Song: Amie [not spelled Amy] (1972)
Artist: Pure Prairie League (1972)
Album: Bustin’ Out (RCA)
Amy, what you wanna do, I think I could stay with you are the main lyrics to the 1972 song, Amie, which is one of those timeless songs that appeal to both rock and country fans. Most of us recognize the chorus Amy, what you wanna do but most probably don’t know the band who recorded it, Pure Prairie League. The Amy song is a standard cover for local country bands and laid-back rock bands alike, it is as timeless as any Eagles song, and, in fact, being that Pure Prairie League was often called a country-rock band, just as the Eagles, it is an apt comparison.
The lyric and melody, not to mention the acoustic guitar, is irresistible. The chorus is the most recognizable part of the song, together with the phrase “Fallin’ in and out of love with you,” sung at the end. Fallin’ In And Out Of Love is actually a separate, and quite beautiful song that comes before Amie on the album, and is then referenced again as the end of Amie.
Chorus to Amie by Pure Prairie League
Amy what you wanna do? (often misheard as Amy what you gonna do?)
I think I could stay with you
For a while, maybe longer if I do
Pure Prairie League was formed in 1971 by vocalists and guitarists Craig Lee Fuller and George Powell, along with John Call on steel guitar, Jim Lanham on bass, and Jim Caughlin on drums. Their first album, Bustin’ Out, released in 1972, was full of laid-back country and soft rock acoustic-oriented songs with great harmonies of just the kind you expect from The Eagles. Only, in some ways, much better.
Most of the members left the group early one, leaving Craig Lee Fuller and George Powell to carry on with session musicians, although Mick Ronson, guitarist for David Bowie, lent a hand. Despite the upsets, the first album was a huge success.
Fuller, who was the main songwriter of the band, left in 1975, spelling the beginning of the end of the group. Fuller later joined Little Feat. George Powell made several other albums with guitarist Larry Goshorn, bass player Mike Reilly, and pianist Michael Conner, but they were none as successful as Bustin’ Out. In 1980, Pure Prairie League did have a top ten hit with Let Me Love You Tonight. Vince Gill, today a country superstar, sung lead vocals. The band ended for good in 1983.
More 1970s Music
- I’m travelin’ down the road and I’m flirtin’ With Disaster
- Jet Airliner: Who Did It First Before Steve Miller Band?
- The Stampeders – Sweet City Woman
- No Sugar Tonight In My Coffee
- Who Sings Everybody was Kung Fu Fighting?
More Country Music
- Me and Bobby McGee: Who Did It First Before Janis Joplin?
- The Stampeders – Sweet City Woman
- I Wanna Kiss You All Over
- Always On My Mind: Who Did It First Before Willie Nelson?
- Please Come To Boston: Who Did If First?