Lonely People by America

Lonely People

1974

America

Dan Peek only wrote one top 10 hit while he was with America, and he, along with his wife Catherine, penned 'Lonely People' as a more optimistic answer to a tune named 'Elinor Rigby', recorded by an obscure little British band from Liverpool. Dan considered 'Elinor Rigby' to be one of the most overwhelmingly depressing songs about life he'd ever heard, and wanted to give a bit of hope to those single people who hadn't yet found their Soul-mate. He and Catherine wrote it just a few weeks after the two of them married, an event that Dan said many times 'Changed his life and made him feel like he'd won. My bet is that this turn-around in his own life inspired him to write a song telling 'All of the lonely people' that there was hope.,

'Lonely People' features a pretty, haunting melody backed by equally lovely instrumentals. One of the things everyone remembers about it is the harmonica and piano solos that kick off the instrumental interlude in typical 'America' top-drawer fashion. It's a truly beautiful song, both musically and conceptually....really listen to it and you can see what I mean.

Interestingly enough, not only was Lonely People a reply to a Beatles song, it (As well as the entire album, Holiday) was produced by The Beatles' producer, the incomparable George Martin, and when you listen to the song you can catch some Beatle-esqe elements through-out. ' IMHO, Lonely People has a different sound and vibe from any other 'America' song, and I think that 's the result of combining Dan's songwriting with George Martin's producing.

We Seventies Kids gave it plenty of love as 1974 became 1975. 'Lonely People debuted on The Hot 100 three days after Christmas of '74 and cracked the Top-10 six weeks later, on February 8^th, 1975. It'd peak at #5 exactly a month later, only staying there for a single week and would drop off the Hot 100 after 14 weeks on the chart, six of them in the Top-10.

Lonely People would get a new life of sorts after Dan Peek left the band to kick off a solo career and became a Born Again Christian in 1977. Dan regularly ends his concerts with a modified rendition of 'Lonely People', with the last two lines of the chorus changed to "Don't give up until you drink from the silver cup and give your heart to Jesus Christ." Dan came to be considered a pioneer of modern Christian-Pop, and embraced his faith through-out his solo career. Like too many of the good ones, he left us too early, passing away on July 24^th, 2011 at the age of 60.

Like several of America's hits, 'Lonely People's gotten sort of shuttled aside on the Oldies stations by their 'Big Three' hits (Horse With No Name, Ventura Highway, and Sister Golden Hair) but you'll still hear it a bit more than occasionally...as a bonus you'll also hear Dan Peek's solo version every once in a while. Hopefully they'll stay around for a few more decades.

So Enjoy! Dan Peeks musical ray of hope for All Of The Lonely People...Lonely People...

As a bonus..Dan Peek's solo version of Lonely People, performed as a Christian Pop artist. This version shows up on Oldies stations once in a while, too.