America captured the soft-rocking spirit of the early 1970s as well as any outfit. Considering that sound was the basis for what would become yacht rock, it makes sense they’re generally considered one of the leading lights of the genre. Songs like “Lonely People,” a Top-10 hit from 1974, make it clear why.
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What is “Lonely People” about? Which member of America wrote and sang it? And how did the band receive help from an FOB (Friend of Beatles) to bring the song to life? Let’s look back at this soothing, consolatory track.
A Three-Headed Songwriting Monster
One of the things that immediately set America apart when they hit the scene in 1972 with their self-titled debut album was they boasted the talents of three singer/songwriters, each of whom likely could have enjoyed great success on their own. By combining their talents, they became a kind of supergroup, even though none of the members had much exposure before joining America.
The band enjoyed immediate success on their first two records, scoring three Top-10 hits right off the bat. Of those three, Dewey Bunnell wrote “A Horse with No Name” and “Ventura Highway,” which captured an airy, West Coast vibe. Gerry Beckley scored with “I Need You,” which displayed his knack for pop melodies.
Dan Peek, the third founding member of America, had contributed a few singles, but none hit with the same success as the ones mentioned above. But it was just a matter of time before Peek, whose songs tended to focus on spiritual matters, broke through himself, and “Lonely People” gave him that opportunity.
By George
“Lonely People” was found on America’s fourth album Holiday, which was released in 1974. Their previous LP Hat Trick hadn’t reached the commercial heights of their first two records. To spruce things up for Holiday, they decided to work with none other than George Martin, the legendary producer of The Beatles.
Martin’s arrangements brought texture and heft to the songs on the album, and also played up the band’s strengths as melodicists. On “Lonely People,” he contributes the piano part as well, while Peek’s work on harmonica adds another tuneful twist to the recording.
It’s interesting that Martin was there to produce this song, because Peek was inspired to write it in part as a response to The Beatles’ song “Eleanor Rigby,” which lamented the plight of All the lonely people. Peek’s song, which gave him his first big hit in the band when it reached No. 5 on the pop charts, attempted to boost those folks with words of encouragement.
What is the Meaning of “Lonely People”?
Peek, who co-wrote “Lonely People” with his wife Catherine, addresses the heart-hurting members of society right off the bat: This is for all the lonely people / Thinkin’ that life has passed them by. He later switches that couplet to address the single people, who are worried that love has passed them by.
His message is there is always hope and deliverance from the hard times waiting for you, if you can just hang in there while they’re happening: Don’t give up until you drink from the silver cup / And ride that highway in the sky. The fact he later sings, Well, I’m on my way back home, certainly plays into the notion the silver cup might not be truly tasted until the afterlife.
Perhaps it’s not surprising that Peek, when he left America, focused on faith-based music. “Lonely People” subtly touches on those themes. But all in all, it’s simply a pristine pop song from a trio at a career peak, getting help from a producer who knew a thing or two how to get the best out of outstanding songwriters.
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