AMERICA - Sandman REACTION - Such a beautiful but sad song - First time hearing

[@Maeshalanadae]

The worst part of war is surviving. A warrior doesn’t fear Thanatos, he fears Hypnos.

[@erickvermeulen9734]

the harmonies, the rhythm, delicious music. My favourite song by them is I Need You, because of a sentimental memory.

[@DavidGlover-s7x]

We sit in the comfort of our homes far removed from the tragedy of war.

[@lesliezerkel9719]

They had to keep their eyes open all night... hence, running from the Sandman.

[@Glaedrein]

America is such a bop. Simpoe chords. Such a smooth voice.

[@fallout51]

My favorite America song, I bought the album when it came out. Great album!

[@Cynthia...]

As you know Neal, I love America. Sandman is one of their great ones and full of meaning. ✌

[@reallymysterious4520]

You can't go wrong with America

[@Glaedrein]

Also, that bass fill gives me life

[@Schoppi55]

❤❤❤

[@jimtatro6550]

These guys had the best vocal harmonies this side of CSNY back in the day.

[@michaelasay8587]

Saw them in 81.... fantastic

[@daviec2021]

You are a beautiful soul, my friend. Love hangin' with ya. Love and peace to all!!!

[@hlawrencepowell]

Back in the day. Man we had some great music.

[@SWLinPHX]

I always loved the haunting feel of this unique America song.

[@Katehowe3010]

I believe that this song comes from their best album. The acoustic interplay between the three guitars is absolutely beautiful. After this, it all became too middle of the road for me. Anyone who hasn't heard their debut, change that situation and buy a copy. Wonderful dope smoking brilliance!

[@thornbird6768]

I agree , Homecoming is my second favourite 😊

[@robertcussins2807]

Yeah, death. My brother went through Viet Nam. Never spoke of it. Killed himself fifteen years later. I was much younger than he, but he did it exactly a week after my daughter was born. Talk about a bittersweet time. Lots of folks have been through worse, I know. Still makes me break down at times. We still talk about my daughter being a shining light in a dark time. Thanks Harri. I like songs like this. They make me keep an optimistic attitude. With death, there's light to follow.

[@TrianglesAndCircles]

I also went through something horrifying. I understand. I have PTSD. It took me 15 years to even talk about the holes in my body and my soul. There was torture. I was hung by my neck with my own boot laces and left to die. The search party extracted me soon afterward. It only takes a couple hours to render a man useless in explaining himself for the rest of his life.

[@kenvarnold3659]

Sorry to hear, I"ve heard many similar stories...

[@michaelasay8587]

So sorry, guys.

[@michaelasay8587]

Robert...yep in heaven, frankly I can't wait, lol.

[@TrianglesAndCircles]

@@michaelasay8587I didn't say anything about the horrible things I did. Meet me in Hell.

[@missblondie2393]

I literally have chills Great choice

[@pncombies]

Thank you, Miss Blondie!

[@missblondie2393]

@@pncombies you're very welcome 🎶✌️🎵

[@reallymysterious4520]

2 or my favorite male voices are from the lead singers of America and Bread

[@pncombies]

America has two: Bunnell and Beckley!

[@thornbird6768]

@@pncombies Gerry has a pretty voice Dewey has a very atmospheric sound both different but both brilliant . This is a hell of a band , it’s really easy to forget how young they were with already a number 1 single and album , astoundingly good 👍🏻

[@barrycohen311]

I have not heard this song in 30 years, Thanks for bringing it back.

[@pncombies]

You're welcome, Barry!

[@unclephil7650]

I wore the grooves off of this record back in the day. Thanks Pn Combies✌️

[@pncombies]

You're welcome, Uncle Phil!

[@zindi1138]

i remember this

[@John_Locke_108]

I remember falling in love with this song back in the 80's when I was in grade school. Such an amazing band.

[@randieandjodistrom854]

I'm a 30-year retiree of the United States Air Force and a "military brat" (the child of military parents, as is my wife of over 43 years), or simply known as a "brat." My father served in Vietnam, and I received the National Defense Medal for joining the military before the official end of the Vietnam conflict (so, yeah, I'm an old guy). If I recall, the three original member of America are also US Air Force "brats" who met each other while their families were stationed in England. I don't know if that creates some sort of connection, but I've always had an instant connection to all of their music. God bless them for such amazing music.

[@SnowmanN49]

Quite right. Their fathers were all USAF stationed at RAF South Ruislip near London. It was an administrative base (non flying) leased from the British government.

[@pamelah848]

Way back then I bought this great album, and especially for this song. Took it home and settled back to listen. Wait a minute! I didn't buy a Beatles album. Take a look at the jacket. Yes. America. Drop the needle again. Beatles. Look at the record itself. America. I got a misprint. The front side was America and the back was the Beatles and I was NOT happy. I still have that one and the 100% America copy I went back for.

[@SWLinPHX]

He does sing the lyric "have you heard of my enlistment?" so that does give away it's about the war (along with the year it was released).

[@ziggymarlowe5654]

Brilliant song that brought back sad memories of a classmate who was killed in Vietnam.

[@John_Chu]

Dewey Bunnell also wrote "A Horse With No Name," which appeared along with "Sandman" on America's debut album. He and Gerry Beckley still perform and tour. Dan Peek, who left the band in 1977, died in 2011 (ironically, he died in his sleep). Their later albums were produced by George Martin. Thanks Pn and Harri.

[@pncombies]

You're welcome, John!

[@firedoc5]

America is such a great and influential band. I wore out at least two of their tapes. This is one of those songs that can get stuck in your head all day long. A lot of their songs had deep meanings that's not always realized.

[@Imadrummin]

PnCombies does it again. America is just a great band period. Sandman is one of the many iconic songs they have put out. I have seen America live three times and loved every one of them. Great review Harri. 👍👍👍

[@pncombies]

You're too kind, Imadrummin - thanks, brother!

[@davidbordonaro1631]

Just think of the bands of the 70s - the fact they standout says how good they were

[@brianorzel1873]

I've loved this song for years and never knew what it meant. Amazing how they could make beautiful music to such serious lyrics...

[@artistLife-gh3te]

I went to the 1973, "AMERICA", Seattle concert illegally with my Japanese-Danish friend. It was worth every minute, awesome band.

[@danielvolk237]

Mr. Combies just hit another one out of the park. Fantastic choice my friend. America is like the Will Rogers of rock music. I've never met a song of theirs I didn't like. Mr. Rogers said he never met a man he didn't like. Great reaction Harri. 🇨🇦🇺🇸🇬🇧🤴🎄❄️☃️🎀🤶🎅🎁👍🙃

[@pncombies]

Thank you, Daniel!

[@Wordsmyth8]

Love that entire album.

[@Katehowe3010]

They never bettered it.

[@dagmar.6954]

Another great band I grew up with. Love their folk rock sound. They had so many great hits in the 70's-80's such as "Right Before Your Eyes", "I Need You", "Ventura Highway", “Muskrat Love”, "Lonely People", "Sister Golden Hair", "Only In Your Heart", "Woman Tonight", "The Border" etc.

[@louisspeciale]

Don't cross the river

[@diane-]

America is one of my favourite bands! They just have so many great songs and are very different. Thanks for sharing.

[@pncombies]

Better late than never. So glad I saw this, Diane! You're welcome -- always a pleasure!

[@EarthWalker2023]

Absolutely ❤️

[@timothyallen4267]

Great song, I've heard it many times but didn't know it was about Viet Nam. Thanks for sharing the info. America has a lot of good songs to check out ✌️

[@z0n0ph0ne]

I worked in the North Sea on the rigs. Summer months were bad for fog. Fog would inevitably arrive on crew change day, sods law, this would stop the helicopters flying. Every one was desperate to get off the rig to get home, but no choppers. And the admin guy would make the announcement and the follow it up with this song, "Aint it foggy outside, All the planes have been grounded". You dont want to know the names he was called!

[@brendamilloy2557]

This song caught my attention when I first heard it all those years ago, and it still has my attention all these years later. ☮️

[@ronpotter9810]

I bought this album when it first came out, have listened to it a gazillion times & this is the 1st time I am hearing the song is about Nam.

[@tonydelapa1911]

I’ve known and liked this song for decades. I consider myself a fan and student of lyrics, but this discussion was a real eye-opener for me. Thank you for a great discussion and analysis. Best to you for Christmas, Harri.

[@timgasper8748]

Harry.....give a listen to....MacArthur Park...by Richard Harris. If you haven't already. This is yet another great song by America. I listened to the all the time growing up. The 60's were the best years for music. When I was in Nam, this song rang in my mind...and scared me.

[@garyarnett1220]

America's debut album just stands apart from their others, the songs are so original, and the musicianship wonderful. Totally can see why George Martin took them on after this.

[@Katehowe3010]

Absolutely spot on. I first heard a vinyl copy in '83, and i listened to nothing else for about three months. Although there are no bad tracks, i have a real soft spot for "Three Roses". Oh the beauty of three perfect acoustic guitars!

[@ronpotter9810]

Actually they would self produce their 1st 3 albums. George didn't get involved until a couple of years later.

[@danielrockmyer949]

Cool. Thanks Harri. I never knew this song was about Vietnam. 💥

[@sudzbuddy6]

A great accoustic classic Kudo's for reacting to it!!!

[@easynhonest]

👍 Now for the ultimate somewhat antiwar, we suggest you listen to the Kingston Trio's "Where Have All the Flowers Gone" 1961 . I don't' think any reaction vloggers have done any of their many hit songs . For five consecutive weeks in 1959 they had 4 albums in the top 10 . Unmatched by any artist before or since.

[@kentclark6420]

Yes, they were huge in the American folk genre of the 60s, essentially the innovators. 'The MTA' is a good one. 'Scarlet Ribbons', 'the Everglades', etc... RIP Bob Shane.

[@MikeCoggan]

Bob Seger's 2+2= is a great anti war

[@bobdelp2023]

HEY HARRI! 😊HAPPYYYY HOLIDAY SEASON TO YOU WHATEVERRR YOU'RE CELEBRATING!!! 😊 GOD BLESS

[@doradestroy]

One of the greatest bands of all time! If you haven't listened to their soundtrack for The Last Unicorn, you should have a listen!

[@MikeCoggan]

Check out their Live from Wildwood Springs - acoustic with the bass player making it 3. This song from that album is a great version

[@bobdunn8207]

Ain't the years gone by fast, I suppose you have missed them, oh i almost forgot to ask, did you hear of my enlistment?

[@markstanton2362]

A string of their later LP's begin with the letter H

[@patrobertson1318]

If you’re running from the sandman it’s because you’ve done so much speed that you can’t fall asleep

[@alpetrocelli4465]

This is a great LP, & this is my favorite cut. BTW, did you know George Martin produced this LP?✌️❤️🎶

[@DanalynTuthill-yl4hd]

No, he didn't. George Martin didn't start producing America until their fourth album, "Holiday."

[@aaronstandingbear]

Wickpedia says that 64 thousand American boys died in that war. Watch Forest Gump the movie that describes those days pretty well.

[@daviec2021]

Senseless, evil war. We had no business there. We went to steal all their resources, and make money from the arms. When they run out of money, they start a war.

[@louisspeciale]

Harri you know that George Martin is the producer of this song as with many America songs. And by the way George Martin was the Beatles producer!

[@DanalynTuthill-yl4hd]

George Martin didn't produce this song or their first three albums. They starting working together on "Holiday," their fourth album.

[@kentclark6420]

I wonder if this is a reference to the sandman in Logan's Run.

[@Danno1983]

@Harri Terry Hall of The Specials has passed away R.I.P

[@doncarlton4858]

One of my very favorite groups. It could be argued America invented the "California Sound" that predates The Eagles. The idea that this is song is about Vietnam is just one poster's opinion and it's true meaning is debated. Other than the reference to someone enlisting in the service, there are no other reference to Vietnam or war of any kind. They lyrics are quite mysterious and at face value have no meaning whatever.

[@TrianglesAndCircles]

The lyrics about an abandoned hurricane always got my wheels spinning. Who was driving it in the first place? Not the guys in boots for sure.

[@buddystewart2020]

Hell Harri, War? We're seeing one going on right now in the Ukraine.

[@fridaylong2812]

Flies the Eye, not Lies the Eye. Every man that ever went to war, willingly or not, went to sleep wondering if he'd wake up.

[@fridaylong2812]

You need to listen to more America. Saw them live three times. They are pretty much a duo with a backup band these days. Have been for decades.

[@pncombies]

@@fridaylong2812 Harri has also reacted to Tin Man, Ventura Highway, You Can Do Magic and Daisy Jane.

[@Dreams4U2]

If you like poignant songs about Vietnam, give the studio version of Billy Joel's "Goodnight Saigon" a listen.

[@Kompakuta]

Great song and thanks for explaining what the song is about. 🟨🟦 Ukraine

[@tomgnyc]

Somehow no one is anti war anymore. Is it too far removed?

[@kentclark6420]

Everyone I know is.

[@coffee-xg6my]

"The music sounds beautiful"? "The irony of that"? Huh? The music sounds great Harri! But regarding the "irony" aspect you're talking about, I totally disagree. The use of the minor chords and progressions give an eerie feel which is obviously intentional. It fits perfectly with the message of the lyrics.