KANSAS - "SONG FOR AMERICA" (reaction)

[@roccaclassico9028]

Yes, "epic" is the word to describe this track. I'm glad that a younger generation is discovering this band's music. Some other Kansas songs to consider are: "The Wall", "Child of Innocence", "Sparks of the Tempest", and "Crossfire". 🔥🔥

[@joelliebler5690]

One of their best and most progressive. Innovative songs.

[@eximusic]

The first Kansas album I ever bought. Definitely their most proggy period.

[@joelliebler5690]

Back in the late sixties, seventies and eighties these songs were played on the radio or you owned these albums or a a friend owned ten. So many great artists and songs of that era .

[@SightAfterDark]

Sounds awesome!

[@jamesrawlins735]

I miss AOR radio. You still have a few stations (KSHE-FM in St.Louis, for instance), but they are few and far between Sadly most people under the age of 35 have the desire or patience to listen to an album (the Beatles seem to be an exception) - now its just stream the main title songs.

[@rubicon-oh9km]

Kansas. The American answer to all the European prog at the time. Personally, I'll put Kansas' first five albums up there with any of the prog giants like Yes, King Crimson, etc...

[@timwendt1935]

I am with you! Their last two albums are solid prog efforts for sure.

[@King14000]

Don't get me wrong. I love Kansas. Saw them twice live in the 1980's. But..... "Yes" can not be matched in terms of musical complexity and instrumental mastery.

[@rubicon-oh9km]

@@King14000 Possibly. Listen, I love Yes, but Jon's lyrics can be quite abstract to say the least. Kerry Livgren makes his writing much more apparent and accessible.

[@stevedotwood]

@@rubicon-oh9km What's wrong with abstract lyrics? It's music not literature

[@rubicon-oh9km]

@@stevedotwood I missed the part of my statement where I said something's "wrong". Reading comprehension isn't your forte.

[@Chicago_Podcast_Authority]

Just spinned this one the other night. America's finest representation of symphonic prog rock 🎸 👏

[@keithpasculli7465]

Love this song; it's five great players that have a sound so huge that it sounds like a symphony orchestra

[@thomasroutte8942]

I started listening to Kansas in the Early 70s they are great!

[@jessew1133]

Absolutely one of my favorite songs from any band! This was one of the first records I bought with my own money. For no other reason than the record cover itself. The bass line and the synths are magic together🎻🎹🎸🎶🔊👂🧠👍👏😊🥰

[@Frankincensedjb123]

Kansas progged us through the 70s. I saw them in concert a couple of times, incorporated several songs into our band's play list. Good times.

[@MrPolleyr]

I have the whole Kansas discography. A lot of amazing music. Many years ago I was privileged to meet and spend some time with Kerry Livgren, the lead guitarist and songwriter for most of their music. At that time he lived in Georgia, but has since moved back to Kansas. He is a kind, generous, thoughtful man, with amazing gifts and talents. I remember standing in his living room and seeing (if memory serves me) 13 platinum albums hung on the wall about a massive stone fireplace. Then going down to the basement studio, (with a literal wall of guitars) and an amazing studio setup. It was all very impressive to me, but for him….these were just the tools of his trade (his craft). What a humble, genuine, man. I’ll never forget meeting him.

[@SightAfterDark]

What an experience! Wow, that’s some well deserved platinum! Thanks for sharing Raymond!

[@martinkulkarni3569]

Wow! What an honour and privilege to be in the presence of the great man and one of the greatest songwriters of all time!

[@markofrontz1343]

Always nice to hear this one. Brings back fuzzy memories of when they opened for Queen in '74ish. Aah high school. I'm starting to feel old.

[@SightAfterDark]

We hope to grow older and share decades of music history one day like you!

[@martinkulkarni3569]

I think it was around 1977 when they supported Queen. My #1 is Queen. My #2 is Kansas! I know Brian May became a massive fan and friend of the band during and after the tour. Still is. Bob Catley of Magnum is also a huge fan of their music. Many other true musicians are fans because these guys are amongst the greats musicians and songwriters of all time. A band that shouldn’t even exist! Four/five world class musicians from the same small town in Kansas, not reknowned for being a particularly musical environment! Steve Walsh, one of the all time great vocalists, before the drug abuse killed his voice, completes the list. He is from St. Joseph, Missouri. Remarkable bunch of people and musicians!

[@markofrontz1343]

As I was still in high school when I first saw Queen, it had to be '74. Also the album they were touring was Shear Heart Attack. Kansas opened. Then Frank Marino & Mahogany Rush.

[@martinkulkarni3569]

@@markofrontz1343 I do believe you are correct! I do recall that line up, just not the year!

[@markofrontz1343]

Thanks to the wonder of the inter-web I know it were March 12, 1975. Sadly my ticket stub is long gone. Nice to hear of someone else who saw the show

[@rodger7029]

A true genius musical composition within the rock genre- different keys, themes, resolutions, transitions

[@randybaker6042]

Had to experience this with Sight After Dark. Iron Maiden was biting off UFO. Kansas is one of my favorite bands and was from the beginning. One of the best bands I've seen live. They were unbelievable live. Jamming violin. Jamming guitars. Great drummer. And I'll never know how Walsh could run and jump all over the place and keep singing like he did. The guy would be high step jumping non-stop while jamming on the keyboards and then start singing Dust In The Wind. Just amazing.

[@SightAfterDark]

Sounds amazing for real!

[@jimhardiman3836]

This should be followed up with Cheyenne Anthem for the further recounting of American history.

[@65Jessev]

Yet another absolute masterpiece by the best band to record music.

[@cometogether999]

American Prog at it's best. Check out "The Pinnacle/Mysteries and Mayhem" by Kansas. More Prog goodness from the Masque album (which by the way is my profile picture).

[@SightAfterDark]

Thanks!

[@katesjanice]

SfA was released in 1975. Kansas was a phenomenal progressive band w/ 6 amazing musicians. And they were better live than recorded. I miss Kansas in the 70s soooo much!

[@stevegirard-voiceaudiopodcasts]

How brilliant to tell the story of the settling & defilement of North America, not only in words, but an instrumental section that musically paints the picture. The lovely Miss C absolutely saw it in her mind's eye! While known by most for some very cool radio hits, Kansas has been America's best representative of prog since the early 70's, and just as good as the Euro-prog bands.... and I love those bands as well!

[@billdurham8575]

Topeka, Kansas Guys!!

[@DUBEE43]

Yep, have all of KANSAS in my collection!!💗👍

[@timwendt1935]

I'm going to see Kansas on Saturday! I've seen them many times and they are an amazing band.

[@SightAfterDark]

Have a great time!

[@timwendt1935]

@@SightAfterDark Thanks! It was an epic concert in a beautiful theater - nearly sold out!

[@stevedotwood]

"Time for exploring" - Captain Spaulding. Never heard Kansas before. Absolutely loving what I'm hearing here! - Usually the voice puts me off. Have to get used to that.

[@TheProgCorner]

They listened to Yes, Genesis and ELP and Americanized it. Awesome!!!

[@davidagnew1753]

Down the Road off this album is a straight up banger.

[@chazblitz]

These guys were great live!!

[@SightAfterDark]

We bet!

[@jessew1133]

@chazblitz Still are 😉 got tix to see them in September. Will be my 15th time seeing them 👍👏

[@martinkulkarni3569]

Guys, the bird on the cover of album ‘Song For AMERICA’ is an eagle (American Bald Eagle)! Come on guys, you’re American should know this!

[@dmatianmedia]

My homies! Easily the best export from Topeka, KS! You need to check out their latest release, The Absence of Presence...

[@SightAfterDark]

Great to know they’re still making music! Thanks Dale!

[@Thejazzfan66]

This track is for those who want to hear what Kansas sounds like before they began to make more radio oriented music.

[@ludofuzz3012]

There is also good songs on their first album as its opening track for instance

[@kpas22105]

If this doesn't qualify as epic I don't know what does. Amazing composition and even more amazing when you consider that Kerry Livgren came up with this when he was in his early 20's.

[@cometogether999]

Actually, Kansas and Iron Maiden were contemporaries. Albeit from either side of the pond.

[@SightAfterDark]

That’s so cool!

[@markfox6596]

Seen them play this song several times mid 70s when it was new.. Dave Hope the bass player influenced me heavily.. classic track.. thanks.

[@squigglyharris4898]

Love love kansas❤

[@michaelbaucom4019]

If you like this one, you'll like the following, all prog epics Journey From Mariabronn Apercu/Death of Mother Nature Suite ( two songs meant to be one) Immcommudro-Hymn to the Atman Lamplight Symphony All the World Mysteries and Mayhem/The Pinnacle ( two songs meant to be one) The Wall Miracles Out Of Nowhere Cheyenne Anthem Magnum Opus The Spider/Portait(He Knew) Closet Chronicles Lightning's Hand Hopelessly Human On the Other Side Angels Have Fallen A Glimpse of Home Curtain Of Iron No One Together Crossfire Myriad Distant Vision Icarus II ( our hosts already did Icarus-Borne On Wings of Steel) Lyrically, SFA is a synopsis of the history of America's discovery and development, as per the songwriter, Kerry Livgren( from his autobiography " Seeds of Change ") Despite the keyboard and violin theatrics, the star of this song is bassist Dave Hope Yes, they are from Kansas ( see the documentary " Miracles Out of Nowhere ", available on KZbin, or Kerry Livgren's autobiography "Seeds of Change " for more details) RIP Robby Steinhardt 🎻

[@SightAfterDark]

Thanks Michael!

[@stretchgilbert]

Soooo Gooood

[@lewis9702]

I assume you guys were joking when you said they were from Oklahoma

[@SightAfterDark]

Yes☺️

[@iRenegade164]

Great reaction! Now, check the date of the release; then react to Rush’s Beneath, Between, and Behind...having checked its release date too. You might notice we celebrated ur bi-centennial around that time. With both of these works, it’s important to read the lyrics!

[@SightAfterDark]

Thanks so much. We’re often torn between words and music during the first listen, but we get why they’re super important on this song

[@SightAfterDark]

Thanks so much. We’re often torn between words and music during the first listen, but we get why they’re super important on this song

[@martinkulkarni3569]

I love that song Beneath, Between and Behind. One of my all time favourite Rush songs!

[@apostle6100]

They were very into the Native Americans

[@martinkulkarni3569]

They are huge supporters of Native American culture and peoples. Always have been, and still are!

[@bobschenkel7921]

Pretty good prog rock for a bunch of Mid-Western boys.

[@PickpocketJones]

I'd imagine a lot of people listening to a band named "Kansas" for the first time walk away with a reaction similar to Bart when he had the fake ID and went to see Naked Lunch in the theatre in that Simpsons episode. kzbin.info/www/bejne/b6SvYmNopd6Ugsk

[@SightAfterDark]

Lol

[@souldreamer9056]

Take one cup of Genesis and one cup of yes, dilute with 2 cups of water, and sell it to Americans.

[@brianmccarthy8595]

Take one cup of Genesis and one cup of Yes add 2 gallons of testosterone and sell it back to the British.

[@AK99581]

The woman obviously hates every minute of this judging by the look on her face

[@SightAfterDark]

Yep, that’s exactly what she says at the end of the video😂

[@yiasemi]

As a Brit, Kansas just seemed like copycats of our lads. Crap covers too. In my defence I loved the Doobies but it needed the Boston sledgehammer to get this kind of Americana. Now I wonder why I didn't just play it, lack of money probably.