American Boy
Estelle; Kardinal Offishall Lyrics
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Yeah, Estelle, we 'bout to get down (get down)
Who the hottest in the world right now? (Huh)
Just touched down in London town (huh)
Bet they give me a pound (uh)
Tell 'em put the money in my hand right now (yes)
Tell the promoter we need more seats
We just sold out all the floor seats
Take me on a trip, I'd like to go some day
Take me to New York, I'd love to see L.A.
I really want to come kick it with you
You'll be my American boy
He said, "Hey, sister, it's really, really nice to meet ya"
I just met this 5-foot-7 guy who's just my type
Like the way he's speakin', his confidence is peakin'
Don't like his baggy jeans but I might like what's underneath them
And, no, I ain't been to MIA
I heard that Cali never rains and New York's wide awake
First let's see the West End, I'll show you to my bredrin
I'm liking this American boy, American boy
Take me on a trip, I'd like to go some day
Take me to New York, I'd love to see L.A.
I really want to come kick it with you
You'll be my American boy, American boy
La-la-la-la-la-di-da
La-la-la-la-la-di-da
La-la-la-la-la-di-da
Will you be my American boy?
American boy
Can we get away this weekend? Take me to Broadway
Let's go shopping, maybe then we'll go to a café
Let's go on the subway, take me to your hood
I never been to Brooklyn and I'd like to see what's good
Dressed in all your fancy clothes
Sneakers looking fresh to death, I'm loving those Shell Toes
Walking that walk, talk that slick talk
I'm liking this American boy, American boy
Take me on a trip, I'd like to go some day
Take me to New York, I'd love to see L.A.
I really want to come kick it with you
You'll be my American boy
Tell 'em wah gwan, blud!
Who killing them in the UK?
Everybody gonna say "You, K!"
Reluctantly, 'cause most of this press don't fuck with me
Estelle once said to me, "Cool down, down
Don't act a fool now, now"
I always act a fool, ow, ow
Ain't nothing new now, now
He crazy, I know what you thinking (uh-huh)
Ribena, I know what you're drinking
Rap singer, chain blinger
Holler at the next chick soon as you're blinking
What's your persona about this Americana rhymer?
Am I shallow 'cause all my clothes designer?
Uh, dressed smart like a London bloke (yes)
Before he speak his suit bespoke (woo)
And you thought he was cute before
Look at this pea coat, tell me he's broke (woo)
And I know you ain't into all that
I heard your lyrics, I feel your spirit
But I still talk that ca-a-ash
'Cause a lot of wags wanna hear it
And I'm feeling like Mike at his baddest
Like The Pips at their gladdest
And I know they love it
So to hell with all that rubbish
Would you be my love, my love?
Could you be mine?
Would you be my love, my love?
Could you be mine?
Could you be my love (ooh), my love?
Would you be my American boy, American boy?
Take me on a trip, I'd like to go some day (ooh, some day)
Take me to Chicago, San Francisco Bay (I wanna see the Bay)
I really want to (to) come kick it with you (ooh)
You'll be my American boy, be my American boy
Take me on a trip, I'd like to go some day
(I'd like to go some day)
Take me to New York, I'd love to see L.A. (see L.A.)
I really want to come kick it with you
You'll be my American boy, American boy
La-la-la-la-la-di-da (la, la)
La-la-la-la-la-di-da (ooh-ooh)
La-la-la-la-la-di-da
Will you be my American boy?
In the first verse of “American Boy”, Kardinal Offishall introduces the song as a ‘champion sound’ and immediately grabs the attention of his audience by listing a series of exciting and high-energy events, happening in rapid succession, which creates a vivid image of the song’s setting. He then references the song’s co-artist, Estelle, and mentions that they are in London town, creating a link between different cultures and music styles. The lyrics further build on this theme by exploring the differences and similarities between American and British culture through the eyes of a woman who is attracted to an American man. The song is structured to be a dialogue between the two, with Estelle speaking about her curiosity and interest in America, while Kardinal Offishall is talking about his experiences as an American.
In the second verse, Estelle expresses her attraction to an American man who she has just met. She likes the way he speaks and his confidence, although she is not fond of his choice of clothing. She has never been to Miami but has heard that it’s a great place to visit, and she wants to see the West End to better understand the culture. The chorus repeats the idea that Estelle wants to go on a trip to America and be with her American boy. The final verse continues the conversation between the two, with Kardinal Offishall listing his accomplishments in the music industry while also staying true to his roots. He then invites Estelle to be with him and embraces his identity and persona, even if it isn’t considered mainstream or popular.
Overall, the song speaks on the attraction and differences between two cultures, the American and British cultures. While Kardinal Offishall tries to maintain his identity, no matter his location or audience, Estelle is drawn to culture differences and has an interest in exploring the world, specifically America.
Line by Line Meaning
This a number one champion sound (yeah)
This is the best sound you will hear anywhere.
Yeah, Estelle, we 'bout to get down (get down)
We're about to have a good time, Estelle is here.
Who the hottest in the world right now? (Huh)
Who's the most popular and talented person in the world?
Just touched down in London town (huh)
I just arrived in London.
Bet they give me a pound (uh)
They'll give me applause and recognition for my talent.
Tell 'em put the money in my hand right now (yes)
Give me my pay for my performance now.
Tell the promoter we need more seats
There are too many people here, more seats are needed.
We just sold out all the floor seats
All of the seats on the floor have been sold out.
Take me on a trip, I'd like to go some day
Let's travel together someday.
Take me to New York, I'd love to see L.A.
Let's go to New York and Los Angeles together.
I really want to come kick it with you
I want to spend time with you.
You'll be my American boy
I want you to be my American lover/friend.
He said, "Hey, sister, it's really, really nice to meet ya"
He greeted me in a friendly manner.
I just met this 5-foot-7 guy who's just my type
I met someone I'm physically attracted to.
Like the way he's speakin', his confidence is peakin'
I like the way he talks and feels happy and confident.
Don't like his baggy jeans but I might like what's underneath them
I don't like his fashion sense but I'm still interested in him.
And, no, I ain't been to MIA
I haven't been to Miami.
I heard that Cali never rains and New York's wide awake
I heard California doesn't get a lot of rain and New York is always active.
First let's see the West End, I'll show you to my bredrin
Let's go see a play and meet my friends.
I'm liking this American boy, American boy
I'm really enjoying the company of this American guy.
Can we get away this weekend? Take me to Broadway
Can we travel together and go see a musical in Broadway?
Let's go shopping, maybe then we'll go to a café
We can go shopping and then get a coffee.
Let's go on the subway, take me to your hood
Take me to the subway and show me around your neighbourhood.
I never been to Brooklyn and I'd like to see what's good
I've never been to Brooklyn and I'm curious.
Dressed in all your fancy clothes
You look well dressed in your fancy clothes.
Sneakers looking fresh to death, I'm loving those Shell Toes
I love your clean and new-looking sneakers.
Walking that walk, talk that slick talk
I admire the way you walk and talk smoothly.
Tell 'em wah gwan, blud!
Say hello to them for me, friend!
Who killing them in the UK?
Who's popular in the UK?
Everybody gonna say "You, K!"
Everyone is going to say 'You, K!'
Reluctantly, 'cause most of this press don't fuck with me
I'm hesitant because most media outlets don't like me.
Estelle once said to me, "Cool down, down
One time Estelle told me to calm down.
Don't act a fool now, now"
Don't do anything stupid now.
I always act a fool, ow, ow
But I always end up doing something stupid anyway.
Ain't nothing new now, now
This is a common pattern for me.
He crazy, I know what you thinking (uh-huh)
He's a little crazy, I know what you're thinking.
Ribena, I know what you're drinking
You're drinking Ribena, I know your drink.
Rap singer, chain blinger
I'm a rapper and I like to wear chains.
Holler at the next chick soon as you're blinking
You look at other women as soon as you blink.
What's your persona about this Americana rhymer?
What's the story behind this American rhymer?
Am I shallow 'cause all my clothes designer?
Am I shallow because I only wear designer clothes?
Uh, dressed smart like a London bloke (yes)
I'm well-dressed like a typical London man.
Before he speak his suit bespoke (woo)
His outfit is custom-made for him and he looks expensive.
And you thought he was cute before
You already thought he was attractive.
Look at this pea coat, tell me he's broke (woo)
Look at this stylish coat, he doesn't look poor.
And I know you ain't into all that
I know you're not impressed by material possessions.
I heard your lyrics, I feel your spirit
I listened to your music and felt your soul.
But I still talk that ca-a-ash
But I still talk a bit of trash.
'Cause a lot of wags wanna hear it
Because a lot of people want to hear it.
And I'm feeling like Mike at his baddest
I'm feeling like Michael Jackson at his best.
Like The Pips at their gladdest
Like The Pips at their happiest.
And I know they love it
And I know they love that about me.
So to hell with all that rubbish
So I won't worry about irrelevant things.
Would you be my love, my love?
Would you be my lover?
Could you be mine?
Could you be mine?
Would you be my love, my love?
Would you be my lover?
Could you be mine?
Could you be mine?
Could you be my love (ooh), my love?
Could you be my lover?
Would you be my American boy, American boy?
Would you be my American lover/friend?
Take me to Chicago, San Francisco Bay (I wanna see the Bay)
Take me to Chicago and San Francisco Bay, especially the Bay.
La-la-la-la-la-di-da (la, la)
(Singing a melody)
La-la-la-la-la-di-da (ooh-ooh)
(Continuing the melody)
La-la-la-la-la-di-da
(Still continuing the melody)
Will you be my American boy?
Will you be my American lover/friend?
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: Joshua Lopez, Caleb Speir, Keith Ernesto Harris, William Adams, Kanye Omari West, John Roger Stephens, Estelle Swaray, Kweli Ebon Washington
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind