‘Sister Golden Hair’ is a song by the band America from their fifth album Hearts (1975), written by Gerry Beckley. It was their second single to reach number one on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, remaining in the top position for one week.
Beckley says "There was no actual Sister Gold Hair." The lyrics were largely inspired by the works of Jackson Browne. Beckley commented, "[Jackson Browne] has a knack, an ability to put words to music, that is much more like the L.A. approach to just genuine observation as opposed to simplifying it down to its bare essentials... I find Jackson can depress me a little bit, but only through his honesty; and it was that style of his which led to a song of mine, 'Sister Golden Hair', which is probably the more L.A. of my lyrics." Beckley adds that ‘Sister Golden Hair’ "was one of the first times I used 'ain't' in a song, but I wasn't making an effort to. I was just putting myself in that frame of mind and I got those kind of lyrics out of it."
When interviewed, Gerry Beckley remembered writing the song by starting with the first line: “Well I tried to make it Sunday, but I got so damn depressed”. He said, “"I'd like to point out that you can have a #1 record with a line that enters that darkly," he said. "That's kind of my thing: I try to mix these emotions and I think 'Sister' was a great example. Pretty good message in there. John Lennon famously said, 'We don't know what these songs are about till people tell us.' So all of our songs, including 'Horse,' are open to interpretation. But 'Sister' was a relationship song and there is a variety of elements. We always combine them as songwriters so that they're not verbatim, word for word, for a particular circumstance. Poetic license we call it."
Beckley played lap steel guitar on this track. He said that the musical influence came from George Harrison. "I very openly tip my hat there to 'My Sweet Lord,'" he said. "I was such a fan of all The Beatles but we knew George quite well and I just thought that was such a wonderful intro."
George Martin, who was The Beatles producer, produced this track and the rest of the Hearts album (he started working with America on their previous album, Holiday). It was Martin's 20th US #1 as a producer, and his first away from The Beatles (by this point, each former Beatle had reached #1 outside of the group).
Label – Warner Bros.
Songwriter – Gerry Beckley
Producer – George Martin
SONG LYRICS
[Verse 1]Well I tried to make it Sunday
But I got so damn depressed
That I set my sights on Monday
And I got myself undressed
I ain't ready for the altar
But I do agree there's times
When a woman sure can be a friend of mine
[Chorus]
Well, I keep on thinking about you
Sister Golden Hair surprise
And I just can't live without you
Can't you see it in my eyes?
I been one poor correspondent
And I've been too, too hard to find
But it doesn't mean
You ain't been on my mind
[Bridge]
Will you meet me in the middle
Will you meet me in the air?
Will you love me just a little
Just enough to show you care?
Well I tried to fake it
I don't mind sayin'
I just can't make it
[Chorus]
Well, I keep on thinking about you
Sister Golden Hair surprise
And I just can't live without you
Can't you see it in my eyes?
I been one poor correspondent
And I've been too, too hard to find
But it doesn't mean
You ain't been on my mind
[Outro / Bridge]
Will you meet me in the middle
Will you meet me in the air?
Will you love me just a little
Just enough to show you care?
Well I tried to fake it
I don't mind sayin'
I just can't make it