Take me on a trip, I'd like to go some day
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

Writer(s): John Legend, Estelle Swaray, Caleb Speir, Joshua Matthew Lopez, Will Adams, Kanye West, Keith Harris, Kweli Ebon Washington

Contributed by Peyton A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

To comment on specific lyrics, highlight them

Comments from YouTube:

guitargeekette

6y↑229

Still one of the best perfs in all of Sing Off history.

Fight me.

Daniel Nambassi

Krafty Karrizzma same haha!

Demmond Dorris

Facts

Kate Livewire

TRUTH

Katie Wiseman

4y↑5

They totally got ripped off. If they woulda went on ANY other season they woulda won

Katie Wiseman

4y↑1

Agree 10000000%!!!!!!!!

4 More Replies...

Brutha Willow

4y↑30

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.

EL Rod

8y↑47

that was the greatest performance in all 4 seasons of this show!!!!! world class!!!!!

Denis Johnson

Certainly an EPIC one!

I believe I still give the edge to Committed’s 1st performance of “This Love”. This was an exceptionally-close 2nd & then Street Corner Symphony & Backbeats May be battling for the 3rd spot.

Amazing either way!

Javan uHnah

8y↑57

Lead vocalist had such a silky smooth pitch perfect voice like it was a record.

Katie Allington

5y↑37

This group was so much better than Urban Method. Afro Blue has a different style and sound fantastic. Urban Method had a rapper and a singer who was very pitchy. Afro Blue could have easily made it farther. They were in my opinion, better than Darmouth Aires.

Dirge Wordsmithe

5y↑2

Kathryn Allington THAAAAAAANK YOU!!!! They had me thinkin MY ears were off!!

Selena M

5y↑4

Dartmouth Aires had amazing energy, but the harmonies of Afro Blue were/are flawless. I remember watching this season and just not getting the Dartmouth Aires' hype lol

Reginald Thomas

8y↑28

This was the best overall performance by any group to grace the sing-off stage.

Brianna T.

7y↑80

Dude with the bass is Sick.

Akeem Jackman

That’s my boy Reginald!!! He’s a beast!

Chantal Alexander

Heck yeah!

blognewb

8y↑110

I personally believe they got robbed that season. They're by far much smoother, better, more professionally sounding, cleaner than Pentatonix

Deku ravity

15w

Oh ok I can see that yeah she improves a lot

Nassubian

15w

@Deku ravity Are you talking about Pentatonix or Afro Blue? Because yes, Kirsty from Pentatonix was the weakest singer in the beginning and she has improved a LOT!

Deku ravity

15w

@Nassubian Christie the weakest?! Did you watch Change is gonna come, Killing me Softly, Need you now, and We belong together

Denis Johnson

23w

You all keep talking about how “mainstream” PTX is & how their style sold better, etc. - that’s AFTER the show w/a record deal & mainstream executives who do nothing but promote their artists 24-7. At THIS point, they were NOT better than Afro-Blue. They didn’t sound, groove, blend or showcase technique better than Afro-Blue. I think they were more original with their style & it was enjoyable to watch & listen to, but you PTX fans really need to be honest with yourselves.

Afro-Blue, Committed, Street Corner Symphony, Groove For Thought, Home Free were all top-to-bottom better groups w/better showings than PTX.

Nassubian

31w↑1

@Cam Abkamuvoba Have you listened to them recently. I always said Kristy (or Kirsty?) was the weakest singer. But she has improved a lot in the last few years

8 More Replies...

Anthony E

7y↑47

Damn, the bass runs made this song. So nice.

blkwebman

7y↑18

Absolutely LOVED this arrangement! I agree with the previous poster that they were robbed!

Mike C

7y↑19

bass is so sick in this! the band is straight awesome!

Vee Jackson

4y↑18

STILL MY FAVORITE PERFORMANCE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!#2017 #BRINGITBACK

cheercas

7y↑12

I love the bass in this arrangement!

clarradactyl

1y↑5

after all these years, i still think about this group and their performance of this song! they were amazing.

QuizYa

10y↑5

i love love love that beginning! and danielle had such great stage presence. LOVE LOVE LOVE!

tiffany marrero

8y↑9

Stunning. Mind=blown. Just....wow. Perfection. I wish there was a full length version of this song. Much better than the original, especially since my ears aren't being violated by Kanye west. So fly and fantastic.

Chantal Alexander

wholeheartedly agreed!

Ms. Ria

2y↑6

Im a huge pentatonix fan and I love them so much, but this was my favourite performance from the whole season. Danielle's voice is just bsisnsjsjs so fucking beautiful

Yes_I_Am_Ms. Jackson

3y↑5

I will always love watching this show and their performance, Afro Blue,the best performance of any season.....You'll be my American Boy........American boyyyyyyy!!!

FunctionForm

7y↑27

I still come back and listen to this song!

pogiro

3y↑6

My goodness. Still gives me chills.

runcamyt

8y↑9

Traces of Blue is just flat out spectacular!

Dre Day

2y↑4

this is still the best performance on this show

jcanwisegrrl

10y↑1

This song just randomly pops into my head whenever I'm in a good mood. It's my happy song. Just the most amazing arrangement of the season, in my humble opinion.

cpthornman

9y↑2

That scat singing at the beginning was fucking flawless. So effortless and clean. This is one of my favorite performances of season 3.

Vanie F.

10y↑1

Whenever Shawn gets excited it makes me smile, he's so adorable!

peace&love

10y↑1

That Bass was sooo good! I've never heard a bass do riffs and runs like that! That scat was ridiculous. This performance was Ace!!!!!

Sara P.

8y↑3

first of all amazing song choice, second; shivers, and third; I'm in tears smiling oh my god perfection

honeyluv32690

44w↑1

Still have this incredible performance on repeat. Absolutely amazing!

jcanwisegrrl

10y↑1

Just REALLY listening to the bass and percussion in this and IT. IS. FIRE!!!!! Oh my gosh, Reggie is BEAST!!!!

Samantha

10y↑4

this is the perfect performance.

OneVoice412

10y↑1

This was so amazing it almost made me cry. Howard University has some TALENT.

Qui Ana

3y↑2

Still amazing! After all these years, still gives me chills.

Christian T

2y↑2

Here in 2020 still thinking how they didn't win this season. smh. still a stan to this day

Ginta Marinta

10y↑4

That SCAT gives me chills. I LURVE this!!!!!!

shylashes

10y↑1

Perfect in every way. I especially like the styling of this performance - everyone looks great.

jcanwisegrrl

10y

This is my fave performance of the season, honestly. It's just PERFECTION!

Leona McNaughton

10y

i can't get enough of this performance! i get so hype every time!

Summer D

1y↑1

This is one of the greatest performances in the world of entertainment...on point!!!

btannen777

10y

Favorite performance so far. They're like bizzarro Groove for Thought. Calling this awesome would be an understatement.

TheShinysideup

9y↑2

When they left EVERYBODY cried... the other groups, the audiences both at home and in the studio. I didn't see the show. I heard them on the radio. I came here to here other songs they did. When I researched the groups they lost to it was evident that they were in a class by themselves but were asked to do what appeals to the masses. But as an underdog and a visiting team knowing what the outcome would be, they showed class in taking one on the jaw bowing out gracefully...

Tj Ciesla

10y↑2

This the best a cappella piece I've every seen.

Jon-Luc Cayabyab

10y

I love watching Reggie play air bass when he sings!

Haitian_Hunny

10y

I LOVED this performance, OMG!!! So proud of DC talent!! Thanks so much for posting this so I can share it with others ;-) Inspirations & Blessings, Nat

Yes_I_Am_Ms. Jackson

1y↑3

When I say that my friend introduced me to this show when it came out and when he showed me this particular group and the song, I f.@#';! love this song from then on out

OneVoice412

10y

This was so amazing it almost made me cry. Howard University has some TALENT.

Qui Ana

10y↑2

THIS WAS CRAZY! They need to record this, like now.

Allie Tindal

10y↑1

From start to finish... I had goosebumbs... they are so amazingly talented and omg the scatting and the bass as the beginning like really it was simply beautiful ugh im through lol :)

criticion

10y

I just wanted to add that this was my first time hearing the song. I looked up the original and starting feeling sick, asking myself, "Is this an actual professional release?!" What Afro Blue put down was so much better than the original and should be released by the group. Flawless!!!

Brittany Sullivan

5y↑20

this is still so so good.

David Buckley

10y

Tight bass lines and chords! Great lead too. The most complete group this season!

Jhonata Silva

A melhor interpretação do Sing Off...

OneVoice412

10y

This was so amazing it almost made me cry. HU has some TALENT.

Terriene Falcon

10y

I love this!!! I bought it in iTunes too. anything to support talented ppl and good music. I could listen to it over and over. Literally!

blkwebman

10y

Absolutely LOVED their rendition of this song!

Josh Walker

10y↑1

OH MY GOD!!!! THAT WAS PHENOMENAL!!!! they are in a class all by themselves!!!!!!*presses repeat for the 7th time*

JaminZ

10y

Unbelievable! Wow! I cant believe they came up with this arrangement. The bass line, the harmony, etc - wow...they killed it...Noone came close!

Zoe Roizen Soane

10y↑1

this was my favorite of the whole competion

gfunk449

1y↑1

What meter(s) is this in? This is an ingenious arrangement!

Civildisc

10y

I loved every sweet little intricacy of this. It leaves me wanting more!

Patricia Sevasin

13w

Watching in 2021....still messing up my face when I hear this. It's so good...it's just....crazy good!

HarmonyP03

10y

Absolutely Fantastic! Everything they do is so musically intricate, It will be near impossible for the other groups to stand a chance!!

o0Coralee0o

10y

Favorite Song of the season so far. So. Amazing.

Summer D

1y↑1

All three of those judges should have given them a standing ovation...That was pure magic...

okfinejustin

10y

The nth time of listening to this still gives me chills!

indra williams

10y

Omg I'm definitely going to upload you guys to my iPod!!!! I love your sound... I wish I knew about this show I would have voted for you guys!!! Much <3

BobbiLovesBeauty

10y

YES!!!! Sing y'all!!! Looooooove Afro Blue, since I first got to Morgan State...MSU Choir alum now and it warms my heart to see you guys representing HBCUs so very well! I love you guys...I see you winning the whole thing!!!!

jazzalafunk

10y

That was INCREDIBLE!!! Classy as always and so skillful.

Jale Mustafa

most amazing cover i have ever heard of American Boy!

Charles Bulger

4y↑2

Still love to watch this performance even years later!

LaTrice Eisner

By far one of my all time favorite performances on this show!

Zippydo456

10y

I really like this song! I think it was one of their best ones!

caramelchick4u28052

10y

the best performance on the show by far...very well done...the absolute best :D :D <3

Shaiyo5

10y

Incredible performance. Absolutely perfect!

Chantal Alexander

this was their best performance of the whole season.

jstrick1025

10y

I just bought this on iTunes!!! I so love Afro Blue :)

ShoNuffRiight

10y

I watch this performance daily!! Go head Afro Blue!

EL Rod

9y↑1

that is easily the best performance of the 3 seasons by far. That performance should have won it alone!!!!

Knormal Music

10y

See, I wanna sit down with them and commit this to sheet music. This is absolutely amazing. Too goo NOT to share with the world. The world needs to see this art on paper.

warrior for justice

10y

Fire! Love it. Best performance hands down...

LovableJalyn

10y

I cannot wait to see and hear your version. You tell'em...

Dominique Williams

10y

0:15-0:23 is sick as well. Reggie and Christie are flawless together!

MsElle

10y

I've watched this over and over, and I still love it. I'll buy their stuff right now!

Lejeune Dugue

1y↑2

I hate that this show doesn’t come on anymore. Great singers all around.

DesertModel

10y

I think I know who's going to win this year! Every year the top groups keep getting better!

kevameansbeautiful

10y

I love how it starts off the most!!!!!!!! so beautiful

MimiLulu23

8y↑3

The Dude doing the bass is the FREAKING TRUTH!! Omg I just love this group! So Awesome!

Praise Movement

10y

It's so good, you have to watch it like 50 times!

Alo

10y

Homeboy killing that bass every performance!

Alysha Monique

10y

THEY ARE SO AMAZING.... HOW?? This makes me want to change what I want to do with my life...seriously.. Oh my gosh! Just phenomenal..

Jazmingrint

10y

They are sooooooo SIIIICCCKKK! Every time they perform I am so impressed. They always feature someone new. Kristy is sick as hell, her voice is so crispy and her riffing kills. I love it so much. Reggie and the beatboxer slammed it down too. I know the others have to be scared. I can't help but watch them over and over.

Zachary Austin

10y

This is just raaawwww talent.. keep it up afroblue. Love the originality.

FrozenPandaPops

This single performance truly blew me away! Man, the performance, the arrangement, just FLAWLESS! So damn SNAZZY! This was the only performance that'd I didn't feel forced to like. Makes me feel all cosmopolitan and shit. And this is one of those videos I HAVE to watch at least twice everytime I visit it. But there is something wrong with it...IT'S TOO SHORT! I want more!

Purplepinch

10y↑3

OMG her skatting is amazing!

Bridge Builder Dream Catcher

10y

Afro Blue PLEASE keep growing, blending, and sharing your gift/s AWESOME!!!

11 11

29w

0:45-0:49 will always be my favorite part, holy shit

Jon Shannon

Sean's reaction! Says it all!

uptownsean

10y↑2

S/O to the Howard University Bison family! Afro Blue you are making us proud! :D

musicteachjw

10y

This and killing me softly are my favorites.

Jayme L

9y↑1

Great rendition.. had some serious scatts in this.. <3

Hispoet Johnson

10y

This is SICK!!! THEY GOT IT ALL LOOK, SOUND, PRESENCE!! THE TOTAL PACKAGE YOU ARE GREAT....I LOVE YOU!!

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