Some songs are so quintessentially 70s, the essence of peace and love and a laid back, southern California vibe are in the DNA of their record grooves. “A Horse with No Name” by America is one of these songs. The 1972 Neil Young-inspired single was the band’s first and most successful hit, reaching #1 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. Band member Dewey Bunnell wrote the dreamy track, inspired by the landscapes of Arizona and New Mexico he saw when he was a kid.
Though the song was written in a studio in Dorset, England, it evokes the feeling of the hot Southwest desert, which it’s meant to. America’s three band members attended college in England, but their music clearly gave credence to the beauty and 70s culture of America. Some of their songs were sleepy ballads, others were more upbeat, country rock slices of life. However, RIAA Gold certified “A Horse with No Name” is their signature tune, bringing to mind the ever-setting sun saying goodnight to the horizon of the desert.
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About the Curator – Sonya Alexander
After graduating from UCLA, Sonya trained to be a talent agent. After realizing she belonged on the creative end, she started freelance writing, covering film festivals for Los Angeles local papers. She’s written about film, video games, global affairs, wildlife conservation and, most recently, music. She specializes in classic rock, classic soul, blues, classic country, classical and world music and is tri-coastal, residing in Los Angeles, New York and New Orleans.
