American Dream
Crosby Still Nash & Young Lyrics
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Your smiling face looked back at me.
I used to see you on every T.V
Your smiling face looked back at me.
Then they caught you with the girl next door,
People's money piled on the floor,
Accusations that you try to deny,
Now you think about reaching out
Try to get some help from above.
Now you think about reaching out
Try to get some help from above.
Reporters crowd around your house.
Going through your garbage like a pack of hounds,
Speculating what they may find out,
It don't matter now, you're all washed up.
You wake up in the middle of the night.
Your sheets are wet and your face is white,
You tried to make a good thing last,
How could something so good, go bad, so fast?
American dream, American dream
American dream, American dream.
Don't know when things went wrong,
Might have been when you were young and strong.
Don't know when things went wrong,
Might have been when you were young and strong.
Reporters crowd around your house.
Going through your garbage like a pack of hounds,
Speculating what they may find out,
It don't matter now, you're all washed up.
Don't know when things went wrong,
Might have been when you were young and strong.
American dream, American dream.
Don't know when things went wrong,
Might have been when you were young and strong.
American dream, American dream.
The lyrics of Crosby, Still, Nash & Young's "American Dream" reflect the fall from grace of a once-beloved public figure caught up in scandal. The song draws from the American cultural fascination with celebrity and its inherent drawbacks. The opening lyrics indicate the singer's former status as a television star with a smiling face and national recognition. However, the song then turns darker with the revelation of the individual's involvement in scandal, including a rumored affair and the theft of public money.
The lyrics express the singer's struggles in the aftermath of the scandal. They try to reach out and find solace in religion or spirituality, but are ultimately unable to overcome the media scrutiny and public humiliation. The chorus repeats the phrase "American dream," both ironically and with a sense of nostalgia for a time when things were simpler and more idealized.
Overall, "American Dream" speaks to the cyclical nature of American fame and notoriety, where individuals and their reputations are built up only to be torn down. It highlights the pitfalls of a culture where public image and fame are highly prized, and the consequences that can arise when such an image falls apart.
Line by Line Meaning
I used to see you on every T.V
You were once a widely recognized public figure
Your smiling face looked back at me.
People had a positive perception of you
Then they caught you with the girl next door,
Your personal life was exposed in a scandalous manner
People's money piled on the floor,
Financial impropriety is alleged against you
Accusations that you try to deny,
You try to deny the accusations against you
Revelations and rumors begin to fly.
The media fuels the story with speculation
Now you think about reaching out
You seek help from a higher power
Try to get some help from above.
You are feeling desperate for guidance
Reporters crowd around your house.
The media intensifies the scrutiny of your life
Going through your garbage like a pack of hounds,
The media is relentless in its pursuit of information
Speculating what they may find out,
The media is guessing what evidence they will uncover
It don't matter now, you're all washed up.
Your reputation is ruined and you are no longer relevant
You wake up in the middle of the night.
You are haunted by your mistakes
Your sheets are wet and your face is white,
You are filled with anxiety and fear
You tried to make a good thing last,
You attempted to maintain your success
How could something so good, go bad, so fast?
You are reflecting on the sudden downfall of your fame and fortune
Don't know when things went wrong,
You are unsure of where things went awry
Might have been when you were young and strong.
Your past actions may have contributed to your current situation
American dream, American dream
The idea of success and prosperity is what you once pursued
American dream, American dream.
The idea of success and prosperity is what you have lost
Don't know when things went wrong,
You continue to wonder how it all fell apart
Might have been when you were young and strong.
You can't help but think that your past choices contributed to your current state
American dream, American dream.
The idea of success and prosperity continues to haunt you
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Walt Disney Music Company, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: TY STONE, MARLON YOUNG, JOHN FIELDS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@crawdkenny
Todd in the Shadows sent me here. Maybe it's not their best album, but even during his review I could hear how incredibly catchy this song is. Can't stop listening to it.
@gamerguy425
Yeah I think this is a solid track and at least sounds like what you'd expect out of CSNY, doesn't have overblown harmonies or anything. The rest of it just sounds half-baked or mishandled at best though just off what I heard in the review.
@jlovebirch
Same here. Despite Todd's review, this song has been playing inside my head for days.
@zeldafan9016
Todd in the shadows sent me here as well
@Marylandbrony
If anything i legitimately like this song and perhaps if refined more it could have been a classic.
@billprice9314
its the song-so catchy n top10
@tammylewis2408
A CRIMINALLY underrated song and album. The song is still relevant today in the wake of recent events. Loved Neil as the punk rocker and Stephen shooting the TV a la Elvis.
@paulgrant1988
Yes tammy, your exactly right.. this album was underrated !. My mom loved neil young!.. and Neil diamond aswell.
@ronniedrake8196
Neil young is. Bruce dern
@darlenebattle2713
I agree with you... liked the song AND video.