About the song
A veritable classic of the early 1970s, this song evokes the spirit of carefree California cruising with its sunny melodies and breezy harmonies. Released in 1972 on their album Homecoming, Ventura Highway became a signature tune for the band, reaching number 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
Written by Dewey Bunnell, one of America’s three core members, the song’s origins lie in a real-life experience. Bunnell, along with his family, was stationed at Vandenberg Air Force Base near Lompoc, California. During a family road trip down the coast, they encountered a flat tire. While his father tended to the issue, Bunnell, gazing at the clouds, saw shapes that resembled alligators and lizards – a detail that found its way into the song’s memorable lyric, “alligator lizards in the air.”
Ventura Highway is more than just a catchy tune, however. It captures a specific time and place in American culture. The early 70s were a period of transition. The idealism of the 60s had begun to wane, replaced by a more introspective and laid-back mood. This shift is reflected in the song’s lyrics. Lines like “the days are longer, the nights are stronger than moonshine” paint a picture of a carefree existence, yet there’s a subtle undercurrent of melancholy. The journey down the highway becomes a metaphor for a journey through life, with its moments of joy and introspection.
Musically, Ventura Highway is a masterclass in soft rock. The song features the band’s signature three-part harmonies, with Gerry Beckley’s soaring lead vocals perfectly complemented by Bunnell and Dan Peek’s backing vocals. The acoustic guitars weave a tapestry of warm tones, underpinned by a gentle rhythm section.
The song’s enduring appeal lies in its ability to transport listeners to a simpler time. It’s a reminder of the freedom and possibility associated with a road trip, the feeling of endless days stretching before you, and the open road beckoning with adventure. Ventura Highway isn’t just a song; it’s a sonic postcard from a bygone era, a reminder of the simple pleasures of life and the beauty of a California dream.
Video
Lyrics
“Ventura Highway”
Walking down the road
Tell me, how long you gonna stay here, Joe?
Some people say this town don’t look good in snow
You don’t care, I know
Ventura Highway in the sunshine
Where the days are longer
The nights are stronger than moonshine
You’re gonna go I know
‘Cause the free wind is blowin’ through your hair
And the days surround your daylight there
Seasons crying no despair
Alligator lizards in the air, in the air
Did di di di dit …
Wishin’ on a falling star
Waitin’ for the early train
Sorry boy, but I’ve been hit by purple rain
Aw, come on, Joe, you can always
Change your name
Thanks a lot, son, just the same
Ventura Highway in the sunshine
Where the days are longer
The nights are stronger than moonshine
You’re gonna go I know
‘Cause the free wind is blowin’ through your hair
And the days surround your daylight there
Seasons crying no despair
Alligator lizards in the air, in the air
Did di di di dit …