By the early 1970s, Pure Prairie League (PPL) became known for their 1972 hit “Amie” and “Let Me Love You Tonight,” released in 1980.
Named after the women’s Christian union featured in the 1939 western film, Dodge City, starring Errol Flynn, Pure Prairie League’s roots go back to the band’s hometown of Waverly, Ohio 1965 with fellow high school friends—singer Craig Fuller, steel guitarist John David Fall, guitarist and drummer Jim Caughlan, and drummer Tom McGrail. By 1970, PPL officially formed in Columbus with a slightly altered lineup.
[RELATED: 4 Songs You Didn’t Know Vince Gill Wrote For Other Artists]
Predominantly country rock, throughout the ’70s and 1980s, Pure Prairie League dipped into pop and soft rock territory à la America, Loggins and Messina, and The Marshall Tucker Band.
Fuller, who wrote and sang their hit “Amie”—later covered by everyone from Travis Tritt to Garth Brooks and Counting Crows—left the band in 1973 due to a military draft, and was later replaced by Vince Gill in 1979, who remained with PPL through 1981.
Following two albums in 1972, including their debut album, Pure Prairie League, and the follow-up Bustin’ Out, PPL released eight more studio albums between 1972 through Something in the Night in 1981 before eventually disbanding in 1988.
By the mid-’70s, Fuller released some solo material and joined the band Little Feat, where he remained until 1993. He later reformed Pure Prairie League in 1998, and the band released another album, All In Good Time, in 2005.
To honor the band’s contribution to the country rock genre, here’s a look at 10 of their greatest songs from the earlier years of PPL.
1. “Amie” (1972)
Written by Craig Fuller
Though it only reached No. 27 on the Billboard 100, “Amie” remains PPL’s most well-known song. Written and sung by Craig Fuller, “Amie” was first released on the band’s 1972 album, Bustin’ Out, and later became a hit when it was re-released as a single in 1975.
“Amie” was never really about anyone in particular, according to Fuller, in a 2016 interview. It was “just a song I wrote,” he said, “just an exercise in song craftsmanship.” He added, “All I was doing was stringing words and music together. … Amie is just a song so I get along with Amie really well.”
Amie what you want to do?
I think I could stay with you
For a while, maybe longer if I do
Don’t you think the time is right for us to find
All the things we thought weren’t proper could be right in time
And can you see
Which way we should turn together or alone
I can never see what’s right or what is wrong
2. “Angel #9” (1972)
Written by Craig Fuller
In “Angel #9,” the narrator will do anything. He’ll take any risk to be with a girl named Angel. Also off Bustin’ ‘Out, the track precedes another lovelorn song (about the same girl?), “Angel,” which appears towards the end of the album.
Turn around looks like it’s happened one more time
Somethin’s wrong I can’t find a reason or a rhyme
But if you find out don’t try to tell me cause I can’t feel anything at all
Sun lights you ya gotta shine on through so I can have it all
If you find lots of other reasons to keep me near
Don’t tell me I think I’ve had it all way up to here
3. “Falling In And Out Of Love” (1972)
Written by Craig Fuller
Off the band’s second album, Bustin’ Out, which also features string arrangements from the late David Bowie and guitarist Mick Ronson on tracks “Call Me, Tell Me” and “Boulder Skies,” this softer ballad goes into the on-and-off tribulations of love.
More than I could feel
And touching what is real
All my mind is reelin’ round
‘Cause Carolina’s feeling down today
Falling in and out of love with you
Falling in and out of love with you
Don’t know what I’m gonna do
I keep falling in and out of love
4. “Two Lane Highway” (1974)
Written by Larry Goshorn
The title track of Pure Prairie League’s third album, and their first release following the departure of Fuller, “Two Lane Highway” centers around life on the road and how fast things move, and was written by PPL guitarist Larry Goshorn. The album also features Emmylou Harris on backing vocals and Chet Atkins on guitar.
Maybe something new will come up
And I can come home
For just a few more days
Get off this
Two lane highway
Is goin’ my way
Movin fast
Two lane highway
Is takin’ me home
Home at last
You don’t want me sleeping in
You turn around I’m back again
I guess this time I’m really gone
But it don’t seem right
I’ve been up all night
On this
Two lane highway
5. “Kansas City Southern” (1974)
Written by Gene Clark
Throughout their career, PPL covered a number of classics, including Buddy Holly’s 1957 hit, “That’ll Be the Day,” and Allen Toussaint’s “Working in the Coal Mine.” On Two Lane Highway, the band left their country rock touch to Dillard & Clark’s “Kansas City Southern.” The track was originally released by the country rock duo, made up of Doug Dillard and Gene Clark, on their 1969 album Through the Morning, Through the Night.
When I was a young boy evening sun went down
Stand off by the railroad tracks and I’d listen for the sound
Of that Kansas City Southern
Man that’s a lonesome sound
Oh I’d sit and watch those trains go by
And wish that I was outward bound
6. “Fade Away” (1976)
Written by Larry Goshorn, Michael Reilly
Off the band’s fifth album, Dance, “Fade Away” is a moving ballad written by PPL guitarist Larry Goshorn and bassist Michael Reilly. Sticking to a recurring theme of love and loss, the lyrics follow the realization that those old feelings for someone have finally faded.
I just wanna say hello to you
But you’re not lookin’ my way
Like you trying to act cool
I think I lost my mind
Back there and then
Oh how I let my feelings go
7. “Let Me Love You Tonight” (1980)
Written by Dan Greer, Jeff Wilson, Steve Woodard
Though “Amie” is known as PPL’s more famous song, “Let Me Love You Tonight” actually charted higher. Off the band’s eighth album, Firin’ Up, which was written mostly by Vince Gill, “Let Me Love You Tonight,” became PPL’s biggest pop hit, peaking at No. 10 on the Billboard Hot 100, and remaining in the top 40 for 11 weeks. The song also hit the top of the Adult Contemporary chart. The jazzier track also features famed saxophonist David Sanborn.
Dark clouds are blowing in the wind
He’s crossing your mind again
You’ve got that sad, sad feeling, from a broken heart
Feeling so close to the end
Let me love you tonight
There’s a million stars in the sky
Let me love you tonight
I’ll make everything alright
8. “I’m Almost Ready” (1980)
Written by Vince Gill
Another track off Firin’ Up, Vince Gill penned this more uptempo country rocker. Reflecting flashes of ’70s disco and the new wave decade ahead, the band performed the song on an episode of Solid Gold (see below) in 1980, backed by the Solid Gold Dancers.
Please don’t make me out a clown
I don’t know who you think you’re foolin’
I hope you don’t think that it’s me
It’s plain to see that you don’t love me anymore
I’ll say goodbye and you’ll be free
I’m almost ready
To let you know just how bad I feel
I’m almost ready
9. “You’re Mine Tonight” (1981)
Written by Rafe Van Hoy
Released on the band’s ninth album together, Something in the Night, “You’re Mine Tonight” captures PPL’s softer rock flair. “You’re Mine Tonight” follows a more illicit affair of the hearts.
There is no need for explanation, both of us know what’s goin’ on
An unspoken late-night invitation
To keep ’til tomorrow when you’re back where you belong
But you’re mine. tonight, somebody else’s in the morning light
But you’re mine, tonight, and that’s all right
10. “Still Right Here In My Heart” (1981)
Written by Dan Greer, Jeff Wilson
Also off Something in the Night, “Still Right Here In My Heart” is a mid-tempo ballad of enduring love despite time or distance. Something in the Night was PPL’s final recorded album before their 2005 release, All In Good Time, which featured original vocalist Craig Fuller and a new lineup.
There’s a silver moon in the midnight sky
And lovers are heart to heart
But love is a shadow
Lost in your eyes
And time has taken us apart
But it’s so far away and so long ago
It’s still so strong I want you to know
Photo by Paul Natkin/Getty Images
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