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Learn to Play the Greatest Guitar Songs by America
America’s music blends folk, soft rock, and California-inspired vibes — and their songs translate beautifully to acoustic guitar. On this page, you'll find step-by-step guitar lessons for eight of their greatest hits, including Ventura Highway, Tin Man, Sister Golden Hair, and more.
Each lesson includes rhythm tips, chord breakdowns, and when available, full demo videos. Whether you're strumming for the first time or returning to a favorite tune, these songs are approachable and rewarding to learn.
🎸 Overview Video - “Watch This Preview of My Greatest America Band Guitar Songs”
America Guitar Lesson Titles
Daisy JaneHorse With No Name
I Need You
Lonely People
Sister Golden Hair
Tin Man
Ventura Highway
You Can Do Magic
1. Daisy Jane - Learn To Play On Guitar
Daisy Jane was written by Gerry Beckley for the band and included it on their 1975 "Hearts" album. This is the same as the first single came from which was "Sister Golden Hair". Daisy Jane being the 2nd single peaked at #20 and was their last top 20 as a trio.
Producer George Martin, who worked with The Beatles, played piano on this track. Janet Jackson released a song in 1986 called "Lets Wait Awhile". After being contacted by Gerry Beckley, she decided to do an out of court settlement for possible plagiarism.
Chords And Strumming
Played in standard tuning with just a few picking riffs and using a down down up down up down up and repeat rhythm pattern. Fir chords use Cmaj7, Gmaj7, F, A#, C, Am, Dm, Am7 and a Gsus
Guitar Lesson Details - (chords & lyrics sheet incl with lesson)
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2. Horse With No Name - Learn To Play On Guitar
Horse With No Name was released by Dewey Bunnell and America in the latter part of 1971 (UK) and early 1972 in the USA. The song went to the top almost immediately on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and peaked in the top 10 in the UK at #3 and Ireland at #4.
American never had another top in in the UK, just this song. There was some controversy over the song making references to drugs and that it sounded very much like Neil Young.
This song hail from the 1971 debut album "America".
Chords And Strumming
The chords here are pretty simple, just Em and A6/9 with a bit odf picking in standard tuning. F or rhythm I use a down up stop up down up stop up and repeat with a few shuffles added in during the song.
Guitar Lesson Details - (chords & lyrics sheet incl with lesson)
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3. I Need You - Learn To Play On Guitar
I Need You was from the 1972 debut album called America and was their 2nd single released from the album. The song peaked at #9 in the US and #5 in Canada.
Chords And Strumming
You can play this song with a down down up down up down up and repeat rhythm pattern in standard tuning with no lead work required. The chords for this one are A, Amaj7, D, G, C, E, Bm, Em, F, D7, Cmaj7 and an Am.
Guitar Lesson Details - (chords & lyrics sheet incl with lesson)
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4. Lonely People - Learn To Play On Guitar
Lonely People was recorded by with America in 1974 where the song peaked at #5 and then he re-wrote song of the lyrics and released it again as a Christian song in 1986 where it reached #1. Dan and his wife both wrote the song.
He thought that Eleanor Rigby by The Beatles was a real downer type song for humanity, and decided to write a song that up-lifted humanity instead, and this was that song.
Chords And Strumming
For rhythm here I play a root down root up down up or root up root up down up and repeat pattern with no lead work in standard tuning. The chords you'll need are G, Bm, D, C, D/Gb, Em, B, Am, Gb and an F.
Guitar Lesson Details - (chords & lyrics sheet incl with lesson)
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5. Sister Golden Hair - Learn To Play On Guitar
Sister Golden Hair came from the 1975 "Hearts" album and was a #1 hit for the band. Gerry Beckley wrote this one while they were touring with Jackson Browne.
He made a few suggestions to the lyrics, which Beckley agreed with him and made changes before they recorded the song.
One of those great songs by the band America.
Chords And Strumming
The chords here are Dbm, A, E, B and Gbm with no lead in standard tuning. For rhythm play a down up stop up down up stop up pattern.
Guitar Lesson Details - (chords & lyrics sheet incl with lesson)
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6. Tin Man - Learn To Play On Guitar
Tin Man almost never got recorded if Gerry Beckley, who wrote the song, had gotten his way. But Dewey Brunnell and Dan Peek dis-agreed and the song eventually was released as a single from the 1974 "Holiday" album.
It reached #4 on the US charts but failed to chart in the UK. George Martin, producer, also played piano on this track.
Chords And Strumming
The rhythm here is just a steady shuffle as you'll see in my demo below in standard tuning with no picking section. The chord here are Dsus, D, Bm, Em/G, Bm, Em and D7.
Guitar Lesson Details - (chords & lyrics sheet incl with lesson)
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7. Ventura Highway - Learn To Play On Guitar
Ventura Highway is a very well known song from America but the song never hit the top or the charts in 1972 but did reach #8. Jesse Ventura had liked this song apparently and his wife was a horse lover, so at his inauguration as Governor, he invited the band to come and play those two songs, which they accepted.
This song is from their 1972 album "Homecoming".
Chords And Strumming
I use a drop D tuning on this one and there is some lead work required. The chords are Dmaj7, G, Gbm and Em.
For the rhythm you'll need is a down down up down up down along with a down up down up down up and repeat with a fast shuffle as well as some down strokes throughout in various places.
Guitar Lesson Details - (chords & lyrics sheet incl with lesson)
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8. You Can Do Magic - Learn To Play On Guitar
You Can Do Magic came about when Gerry Beckley and Dewey Brunnell went on with their band America after the death of Dan Peek. They had not seen a top 40 since 1976, so when they released this song, in 1982, and it put the band back in the spotlight as a duo when it peaked at #8 on the charts.
This song also helped promote their album "View From The Ground".
Chords And Strumming
Played in standard tuning and no lead work, play a down up stop up down up stop up and repeat rhythm pattern. The chords required are Em, Bm, Cmaj7, D and Dsus.
Guitar Lesson Details - (chords & lyrics sheet incl with lesson)
Back To Song List
Common Questions About The Band America.
1. What was the band America's biggest hit?
Horse With No Name was a #1 in both the US and Canada in 1972, while the next closest hit was Sister Golden Hair which made it to #1 in the US and Zimbabwe in 1975.
2. How many #1 hits did America have?
If you're counting #1 hits on all US charts, they had four which were A Horse With No Name, Sister Golden Hair, Tin Man and Today's The Day.
If you're talking top 10 hits then additionally you'd have to add I Need You, Ventura Highway, Lonely People, Daisly Jane, You Can Do Magic and The Border.
3. Does America have a greatest hits album?
Yes in 1975 they released 12 tracks for their America Greatest Hits album. There was also a Premium Gold Collection released in 1996, The Complete Greatest Hits in 2001, in 2015 they released Playlist: The Very Best of America and The 50th Anniversary: Golden Hits in 2019.
4. Is the American Band still together?
The two rockers Gerry Beckley and Dewey Brunnell are still rockin in their 70s in 2024 and touring. See their website for tour dates near you below.
From mellow acoustic vibes to harmony-driven melodies, America’s timeless sound is a perfect match for guitar players of all levels. These eight lessons let you dive into the heart of their music, learning both rhythm and chord structure in a way that feels natural and fun.
Be sure to explore other classic folk-rock artists we cover — and if you enjoyed these America lessons, share the page with a fellow guitar enthusiast!
If you liked this greatest America band guitar songs page you might also like ... (click images)
America Band Documentary
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