Kansas (Song for America FULL VERSION !) KnR's First Reaction 

One of the truly all-time BEST classics ever!!! I venture to say that the music Giants throughout history -- Bach, Beethoven, Chopin, Tchaikovsky, etc. -- would bow in respect to Kerry Livgren for having written such a BRILLIANT composition.

This is the one single song that epitomizes Kansas to me. Yes, things like Carry on Wayward Son, Point of Know Return, etc. are much more well known. But this song shows exactly what Kansas could be at their best!

This song is an absolute masterpiece.

This is my favorite Kansas song :) I've been listening to Kansas since one of my brothers bought the Leftoverture album in 1976.

Wow its been years since i heard this track,thanks for taking me back in time,Kansas were so underated and this track just shows you how good they were.🎧👍

Absolutely one of my favorite of ll time songs. Thanks for the reaction, and welcome to the brilliance of Kansas.

The band was without equal when they recorded this album and they sound huge

KANSAS! The first album is all good. Journey To Mariabronn

Rich, i know you'll agree. To see Kel smile as a first reaction to the music is a gift, but to see her laugh is a treasure! And to hear how it transported you back to an earlier time, well, isn't that all about the power of music? Save me some of those cookies!

Holy cow, this brings back some memories! Kansas was my favorite band in the universe when I was between about 12 and 14 years old. I literally wore out multiple vinyl copies of this album in the late 70s/early 80s. It's awesome to see someone appreciating "Song for America" after all these years.

I love Kansas and met the violinist/singer, Robby Steinhardt! GREAT GUY TO MEET!!!! Gave me a cd of his side project with RICK MOON called "Steinhardt/Moon" - MOONSHOT for Christmas'99 Signed it as well. Still lives here in the Tampa Bay area and plays out with local legends STRANGER

Brilliantr song, brialliant writing, and Steve Walsh is the best male rock vocalist of all time. He was even better live and the version from "Two For the Show" is really superior to the studio by a long shot.

Hey, hey !! A song I requested & July 4th to boot !? Happy day !! What a treat; thank you, thank you !!

I was 15 and this song takes me back, and it's freaking amazing, thanks guys, I think kel likes it

It's just a delight seeing Kel's reaction to a particularly magical passage. It reminds me of getting the tingles from some chord change or an ethereal Mellotron section and it looks like maybe Kel has a similar involuntary reaction to those kinds of elements that moved me listening to this as a kid in 1975. Best wishes to you guys!

Kel had the perfect reaction" I need to hear that song a lot more" As a longtime Kansas fan( 1975, this album and song), you will love doing so, and every time you do so, you'll hear something you didn't hear before, and think"hmmm, why or oh, that bass note goes with that piano note", or something like that. Even as I listened this time( I've heard SFA at least 100 times), I heard a little organ riff I'd missed before during the middle section. Kansas never fails, keep listening. Thanks for your site.

My favorite song from that LP is " Lamplight Symphony ".. ..

The live version of the Pinnacle from Don Kirschners rock concert is Killer. You guys MUST watch that.

Kerry Livgren composed this song while flying across America. He is known as "the Maestro" because he wrote the music & lyrics to all Kansas' progressive songs and was a fabulous multiinstrumentalist, playing lead guitar, piano, Moog synthesizer, various percussive instruments & others. No music lessons; can't read or write music. But grew up listening to classical music, especially from the romantic era, like Wagner. A brilliant musician!

I had the pleasure of seeing KANSAS LIVE in 1978 at the Palladium in lower Manhattan, the "Point of Know Return" tour, so you can imagine how transcendent that experience was!

A great song about America by a great American band. One pictures the fantastic landscapes across the USA as Walsh takes you on a lyric journey from coast to coast. Pure genius. Kel appreciated it perfectly!

Stop many times when I'm listening to Kansas it feels like an orchestra like there's 20-25 people playing. These guys had such a depth to their music so complex and imaginative, I imagine this is the kind of music Beethoven and Mozart would be producing were they alive today.

Once again you guys blown me away, I love old Kansas, and my life revolved through this music, along with Yes,Floyd, Elp,Rush

Kerry Livgren's the one who wrote and composed this song (he actually is the one behind most of their songs) - he wrote this song on a airplane while they were flying over America.

The point where the instrumental music crescendo leads into the violin has to be one of the most "goose-bumpy" parts of any song.

My parents went to see Kansas when they were a band trying to make it - playing places like Canterbury Court in Manhattan, Kansas. My mother has their first T-shirt somebody whipped together at their first show after they got signed by Kirshner, signed by the original members.

GREAT CLASSIC!!!

I haven’t heard that song in years! The bass playing is what I always remember being so impressed by...still amazing!

I love a lot of Kansas's music, but this is the song that truly showcases their talent for progressive rock; combining a classical sound with rock 'n roll. Brilliant.

It's 1975 cruisin top down with the steering wheel in my left hand and my arm around my girl my best friend and his girl in the back seat cold beer and a joint passing around and this song coming out of the 100 watt after market stereo. GOD BLESS AMERICA THE GREATEST COUNTRY IN THE WORLD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The amazing thing about this song is that Kerry Livgren wrote it on a 3.5 hour plane flight!

You two really need to catch Kansas in concert. They are better now than ever before and are playing the Point of Know Return in its entirety right now,

My first "adult" concert was seeing KANSAS at the Villanova University fieldhouse in support of this album "Song for America" when I was in high school. I'll remember to my dying day that concert . . . as the spotlight aimed at the mirror ball (hung from the center of the fieldhouse) illuminated the audience for this song in their setlst - at the ending synth arpeggio and swirling strings part. How blessed you both are to share the experience of listening to this amazing song. And especially for Rich, being transported back to your 10 yr-old-self. I love the admiration and love you share for the music and each other!

What a great song thanks for the reaction

Hehehehe!! I chuckled as I watched that grin creep up on Kel's face. I was thinking "Oh yeah,... they got her!" I saw them live when I was a kid and it was amazing. No improvising - just straight off the album note for note. But when you nail that level of playing on those complex tunes - well that's all the "showing off" anyone really needs, isn't it?

My High School friend, Mark, turned me on to this band when it first came out. Love it!

Fantastic song by a fantastic band.

The live version of this song from 2 for the show is incredible

First off, thank you for not pausing the music. Kansas was such an underrated band. Carry on wayward son and Point of no return are their most popular but Song for America and Incomudro (Hymn To The Atman) might be their best songs. Man were they talented!

A masterpiece

RICH !!! ..YOU GOT MY T-SHIRT !!!!...One the best arranged songs kansas ever made ..KANSAS was my first Concert . Leftoverture tour ..This song was on their setlist and it totally blew my mind ..been a fan ever since !!! Happy Birthday America !!!!

True genius!

what MARVELOUS sophistication!!!!!!!! as of 8/12/19 why is KANSAS not in the rock n'roll hall of fame!!!!!!!!!!!!

Love you brother and sister - we are from the same blood! Why I love America - because the people ... not the land!

I saw then live once in the mid-1980's (at Altanta's Fox Theater, where I saw the Moody Blues the same year!). It was a great show---and no theatrics, just wonderful music!

I can't imagine not knowing of this song....however, it gets better the more you listen to it. The first time might be overwhelming. The more you listen, the more you can follow and appreciate the nuances. BTW, I like your channel. I'm > 50 and alot of the music you react to is what I grew up with.

My favorite Kansas number. Nothing else they ever did later matched the wonder of this musical adventure. As Kel said, "It makes me happy!"

Amazing song brings back memories of my youth I was 13 fantastic thanks for that now try the bells of saint James from there album in the spirit of things or don't wake the lion by the band Magnum , two BRILLIANT songs

This band had the most unique sound of any band(s)...solely because of their vision AND their flawless execution of the tunes that THEY produced...I was overwhelmed when I was a kid, and I still am...rock on!

Thanks for doing this song; maybe my favorite song by Kansas just because I love the lyrics so much. Kerry Livgren, the person who wrote this song is a musical genius in the truest sense of the word. I second the other people that suggested Journey to Mariabron and Hopelessly Human

Need to hear this song a lot more? YES, you do. Everyone does. One of the greatest rock songs of all time, and so few know about it. Genius composition performed by masters of their craft. And it's E-hart, not Ekhart. TY for introducing it to more people.

Does not get any better than Kansas!!!!

Top 100 hundred of my fav bands, thanks guys, most excellent, glad you enjoyed it too. Great memory's!

I LOVE THIS SONG. Happy belated 4th of July. I was lucky to experience Kansas live in 2014 - the first time ever they visited Norway. And they came from Paris to my tiny town (5000 people) :D - and, they were playing like 100m (330ft) from my apartment! Best summer ever. Also it was very hot. Then they went to our capital Oslo second.

Easily the best song Kansas ever wrote in my humble opinion.

Very nice not what I am used to from Kansas, a hidden gem!

yeah, 70's Kansas was fucking genius

I think this is really the Best rock song ever written. The synth, the electric violin are amazing, the lyrics are so profound especially for now. I've been listening to this song for 47 years and it still moves me to tears.

Steve walsh what a voice.first alblum is a masterpiece.people of the south wind makes me crazy. Prog is life

Prog Rock Masterpiece. Superb Musicianship for back then.

Came across you folks and really enjoyed your "Firth of Fifth" reaction along with this! I love this tune. The lyrics!! That's what needs to be paid attention to as well as this fantastic music of this song..It's crib notes of how this country came to be. Excellent reaction folks! Great job friends! Peace!

Kansas - Child Of Innocence father time will take his toll Rack your body and steal your soul What became of all the years Are you drowning in your tears? Who will catch you when you fall? Who will hear you when you call? Read more: Kansas - Child Of Innocence Lyrics | MetroLyrics

I think you two would absolutley love "The Wall." Probably Kerry's best lyrics and that is saying quite a lot.

Masterpiece

Thank you for reacting to Song For America! Takes me back to my high school days!!

My first concert 1976!!

Oh Oh Oh, you must listen to the live version from 'There's Know Where Like Home." I have one word...'Orchestra.' Magnificent. Happy 4th. Peace.

I saw them play this performed live at the Elliot Hall of Music at Purdue University (outstanding acoustics) when I was a student in 1975. It was the first time the university allowed a Rock concert in the hall and Kansas was the only band on the bill. According to the band, it was also the first time they headlined a concert. The thing is, they had two albums out, played every song. And when they came back to play the third encore, they warned us saying to the effect - We have a new song that we haven't recorded yet, but nothing else, unless you want to hear some covers we did not so long ago when we played bars. - They played a medley of Beatles songs. A year later, they returned to perform again (as they promised), had a third album out and they were on the cusp of breaking huge. The show sold out in ten minutes. This definitely has been remastered. I like it, but it is noticeably different. Much more sibilance with the cymbals.

Love you two. Your love of music gives me hope. Thank you.

Growing up most the Kansas I listened to was from their live double album Two For The Show. Strange listening the versions you are checking out and picking out the differences.

Love this album!

LOVE Kansas and that song! You should listen to the albums Power, Somewhere From Elsewhere, and Leftoverture!

Saw them in 76 opening for Bad Company. Never heard of them before that. They were awesome. Blew BC off the stage. Rich, you lived in Western MA. Where? I went to High School in Northampton, and I lived a while in West Springfield and Agawam. Moved to CA in 81.

This is very listenable. I guess the 70s are just the best for me. Nothin else makes the cut.

You should play … *PEOPLE OF THE SOUTH WIND!!!*

Such a great song!!!

Well, I've requested several songs for you and Kel to react to but haven't seen a one yet ! I'd really like to see her react to Things Get A Little easier !

Kansas-Miracles out of nowhere is one of their best songs in my opinion,you should check it out,have a nice day.

Holy schnikey, you two were busy, yesterday! Thanks for celebrating freedom, with us! I think my favorite videos, of yours, to watch, are the ones in which you're reacting to songs with strong classical influence. I love up see Kel's reactions. Much like me, she closes her eyes and breathes in the sounds... lets the sound flow through the whole body... feeling each note. (Hence the hashtag I always use " #feelthemusic ") Would love to see you react to #BillyJoel "Miami 2017" - from the live album "Songs in the Attic" It's one of those songs that makes me wish I had stuck with my piano lessons. If I could play piano, that's the sound I would want to create. 😉

haven't heard this in YEARS

Just Divine!

One of my all time favorite songs! Thanks for going there with Kansas, so talented! Amazing songwriters! Totally epic! As an aside, you should keep your hands off Kel in the video. The more she distanced herself from you, the more comfortable she looked reacting to the song. Stop being creepy.

I was a teenager in Kansas in the 70's and remember seeing Kansas live as an opening act. One of my favorite bands and one of my favorite Kansas songs. The first album is probably the most original and rawest, at least to me. For a non progressive sounding Kansas listen to "Lonely Street". Also, Proto-Kaw is pre Kansas stuff with early versions of some of their later stuff.

Yeah more prog rock!

Kansas composed music, they didn’t just ‘write songs’. 1st 6 Kansas albums are all good.

What a song

I've become a big Kansas Fan in 1986 at the age of 16. Although I own all Kansas albums, ( including "Song for America"), I could not find access to this album until today and for whatever reason. The only track on the Album, that I really like , is "Lonely Street" (also the Live track on "Two for the Show"). Nevertheless, your reaction to "Song of America" ​​is great, like all the others I've seen of you two so far ( Rush, Porcupine Tree ,Jethro Tull) Especially "Neverland" by Marillion, because it was really emotional. Therefore, keep up the good work, Kel & Rich

2nd best Kansas song. The Wall is the best.

I posted a while back that I thought Kel would like this one. Glad to see she did.

Check out Can I Tell You from Kansas first album! Awesome song! Karl from Albuquerque! Thank you!

I'm sooo glad y'all got to hear "Song for America", and escaped from NJ. It took me twenty years, but I finally got out. Read the lyrics to this song. It is not a happy song at all.

Kansas is soooo good. Craftsmen of the highest caliber.

I've read that Kansas wasn't prog. They get trashed on many prog music sites. There is no way you can listen to this and say its not prog and not great. While they were very popular in later years, I always thought that their first 3 albums were the Pinnacle of their careers. (Pun intended. The Pinnacle from Masque is must hear) Happy Fourth guys. Another great choice.

Kansas - All the World

Hi Rich. I wanted to compliment you on actually not only being aware of this "song," if you could call this opus a song; but putting it out there on a video. I just spent the last half-hour telling a new reactor about it, after just getting frustrated seeing 1,000 requests for "Carry..." and "Dust..." I've found a lot of commenters seem, at least apparently, to have knowledge of music from radio airplay. Anything from albums seems to be largely unknown. I have a degree in music and I write. And this song is a masterpiece you can play for classical aficionados and they'll love it because of its structure, cadences, key changes, 9/8 meter, etc. There are too many things going on to mention them all. Try doing a search for anyone, but anyone, who has reacted to this song online and you'll find, well, YOU. So that's all I want to say. I listened to this a year or so ago and I was impressed that you knew the piece. Nice work, and notice the commenters below are aware of the song and know how's it's been overshadowed by the radio hits. This is one of the most epic pieces ever written for any genre and I also think Kerry Livgren is a musical genius. So thanks for being such a perceptive and aware music-lover who's put this on video for people to discover! Cheers!

Kerry Livgren is a musical genius....

"leftoverture " for me the best studio album .;that" subjective ..i know ..but.... listen also to "born on wings of steel"...

Hi ... congratulations on the channel ... I'm from Brazil ... I would like to see your reaction to 2 German bands from the 70's called Triumvirat / Ramses. !!!! Promoting the channel in Brazil. !!!

Funny thing is the album version is not the original version. The original was doing by what fans call “Kansas II” (Kansas III being the version of the band that got the recording contract). That early version of the band had more of a psychedelic progressive rock with jazz fusion and had a 14 minute version of this song that had a loser more jam band feel in parts which was recorded live or as a demo (I think) and is very hard to find. Personally I think this tighter, shorter version is superior though I’m sure the original version was fun if you were high or tripping acid. 🤘🏻 The only member of Kansas II who carried over to Kansas III was the guy who wrote the song, Kerry Livgren.

Thank you for doing Kansas. Steve Walsh has got to be the greatest rock vocalist ever!