 01 - 03:24 PM

The chief difference between America and Neil Young, then, is that America could sing. It's not painful to listen to "Ventura Highway" 30 years later, whereas just being in the same room with a copy of "I Don't Want to Fade Away" has been known to cause sane people to chew their own feet off at the ankle if by so doing they can prevent the song from being put on the phonograph and played.

I say what the hell is wrong with nonsense? Gawd, people worship Dylan who writes 99% nonsense, but let some soft-rock trio try to do the same (and they did it very successfully, too) and all of a sudden the heavy guns come out. Whatta buncha whingers.

Not opinionated or anything,
Alex

Subject: RE: Desert-Horse-Name
From: TonyK
Date: 07 Nov 01 - 03:17 PM

Muskrat(not Mudcat)Love was written by none other than 24 yr old Texas singer-songwriter Willis Alan Ramsay, an unlikely person to have done such a song since his one and only album featured stuff like 'The Ballad of Spider John'.

I loved the band America when they first came out with those songs. I was 15 and just learning to play the guitar and felt sure those lyrics were very deep, just as I felt Neil Young was very deep. All my peers knew all the words and it was great material to get attention with if I took my guitar to any of those awkward adolescent parties.

I played the verses for 'Horse' with an Eminor and then a variation of a B7 (2nd fret)with the D and the high E strings open and the bass E at fret 2. The chorus went from a Cmaj7 at the 7th fret (E-7,B-8,G-9,D-10) to Gmaj7(same fingering slid down to the 2nd fret). One of those songs that looked and sounded much harder than it was and therefore to a fledgling strummer it was gold.

I work in the field of addictions now and looking quickly through the lyrics I can see a possible drug metaphor. That may be giving the lyricist more than his Dewey. I do remember heroin was sometimes referred to as horse.

TonyK

Subject: RE: Desert-Horse-Name
From: rangeroger
Date: 07 Nov 01 - 12:52 PM

BigDaddy and SharonA, Muskrat Love was a cover of a Willis Alan Ramsey song.America took it to 67 on the charts, The Capt. and Tennille took it to #4.

Wilis Alan Ramsey bought a ranch in Texas with the royalties.

rr

Subject: RE: Desert-Horse-Name
From: LR Mole
Date: 07 Nov 01 - 11:36 AM

Amurca also did "Ventura Highway" (I think it was called) which featured the line "Alligator lizards in the air", which was so fascinating it needed repeating and a number of quasi-melodic "doo-doo-doo-doot-doo's" right after it. As I recall, incidentally, they were not from America, not all of them anyway. For what that's worth.

Subject: RE: Desert-Horse-Name
From: SharonA
Date: 07 Nov 01 - 10:22 AM

BigDaddy: America was responsible for "Muskrat Love". The Captain and Tenille covered it (God knows why) and added the electronic muskrat noises.

Subject: RE: Desert-Horse-Name
From: SharonA
Date: 07 Nov 01 - 10:20 AM

"dumbest shit ever sung by anyone": (lest we forget) "The Night Chicago Died" and "Kung Fu Fighting".

To Alex Roan: Lyrics are listed above. For chords, strum an A-minor (Am), and then move your fingers up two frets and strum. That's pretty much it. If you really want printed sheet music (and I do mean sheet, mon!), it can be ordered from a music store.

Subject: RE: Desert-Horse-Name
From: GUEST,BigDaddy
Date: 07 Nov 01 - 09:57 AM

That was "The Captain and Tenille" who did "Muskrat Love." I'm sorry I know this.

Subject: RE: Desert-Horse-Name
From: catspaw49
Date: 07 Nov 01 - 08:04 AM

Almost a three year old thread here, but it holds up well. This ranks right there with "Honey" and "MacArthur Park" for dumbest shit ever sung by anyone. I guess this guy is happy to be in a desert as it's hot and dry there and he's trying to salvage the soggyass cake from MacArthur Park.........beats me. Why the horse has no name is beyond me too, but I'd vote for "Air Biscuit" which signifies the exact worth of this alleged song.

Spaw

Subject: RE: Desert-Horse-Name
From: Mr Red
Date: 07 Nov 01 - 06:06 AM

Well! We do seem to find this song drivel. Funny that - I found it banal drivel (am I being too complimenatary?) at the time.
May I, with respect, suggest we shoot this lame ass by giving it a name?
We can't bury it without an appelation on its headstone can we?

discuss................

Subject: RE: Desert-Horse-Name
From: GUEST,Alex Roan
Date: 07 Nov 01 - 04:47 AM

where can I find printed music, chords for Horse with no name?

Subject: RE: Desert-Horse-Name
From: Lonesome EJ
Date: 17 Mar 99 - 03:28 PM

I agree with Steve. Some of Dylans lyrics pushed the envelope and bordered on self-parody, but their were always a lot of gems sparkling through the dirt. Take "A Hard Rain's Gonna Fall." Many verses were obscure and outlandish, like a psychedelic view of the apocalypse."I saw a young child beside a dead ocean...I saw a white man who walked a black dog...I saw 10 people talking, and nobody listening." But didn't we know what he meant? And didn't the power come through?

Subject: RE: Desert-Horse-Name
From: Steve Parkes
Date: 17 Mar 99 - 08:48 AM

I always thought that the Dylan hallmark was that the lyrics did mean something (if we could only figure it out), but they didn't scan or rhyme?

Steve

Subject: RE: Desert-Horse-Name
From: Roger in Baltimore
Date: 17 Mar 99 - 07:18 AM

I think we can blame Bobby Dylan for some of this. His penchant for obscure lyrics led others to believe that lyrics did not have to "mean" anything. So young songwriters began to write songs where the lines had meter and rhyme, but no meaning. Often they were portentious enough to appear to have meaning.

And the drugs didn't help. Too many hallucinogens and you can't separate fantasy from reality in your writings.

America, the group, epitomized the worst of popular music of their time. Three guys sitting cross-legged on a rug strumming their guitars and singing drivel!!!

Roger in Baltimore

Subject: RE: Desert-Horse-Name
From: AlistairUK
Date: 17 Mar 99 - 05:51 AM

Wasn'r Red Rubber ball written by Paul Simon?

Subject: RE: Desert-Horse-Name
From: dwditty
Date: 17 Mar 99 - 05:44 AM

Lonesome EJ-You can add The Cyrkle of Red Rubber Ball fame to the list of bands that America made to look great.

Subject: RE: Desert-Horse-Name
From: Lonesome EJ
Date: 17 Mar 99 - 03:08 AM

Boy this is a touchy subject for me. I mean, Neil Young wrote some lame-ass songs, but "Horse with No Name" is a lame-ass imitation of a lame-ass Neil Young song. America, in my opinion, had a hell of a nerve naming their lame-ass band after our Great Country. They were the kind of band that, if you found out your new girlfriend had a bunch of America albums, you would re-evaluate your relationship. They were like de-cannabinized marijuana. I hope they are on tour with the Strawberry Alarm Clock and Gino Vannelli now. On second thought they make the Strawberry Alarm Clock look like the Beatles.

Subject: RE: Desert-Horse-Name
From: katlaughing
Date: 17 Mar 99 - 02:44 AM

They also did Sister Golden Hair and Muskrat Love. Any comments Catspaw?!

katlaughing

Subject: RE: Desert-Horse-Name
From: catspaw49
Date: 16 Mar 99 - 07:16 PM

Excellent analysis Steve...seriously!!!

And now...........

Neil's recording was quite similar but was called "Brain that's Gone Lame".....a big request at every rustfest. Neil has of course forgotten it. Not surprising as just the other day he was listening to an album of his Greatest Hits at the Neil Young Center for the Terminally Screwed, and was heard to remark, "Who the hell is that? Pissass songs too!!!"

catspaw

Subject: RE: Desert-Horse-Name
From: Steve Latimer
Date: 16 Mar 99 - 02:28 PM

To my knowledge Neil did not sing (record) this song. One of the knocks against the group America is that they were trying to copy Neil and his sound, this being the era that Neil was really hot having recorded with Buffalo Springfield, CSNY and as a solo artist all within the space of a few years. I didn't think of it at the time, but having heard the criticism I listened to America differently. If they weren't trying to copy him they were certainly heavily influenced by him. I believe the song "Sandman" (I Understand You've been runnin' from a man who goes by the name of the Sandman) to be the most graphic illustration of this.

Imagine trying to copy Neil.

Subject: RE: Desert-Horse-Name
From: Philippa
Date: 16 Mar 99 - 01:22 PM

Didn't Neil Young sing this song? If I'm correct, I'm surprised no-one mentioned him.

Subject: RE: Desert-Horse-Name
From: Night Owl
Date: 16 Mar 99 - 12:13 PM

Correction....Heroin, I meant, not cocaine.

Subject: RE: Desert-Horse-Name
From: Night Owl
Date: 16 Mar 99 - 12:12 PM

I remember the song but not who recorded the popular version from the early seventies. Thought the song was about kicking a cocaine addiction.

Subject: RE: Desert-Horse-Name
From: Steve Parkes
Date: 16 Mar 99 - 10:46 AM

There was a spoof band called the Heebie-Jeebies (Phillip Pope et al.) who used to do a spot on a BBC radio show called Radio-Active about fifteen years ago, sending up the Bee Gees with such gems as Meaningless words in very high voices (example: "The world is very big/And bacon comes from a pig/The world is very large/And butter is better than marge"). Their version went, as best I can remember:

On the first part of the journey
I was lookin' at all the life.
There were rocks and plants and birds and things
And [?]

On the second part of the journey

I was lookin' at all the life.
There were rocks and plants [etc.]
On the third part of the journey
I was lookin' at all the life.
There were rocks and plants [etc.]

Chorus: I've been through the desert on a horse with no legs ...

Happy days!
Steve

Subject: RE: Desert-Horse-Name
From: catspaw49
Date: 16 Mar 99 - 10:43 AM

Funny this thread should come up. The other day I kept singing this tune to "A Pub With No Beer."

catspaw

Subject: Lyr Add: A HORSE WITH NO NAME (Dewey Bunnell)
From: SteveF (inactive)
Date: 16 Mar 99 - 10:40 AM

This was a pop hit about 1971. If anyone can explain to me what it means I would appreciate it.


A HORSE WITH NO NAME
(Dewey Bunnell)
As recorded by America on "America" (1972)

1. On the first part of the journey
I was looking at all the life
There were plants and birds and rocks and things
There was sand and hills and rings
The first thing I met was a fly with a buzz
And the sky with no clouds
The heat was hot and the ground was dry
But the air was full of sound

I've been through the desert on a horse with no name
It felt good to be out of the rain
In the desert, you can remember your name
'Cause there ain't no one for to give you no pain
La, la ...

2. After two days in the desert sun
My skin began to turn red
After three days in the desert fun
I was looking at a river bed
And the story it told of a river that flowed
Made me sad to think it was dead

You see I've been through the desert on a horse with no name
It felt good to be out of the rain
In the desert, you can remember your name
'Cause there ain't no one for to give you no pain
La, la ...

3. After nine days I let the horse run free
'Cause the desert had turned to sea
There were plants and birds and rocks and things
There was sand and hills and rings
The ocean is a desert with its life underground
And a perfect disguise above
Under the cities lies a heart made of ground
But the humans will give no love

You see I've been through the desert on a horse with no name
It felt good to be out of the rain
In the desert, you can remember your name
'Cause there ain't no one for to give you no pain
La, la ...

Subject: RE: Desert-Horse-Name
From: Steve Latimer
Date: 16 Mar 99 - 10:24 AM

"A Horse With No Name" was an early or mid seventies hit for the group "America". The line is "I've been through the desert on a horse with no name"

Don't know what album it was originally on, but it is certainly on "America's Greatest Hits".

Subject: RE: Desert-Horse-Name
From: Marcel
Date: 16 Mar 99 - 10:21 AM

That's it AlistairUK...hopefully someone will be able to remember!!!

Subject: RE: Desert-Horse-Name
From: AlistairUK
Date: 16 Mar 99 - 10:18 AM

I'm going through the desert on a horse with no name

just trying to get out of the rain...

I remember that one but couldn't tell you who sang it..oh and the chorus goes...

la laaaaaaaaaa lalalalaaaaaaaaa lala laaa laaaa (repeat)

Subject: Desert-Horse-Name
From: Marcel
Date: 16 Mar 99 - 10:08 AM

For months now, my girlfriend has been singing a tune of which she knows one line: "I went to the desert on a horse with no name". She is not even sure if this is correct. Does anyone have any idea where this may be from?? Please...I am in pain! Cheers, M.