# America lyrics **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [March 5, 2000, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/america-lyrics/14445 "2000-03-05T01:04:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![aha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/eada6e/32.png) [@aha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aha)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2000, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/america-lyrics/14445/1 "2000-03-05T01:04:00Z")
That song “The Tin Man” by America… (and I am gonna butcher the hell outa these lyrics until I get to the question so bear with me or set me straight.) And I never ever said much to the tin man about ( something) he already had and ( something something) to the Tin man in the tropic of Sir Gallahad…so pleasssseee remember meeee. What the hell does that lyric mean "Tropic of Sir Gallahad…? ## For that matter what the hell does the whole song mean? I love it but don’t understand it. Hep me iffin you can. Yours truly, aha ---
**Author:** ![Persephone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ecc23a/32.png) [@Persephone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Persephone)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2000, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/america-lyrics/14445/2 "2000-03-05T01:11:00Z")
I always heard it as “Oz never did give nothing to the Tin Man, that he didn’t, didn’t already have.” I could be ridiculously wrong, though, so please don’t take my word for it. After that, I am as stumped as you. And now I’ll be up all freaking night trying to remember how it goes. Thanks a lot. 😉 * * * This space blank, until Wally thinks up something cool to put here. ---
**Author:** ![aha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/eada6e/32.png) [@aha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aha)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2000, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/america-lyrics/14445/3 "2000-03-05T01:16:00Z")
no no cristi! you are right about the Oz part but the rest is still a mystery to me. * * * Yours truly, aha ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2000, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/america-lyrics/14445/4 "2000-03-05T02:44:00Z")
It means God damn jack nothing: > [@](#): > > With nonsensical yet beautifully poetic lyrics like “and Cause never was the reason for the evening or the **tropic of Sir Gallahad** ,” and “Oz never did give nothing to the Tin Man that he didn’t,didn’t already have,” the song incorporated a soothing harmony and a memorable piano riff by Beckley… That was the result of my exhaustive search on the phrase. I was hoping it’d at least man _something_. * * * “I guess one person can make a difference, although most of the time they probably shouldn’t.” ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Watson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Dr.Watson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Watson)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2000, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/america-lyrics/14445/5 "2000-03-05T03:38:00Z")
The lyric: "Sometimes late When things are real And people share the gift of gab Between themselves Some are quick To take the bait And catch the perfect prize That waits among the shells But Oz never did give nothing to the Tin Man That he didn’t, didn’t already have And Cause never was the reason for the evening Or the Tropic of Sir Galahad So please Believe in me When I say I’m spinning round, round, round . . . " ad nauseum . . . – Dewey Bunnell, 1974 I’m thinkin’ it was written in anticipation of this message board . . . Dr. Watson "So please, believe in me . . . " ---
**Author:** ![Bluepony](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Bluepony](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bluepony)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2000, 3:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/america-lyrics/14445/6 "2000-03-05T03:45:00Z")
I thought this was a really profound song back in college. Then again, that was in 1978 and America was a big group among all us potheads. “Tropic of Sir Galahad” sounded real cool with a brainful of sinsemilla. I am really glad I quit smoking that shit a long time ago. 🙂 * * * _…send lawyers, guns, and money…_ ``` Warren Zevon ``` ---
**Author:** ![Persephone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ecc23a/32.png) [@Persephone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Persephone)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2000, 3:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/america-lyrics/14445/7 "2000-03-05T03:51:00Z")
I was going to say something about the “cause” line, but I’ve never been sure that that was what I was hearing. Nice to know I’m not a complete idiot. Well, not about the lyrics to this song, anyway. * * * This space blank, until Wally thinks up something cool to put here. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2000, 7:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/america-lyrics/14445/8 "2000-03-05T07:07:00Z")
I always thought it was “the topic of Sir Galahad”. I figured the song was about a group of people getting stoned one evening and talking about the symbolism of various fairy tales like Oz or King Arthur. “The Tropic of Sir Galahad” on the other hand makes no sense whatsoever. ---
**Author:** ![TaleraRis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7c8e57/32.png) [@TaleraRis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TaleraRis)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2000, 8:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/america-lyrics/14445/9 "2000-03-05T08:02:00Z")
Not to hijack the thread, aha, but it’s so weird you’d mention America lyirics. I just watched The Last Unicorn with Jophiel tonight, a movie I hadn’t watched in ages, and America does the songs for it. And then I come here and there’s an America thread. Quite a coincidence. 🙂 * * * I rode Omni in Springfield, IL ---
**Author:** ![Sam\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2000, 8:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/america-lyrics/14445/10 "2000-03-05T08:30:00Z")
Guys, this is the group that wrote, “In the desert you can’t remember your name, for there ain’t no one for to give you no pain.” ---
**Author:** ![Bluepony](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Bluepony](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bluepony)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2000, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/america-lyrics/14445/11 "2000-03-05T15:03:00Z")
How about that line from _Ventura Highway_? Hope I get this right (I’ve been drug-free for 23 years). _…seasons crying no despair, alligator lizards in the air…_ I think this is why I listen to a lot of country/western now. 😃 * * * _…send lawyers, guns, and money…_ ``` Warren Zevon ``` ---
**Author:** ![Persephone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ecc23a/32.png) [@Persephone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Persephone)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2000, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/america-lyrics/14445/12 "2000-03-05T15:11:00Z")
Bluepony, are they really saying “alligator lizards”? Really? I’m not the only one who hears this? * * * This space blank, until Wally thinks up something cool to put here. ---
**Author:** ![aha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/eada6e/32.png) [@aha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aha)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2000, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/america-lyrics/14445/13 "2000-03-05T15:37:00Z")
Wow and I thought “I am the Walrus” had some weird lyrics. * * * Yours truly, aha ---
**Author:** ![Bluepony](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Bluepony](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bluepony)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2000, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/america-lyrics/14445/14 "2000-03-05T15:52:00Z")
I hate to drag on this continuous 70s-era mind torture, but Dr. Watson _had_ to put down a few lines from _Tin Man_. First off, Aha, may you burn in Dante’s Ninth Level of Hell for bringing this topic up. Please feel free to browse his _Inferno_ for graphic word picture :). I especially love the part about eternally frozen in ice from you neck down with your tortured head forever exposed to icy gale-force winds. Anyhoo, after the words _"When I say I’m spinning round, round, round_, did it go _“…smoked glass stains bright colors…ooooo…Image going round, round, round…”_ Was there something mentioned about soapsuds? Or was that a figment of my imagination created from the 70 million brain cells I destroyed back then? Cristi, if you’re hearing the same thing I am, then I suggest we both get professional help. And throw out our entire '70s collection. 🙂 * * * _…send lawyers, guns, and money…_ ``` Warren Zevon ``` ---
**Author:** ![Persephone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ecc23a/32.png) [@Persephone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Persephone)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2000, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/america-lyrics/14445/15 "2000-03-05T16:10:00Z")
Whew. I don’t think I need professional help on this one. You’ve just validated me. I can begin the healing process now. And what do you mean, “throw out our seventies collection?” Hell no. I am **not** giving up my disco ball & lava lamp. No way. * * * This space blank, until Wally thinks up something cool to put here. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Watson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Dr.Watson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Watson)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2000, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/america-lyrics/14445/16 "2000-03-05T17:20:00Z")
It’s just this kind of gluttony that makes me love this place . . . The ‘ad nauseum’ part: " So please Believe in me When I say I’m spinning round, round, round, round Smoke glass stain’d bright color Image going down, down, down, down Soapsud green like bubbles Oz never did give . . . " (Repeat as necessary) Dr. Watson “Soapsud green, like, bubbles.” ---
**Author:** ![aha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/eada6e/32.png) [@aha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aha)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2000, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/america-lyrics/14445/17 "2000-03-05T17:32:00Z")
holy crap I think I am having a flash back… * * * Yours truly, aha ---
**Author:** ![Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/earl_snake-hips_tucker/32/3269_2.png) [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2000, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/america-lyrics/14445/18 "2000-03-07T15:09:00Z")
Trying to find “meaning” in music lyrics can be just as elusive as the quest for the Holy Grail, which is the same problem that Sir Galahad. ---
**Author:** ![aha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/eada6e/32.png) [@aha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aha)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2000, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/america-lyrics/14445/19 "2000-03-07T15:10:00Z")
heh heh nice pun MJ * * * Yours truly, aha ---
**Author:** ![The\_Peyote\_Coyote](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/5f8ce5/32.png) [@The\_Peyote\_Coyote](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Peyote_Coyote)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2000, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/america-lyrics/14445/20 "2000-03-07T20:46:00Z")
Cristi, Bluepony, sorry to play with your minds, but I always heard the phrase “alligator lizards in the air” on “Ventura Highway,” about the only song that America did that was worth a damn. Frankly, this pothead never did care much for America or (with the exception of Steely Dan) any other group that was big in the late 70s. I was listening to Hendrix, Earth, Wind & Fire, Van Morrison and jazz back then. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/america-lyrics/14445.md?page=2)