They are now going by the name "Traces of Blue."
American Boy
Afro Blue Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning | Line by Line Meaning
Take me to New York, I'd love to see LA
I really want to come kick it with you
You'll be my American boy
Can we get away this weekend
Take me to Broadway
Let's go shopping, maybe then we'll go to a cafe
Let's go on the subway
Take me to your hood
I've never been to Brooklyn and I'd like to see what's good
Dressed in all your fancy clothes
Sneakers looking fresh to death
I'm lovin' those shell toes
Walkin' that walk
Talkin' that slick talk
You'll be my American boy, boy, boy
American boy
Take me on a trip, I'd like to go some day (What's your persona, about that Americana Rama)
Take me to New York, I'd love to see LA (Am I shallow cause all my clothes designer)
I really want to come kick it with you
You'll be my American boy, American boy
The lyrics of Afro Blue's "American Boy" mirrors the thoughts of the speaker who is fascinated with the prospect of traveling to various cities in the United States. The opening lines paint a picture of a desire to visit New York and Los Angeles. The speaker seeks to be taken on a trip, not just to sightsee, but to kick it with the addressee who would be their American boy. The subsequent lines depict the speaker's interest in various aspects of American culture, such as going to Broadway, shopping, taking a train ride, visiting Brooklyn, and admiring the fashion culture - particularly the shell-toed sneakers.
The speaker is excited to learn more about the American way of life and to be shown around different parts of America by their companion. The chorus of the song extols the addressee's traits - dressed in fancy clothes, rocking fresh shell-toe sneakers, walking with poise, and talking with swagger. The speaker indicates that they are in love with these attributes of the American boy, and they would be proud to be associated with them. These lines suggest that the speaker is not from the United States, and they are using American boy as a metaphor for the lifestyle, culture, and experience they want to be part of. The song's lyrics can be interpreted as a celebration of the American way of life, fashion, and culture as seen through the eyes of an outsider with a desire to be included in it.
Line by Line Meaning
Take me on a trip, I'd like to go some day
I would like to travel with you at some point in the future
Take me to New York, I'd love to see LA
I would like to visit New York and Los Angeles with you
I really want to come kick it with you
I would like to spend time with you
You'll be my American boy
I am interested in becoming your partner
Can we get away this weekend
Do you have time to travel with me this weekend?
Take me to Broadway
I would like to see a Broadway show with you
Let's go shopping, maybe then we'll go to a cafe
After shopping, we can go to a cafe together
Let's go on the subway
I would like to try the subway with you
Take me to your hood
I would like to visit the area where you live
I've never been to Brooklyn and I'd like to see what's good
I have never been to Brooklyn, and I am interested in exploring the area
Dressed in all your fancy clothes
You are dressed in fashionable clothing
Sneakers looking fresh to death
Your sneakers look very new and trendy
I'm lovin' those shell toes
I really like your shell-toe shoes
Walkin' that walk
You are walking in a confident way
Talkin' that slick talk
You are speaking in a charming and smooth way
You'll be my American boy, boy, boy
I am attracted to you and want you to be my partner
American boy
I am interested in dating an American man
Writer(s): John Legend, Estelle Swaray, Caleb Speir, Joshua Matthew Lopez, Will Adams, Kanye West, Keith Harris, Kweli Ebon Washington
Contributed by Liam A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
clarradactyl
after all these years, i still think about this group and their performance of this song! they were amazing.
Mica Alcantara
Same!!!
Jeremy Thomie
Me toooooo 🙌🏾😭
guitargeekette
Still one of the best perfs in all of Sing Off history.
Fight me.
Tracey-Ann Wisdom
It's in my top 2. It was spectacular then and it's spectacular now. I have to revisit it every now and then.
Kelly Coleman Jr.
@Katie Wiseman I say it'll a bit more guaranteed season 1, but 2 and 4 I don't know. 2 would be a bit closer than 4 imo
Daniel Nambassi
Krafty Karrizzma same haha!
D. Dorris
Facts
Kate Livewire
TRUTH
B. Willow
The arrangement was out of this world! I hate that they didn’t get any sort of deal out of the show :,( this is legendary.