The song "America" by Heart tells the story of a person reflecting on the experiences and beliefs handed down to them by their father regarding the history of the United States. The opening lines suggest that the narrator's father shared tales about the "old glory days" but the narrator has come to form their own opinions and views different from their father's. The lyrics mention following Martin Luther King Jr. to Atlanta, where the slaves were freed, and how this action brought the women out from their refined and gentrified positions. This could be a reference to the civil rights movement and the progress made in terms of equality for all individuals. The chorus of the song questions the current state of America and suggests that it has broken free from its past but also questions whether it has lost its way or lost its mind. The plea not to be left behind indicates a sense of confusion or a desire for guidance. The song also touches on a personal moment when the narrator was at their father's bedside as he passed away. With sadness, the father whispers that the South won't rise again, referring to the failed attempt by the Confederate states to secede from the United States during the Civil War. The lyrics further mention how people have migrated to places like Chicago, leaving the narrator behind with a sense of loss and longing for the past. Overall, "America" by Heart explores themes of personal growth, questioning beliefs, and the complexities of American history and identity. It suggests a search for understanding and meaning in a changing world.
