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"Song for America" is the title track from the second album of American progressive rock band Kansas. It was written by guitarist/keyboardist Kerry Livgren during the period of heavy touring for their first album. The song was released on their 1975 album Song for America, and later released as the band's third single, although it did not chart. It is known for its symphonic structure, and its lyrics showing America's state before and after colonization. It appears on most of their live albums and DVDs. The song is one of Kansas' most well-known songs from their period of obscurity, appearing on most of their collections and live albums.

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"Song for America"
Single by Kansas
from the album Song for America
Released	April 1975[1]
Recorded	1974
Genre	Progressive rock[2]
Length	10:03 (Album version) 9:08 (The Best of Kansas version) 3:02 (Single edit)
Label	Kirshner
Songwriter(s)	Kerry Livgren
Kansas singles chronology
"Bringing It Back" (1975) "Song for America" (1975) "It Takes a Woman's Love (To Make a Man)" (1976)

Structure

The song begins with a 3-minute instrumental overture. It is dominated by keyboards, violin, and bass. It has a symphonic structure. About halfway through the song, there is an extended instrumental section in ⁹
₈ time. The final section of the instrumental overture closes the song, over 10 minutes long. The single version of the song had most of the instrumental parts edited out, and is cut down to three minutes. This version, which was edited by the record label owner Don Kirshner, is available as a bonus track on the remastered version of the album. The flipside of the 45 featured an instrumental version of the track.

Reception

Cash Box said it features "excellent musicianship and a strong lyric line."[3]

Live versions

Several live versions of the song have been recorded. One is featured on the live Two for the Show that has a piano solo near the end edited out. Kansas also plays it on their 2009 live CD/DVD There's Know Place Like Home with the Washburn University Symphony Orchestra.

Personnel

• Kerry Livgren – keyboards
• Steve Walsh – lead vocals, keyboards
• Robby Steinhardt – violin, backing vocals
• Dave Hope – bass
• Phil Ehart – drums
• Rich Williams – guitar

References

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