Tin Man - America (1974) 10/9/22

"Oz never did give nothing to the Tin Man that he didn't already have."

Bad Grammar or poetic license? Well, considering the group America was known for some pretty weird lyrics ("A Horse with No Name," Anyone?) most critics seem to agree that it's both.

Obviously, it's a double negative. In effect, the sentence says that Oz DID give something to the Tin Man...which, of course, is incorrect since the Tin Man had a heart all along.

But on the "musical other hand," the words fit the rhythm of the song, which falls into the "poetic license category."

Dewey Bunnell, who wrote "Tin Man" has always been quick to point out that the song is about more than "The Wizard of Oz." It's also a surrealist look at the difference between empty sex and real love.

Okay, but to most people, it's just a "Great Song of 1974. Now, if he'd just explain the line about the "Tropic of Sir Galahad..."

Anyway, America had some stellar help with putting it all together. Legendary Beatles producer George Martin added his magic touch in the studio, and even played piano on the track.

"Tin Man" went to #1 on Billboard's Adult Contemporary Chart, and reached #4 on the Hot 100. In Canada, the matching numbers were 5 and 7.

All in all, I guess you could say that "America never did give a "Great Song" to 1974 that it didn't already have." I think.