Lonely People - America | Andy & Alex FIRST TIME REACTION!

[@moniphil]

Dan Peek wrote it with his new bride Catherine as a hopeful response to the hopelessness of the lonely people the Beatles sang of in Eleanor Rigby. Dan said he was always a melancholy person until he married Catherine and said it “felt like I’d won.”

[@blackeyedlily]

Lovely story! And of course I immediately thought of Eleanor Rigby with this song.

[@floyd2222]

@@blackeyedlily I was single when this song was a hit on the radio. It totally made me feel ok, normal, and ya - let's just keep on going. Comforting for sure!

[@billwilson7948]

Probably a vocal talk-to-text typo? Not ‘Sid’ but ‘said’.

[@moniphil]

@@billwilson7948 Not talk to text. That was all autocorrect and my failure to proofread. Thanks.

[@harriotteworthington3147]

Dan Peek explained the metaphor as the possibility of drinking from another's well of experience and be refreshed.

[@oliviacat7752]

"I Need You" is another great song by America.

[@thornbird6768]

I'm hoping for a reaction to I need you. Gerry Beckley sings it beautifully 😊

[@gershman23]

one of many, many, many great songs of this band.

[@robjohnson5872]

Amazing harmonies. Timeless songs. This is America.

[@davidmacias741]

My favorite!

[@michaelt.b264]

The silver cup is a metaphor for salvation

[@waitn4theharpazo]

To which Dan made his alternate rendition ☺

[@289hipo]

Also a tradition in some wedding ceremonies to have the bride & groom drink from the same silver chalice signifying that their strength comes from the same source, Christ

[@michaelt.b264]

@@lynne5322 he said in an interview sometime in the 70s the silver cup represented Solitude and salvation

[@glenndespres5317]

Winning in general?

[@tracycampbell3060]

​exactly

[@Ritaholden1]

America is an iconic folk music band . Sister Golden Hair, venture a highway, tin man and horse with no name are some of their biggest hits. This song really touches your heart ❤️ thank you for sharing it.

[@gregtthomas]

Listen to "Daisy Jane" if you haven't already.

[@sallyphillips9175]

I think that one is my favorite ... either that one or "I Need You."

[@nancy9478]

Hard to pick one of these great songs.

[@mayLibertyprevail1a]

That one gives me goosebumps. SO good!

[@gregtthomas]

@@mayLibertyprevail1a Every time I hear it.

[@Bacchus69]

Love that song.

[@rexvisitor44]

“Sandman” should be next by America. Song is about staying awake in Vietnam because if you fall asleep the enemy (the sandman) will kill you.

[@Angie-om8tr]

I'll second that it's my favourite track by them 👍

[@John_Locke_108]

My America song. Love the guitar solo in it.

[@rosek2967]

Agree. Great song.

[@donnakubiski5572]

That would be my next pick also. Great song! And then they need to hit "I Need You".

[@Angie-om8tr]

"He flies the sky like an Eagle in the eye of a hurricane that's abandoned" - Love that line 🙌

[@beadybaby]

I love how the memory of all the lyrics comes flying back (including the "hit it"). Life is simple but never easy. ❤

[@CorePathway]

The most mellow ‘hit it’ ever 😂

[@SCVIndy]

Amazing to hear young people listening to music of my youth .. America had some really cool music

[@magicbrownie1357]

America, along with Cat Stevens, were the reasons I took up the guitar. This is one of the first songs I learned. Still playing 40 odd years later.

[@John_Locke_108]

For me it was Horse With No Name.

[@danmayberry1185]

Donkey Jaw still blows my mind.

[@kentclark6420]

What I like is how chill and down- home America is. It feels like I'm living in Easy Rider or something. Going from a country-folk to a honky-tonk jazz and then back again. All their music is like a breath of warm air.

[@alrivers2297]

Beautiful song. I appreciate it more now than when I was younger. Sandman is a good one

[@patrickjacobson2261]

They always had tight, awesome harmonies.

[@danmcbee807]

"The piano didn't even ask for permission" is one of the best musical descriptions I've ever heard! And though I had never thought of it before, is a very accurate description of that piano coming in when it did.

[@hellofromrob]

My favorite America song has always been “Don’t Cross the River”. The tempo, the vocal emotion and the banjo (!) are brilliant!

[@rosek2967]

Me too!! That song is America personified but way too short!

[@davidmacias741]

That song makes me sad because of a fellow Christian brother I had met and he had drown in a river that another person convinced him to try to swim across on a camping trip. He was probably in his 30s. Like the song but it's hard to listen to.

[@hellofromrob]

@@rosek2967WAY too short!

[@MTVessel61446]

Donkey Jaw. Bluesy acoustic with 'rattlesnake' percussion. A very dark, moody, appeal to the generations. Gorgeous electric riff at end. A 'non-hit' classic I think you two will enjoy & appreciate. One of my favs.

[@Necile2]

Definitely one of MY faves, too.

[@ackthbbft]

I feel like America doesn't get nearly the appreciation they deserve. They had the absolute best harmonics. And just about every single song leaves you feeling good. Check out more of them if you haven't already! Ventura Highway, Horse With No Name, Sister Golden Hair, hard to list them all.

[@sherryheim5504]

Something about this band always puts me into a certain mood, impossible to not feel uplifted by their music. I could hear some Bob Dylan influence on that harmonica playing...nice. The writer of the song says that "Drink from the silver cup" is a metaphor for "It's possible to drink from another's well of experience...and be refreshed." America's songs always feel "full" to me, like every layer is expressed in every note, there are no empty levels or forgotten spaces unless there is a musical rest and then they just pause long enough for the listener to exhale before they fill it all up again.

[@generic53]

This music really makes you realize how FAR current music has fallen.

[@CorePathway]

There is awesome music everywhere, yo. How bout some me Avett Bros for you?

[@thornbird6768]

I agree the 70's was the decade of the best music , especially America

[@Smitty8858]

Great band and great song. Evokes so much feeling

[@marktubeie07]

Beautiful lyric from Dan Peek - their third member - RIP Dan... Great production by George Martin.

[@tracycampbell3060]

I read his bio, excellent read

[@MikeAnn193]

Though I'm a huge Beatles fan and also knew _this song_ when it was first on the radio, I didn't realize George Martin produced it! That's fantastic.

[@marktubeie07]

@@MikeAnn193 Yes, George Martin produced all their Warner Brothers albums from the 3rd onward.

[@steveandme63]

So smooth and clean. Very easy to listen to and to sing with. Never feels too complicated.

[@rlan1199]

"I know enough about Cool to know it was Cool......" Another great Alexism

[@14gilbertst]

America was on the radio a lot in the '70s. You can definitely hear the CSN and Neil Young influences!

[@jimharding915]

Don't cross the river is another great America tune. Thanks guys!

[@mark-be9mq]

Great one

[@scottgelb2650]

This song was a perfect way to start my day. There were so many songs written back then with hopeful, positive messages of support and love. This brought to mind another favorite of mine called Beautiful People by a beautiful person named Melanie, who sadly died just a few days ago. I don't know if you guys have heard anything by Melanie but she's worth a listen. She had a lot of sweet songs, including a much softer version of Ruby Tuesday by the Stones. Think I'll go listen to it now.

[@toneyg.4100]

Silver Cup is when you’ve reached a high point/victory in life or sports. IE, hockey’s Stanley Cup for World Champions. I was actually friends with Dan Peek who wrote/sang and played harmonica on that song. He left the band in 1977. Also, that was a 12 string he was playing on Lonely People. Thank you guys, love your show!!!!

[@stevedahlberg8680]

One of my favorite songs from them, it simultaneously catches this feeling of melancholy but also hope. And it's just so easy on the ears. Love that bass guitar line as well.

[@jonniiinferno9098]

💯 fact

[@GeorgeWitman]

Love watching the two of you enjoy the music many of your listeners heard during their initial releases. You would have loved the 1970's. Many of our hearts are still there

[@Oldschoolnana]

Beautiful song. Love America.❤

[@simong966]

Fantastic band been listening to them since the early seventies, and I never tire of their songs....saw them live in London and they are just excellent live.

[@gregdeweese2784]

Riverside is one of America’s most iconic and rhythmic songs with great guitar work and incredible harmonies.

[@thornbird6768]

There’s a live version here on the tube , they are so young in that vid .

[@brentcox7772]

My favorite song by America!! Saw them in ‘77!! Awesome!🤘🔥

[@MikeAnn193]

I saw them too, but not that early. Sometime around 1982 if memory serves, when they _opened_ for Christopher Cross. Cool that he now opens for _them,_ again if I correctly recall something I read. I also saw America on a small stage at the fairground in my home town which I'm very grateful for. Just me, my girlfriend, and a few dozen other people, and I loved it. I bet they had longer hair when you saw them. 😀

[@orphu88]

Alex: "That's the most patriotic thing I've heard you say in weeks." Andy: "What, that pigeons have candy?" Thank you for starting my day with such comedic surrealism. Love you guys.

[@patricktilton5377]

Speaking of songs with 'lonely' in the title, there's "Lonely Boy" by Andrew Gold. Great '70s song.

[@EricSmaug]

BOUT TIME YA DO THIS ONE!!!! THIS IS FOR ALL OF YOU LONELY FOLKS OUT THERE!!!!! I LOVE YOU ALL !!!

[@gregordvs]

You guys have most excellent witty banter. Always entertaining. 🤟🏻

[@davidmacias741]

Probably my favorite song by America. I saw them in san jose about 5 years ago with the guitarist from the Eagles who did lead on Hotel California which he also had his band there. Both bands sounds amazing, much like the original songs! Loved it, I'm 62 and grew up with what i feel was the best time for music.

[@laurentco]

The ending is what's known as "deceptive" or "false" cadence. It's an ending that doesn't resolve to the cord you would expect it to, i.e. anything but the tonic (or the 1 chord)

[@John_Locke_108]

It's so fantastic. A+ song.

[@nancy9478]

I played my America album over and over back in the day, still love them. This song reminds me of gym class back in '77. Loved those days.

[@WildBill0007]

Check out their song Daisy Jane. Very lovely song!

[@christinahilt2978]

Drink from the silver cup is a metaphor for being possible to drink from another’s well of experiences and feel refreshed. Man that’s deep.

[@JSBIRD69]

At 70+, this one hits a little too close to home.

[@Sbj24]

❤🙏

[@charlesstuart8009]

Same here, bro. 72

[@Littlebigbot]

I'm with ya buddy. I'm 70 and all my family and friends are gone. I have to keep moving both mentally and physically. N

[@johnhatcher373]

The “silver cup” references the cup of Communion. Songfacts®: This was written by Dan Peek, who along with Dewey Bunnell and Gerry Beckley, was one of the three original members of America. Many of Peek's compositions show a very spiritual and searching side and "Lonely People," a call for the lonely and despairing to seek God, is one of those songs and easily his best known. Peek left the band in 1977 to focus on his faith; after leaving America, he performed this song live, altering the lyric to leave no doubt of his intention, singing "Don't give up until you drink from the silver cup and give your heart to Jesus Christ." Peek died in 2011 at age 60.

[@mutcoo]

things like that piano solo are what make this life so bearable

[@leemcclements8889]

As mellow as they sound...I saw them on a 70's cruise about 6 years ago and these guys rocked! One of the best shows I ever went to. Excellent show!

[@somersetcace1]

Possibly my favorite by them. Certainly top 3.

[@mark-be9mq]

Dan Peek wrote it after marrying:"I always felt like a lonely person and now I felt like I’d won." The lyrics advise " lonely people": "Don't give up until you drink from the silver cup", that Peek explains: "It's possible to drink from another's well of experience...and be refreshed."

[@williamjones6031]

It's called easy listening. In the early 90s I was in the Navy and driving by 32nd street Navy base and they were giving a FREE concert on the football field. Lots of families there. Great time.

[@robertcollins197]

You guys need an Andy and Alex cartoon where you guys go around saving the day with music. You show up during some discord, apply the right song and everything is harmonious again. It could be discord between groups. It could be the discord inside an individual. Bang, Andy and Alex save the day with 50 ways to leave your lover. POW, thunderclap, rainbows, choir of angels. The end.

[@TangoEliott]

I saw America twice in concert. I love this song. This is what I found for you.. The lyrics of "Lonely People" advise "all the lonely people": "Don't give up until you drink from the silver cup", a metaphor which Dan Peek thus explains: "It's possible to drink from another's well of experience...and be refreshed.

[@kawasakiwhiptwo5821]

Everyone finds their own silver cup. ✌️❤️

[@brianschafer2522]

Loved them in concert back around 1983.

[@patriciagoodwin1922]

The vocal harmony in this song and pretty much every song by America is on point. It was so common in 70s rock, I was chatting with a friend about vocal harmony the other day, The Mamas and the Papas, Simon and Garfunkel, ELO, The Righteous Brothers were some artists we talked about. All of them hit vocal harmony beautifully. Thanks guys, you're hitting so many of my favorites!

[@grahamharley4895]

Full rich sound, great harmonies.

[@juzbo44]

good stuff, guys! Put "Daisy Jane" on your list. It's a tremendous vocal, and one of the sweetest love songs ever. I think it's their best work.

[@otter3095]

I agree. What an awesome track🔥

[@davidnorth9390]

Agreed; Daisy Jane is wistful and moving, one of their best. --And isn't it the foundation for Janet Jackson's Let's Wait Awhile?

[@ontheroad5317]

Definitely agree with Daisy Jane. I think it’s my favorite America track.

[@thornbird6768]

Anything sung by Gerry is beautiful ❤

[@richardlarson9459]

Silver cup, usually means like a trophy given to the winner. So, don't give up till you win.

[@TheCaptaininsaino]

This is what I always picture, bunch of young guys, exuberant and cheering, drinking from the Stanley Cup (NHL).

[@Cosmo-Kramer]

That's not what it means. Dan Peek who wrote it was a deeply Christian man. So Christian that he left the band America in 1977 to start his own Christian Rock band. At which point he amended the lyric to be: "Don't give up 'til you drink from the silver cup, and give your heart to Jesus Christ." So the silver cup is symbolically the Holy Grail.

[@richardlarson9459]

@@Cosmo-Kramer Ah, that makes sense.

[@JRoss707]

Not so sure about the religious connotation of silver cup. Dan didn’t become “Born Again” until later after he hit bottom with a drug and alcohol addiction. According to Dan in an interview, “Don't give up until you drink from the silver cup", is a metaphor which it's possible to drink from another's well of experience...and be refreshed."

[@georgeramey647]

I thought it was a metaphor for dying; don't give up until you die.

[@jazziered142]

A song of hope. ❤️❤️❤️

[@ontheroad5317]

Gotta do Daisy Jane!

[@Shadowrider1872]

GOOOOOOOOD MORNING A&A FAMILY! ☮️💟💟

[@Joshualuv13]

Love this song ,use to listen to it a lot in my early 20s ..now in my early 60's .still resonates .

[@sammcbride2149]

Very easy going song with a positive message. The 70's were about positive thinking. This song is a reflection of that. Beautifully done.

[@tylerhackner9731]

Love this song!

[@MikeAnn193]

When I watch you guys react, I'm often thinking back on the time _I_ first heard the song, and how I felt about it _then,_ as opposed to the 150th playing. 😏 Though that first listen was usually decades ago, I sometimes recall how I felt at certain parts, like how this one so abruptly ends. It really is a short (but great) song. Your facial expressions usually represent my old feelings well. :-) Also you often make me appreciate some cool aspect of a song that I'd long ago _stopped noticing,_ or had started taking for granted, even though I probably loved that thing at first. In that way you make me appreciate the song more!

[@Elephant2024]

As a certified lonely person, I wholeheartedly approve of this song and message.

[@scottingram7634]

You can't go wrong with any of America's songs. I'd wholeheartedly suggest doing the entire first album on Patreon.

[@wicky4473]

Oh wow, what a great song. Haven’t heard this for many a year.

[@irvingbennett1682]

This song was the old sign off song for WCTI tv out of New Bern, NC back in the mid 1970s I fell asleep to it many times as a kid!

[@rogerdavenport9618]

One word I believe describes this smooth, thanks guys.

[@williamjackson3617]

Great song from a Great group. 1:01 ! Fantastically Cool 😎.6:02 !

[@bobduerwald9805]

I used to sing along to this song when things were tough. It gave me hope that good things would happen in the future. Luckily I've had my "15 minutes of fame" numerous times on the golf course and throughout life. Thank you to America for this wonderful, inspiring song.

[@shavingdave1]

Good job as always guys! Later!

[@cyu5251]

Love America ❤❤❤

[@craigbustin1293]

America was very consistent across the board, with three strong songwriters. Personal favorites are "Only in Your Heart," "Woman Tonight'' and "Today's the Day."

[@bookjeannie]

Bestie is a huge America fan, as am I. 🎶💙🎶💙🎶💙

[@tomcollens4621]

Love harmonies. They gave it to me!

[@stevenmix3723]

Next is Jesse Colin Young, "Ridgetop." You know him from the Youngbloods, "Get Together." For polls, we are missing a lot of the runners up. So how about a poll of random runners up from prior polls?

[@sherrihurst3142]

Just about my favorite concert way back then...

[@michaelbeasley5783]

Ok, I'm one of those oddities that is simply bored with "Horse with no Name", but loves several other America songs--like this one. Thx. I recommend "I Need You" if you haven't done it. As a guitar player, I love the chord choices in that song. Blessings, and be well.

[@jongraham8396]

I agree I love america and HWNM is everyone's favorite song from then but I prefer just about any other of their hits over it, I'd love for them to react to I need you, another gem by Beckley

[@toddspiegel7704]

Loved this as kid !! Life is passing me by !!

[@kv99990]

Dan Peek added a dimension to the group before he left. Very comforting song. Doesn't hurt that George Martin produced either.

[@mrmaticuluos]

You guys are the best at analyzing songs. Love your reactions!

[@billsantospianomore678]

I just realized the partial simlarity to the Denny Laine song "Deliver Your Children" recorded for the Wings (Paul McCartney) album "London Town."

[@destination22ful]

Thank you for the reaction. America-three Air Force brats with guitars. They always create the …vibe.

[@francine8806]

Periodically I post this: I think you'd like Joan Baez-- "Diamonds and Rust." It's a song she wrote about her partnership and break up with Bob Dylan. Poetic lyrics, melodic tune.

[@cynthiawhite9830]

Thank you! I keep asking for it too! Such a hauntingly lovely song.

[@adrianstevens2146]

Yes! I love that song, too, they should definitely review it. "Now you're telling me You're not nostalgic Then give me another word for it You who are so good with words And at keeping things vague 'Cause I need some of that vagueness now It's all come back too clearly Yes, I loved you dearly And if you're offering me diamonds and rust I've already paid" **Chills**

[@russallert]

California Revisited is my favourite America song, from the Homecoming album (which also included Ventura Highway). The rockier side of the band, with Dan Peek on lead guitar.

[@leighnapier4505]

Jesus!! ♥️

[@jtf2dan]

The silver cup is the cup of champions...you know?....like the Stanley Cup.....the teams drink out of the cup after they win the championship title at the end of the season. So, in other words....dont give up until you are the winner.......and conversely.."or ride that highway in the sky" meaning death.....so never give up....

[@simon2077]

The Silver Cup, also in some churches called the Old Cup. I agree with the Salvation Comment. Combined with Ride that Highway in the Sky, makes sense.

[@ChuckDrennen]

You should do "Daisy Jane."

[@hamiltonburger4574]

This was such a magical album when it came out. I was two years just out of high school and this LP seemed to resonate in the same way with all of my friends in that same age group. The production and arrangements were so perfect. For me, this effort stood out from all of the rest of their LP's. Hard to explain but it just did. In the following year, Loggins and Messina would release their equivalent LP titled Mother Load.

[@mylesteller]

I know im only 28 but as i get older and closer to 30 i understand this song better than i did 5 years ago.❤

[@RockyMtnRebecca]

I think the "silver cup" represents the 'finer things in life'. Don't settle, in other words.

[@mackssboo]

Holiday is the fourth studio album by the American folk rock band America, released on the Warner Bros. Records label in June 1974. The album was produced in London by longtime Beatles record producer George Martin, the first of seven consecutive albums he produced with America. George Martin - producer, arranger, keyboards

[@theresastuppiello9589]

Love this song

[@funkster007]

My anthem lol. Once again, nice break down guys. America were total tunesmiths. 👍

[@wesleiribeiro7816]

Jars of Clay cover of that song is pretty cool, too. Love it

[@michelerosevear7466]

I'd like to suggest "Never Found The Time"--one of my favorite songs by America that never seems to get any attention.I happened to hear about it from watching Rick Beato (first song he ever learned to play)...loved it ever since.

[@blackeyedlily]

I think the Silver Cup is a reference to the Holy Grail, which does have religious significance and the whole Grail Quest is a mythology that is loaded with symbolism.

[@tmsongvids7463]

They're great live. I just saw them last summer.