There has been an interlude since my duet with Trevor in the late spring. That shouldn’t be mistaken for a lack of playing. The new songs I’ve been learning have been more complicated by new techniques and longer lengths. One of these is finally ready for presentation!
In 1970 a trio of U.S. Air Force brats, based in London, formed a band they named, America. (Clever!) The group had a number of hits, including 1975’s Sister Golden Hair, which was a number one song on the Billboard Hot 100.
It’s a fairly bleak relationship song with mangled English. That said, it’s uptempo, has a happy feel to it, and is radio friendly. Go figure. A look at the lyrics:
Well I tried to make it Sunday, but I got so damn depressed
That I set my sights on Monday and I got myself undressed
I ain’t ready for the altar but I do agree there’s times
When a woman sure can be a friend of mine
Well, I keep on thinkin’ ’bout you, Sister Golden Hair surprise
And I just can’t live without you; can’t you see it in my eyes?
I been one poor correspondent, and I been too, too hard to find
But it doesn’t mean you ain’t been on my mind
Will you meet me in the middle; will you meet me in the air?
Will you love me just a little, just enough to show you care?
Well I tried to fake it, I don’t mind sayin’, I just can’t make it
Well, I keep on thinkin’ ’bout you, Sister Golden Hair surprise
And I just can’t live without you; can’t you see it in my eyes?
Now I been one poor correspondent, and I been too, too hard to find
But it doesn’t mean you ain’t been on my mind
Will you meet me in the middle; will you meet me in the air?
Will you love me just a little, just enough to show you care?
Well I tried to fake it, I don’t mind sayin’, I just can’t make it
This song was a favorite of mine to play during my radio jock days. It was fun to learn and translates well from guitar to ukulele:
Yes, the percussion was in there by design! Lisa gave me finger cymbals last year at Christmas. I attached them to my big toe to give the song a little kick where needed.
I’ll see if I can get another video up sooner than this one. My next piece is a classic Hawaiian song from Queen Lili’uokalani.