When I saw this week’s Song Lyric Sunday’s prompt, my first thought was a place in my home State of Michigan, and I can think of a few songs that mention it: “America,” by Simon & Garfunkel, “Brass in Pocket,” by The Pretenders, “Dancin’ in the Street,” by Martha and the Vandellas,” “Eight Mile,” by Eminem, “Panic in Detroit,” by David Bowie, “Sweet Payne,” by The Hold Steady, and many others.
Then I thought, does it have to be an actual place, or can it be a state of mind, body, and/or soul? That’s when Amazona presented its mesmerizing self to me.
Let’s take a look at the some of the lyrics.
“Amazona is a zone”
starts this off just right, describing it as a state of being.
“There is no doubt / No more fall-out”
suggests a place where worries can be left behind.
“Why don’t you step through the mirror and see?”
Have you ever wondered what’s behind the mirror?
“From Arizona to Eldorado / Sure is a mighty long way”
from a desert to a lush place of golden fantasy
“Hey little girl is something wrong / I know it’s hard for you to get along / The bell-tower rings / It tolls a hollow sound”
where the one who will promise to make dreams come true shows they are paying attention to your needs
“But your castles in Spain / Still maybe realized”
And here is when that irresistible hint hooks into your most urgent appetites
The lyrics bring it home from here, however you want to define bringing it home.
Everything about the song is erotic; perfectly played drums, hypnotic throbbing bass, masterful guitar throughout; (The scalding instrumental almost at the end is some of the best rock and roll guitar playing I’ve ever heard.) Bryan’s purring, beckoning voice. Pull it — and yourself — apart and put it/yourself back together into one of Roxy Music’s best songs.
Stranded is Roxy Music’s third studio album, released on November 23, 1973. It was their first album to peak at #1 in the UK. It was their first album without Brian Eno. It was also the first album where Bryan Ferry started co-writing with band members Phil Manzanera and Andy Mackay. Amazona is the 3rd cut on the album.
The best website I have found for all things Roxy Music, Bryan Ferry, et al is VivaRoxyMusic. If you are a fan of the band or the individual musicians who were in it, this is the site to check out.
There are also delicious trivia bits about the album and song at songfacts.com
About the cover:
Playboy model Marilyn Cole struck a pose inspired by the warriors on the front cover of Stranded. She recalled to The Sunday Times on November 11, 2007:
They stuck me on this big log and explained I was supposed to be stranded in a jungle, and then they started spraying me; they sprayed my hair gold, and there was a whole mist coming over me and the dress was getting wet in all the right places.
About the song:
“Amazona’s co-writer, guitarist Phil Manzanera, recalled about it:
This was on the Stranded album. Brian Eno had just left the band and the opportunity arose for me to contribute some music for the first time. It turned out to be my first recorded track on an album and I was very proud of it. When I finished recording the guitar part, everyone cheered in the control room.
Sample and Soundtrack Inclusion:
Gangsta rapper Ice-T sampled this track’s opening guitar on “That’s How I’m Livin’ (On the Rox Remix).” The remix appears on The Last Temptation of Ice, the bonus disc from his 1993 album Home Invasion.
Cemetery Junction (2010) a coming-of-age comedy-drama film written and directed by The Office’s Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant. Gervais explained his decision to include the song:
Stranded was the first album I actually went into town to buy with my own money. I felt like the coolest guy in the world. ‘Amazona’ is the third track on the album and is used in the movie to enhance the swagger and camaraderie of the three lads.
On the Song, Amazona, the Musicians
Andy Mackay Oboe and Saxophone (& Treatments)
Bryan Ferry Voice And Piano
Eddie Jobson Violin Synthesizer and Keyboards
John Gustafson Bass
Paul Thompson Drums And Timpani
Phil Manzanera Guitar (& Treatments)
Amazona is also on the following Roxy Music and Solo Albums
The Thrill Of It All
The Music 1972-2008
Amazona
Amazona is a zone where
There is no doubt
No more fall-out
Why don't you step through the mirror and see?
From Arizona to Eldorado
Sure is a mighty long way
Hey little girl is something wrong
I know it's hard for you to get along
The bell-tower rings
It tolls a hollow sound
But your castles in Spain
Still maybe realized
And longings more profound
You see, every cloud it has a silver lining
And sometimes paradise around your corner lies
In Amazona everything is nice
Little one, come take my hand
I'll try to help you there
I'll take you there
[mind-blowing instrumental]
Amazona
Getting closer
Oh… Soon you'll see
Journey's over
We're almost there
Words & Music by Bryan Ferry & Phil Manzanera
Jim Adams is the host of Song Lyric Sunday. Jim’s prompt this week is a song that mentions a State, a Country, or a place suggested by Di of pensitivity101
Tao Talk 
Great choice Lisa what’s not to love about Roxy Music 🙌
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Exactly, Ange, thanks :)
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The narrative intro you gave this song was so sumptuous! I had never heard this song- but you had me so hungry for it by the time I pressed play! Brilliant writing- and I liked the song too!
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V, thank you very much. Listening to this song “puts me in the zone.” Glad to have introduced you to it.
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Good choice! I’ve always thought that the backing for this owed a bit to Not Fade Away, but who cares!
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Thanks, Clive :)
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I agree with Jodie about introduction of this post. I enjoyed it too. I just love Roxy Music and this song! 💜💜
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Awesome, Willow! Happy you are also a fan of their music <3
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I seem to love so much music 🎶🎶🎶
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I hear you! <3 <3 <3 Where would we be without it.
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Up the perverbial creek without a paddle 🤣🤣🤣
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lol!
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I like the experimental sound that Roxy Music was able to capture on this song. Great choice, Lisa.
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Thanks, Jim. I was going to include the info on how Mananera got that sound to be but decided against it. You can find more about it at the link I included.
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I have always felt they under-appreciated, love their work ❤️
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Ditto, Paul.
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This is a new one for me, but I like how it sounds. It was interesting to read what you found out about it :)
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Barbara, it is a hella good tune and glad you liked it and what I found out about it.
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The first five Roxy Music albums certainly caught my eye. The covers as well as the songs!
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Glyn, the music and the covers are works of art. I learned that Ferry is an artist and I think he may have taken the photos on the covers (not 100% sure.) I know one of the women on a cover is Jerry Hall, Mick Jagger’s old girlfriend.
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Jerry Hall was on the cover of ‘For Your Pleasure’ (their second album).
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Ah! I got a real shock yesterday to read she ended up marrying Rupert Murdoch (now divorced from him.) Getting nauseous thinking of those 2 together.
Have you ever seen the movie, “Fierce Creatures”? There is a character based on Murdoch in it. Hilarious movie.
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Surely she wasn’t in it for the money? I’ve not yet seen the movie
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I like Roxy Music, especially the singer’s voice. I did not get into all their repertoire, so I never heard this song. But I really like it. Thank you! I will have to search for the album. I like how you broke down the lyrics in your write-up!
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Marina, it is worth it to hear the album. Thanks so much :)
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New song for me. Thanks for the introduction. Definitely going into the rotation.
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Great, J :)
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One thing I always liked about them is they always had a fantastic bass sound…especially in their earlier music. They also have done some Beatle covers really well. I never heard of this before…it’s good!
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I know Bryan covered Jealous Guy and did a great job. Yes, the bass rules this song and that beat shivers me timbers. You haven’t heard this song before?
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No I haven’t. They are one band that I haven’t explored as much.
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Fabulous take on this, Lisa. One of our favorite Roxy Music albums; I just adore Bryan Ferry. After reading this very engaging write up, it was great to hear “Amazona” tonight.
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Nancy, I never get tired of Roxy Music music.
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