American Dreams
Eric Burdon Lyrics


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Hey, hey, it's me on the radio
Everybody knows my name
I'm a flying leather neck
I even got my own plane
The wild girls they hand you
Passions on a plate
We blew minds in the Carolinas
Now I'm ready for the Tennessee state

We're out on the road who live in motels
We all live a different kind of life
We out on the highway for a living
We may never ever see the light
Way down in Memphis
There's a king upon a golden throne
But when darkness fell across the tracks
I made my soulpatrol
I fell in love with a cute little fan
Emeretta was just sixteen
A guiding light, shining bright
Within this American dream
We out on the road who live in motels ..

Shining bright in my American dream
Shining bright in my American dream
Shining bright in this American dream
Gotta follow this American dream
Could have stayed here forever
Never ever wanted to leave
But we made a vow to stick together




And follow this American dream
We out on the road who live in motels ..

Overall Meaning

The song 'American Dreams' by Eric Burdon is a reflection on the life on the road of a rock star, and the hope and promise of the American dream. In the beginning of the song, the singer is a successful and famous music artist who enjoys the attention of his fans and the freedom of traveling in his own plane. He also describes his wild lifestyle, including the easy access to passion provided by the 'wild girls' he meets on the road. However, the chorus reveals that these 'American dreams' are not always what they seem, and the road can be a hard and lonely place to live. Despite this, the singer remains driven by his love of music and the promise of the American dream, even falling for a young fan he meets on one of his tours.


The lyrics of 'American Dreams' are a commentary on the contradictory nature of the American dream, which is both a symbol of hope and opportunity, as well as an impossible ideal that can lead to disillusionment and despair. The singer's journey is one that many musicians and artists experience, as they travel the country and perform for audiences of varying sizes and reactions. The song contrasts the glamour and excitement of this lifestyle with the difficulties of living on the road, away from loved ones and in constant danger of falling into temptations that can derail a career. The singer ultimately finds solace in his music and his American dream, which fuels his desire to continue his journey and follow his passion.


Line by Line Meaning

Hey, hey, it's me on the radio
Introducing himself as a famous personality on the radio


Everybody knows my name
He's a well-known personality and has a lot of fans


I'm a flying leather neck
Referring to himself as a marine who got respect


I even got my own plane
Achieved great success in his career and have enough fortune to buy his plane


The wild girls they hand you
Famous people get a lot of attention from women


Passions on a plate
The women around him are always ready to fulfill his desires


We blew minds in the Carolinas
Had a great performance in Carolina states; received a lot of appreciation


Now I'm ready for the Tennessee state
Looking forward to performing in Tennessee and gain more popularity


We're out on the road who live in motels
Talking about music tours and how they have to live in motels during their tours


We all live a different kind of life
Although they all are part of the music industry, living in motels gave them a different lifestyle


We out on the highway for a living
They earn their living by performing on the highway


We may never ever see the light
Uncertain and risky future; future earnings are not guaranteed


Way down in Memphis
Talking about Memphis city in Tennessee states


There's a king upon a golden throne
Referring to Elvis Presley, who was also known as the king of Rock and Roll


But when darkness fell across the tracks
When the music scene of Elvis Presley was affected by his untimely death


I made my soulpatrol
Eric formed his band named soulpatrol


I fell in love with a cute little fan
Eric fell in love with one of his admirers who was much younger than him


Emeretta was just sixteen
Her name was Emeretta, and she was just sixteen years old


A guiding light, shining bright
She was an inspiration to him, and her presence made his life brighter


Within this American dream
Everything he was experiencing was part of his American dream


Shining bright in my American dream
He's realizing his dream and enjoying the limelight


Gotta follow this American dream
Determined to follow his dream until he achieves all of it


Could have stayed here forever
He could have been happy staying in Memphis with his love


Never ever wanted to leave
Eric was happy and contended with his life back then


But we made a vow to stick together
But he and his bandmates promised that they will never leave each other's side and make their way to the top together


And follow this American dream
Together, they'll achieve what they set out to achieve.


We out on the road who live in motels ..
Repeating that they're on the road and making music while living in motels.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ERIC VICTOR BURDON, STEPHEN GRANT

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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