"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.[5]
Beckley says "There was no actual Sister Gold Hair."[6] 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."[7] 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."[7]
Record World said it is "the story of a guy who's found love at last but doesn't necessarily want to marry her."[8]
Gerry Beckley said he played the 12-string guitar, and overdubbed the prominent slide guitar. "I had a lovely lap steel that David Lindley had picked out."[6]
The music video for the song features the band performing the song on The Midnight Special, a popular musical television show. However this is not an official video, just the studio track overdubbed over the live performance.[citation needed]
^Billboard Staff (October 19, 2023). "The 500 Best Pop Songs: Staff List". Billboard. Retrieved February 11, 2024. The achingly gorgeous and stunningly poignant soft-rock staple from the misleadingly named U.K.-formed '70s trio.
^Breihan, Tom (July 18, 2019). "The Number Ones: America's "Sister Golden Hair"". Stereogum. Retrieved June 23, 2023. That worked out nicely for America, since that gooey country-rock sound was absolutely blowing up in 1975. Once again, America found a wave to ride.
^Molanphy, Chris (July 31, 2021). "What a Fool Believes Edition". Hit Parade | Music History and Music Trivia (Podcast). Slate. Retrieved February 22, 2024.
