American Dream
Crosby Stills & 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 song "American Dream" by Crosby Stills & Nash is a commentary on how the American Dream can quickly turn into a nightmare. The song tells the story of a once-successful public figure, whose smiling face was once seen on every TV, who is now facing public scrutiny and judgment for his alleged infidelity and embezzlement. The accusations are denied, but the rumors and revelations fly, and the once-successful public figure is now "washed up" and plagued by nightmares.
The lyrics describe how the reporters are constantly hounding him, going through his garbage like a pack of hounds, and trying to find any piece of information that they can use to further tarnish his reputation. The chorus repeats the phrase "American Dream," implying that the public's obsession with success and the ideas of the American Dream can quickly turn into a nightmare when such success is not sustained.
Line by Line Meaning
I used to see you on every T.V
The singer used to see the subject being broadcasted on every television.
Your smiling face looked back at me
The subject always had a happy expression.
Then they caught you with the girl next door
The subject was caught being intimate with a nearby woman.
People's money piled on the floor
There was evidence of corruption.
Accusations that you try to deny
The subject tried to deny the allegations.
Revelations and rumors begin to fly
The public started speculating about the subject.
Now you think about reaching out
The subject is desperate for help.
Try to get some help from above
The subject prays for divine intervention.
Reporters crowd around your house
The media swarm the subject's residence.
Going through your garbage like a pack of hounds
The media are searching for any evidence of wrongdoing.
Speculating what they may find out
The media try to guess what evidence they will uncover.
It don't matter now, you're all washed up
It is over for the subject; their reputation is ruined.
You wake up in the middle of the night
The subject has nightmares and cannot sleep.
Your sheets are wet and your face is white
The subject wakes up sweating and scared.
You tried to make a good thing last
The subject attempted to maintain a positive image and reputation.
How could something so good, go bad, so fast?
The subject is confused about how their good reputation could be destroyed so quickly.
Don't know when things went wrong
The subject is not sure when their reputation began to crumble.
Might have been when you were young and strong
Their actions in the past may have contributed to their current predicament.
American dream, American dream
The idea of achieving success and prosperity in America.
American dream, American dream
The subject reflects on the American dream.
Lyrics © Silver Fiddle, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC
Written by: Neil Young
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.