Hey Jamel. If you're doing America check out Woman Tonight. You'll get that insta stank. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-0yZz81I1WG0.html
Jamel - Check out this link - it explains why artists before 2000 outshine current artists... one word, AutoTune. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-YoyJgSKTozU.html
This song doesn't age. It never fails to lift my spirits and make me feel carefree just like it did back in 1972 when the days WERE longer and the free wind WAS blowing through my hair 😎😉
I loved America then and now 48 years later....I was 17 when this came out...I dreamed one day I'd get to Ventura Highway...with the wind blowing through my hair....l never did...quess it was just a dream...
What a lot of people don't realize is how young these guys were when they started out. They were barely out of high school when they released their first album--and when Ventura Highway was recorded for their second album, they were only 19 or 20 years old!
@wavygr The guys in the band were still living in England at the time the song was written, and came back to the US in early 1972. Dewey was born in January of 1952--so he couldn't have been any older than 19 or 20, depending on when the move back to the US took place.
Back to my 20s.... I saw Buffalo Springfield as the opening act, for the Association at Orange county civic auditorium, across the street from Disneyland in Anaheim CA. Jackie Mitchell was my date..😎
I'm a black man and America is one of my favorite groups of all-time. I've listen to this song hundreds of times. When I'm in California driving up HWY 1, this song is playing on repeat. "An amazing song".
America is another terrific musical rabbit hole. Fun fact, they were Air Force brats, hence the name America. Daisy Jane, Tin Man, and Sister Golden Hair are gems.
I always love Jamel's faces when he starts listening to a song, and he thinks he recognizes it. It's a look of perplexment, then pensiveness, and then recognition.
This gem gives me the chills, such a treasure with the guitar works and that smooth voice. America had quite a few big hits especially their big hit HORSE WITH NO NAME, which was number 1 back in 1972 and stayed on the top of the charts for 3 weeks. Ventura Highway hit number 8 on the charts also in 1972. Such talent by this band.
I've been listening to that song for 50 YEARS! Never gets old. Gotta listen to it in context. Came out in about 1970 when ballads and acoustic instruments were all the rage.
Janet stole the melody from America's Daisy Jane for her song Let's wait awhile. Tell me I am wrong: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-KgJhZN1lCLY.html
Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis sampled the opening riff. When they played the riff for Janet, she said, "That's pretty, who did that?" The producers were both stunned that she had never heard the song before!
I think the cool thing about Jamal, is that it is like he is experiencing music for the first time, and he is almost always blown away by it. So fun to watch. 🙂 💜 Keep it up Jamal. You always make me happy. 😊
It’s amazing you could have not heard this song before. I think it’s getting almost as much love today as it did in the 70’s. It’s a timeless, uplifting, feel-good tune that will remain a classic for a long, long time.
When I first picked up the guitar, my dad told me that this was the song to learn! 3 years on, I can still say that the riff and song is extremely magical. Awesome reaction!
Those resonant "N" sounds in "In the sunshine," embedded in the harmonies, get me every time. To me it's musical epitome of the California Coast kissed by the sunset.
I remember being at my Grandma’s house with her transistor radio in her guest bedroom (my bedroom) and listening to this on WLS Chicago, it was the only AM station not playing country music late at night here in Arkansas. I was a rebel back then, still am. LOL
In the mountains of South West Virginia circa 1976 there wasn’t much Rock Music to be had but as the sun went down WLS started coming in through the crackle of AM growing stronger until the Sun stole it for the day. Loved the Station and the music of the 60’s & 70’s.
The guitars in this song are amazing, 60s and 70s great musicians real artists, I've been binge listening during this quarantine. I sit at least 3-4 hours a night and just pick through great songs.
They had so many hits on the radio. Everyone knew some America songs. Great vocalists, great songwriters. Not your typical cranked up rock and roll. Great stuff. I saw them 20 years ago. Wow.
This song is perfect in every aspect. The harmonies; layering in lead guitar, rhythm guitar, and base guitar flow and intertwine between each other; as well the drums pacing it together and digging in the dirt, galloping in cheery passion. I never grew up in the 70s, but I sure wish I did.
This is one of the best songs of the 70's. it always made me happy and even now when I see alligator lizards when watering my garden along with the bright sunshine in LA, it just still fits so well.
Interesting factoid: This band formed in London, England. They were sons of three Airmen in the US Air Force stationed at the USAF base just outside of London. Pretty cool, eh?
I am an Australian living downunder . This is one of my favourite songs from the day , 1993 My wife and I were in california driving down the coast road from San Fran to LA when this song came on the radio as we saw the sign saying we were in Ventura and then we drove down Ventura highway . I have driven there 2 times since with my wife and boys and one time it came on AGAIN . The next time my boys played it on the iPod . So yes it really means a lot to me . Thank you ,keep this music alive
"The alligators, lizards in the air" was a game him and his sister played ,,what the clouds look like? As they waited for dad to change the flat. NOT DRUGS
My wife and I lived in Detroit in 2013. Walked through a thunderstorm to see an outdoor America concert at the Ren Cen only for it to be cancelled. Lot's of people milling about the Winter Garden there reminiscing and having a good time anyway - waiting out the storm - like a reunion. We still never saw America in concert but what a memory! People from different walks and views, just happy to be there for no particular reason.
I cried through the whole song. The power of music is amazing. This band is legendary. They came every year to Humphrey’s by the Bay here in San Diego. Brings back a lot of memories. Thanks!
I remember when I was in the Air Force stationed at Shemya AFB, Alaska in 1991, the band came to the island and performed for the Air Force personnel and civilian contractors at the base theater. It was one unforgettable and rocking concert. The band invited everyone over to the enlisted club after the concert for a birthday celebration of the Bass Guitarist. The guys in the band were nice and down to earth. One of the most memorable concerts in my life.
@@stevenwofford3937 That's right Steven. Their dad's were stationed at RAF South Ruislip in London at the time. It was a non flying base. It has since moved to RAF Mildenhall. I was also stationed at RAF Lakenheath a few miles from RAF Mildenhall as well when I was in the Air Force.
Thank God I was born in the early 60s so my teen years witnessed so much awesome memorable music!!! It's absolutely timeless!!! Instantly takes you back to those years when your responsibilities were small and your cares were free!!!
This is a song that feels like my time growing up in LA in the 70s. "Summer Breeze" from Seals and Croft, and "Strawberry Letter 23" from Brothers Johnson also take me there.
America was a band of three army brats who’s parents were stationed in England, in the late ‘60’s. They were signed by Apple Records and produced by George Martin. So yeah, Ventura Highway has always been one of my favorite songs of all time. In his song, the conversation with “Joe” was a family friend at the time when they lived in the Midwest and his father was being deployed to Southern California. He was trying to talk joe into going with them and moving out to California. Joe, being hit by “purple rain,” was a euphemism for depression or the blues. Most of the lyrics in the song were based on actually events of Dewey’s childhood.
I was born in 1964, couldn't count how many times I've heard this over the years, but I never heard the "purple rain" lyrics until today. Mind = blown.
70’s is easily the best era for singer/songwriter’s, just a massive amount of great timeless tunes. The 90’s were great too, but something magical about these 70’s tunes.
I was just this morning listening to America's Greatest hits, and thinking 'I'd love to see Jamel's reaction to Ventura Highway!' And here it is!💖 Yes, this is a great driving song! I wonder if it might have been used in a car ad at one time??
I think sadly you were born in the wrong generation...im so lucky..even if I am getting old..growing up listening to this and so much great music..im truly blessed! no one does better music than the 60s 70s and early 80s
Candace, you are SO correct! For instance, 50 years ago in 1971, all of these albums came out: The Who's 'Who's Next'; 'The Yes Album' AND Yes-'Fragile'; Bowie's 'Hunky Dory'; Led Zeppelin IV; The Stones' 'Sticky Fingers'; Sabbath's 'Master Of Reality'; Lennon's 'Imagine'; Tull's 'Aqualung'; Elton John's 'Madman Across The Water'; the 'America' album (w/Horse With No Name, Sandman, and I Need You); The Doors' 'L.A. Woman'; Rod Stewart's 'Every Picture Tells a Story'; Harrison's 'The Concert For Bangladesh'; Allman Brothers' 'At The Fillmore East'; Joni Mitchell's 'Blue'; Carole King's 'Tapestry'; Cat Stevens' 'Teaser and The Firecat'; T Rex's 'Electric Warrior'; McCartney's 'Ram' ... and that was just in ONE F-ING YEAR. Gawd, I love classic rock. SOso glad I was born in an era when I heard it first-spin!
There’s great music made today, but it’s not as easy to find - because there is SO MUCH - and there are fewer gatekeepers. If we looked at what the chart-topping popular songs were throughout the sixties and seventies, there would be a whole lot of crap. Time has filtered out the junk. It’s the same thing today; the best sounds will eventually find their audience, and the surface-level disposable music will just be a distant memory. It has always been this way.
Loved these guys when i was a kid. I think i was about 11 and we were at a flea market. There was this hippy couple trying to sell a bunch of their stuff out of the trunk of their VW Beetle to buy gas to get to San Francisco. I bought two big boxes of records from them...probably close to 100 albums...for $12. Had the full collection of America's work. Fell in love with them.
@@nykpax - DITTO! I've requested a few of their songs here before...still waiting...."Crazy Love", "Heart of the Night", "Keep on Tryin'", "Rose of Cimarron"...
This makes me so happy. America is my favorite band and Ventura Highway is my favorite song of theirs. Gerry once said that Janet Jackson’s sample paid for his swimming pool. LOL
I remember hearing this song for the first time in the very early 2000's from my parents Singers and Songwriters CD collection and it STILL moves me to this day. It's nice to see someone hearing this song for the first time. It brings me back to when I heard it for the first time.
I Recommend: You Can Do Magic; Tin Man; A Horse With No Name; Sandman; I Need You; Don't Cross The River; Sister Golden Hair; Lonely People; Daisy Jane; Here; Three Roses; Woman Tonight; All My Life; Muskrat Love; Only In Your Heart; Rainy Day. Many, many beautiful songs.
No disrespect Unca but I am 55 and I remember this song in 1972 but I was 7 years old! If you are barely 50 that means you were barely 2 years old. How in God’s name can anyone remember anything from that young age?
Dewey Bunnel still sounds just as good today. These songs take me back to a much simpler life. Wish it still was simple Life's getting too hard anymore
Named after their homeland! They were all sons of Air Force parents stationed in London at the time. They named themselves America so they wouldn’t be mistaken as a British band. I’m a military brat myself so I love their story! Lifelong friendships made in a small American community overseas. I lived in Europe most of my life as my dad travelled back and forth between the US and Germany…what a life! Wouldn’t trade it!!
Horse with no name,Lonely people,Daisy Jane and The tin man some of their hits. They were kids of American servicemen and grew up on a base in England. They formed the group over there.
Their families were all based 1/2 mile from where my sister lives in Watford, UK. She always calls out when we see them live in the UK. Loved this band since 1972
"Someone to Call My Lover" was written and produced by Janet Jackson, James Harris III and Terry Lewis. The song's looped guitar riff is sampled from America's 1972 hit "Ventura Highway", with Dewey Bunnell receiving writing credits. - you know your stuff Jamel! 💯 Also, you’ve got a great voice on your own. 🙂
I started going to the beach with my parents when we moved to Cali in ‘72 - my mom and I liked the Ventura county beaches because the temperature was cooler (having moved from Texas where it’s so hot in the summer!!) anyway as I grew up and became independent I would take drives from the SF valley and always went toward Ventura. This is one of my favorite songs as you said, to listen to as you drive down the road!! Thank you for being so sweet, especially to your mom!! I miss mine and this song brings back those beach days with her - ahhhhh 😢 missing her SO MUCH this past week ... you have once again made my day special. Thanks.
I saw these guys in the mid 70s, when I was in high school. The acoustics were unbelievable; their harmonies & the sound of the instruments were absolutely incredible, just perfect. I loved them from the beginning & still do. Great song to react to, great reaction as always Jamel!! And you were just adorable doing the "doo do doo"s!
Janet stole the melody from America's Daisy Jane for her song Let's wait awhile. Tell me I am wrong: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-KgJhZN1lCLY.html
@@corchem You are not wrong. Jackson, along with her two co-writers (Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis) settled out-of-court with Gerry Beckley (an original founding member of America and the songwriter for Daisy Jane). This was in 1987 and the original was released in 1975.
Thanks for shedding light on all these great bands and songs from the past, Jamel. Your reactions are really cool. Fun Fact: I knew the Beatles’ recording engineer Geoff Emerick a bit, and Geoff said that this band “America” was his favorite group to work with in the studio.
@@karenchamps9087 I feel that way too Karen, it's a great song. The melody just makes you feel like YOURE on that horse riding across the desert. I was pretty much grown when that song came out, but I love the way the song still makes me feel.
Hi Jamel, just to think I was part of this generation where there were so many masterpieces created, a person was most likely unable to listen to all but only those played on the radio or by buying a few albums. This was one of my favorites, and never had just one favorite, but hundreds. That’s the kind of dream world I lived in back then. Still classics for all time. A sincere thank you so very much for resurrecting all of this forever music. Peace & Love. ❤️
The only 3 trio of guys who were all lead singers of their band America. You will never see this again. All very very unique voices apart and harmonizing together that produced the band America !!
Stunning! For me this album "Homecoming" is just amazing. As soon as I play it it's back to 1972 when I first heard it. It is now 50 years old and as fresh as day one.
With fires raging here in California this song really brings back memories of the seventies, a simpler, carefree time when the only smoke was coming from doobies.
