“Ventura Highway” was the lead single for America’s second album, Homecoming, written by Dewey Bunnell, who also takes lead vocals. He claims that the line “alligator lizards in the air” refers to formations of clouds he witnessed when travelling through California with his family as a kid, while pu...
[Verse 1]
Chewing on a piece of grass
Walking down the road
Tell me, how long you gonna stay here, Joe?
Some people say this town don't look good in snow
You don't care, I know
[Chorus]
Ventura Highway in the sunshine
Where the days are longer
The nights are stronger than moonshine
You're gonna go
I know-uh-oh-uh-oh-uh-oh-uh-oh-uh-oh-uh-oh
'Cause the free wind is blowing through your hair
And the days surround your daylight there
Seasons crying no despair
Alligator lizards in the air, in the air
[Hook]
Did di di di dit, did di di di dit
Did di di di dit, did di di di dit
Did di di di dit, did di di di dit
Did di di di dit, did di di di dit
Did di di di dit, did di di di dit
Did di di di dit, did di di di dit
[Verse 2]
Wishing on a falling star
Waiting for the early train
Sorry boy, but I've been hit by purple rain
Aw, come on, Joe, you can always
Change your name
Thanks a lot, son, just the same
[Chorus]
Ventura Highway in the sunshine
Where the days are longer
The nights are stronger than moonshine
You're gonna go
I know-uh-oh-uh-oh-uh-oh-uh-oh-uh-oh-uh-oh
'Cause the free wind is blowing through your hair
And the days surround your daylight there
Seasons crying no despair
Alligator lizards in the air, in the air
[Outro]
Did di di di dit, did di di di dit (du du du du)
Did di di di dit, did di di di dit (du du du du)
Did di di di dit, did di di di dit (du du du du)
Did di di di dit, did di di di dit (du du du du)
Did di di di dit, did di di di dit (du du du du)
Did di di di dit, did di di di dit (du du du du)
Ventura Highway was written by Dewey Bunnell.
Ventura Highway was produced by America.
America released Ventura Highway on Sat Nov 04 1972.
The song reminds me of the time I lived in Omaha as a kid and how we’d walk through cornfields and chew on pieces of grass. There were cold winters, and I had images of going to California. So I think in the song I’m talking to myself, frankly: ‘How long you gonna stay here, Joe?’ I really believe t...