American Troglodyte
David Byrne Lyrics


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I could be a dancer, maybe
I could be a judge
Used to sing that karaoke
But I, I don't do it much

Democracy in action
There is nothin' up my sleeve
A watermelon postcard I am
Plantin' all my seeds

Americans are wearin' those sexy jeans
Americans are usin' technology
Americans are surfin' that Internet
Americans are listenin' to 50 Cent

Americans are buyin' that modern art
Americans are drivin' gigantic cars
Americans are doin' that exercise
Americans are livin' like troglodytes

Everybody knows me
They are drinkin' to my health
I terrorized my family and I
Terrorized myself

Evangelized my bedroom you can
Ride away with me
All the girls together in a
Mighty symphony

Americans are playin' that basketball
Americans are doin' that rock and roll
Americans are goin' to outer space
Americans are buyin' that real estate

Americans are livin' the simple life
Americans are dancin' on Friday nights
Americans are goin' to Broadway shows
Americans believe in the Holy Ghost

Americans are wearin' that lingerie
Americans are throwin' that shit away
Americans are watchin' reality
Americans are goin' from A to Z

Americans are dancin' in discotheques
Americans are payin' their income tax




Americans are workin' from 9 to 5
Americans are livin' like troglodytes

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of David Byrne and Fatboy Slim's song American Troglodyte highlight the American lifestyle and their way of doing things. The singer reflects on his past aspirations of being a dancer or a judge, but now he doesn't care about it anymore. He talks about democracy in action and how he's plain and simple just a person, nothing special. He refers to himself as a watermelon postcard planting seeds, indicating that he's doing something meaningful, perhaps not just for himself but for future generations.


The song also comments on the various aspects of American culture, like using technology, listening to music, watching television, going to Broadway shows, among others. The lyrics point out both positive and negative aspects of American life, like their love for basketball, rock and roll, and outer space, but also their inclination towards the mundane like reality television, income tax, and working from 9 to 5. The song also reflects on the hypocrisy of Americans, who often claim to be religious but throw away things and live like cave-dwellers.


Overall, American Troglodyte is a commentary on the American way of life, highlighting both the good and the bad that one can find while living in the United States.


Line by Line Meaning

I could be a dancer, maybe
I have some potential to be a dancer


I could be a judge
I have some potential to be a judge


Used to sing that karaoke
I used to sing karaoke before but not much anymore


But I, I don't do it much
But I don't do it much now


Democracy in action
The realization of democratic practices


There is nothin' up my sleeve
I am not hiding anything


A watermelon postcard I am
I am like a watermelon postcard, planting all my seeds


Plantin' all my seeds
I am planting all the things I need for growth


Americans are wearin' those sexy jeans
Americans have adopted wearing sexy jeans


Americans are usin' technology
Americans have embraced the use of technology


Americans are surfin' that Internet
Americans have adopted the use of the Internet


Americans are listenin' to 50 Cent
Americans have been listening to 50 Cent's music


Americans are buyin' that modern art
Americans are purchasing modern art


Americans are drivin' gigantic cars
Americans have developed an affinity for driving large cars


Americans are doin' that exercise
Americans have integrated exercising into their routines


Americans are livin' like troglodytes
Americans are living like primitive people


Everybody knows me
I am a well-known person


They are drinkin' to my health
They are drinking and wishing me good health


I terrorized my family and I
I caused great fear to my family and myself


Terrorized myself
I also caused great fear to myself


Evangelized my bedroom you can
You can imagine my efforts in spreading a religious belief in my bedroom


Ride away with me
Join me for a ride


All the girls together in a
All the girls are coming together in a


Mighty symphony
Creating a powerful symphony


Americans are playin' that basketball
Americans participate in playing basketball


Americans are doin' that rock and roll
Americans are actively involved with rock and roll music


Americans are goin' to outer space
Americans are venturing to outer space


Americans are buyin' that real estate
Americans are investing in real estate


Americans are livin' the simple life
Americans are living a straightforward and uncomplicated life


Americans are dancin' on Friday nights
Americans dance on Friday nights


Americans are goin' to Broadway shows
Americans attend Broadway shows


Americans believe in the Holy Ghost
Americans hold a belief in the Holy Ghost


Americans are wearin' that lingerie
Americans have adopted wearing lingerie


Americans are throwin' that shit away
Americans are throwing away things they no longer need


Americans are watchin' reality
Americans are watching reality TV


Americans are goin' from A to Z
Americans are covering the whole spectrum of life


Americans are dancin' in discotheques
Americans dance in discotheques


Americans are payin' their income tax
Americans pay their income tax


Americans are workin' from 9 to 5
Americans work from 9 to 5




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sentric Music, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JOSE LUIS PARDO, DAVID BYRNE, NORMAN COOK

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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