Magical musical tour: #12 "You Can Do Magic" America (1982)

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“You can do magic You can have anything you desire Magic, and you know You’re the one who can put out the fire” In 1970, the British-American trio of Dan Peek, Dewey Bunnell and Gerry Beckley formed America in London. Hard to believe now but their soft folk rock sound was popular in the era of hard and progressive rock and burgeoning punk rock scene. America scored major hits with “Ventura Highway,” “Tin Man” and “Sister Golden Hair.” Their best and biggest hit “A Horse With No Name” is unlike anything else they did and quite good. From the album “A View from the Ground,” “You Can Do Magic” was specially written for America by Russ Ballard who also wrote Rainbow’s “Since You Been Gone” and Three Dog Night’s “Liar.” The love song was something of a comeback for the group peaking at Billboard #8. However, changing musical tastes caught up with America and the song was their last hurrah. America is still active on the nostalgia circuit.