A Horse with No Name

America

About A Horse with No Name

"A Horse with No Name" is a song written by Dewey Bunnell, and originally recorded by the folk rock band America. It was the band's first and most successful single, released in late 1971 in Europe and early 1972 in the United States, and topped the charts in Canada, Finland, and the United States. It was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America.


Year:
2004
4:10
177 
#3

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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

After two days in the desert sun
My skin began to turn red
And 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

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 it's 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

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America

America is an English-American folk rock band, that originally consisted of Gerry Beckley, Dewey Bunnell and Dan Peek. The three members were barely out of their teens, when they became a musical sensation during 1972, scoring No. 1 hits and winning a Grammy for best new musical artist. Their recording success stretched throughout the 1970s; some of the band's best known songs are "A Horse with No Name", "Sister Golden Hair" (both of which reached No. 1), "Ventura Highway", "Tin Man", "Daisy Jane", and "Lonely People". George Martin produced seven of their albums. more »

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Written by: Dewey Bunnell

Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Song Creation
"A Horse with No Name" was written by Dewey Bunnell, a member of the band America.
Release and Chart Performance
The song was released as the lead single from their self-titled album in 1971 in Europe and the following year in the United States. - It reached No.1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the U.S and also topped the charts in Canada and Norway.
Influence and Inspiration
Bunnell wrote the song to capture the feel of the hot, dry desert he had known while growing up with his family in Vandenberg Air Force Base, California.
Lyrics Controversy
"A Horse with No Name" initially faced controversy due to perceived drug references, with some radio stations banning the song.
Song Interpretation
Despite these allegations, Bunnell has consistently denied any drug subtext, stating the song was simply about a character who enters the desert and is able to observe life clearly.
Popular Culture
The song has been featured in numerous films, commercials, and TV shows including "Friends", "Breaking Bad", and "Air America".
Cover Versions
"A Horse with No Name" has been covered by various artists, including Neil Young, who was initially mistaken as the song's composer due to its similar style to his work.
Achievement
In 1972, "A Horse with No Name" earned a gold disc awarded by the Recording Industry Association of America for hitting a million copies in sales.
Revival
In 2012, almost forty years after its original release, the song re-entered the UK Top 40 charts after being used in a TV commercial.
Accolades
"A Horse with No Name" was ranked number 64 on Billboard's Hot 100 All-Time Top Songs list.

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    Top Hot 100 Songs 1972

    Billboard #1


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