Lyrics Language: Scots Song writer/composer(s): Dewey Bunnell
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AmericaVentura Highway Lyrics:
Chewin' on a piece of grass walkin' 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
Ventura highway in the sunshine
Where the days are longer
The nights are stronger than moonshine
You're gonna go I know
'Cause the free wind is blowin' through your hair
And the days surround your daylight there
Seasons crying no despair
Alligator lizards in the air, in the air
Wishin' on a fallin' star, waitin' for the early train
Sorry boy, but I've been hit by purple rain
Oh come on Joe, you can always change your name
Thanks a lot son, just the same
Ventura highway in the sunshine
Where the days are longer
The nights are stronger than moonshine
You're gonna go I know
'Cause the free wind is blowin' through your hair
And the days surround your daylight there
Seasons crying no despair
Alligator lizards in the air, in the air
The lyrics on the most recent version are sanctioned by the composer, or owner of the rights to the lyrics, however, there may be lyrics that are more complete on the prior version(s) that have been submitted by a contributor to mp3lyrics.org
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America Ventura Highway Lyrics Information:
SOMETIMES THE LYRICS ON PREVIOUS VERSIONS ARE MORE CORRECT THAN THE ONES
DISPLAYED BY GRACENOTE AS THE CURRENT VERSION. YOU MAY VIEW THESE LYRICS
BY CLICKING ON THE LINK "SEE OTHER VERSIONS" IN THE ORANGE BOX ABOVE.
VENTURA HIGHWAY 1
Written by: Dewey Bunnell
Produced by: America
Performed by: America 23
First released: 4
Single: June 1974
Album: June 1974
1 Songwriter and vocalist, Dewey Bunnell, said of "Ventura Highway" that the
alligator lizards in the air" in the song are references to cloud shapes. He
also explained in their box set booklet Highway Highlights that the song is about
leaving, Dewey adds. "It 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 5 . So I think in the song I'm talking to
myself and saying, 'How long you gonna stay here, Joe?' I really believe that
"Ventura Highway" has the most lasting power of all my songs. It's not just the
words; the song has a certain fresh, vibrant, optimistic quality that I can still
respond to." "Ventura Highway" went on to become a #8 single for the group. America
was asked to perform this song at the inauguration ball for Governor Jesse Ventura 6 .
2 Personnel on this recording:
* Dewey Bunnell: Lead vocals, guitar.
* Gerry Beckley: Backing vocals, keyboards.
* Dan Peek: Backing vocals, bass.
* Hal Blaine: Drums.
* Joe Osborn: Bass.
3 Covered by:
The Countdown Singers
Rick Devin
Carol Gaylor
Paul Hardcastle
Emerson Nogueira
Professor R. J. Ross
Chikuzen Sato
Stars at Studio 99
et al.
4 Appears on: 4
SINGLE(S):
(1) America
A-side: "Ventura Highway"
B-side: "Saturn Nights"
(a) Warner Bros., 7-Inch, Vinyl, 45rpm Single, #WB-7641, US-1972.
(b) Warner Bros., 7-Inch, Vinyl, 45rpm Single, #K-16219, UK-1972.
ALBUM(S):
(a) America: Homecoming
(1) Warner Bros., Gatefold Cover, 10-Track, Stereo LP, #BS-2655, US & Germany-1972.
(2) Warner Bros., Gatefold Cover, 10-Track, Stereo LP, #K-46180, UK & France-1972.
(3) Warner Bros., 10-Track, Stereo CD, #2-2655, US-1995.
(4) Warner Bros., 10-Track, Stereo CD, #7599-26695-2, Australia-1995.
(5) WEA/International, 10-Track, Stereo CD, #12679, US & Europe-2007.
(b) America: History-Greatest Hits
(1) Warner Bros., 12-Track, Stereo LP, #BS-2894, US-1975.
(2) Warner Bros., 12-Track, 8-Track, #M8-2894, US-1975.
(3) Warner Bros., 12-Track, Cassette, #M5-2894, US-1975.
(4) Warner Bros., 12-Track, Stereo LP, #K-56169, UK-1975.
(5) Warner Bros., 12-Track, Stereo LP, #WB-56169, Germany-1975.
(6) Warner Bros., 12-Track, Stereo LP, #NA-556, Australia-1975.
(7) Warner Bros., Reissue, 12-Track, Stereo LP, #BSK-3110, US-1977.
(8) Warner Bros., 12-Track, Stereo CD, #7599-27333-2, Germany-1986.
(9) Warner Bros., 12-Track, Stereo CD, #W2-3110, US-1987 7 .
(10) Warner Bros., 12-Track, Stereo CD, #CD-3110, Canada-1987
(11) Warner Bros., 12-Track, Stereo CD, #76462, UK-2004.
et al.
* The album(s) and record(s) listed here may have different versions of
the song than the one that was transcribed. Also, this list is not
intended to be the complete discography on which this song appears.
5 The Ventura Highway, or Freeway as it is named, is in the state of California in
the Greater Los Angeles area. It refers to U.S. Route 101 in California, from
California State Route 1 west of Ventura, the town, to the junction with California
State Route 170 and California State Route 134 and the entire route of California
State Route 134.
6 Jesse Ventura (born July 15, 1951 as James George Janos), also known as "The Body,"
"The Great," "The Star," "The Mind," and "The Governing Body," is an American politician,
retired professional wrestler and color commentator, Navy UDT veteran, actor, and former
radio and television talk show host. He is also a former co-holder of the AWA World tag
team title with Adrian Adonis and is a two-time AWA Southern Heavyweight Champion. In
the Minnesota gubernatorial election of 1998, running as an Independent and member of the
Reform Party, he was elected the 38th Governor of the state of Minnesota and served from
January 4, 1999 to January 6, 2003 without seeking a second term.
