"American Boy" was released by Atlantic Records as the album's second single on 31 March 2008. The song received positive reviews from music critics, who praised its fresh sound and production. The song reached the top five in many European and Oceanic markets, and peaked at number-one in Belgium and Estelle's native United Kingdom. It also achieved success in the United States, peaking at number nine on the Billboard Hot 100 and becoming Estelle's breakout song in the country. The song earned many nominations, and ultimately won a Grammy Award for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration. The music video, featuring a variety of celebrity guests, earned a Video Music Award nomination for Best UK Video. Estelle and West performed the song at the 2008 MTV Europe Music Awards and 2008 Grammy Awards. "American Boy" was featured in the 2009 film "Obsessed".
"It's a song as breezy as air, so carefree its gorgeously channeled vocals practically float off from the grounded four-on-the-floor disco beat and Quincy-Jones-producing-Michael-Jackson funk bass. It's a pure pop gem with a joyful bounce, verdant in textures (particularly the sunglassed analogue synth stabs), contagiously catchy, danceable and singable, and lyrically devoid of depth or scope, like an aimlessly pleasant walk in the park."
— Timothy Gabriele of PopMatters commenting about "American Boy"
"American Boy" was listed number 7 on the 100 Best Songs of 2008, published by the music magazine Rolling Stone. The song also ranked the 10th best song of 2008 and 238th on the Top 500 songs of the 2000s, published by Pitchfork. The Village Voice's Pazz & Jop annual critics' poll ranked "American Boy" at number 2 to find the best music of 2008 after M.I.A.'s "Paper Planes". MTV listed the song fourth on its list of "Best Songs of 2008". PopMatters named "American Boy" the best single of 2008. BBC America listed "American Boy" at eighty-five on its list of "Top 100 British Songs of the 21st Century". In 2019, Time Out included it in its list of the 50 best songs of the 2000s.
The music video for "American Boy" was directed by Syndrome. It features guest appearances by John Legend, Kardinal Offishall, Sa-Ra's Taz Arnold, Kidz in the Hall's Naledge and Double-O, Danger Mouse, Consequence, Hi-Tek, Ryan Leslie, T.I., Brandon Hines, LL Cool J, and 106 & Park's Terrence J, among others. The music video was nominated for Best UK Video at the 2008 MTV Video Music Awards, but lost to The Ting Tings' single "Shut Up and Let Me Go". The video also ranked at number 45 on BET's Notarized: Top 100 Videos of 2008 countdown, while its spin-off channel BET J listed it at number 10 on the year-end Last Call 2008! Top 50 Countdown.
In 2018, NPR ranked this as the #112 greatest song by a female or nonbinary artist in the 21st century, saying:
"In 2008, the world fell for British vocalist and rapper Estelle’s song of transatlantic romance. With its lush, catwalk sound, ‘American Boy’ embodies the confidence and desire of the newly connected Myspace generation. With production from The Black Eyed Peas' will.i.am and rhymes from a younger Kanye, Estelle’s silky vocals and coy lyricism make this duet an anthem that’s still too big to fail."
American Boy
Estelle Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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 likin' 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?
The lyrics to Estelle's song "American Boy" are a playful imagining of a hypothetical romance with an American man. The song opens with Estelle asserting her confidence and swagger, claiming that she is the "number one champion sound." She then talks about her desire to travel, specifically to places like New York and Los Angeles. The chorus repeats the refrain "Take me on a trip, I'd like to go some day" emphasizing the idea of adventurousness and spontaneity.
The second verse describes Estelle meeting a potential love interest, complimenting his height and confidence. She even teasingly comments on disliking his baggy jeans while hinting at her attraction to what's underneath. She then asks him to take her on a tour of his city, Brooklyn, specifically, so she can "see what's good." The verse ends with Estelle admiring her love-interest's style, describing him as dressed "smart like a London bloke" who speaks with a bespoke suit.
The bridge of the song sees Estelle cleverly using slang and colloquialisms to assert her own cultural identity, "Tell 'em wah gwan, blud! / Who killing them in the UK? / Everybody gonna say 'You, K!'" She talks about how she feels as a black female artist in a male-dominated industry and how she likes to stay true to herself and her style.
Overall, "American Boy" is a fun and energetic song that celebrates romance, travel, and cultural exchange.
Line by Line Meaning
This a number one champion sound (yeah)
This song that we are about to play is the best sound out there.
Who the hottest in the world right now? (Huh)
Who is the most popular and attractive person in the world right now?
Just touched down in London town (huh)
I have just arrived in London.
Bet they give me a pound (uh)
I bet they will give me some money.
Tell 'em put the money in my hand right now (yes)
Tell them to give me the money right away.
Tell the promoter we need more seats
Ask the organizers to provide more seats because everybody wants to see me.
Take me on a trip, I'd like to go some day
Take me for a trip to explore different cities and countries.
I really want to come kick it with you
I would love to spend time with you.
He said, "Hey, sister, it's really, really nice to meet ya"
He politely greeted me and expressed his pleasure at meeting me.
I just met this 5-foot-7 guy who's just my type
I just met a man who is the ideal guy for me.
Like the way he's speakin', his confidence is peakin'
I like the way he talks and his confident manner.
Don't like his baggy jeans but I might like what's underneath them
I am not a fan of his baggy jeans, but I am interested in getting to know him more.
And, no, I ain't been to MIA
I have not visited Miami before.
I heard that Cali never rains and New York's wide awake
I have heard that Los Angeles has good weather and that New York City is always busy.
First let's see the West End, I'll show you to my bredrin
Before anything else, let me show you around the West End and introduce you to some friends.
Can we get away this weekend? Take me to Broadway
Can we travel together this weekend to see Broadway shows?
Let's go shopping, maybe then we'll go to a café
Let's go shopping first, and then we can grab a cup of coffee after that.
Let's go on the subway, take me to your hood
Let's take the subway and go to your neighborhood.
Dressed in all your fancy clothes, sneakers looking fresh to death, I'm loving those Shell Toes
You are dressed in classy clothes and fashionable sneakers, and I find them attractive.
Walking that walk, talk that slick talk
You are walking and talking confidently and stylishly.
Tell 'em wah gwan, blud!
Tell them what's going on, my friend.
Reluctantly, 'cause most of this press don't fuck with me
I will reluctantly accept their compliments since most of the media does not support me.
Estelle once said to me, "Cool down, down
Estelle once advised me to relax.
Don't act a fool now, now"
Stop behaving foolishly.
I always act a fool, ow, ow
I tend to behave foolishly all the time.
Am I shallow 'cause all my clothes designer?
Does it make me shallow that all my clothes are high-end designer clothes?
Uh, dressed smart like a London bloke (yes)
I am suitably dressed like a fashionable Londoner.
Before he speak his suit bespoke (woo)
He is wearing a customized suit that perfectly fits him.
And you thought he was cute before
You thought he was attractive previously.
Look at this pea coat, tell me he's broke (woo)
Look at his pea coat and tell me if he looks poor or rich.
'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 feel as confident as Michael Jackson at his peak.
Like The Pips at their gladdest
Just like The Pips when they sound their best.
Would you be my love, my love?
Would you be my love, my darling?
Could you be mine?
Can you be with me?
La-la-la-la-la-di-da
A humming sound
Will you be my American boy?
Would you be my American boyfriend?
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave, 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
@Toasty_Jam78
I cannot unhear:
“Number one victory royale!”
“Yeah fortnite we bout to get down”
get down!
“10 kills on the bored right now”
“Just wiped out tomato town”
“My friend just got downed”
“I revived him and were heading southbound”
“Now were in the pleasant park streets”
“Look at the map go to the marked sheet”
“Take me to your xbox to play Fortnite today”
“We can go moisty mire”
“But not loot lake!”
“I really love to, Chug jug with you”
“We can be pro fortnite gamers”
pro fortnite gamers
@barnaclescum7011
“I guess we’ll never know” - American Boy
@flufington
BYEEE
@onyxrise
I know
@jammyfidgets3405
Did u know this song went viral before “I guess we’ll never know” on Tik tok in 2019 when people made a dance of it
@barnaclescum7011
@@jammyfidgets3405 HOLY SHIT I HAD NO CLUE ITS ALMOST AS IF IT WAS FUCKING HUGE WHEN IT CAME OUT AND IS STILL RECOGNIZABLE TO THIS DAY 😀
@mashedpotatoes7404
YES...
@Void_tear3123
God, I haven't listened to this in years. This makes me NOSTALGIC
@Dia6loWithASix
Welcome back to this masterpiece ❤️
@aaronchemaly8141
I just rembered it and search American girl by mistake😂😂i missed this song no cap
@ZERO-hr1xe
Same bro, i fell nostalgic