The original disco-punk fusion came with No Wave icon James Chance, who under the name of James White and The Blacks, released Off White in 1979 on Ze Records. In the early 1980s, the dance-punk scene in New York City was dominated by 99 Records bands such as the Bush Tetras, ESG and Liquid Liquid. The latter two's music was much sampled in the early days of Hip Hop. Other significant players were Pylon from Athens, GA, Gang of Four and Medium Medium from the UK.
In 1980 The Clash's rap song The Magnificent Seven became a crossover radio hit in NYC, and German punk singer Nina Hagen had a massive underground dance hit in 1983 with "New York New York", which mixed her searing punk (and opera) vocals with disco beats.
The music style re-emerged under the name dance-punk around the beginning of the 21st century. The style was championed by rock- and punk-oriented bands such as Liars and Radio 4, as well as dance-oriented acts such as Out Hud. Other groups, such as !!! and The Faint fell somewhere in the middle.There has since been a crystallization of musical forms within dance-punk, with Q and Not U exploring aspects of dance-punk, along with post-hardcore and other musical styles.
A recent British off-shoot of this branch is the newly-coined term New Rave.
North American Scum
LCD Soundsystem Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oh I don't know, I don't know, oh, where to begin
We are North Americans
And for those of you who still think we're from England
We're not, no
We build our planes and our trains till we think we might die
Far from North America
Where the buildings are old and you might have lots of mimes
Aha, oh, oh
I hate the feelin' when you're looking at me that way
'Cause we're North Americans
But if we act all shy, it'll make it okay
Makes it go away
Oh I don't know, I don't know, oh, where to begin
When we're North American
But in the end we make the same mistakes all over again
Come on North Americans
We are North American scum
We're from North America
And all the kids all the kids that want to make the scene
Here in North America
When our young kids get to read it in your magazines
We don't have those
So where's the love where's the love where's the
Love where's the love where's the love tonight?
But there's no love man there's no love and the kids are uptight
So throw a party till the cops come in and bust it up
Let's go North Americans
Oh you were planning it I didn't mean to interrupt
Sorry
I did it once and my parents got pretty upset
Freaked out in North America
But then I said the more I do it the better it gets
Let's rock North America
We are North American scum
We're from North America
We are North American scum
We are North American
New York's the greatest if you get someone to pay the rent
Wahoo North America
And it's the furthest you can live from the government un huh huh
Some proud American Christians might disagree
Here in North America
But New York's the only place we're keepin' them off the street
Boo boo now we can't have parties like in Spain where they go all night
Shut down in North America
Or like Berlin where they go another night, alright, un huh un huh
You see I love this place that I have grown to know
Alright, North America
And yeah, I know you wouldn't touch us with a ten-foot pole
'Cause we're North Americans
We are North American scum
We are North Americans
We are North American scum
We love North America
Take me back to the states man
North American scum
Where we can be all we want if we really
North American
Where the DJ gigs are as fun
Here in North American scum
Don't blame the Canadians
Let go North America
The song "North American Scum" by LCD Soundsystem is an upbeat satire about American culture, poking fun at various aspects of American identity. The song is about how Americans view themselves and how they are viewed by others, particularly in Europe. The song begins with the singer acknowledging that he doesn't know where to begin because America is such a vast and complex place. He then declares that he and his compatriots are "North Americans," not from England as some might assume. The lyrics go on to touch on various American stereotypes, such as the emphasis on technology and the sense of entitlement that Americans can exhibit.
The song also speaks to the absence of cultural appreciation in America. The singer laments that there is no respect for the arts here and that other countries have it better. He notes that kids in America want to "make the scene," but we don't have thriving creative outlets like other parts of the world. The song suggests that Americans are more concerned with parties, material possessions, and their own egos than with anything of real value.
Ultimately, the song is a fun and irreverent take on American culture, poking fun at the way we see ourselves and the way others see us. It's about self-awareness and self-deprecation, acknowledging the flaws in our culture and embracing them with a sense of humor.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh oh oh
Introduction to the song
Oh I don't know, I don't know, oh, where to begin
Uncertain about the starting point of the song and its meaning
We are North Americans
Proudly stating their identity as North Americans
And for those of you who still think we're from England
Addressing a common misconception about North American identity
We're not, no
Clarifying that they are not from England
We build our planes and our trains till we think we might die
Emphasizing the hard work and determination of North Americans
Far from North America
Acknowledging that the song is being performed elsewhere
Where the buildings are old and you might have lots of mimes
Describing the unfamiliar surroundings of the non-North American location
Aha, oh, oh
Expressing a reaction to the unfamiliar location
I hate the feelin' when you're looking at me that way
Feeling uncomfortable when being judged for being North American
'Cause we're North Americans
Explaining the reason behind being judged
But if we act all shy, it'll make it okay
Proposing a solution to avoid judgment
Makes it go away
Confirming that the solution works
When we're North American
Clarifying that the following lines relate to being North American
But in the end we make the same mistakes all over again
Admitting that North Americans make mistakes repeatedly
Come on North Americans
Encouraging other North Americans to join in the song
We are North American scum
Accepting the derogatory term for North Americans
We're from North America
Reiterating the origin of the North Americans
And all the kids all the kids that want to make the scene
Referring to young people who want to be part of the cultural scene
Here in North America
Pointing at the location where the aspiration occurs
When our young kids get to read it in your magazines
Referring to the media coverage of the cultural scene and its impact on young people
We don't have those
Acknowledging the lack of equivalent media coverage in North America
So where's the love where's the love where's the
Asking for the love that seems to be missing
Love where's the love where's the love tonight?
Reiterating the desire for love/acceptance
But there's no love man there's no love and the kids are uptight
Acknowledging that the love/acceptance is absent and young people are anxious
So throw a party till the cops come in and bust it up
Proposing a solution to enjoy despite the lack of love/acceptance
Let's go North Americans
Encouraging others to have fun despite the situation
Oh you were planning it I didn't mean to interrupt
Apologizing for interrupting someone's plan to have fun
Sorry
Expressing an apology
I did it once and my parents got pretty upset
Recalling a past experience of getting in trouble for having fun
Freaked out in North America
Explaining the location of the experience
But then I said the more I do it the better it gets
Learning from the experience and realizing the benefits of having fun
Let's rock North America
Encouraging rock and roll fun in North America
New York's the greatest if you get someone to pay the rent
Praising New York City and the importance of finding affordable rent
Wahoo North America
Expressing excitement about North America
And it's the furthest you can live from the government un huh huh
Suggesting that North America is a place of freedom from the government's influence
Some proud American Christians might disagree
Acknowledging that some may hold a different belief about the government and religion in North America
Here in North America
Reiterating that the song is about North America
But New York's the only place we're keepin' them off the street
Describing New York City as a place of refuge for the homeless and distressed
Boo boo now we can't have parties like in Spain where they go all night
Expressing disappointment that parties cannot last all night in North America like in Spain
Shut down in North America
Explaining the reason behind the shorter party hours in North America
Or like Berlin where they go another night, alright, un huh un huh
Claiming that parties last longer in Berlin than in North America
You see I love this place that I have grown to know
Expressing love for North America
Alright, North America
Reiterating the love for North America
And yeah, I know you wouldn't touch us with a ten-foot pole
Acknowledging that non-North Americans may not want to associate with North Americans
'Cause we're North Americans
Explaining the reason for the possible rejection from non-North Americans
We are North American scum
Reiterating the derogatory term for North Americans
We are North Americans
Accepting and acknowledging their identity as North Americans
We are North American scum
Repeating the derogatory term for North Americans
We love North America
Expressing love for North America
Take me back to the states man
Requesting to be returned to the United States
North American scum
Repeating the derogatory term for North Americans
Where we can be all we want if we really
Describing the freedom of expression and lifestyle in North America
North American
Reiterating the North American identity
Where the DJ gigs are as fun
Explaining the enthusiastic and fun nightlife of North America
Here in North American scum
Reiterating the derogatory term for North Americans but still praising the place
Don't blame the Canadians
Requesting not to hold Canadians responsible for North American actions or stereotypes
Let go North America
Encouraging North Americans to let go of negative stereotypes and embrace their homeland
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: James Jeremiah Murphy
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Jonathan-xb3ts
"and for those of you who still think we're from England, we're like......no"
@neillongley59
Meanwhile..... the tune is! RIP Pete Shelley
@santaisaphatbixxx2988
America is england still
@lydia._.nicole
I still feel like he's just hiding the fact that he's British. he looks so British. it's crazy.
@doodooswaggy3825
It's "we're not, no"
@bradlloyd6261
Lol
@hoobastankus9513
“You have to call me Dragon”
@thisbambibites
One of the greatest American bands of the decade. This was a classic album.
@starquant
Ahem... North Americans thank you.
@bear1245
Mate has tickets to their uk gig soon 😃🤘🏻