The Guess Who is a Canadian group that hit the music scene in the early sixties. Their first single was “I Just Didn’t Have the Heart,” which was released in 1962, when their name was still the much more conventional Chad Allen and the Reflections. It wasn’t until 1965 that they officially became The Guess Who and started to blow up on the charts and on the stage.
Jim Croce’s music was pure poetry. The poignant singer/songwriter died in September of 1973, just as his career was taking off. His third studio album, You Don’t Mess Around With Jim, was released in April of 1972.
There can’t be a more aptly named band than America. This folk rock band’s sound is steeped in Americana, evoking memories of driving along the coast, vast open sky and a limitless horizon. Oddly enough, though, band founder Dewey Bunnell is British and Americans Dan Peek and Gerry Beckley were in England when the trio formed the band in 1970.
During the 70s, country rock reached an apex of popularity. The Eagles, Glen Campbell and James Taylor were some of the performers who delivered it to the masses on a gold plate filled with homespun lyrics, precise acoustic guitar work and authentic singing. Another notable contributor to this genre was singer/songwriter John Denver.
To me, this song captures the essence of the seventies. It’s whimsical, magical, ethereal, groovy, light/dark, cold/warm. The Wurlitzer electric piano that’s used throughout the song gives it a jovial, yet melancholy feel. The song sounds like a carnival rag dipped in teardrops.