B-side "Memories" Genre Country rock
soft rock | Format 7" single Length 4:23 | |
Released February 1973 (1973-02) Recorded June–August 1972
Studio A, RCA Toronto | ||
"Amie" is a song recorded by the American soft rock group Pure Prairie League. It was released in 1973 as their debut single, but did not chart on the Billboard Hot 100 until 1975.
Contents
History
The song was written by Craig Fuller and was originally recorded by the band on their 1972 album Bustin' Out, but it was not released as a single until 1973, when it gained popularity on college radio stations. Its airplay led RCA Records to re-sign Pure Prairie League after having previously dropped them.
Critical reception
In his book Music: What Happened?, musician and music critic Scott Miller described the song as "quintessentially 1972" and "lovely". Mike DeGagne of Allmusic called it "a charming little country-pop tune" and "their most memorable", praising its melody and Craig Fuller's lead vocals. Rock historian John Einarson, citing the song's "lilting harmonies and subtle acoustic playing", called it "a classic of the country rock genre".
Cover versions
Lonestar covered the song on their 1997 album Crazy Nights, and included it as the B-side to the album's single "Say When".
Travis Tritt covered the song on Randy Scruggs' 1998 album, "Crown of Jewels".
Wesley Willis covered the song to critical acclaim on his 1999 album Greatest Hits Vol. 2.
Singer Brent Anderson included a portion of "Amie" in his 2011 single "Amy's Song", which featured backing vocals from Craig Fuller and Vince Gill.
Counting Crows covered the song on their 2011 album of covers, Underwater Sunshine.
Garth Brooks covered the song on the "Melting Pot" disc of his four CD boxed set Blame It All on My Roots: Five Decades of Influences released in 2013.