“Daisy Jane” by America

The vocalist is singing to one “Daisy Jane”, his estranged lover. Or more specifically their romance has apparently been troubled, and in response he decided to take some time off and travel. But in doing so he has also come to realize just how much he loves her and how “crazy” he was for leaving. So now he is “flying… back to Memphis” after an entire summer away, in hopes that she has also realized she truly loves him and will receive him accordingly.

You can view the lyrics, alternate interprations and sheet music for America's Daisy Jane at Lyrics.org.

Facts about “Daisy Jane”

This song was written by America member Gerry Beckley. He’s not exactly sure where he got the inspiration for the titular character from. In other words, she is fictional (or some would say a composite), and up until the writing of this track Beckley himself had never visited Memphis. However, he has postulated that he most likely received indirect inspiration via a 1971 Nick Drake track similarly entitled “Hazey Jane I”.

“Daisy Jane” itself was released during 1975 as part of America’s fifth album, “Hearts” (via Warner Bros Records). Single-wise the song served as the follow-up to one of America’s greatest hits, “Sister Golden Hair” (1975). And that factor is said to have contributed to the success of “Daisy Jane”, which reached number 20 on the Hot 100.

Meanwhile this song was produced by none other than ‘the Fifth Beatle’ himself, George Martin.

9 Responses

  1. Jane says:

    I love this song and I love America. Also, my name is Jane.

  2. Ken Burks says:

    I like my imaginary idea about the song better: I see it as a story about a homeless man or a veteran returning home (i imagine him to be “picking it up in pieces”” wondering the city” suffering depression or addiction) and walking though his neighborhood at dusk heading home better than he had been in a long time….we are lead to believe that Daisy Jane is his wife/girlfriend who is waiting on his return…but in the final few seconds we realize that “Daisy Jane” is his loyal dog…the only one who cared that he returned home..

    I think this would make a good short video for mental health ..

  3. Misha says:

    Brilliant-I love that idea!

  4. Anonymous says:

    I adopted a dog that was being rehomed. Her name was Daisy. I asked the owner if she had a middle name. Yes, it was June. Of course I asked if she was named after the song by America. She wasn’t familiar with the song but instead said she named her Jane after her favorite author, Jane Austin. This has always been one of my favorite songs so Daisy Jane us a perfect name for my dog

  5. Anonymous says:

    I believe the I know the full meaning of this song because I’ve lived it. The author of this song is in on-again off-again relationship. He has decided to come back on his own terms and he’s hoping his love interest will take him back yet again. He’s playing a game with her emotions and hoping that she will be predictable and continue to be codependent on him. in the song he says “I’m a crazy man and I’m playing a crazy game”
    so he’s on the way, and it’s clear he’s convinced himself that she loves him enough to take him back.
    Then he says “the clouds are clearing, and I think we’re over the storm..”
    And he knows in that moment that like all the other times, she is going to take him back and he is settled on the realization that he’s back in control.
    Partway through the song he states that he’s “picking up” and he tells her that he is sane and then he also states that she is to blame. “Well I’ve been picking it up around me. Daisy I think I’m sane.Well I’m awful glad and I think that you are to blame”
    So it’s a very toxic relationship is he is already not assuming any responsibility for his faults in the matter and he’s turning the blame around on her. A very classic case of a relationship where the toxicity is cyclical and the author of the song knows that he’s to blame but simply won’t take responsibility. He’s going to continue the cycle and is aware it’ll just continue again.

  6. David says:

    I think that is a good analysis, Anonymous, and so common for emotionally abusive men whom I counsel.

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