"Song for America" is the title track from the second album of American

progressive rock Progressive rock (shortened as prog rock or simply prog; sometimes conflated with art rock) is a broad genre of rock music that developed in the United Kingdom and United States through the mid- to late 1960s, peaking in the early 1970s. In ...

band

Kansas Kansas () is a state in the Midwestern United States. Its capital is Topeka, and its largest city is Wichita. Kansas is a landlocked state bordered by Nebraska to the north; Missouri to the east; Oklahoma to the south; and Colorado to th ...

. It was written by guitarist/keyboardist Kerry Livgren during the period of heavy touring for their first album. The song was released on their 1975 album '' Song for America'', and later released as the band's third single, although it did not chart. It is known for its symphonic structure, and its lyrics showing America's state before and after colonization. It appears on most of their live albums and DVDs. The song is one of Kansas' most well-known songs from their period of obscurity, appearing on most of their collections and live albums.

Structure

The song begins with a 3-minute instrumental overture. It is dominated by keyboards, violin, and bass. It has a symphonic structure. About halfway through the song, there is an extended instrumental section in time. The final section of the instrumental overture closes the song, over 10 minutes long. The single version of the song had most of the instrumental parts edited out, and is cut down to three minutes. This version, which was edited by the record label owner Don Kirshner, is available as a bonus track on the remastered version of the album. The flipside of the 45 featured an instrumental version of the track.

Reception

'' Cash Box'' said it features "excellent musicianship and a strong lyric line."

Live versions

Several live versions of the song have been recorded. One is featured on the live '' Two for the Show'' that has a piano solo near the end edited out. Kansas also plays it on their 2009 live CD/DVD ''

There's Know Place Like Home ''There's Know Place Like Home'' is Kansas' fifth live album. It was released as a double CD and also on DVD on October 13, 2009 and Blu-ray on November 23, 2009. The DVD charted at No. 5 on the ''Billboard'' Music DVD chart the week of its rel ...

'' with the Washburn University Symphony Orchestra.

Personnel

Kerry Livgren Kerry Allen Livgren (born September 18, 1949) is an American musician, best known as one of the founding members and primary songwriters for the American rock band Kansas. Biography Livgren was raised in Topeka, Kansas, by his father Allen ...

– keyboards * Steve Walsh – lead vocals, keyboards *

Robby Steinhardt Robert Eugene Steinhardt (May 25, 1950 – July 17, 2021) was an American rock violinist and singer best known for his work with the group Kansas, for which he was co-lead singer/"frontman" and MC along with keyboardist Steve Walsh, from 197 ...

– violin, backing vocals *

Dave Hope Dave Hope (born October 7, 1949) is an American bass guitarist who played with the American progressive rock band Kansas from 1970 (original version) until the band's first split in 1983. When he was in high school, he played defensive center fo ...

– bass *

Phil Ehart Phillip W. Ehart (born February 4, 1950) is the drummer in the progressive rock band Kansas. He and Rich Williams are the only two members who have appeared on every Kansas album. Though his songwriting contributions to the group were few, he c ...

– drums *

Rich Williams Richard John Williams (born February 1, 1950) is an American guitarist, primarily known for being one of the only consistent original members of the rock band Kansas alongside drummer Phil Ehart. Both have appeared on every Kansas album to dat ...

– guitar

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Song For America Kansas (band) songs 1975 singles Song recordings produced by Jeff Glixman Songs written by Kerry Livgren 1975 songs Songs about the United States