A Horse with No Name was written by Dewey Bunnell and is known for its distinctive sound and evocative lyrics that suggest a journey through the desert. It was inspired by Bunnells experience of living on military bases in the southwestern United States and his childhood memories from family trips. The song was an attempt to capture the feeling of desolation and beauty of the desert he had experienced.
Key: E
Introduction:
Em
Em
D
D
x2
Em
D
On the first part of the journey
Em
D
I was looking at all the life
Em
D
There were plants and birds and rocks and things
Em
D
There were sand and hills and rings
Em
D
The first thing I met was a fly with a buzz
Em
D
And the sky with no clouds
Em
D
The heat was hot and the ground was dry
Em
D
But the air was full of sound
Em7
D9M
I've been through the desert on a horse with no name
Em7
D9M
It felt good to be out of the rain
Em7
D9M
In the desert you can remember your name
Em7
D9M
'Cause there ain't no one for to give you no pain
Em7
D9M
La, la, la lala la la la, la, la
Em7
D9M
La, la, la lala la la la, la, la
Em
D
After two days in the desert sun
Em
D
My skin began to turn red
Em
D
After three days in the desert fun
Em
D
I was looking at a river bed
Em
D
And the story it told of a river that flowed
Em
D
Made me sad to think it was dead
Em7
D9M
You see I've been through the desert on a horse with no name
Em7
D9M
It felt good to be out of the rain
Em7
D9M
In the desert you can remember your name
Em7
D9M
'Cause there ain't no one for to give you no pain
Em7
D9M
La, la, la lala la la la, la, la
Em7
D9M
La, la, la lala la la la, la, la
Em
D
After nine days I let the horse run free
Em
D
'Cause the desert had turned to sea
Em
D
There were plants and birds and rocks and things
Em
D
There were sand and hills and rings
Em
D
The ocean is a desert with its life underground
Em
D
And a perfect disguise above
Em
D
Under the cities lies a heart made of ground
Em
D
But the humans will give no love
Em7
D9M
You see, I've been through the desert on a horse with no name