American Woman
Guess Who (the) Lyrics
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American woman, mama let me be
Don't come a hangin' around my door
I don't want to see your face no more
I got more important things to do
Than spend my time growin' old with you
Now woman, I said stay away
American woman, listen what I say-ay-ay-ay-ay-ay
American woman, get away from me
American woman, mama let me be
Don't come a knockin' around my door
Don't want to see your shadow no more
Colored lights can hypnotize
Sparkle someone else's eyes
Now woman, I said get away
American woman, listen what I say-ay-ay-ay
American woman, said get away
American woman, listen what I say
Don't come a hangin' around my door
Don't want to see your face no more
I don't need your war machines
I don't need your ghetto scenes
Colored lights can hypnotize
Sparkle someone else's eyes
Now woman, get away from me
American woman, mama let me be
Go, gotta get away, gotta get away now go, go, go
I'm gonna leave you woman
Gonna leave you woman
Bye-bye bye-bye, bye-bye, bye-bye
You're no good for me
I'm no good for you
Gonna look you right in the eye
Tell you what I'm gonna do
You know I'm gonna leave
You know I'm gonna go
You know I'm gonna leave
You know I'm gonna go-o, woman
I'm gonna leave you woman
Goodbye American woman
Goodbye American chick
The lyrics of Guess Who (the)'s song American Woman seem to be directed towards an American woman who is unwanted by the singer. The lyrics have a strong tone of rejection and distance between the singer and the woman in question. The lyrics start with a clear indication for the woman to stay away from the singer, followed by an insistence that the singer has more important things to do than be with her.
As the lyrics progress, the singer repeats the need for the American woman to leave him alone, and also declares that he doesn't need her "war machines" or "ghetto scenes". The singer even references "colored lights" that can hypnotize, indicating a strong sense of temptation or lure that he refuses to succumb to. The lyrics end with a final goodbye to the American woman, signifying that the singer's decision is final and there's no turning back.
Overall, the song can be interpreted as a commentary on the culture and society of the United States at the time. The war machines and colored lights could symbolize the seductive and captivating aspects of American culture, but the singer sees past them and rejects them in favor of something more meaningful.
Line by Line Meaning
American woman, stay away from me
I don't want anything to do with American women, so keep your distance from me
American woman, mama let me be
I am telling your mother to leave me alone and let me be
Don't come a hangin' around my door
I do not want you coming to my house
I don't want to see your face no more
I never want to see you again
I got more important things to do
I have things that are much more significant to me than spending time with you
Than spend my time growin' old with you
I would rather do anything else than grow old with you
Now woman, I said stay away
I already told you to stay away from me, so leave me alone
American woman, listen what I say-ay-ay-ay-ay-ay
I am emphasizing that you need to listen to what I am telling you
American woman, get away from me
I am reiterating that I want you to leave me alone
Don't come a knockin' around my door
Do not bother trying to visit me
Don't want to see your shadow no more
Even your shadow is bothersome to me
Colored lights can hypnotize
I am warning you that flashy things won't work on me
Sparkle someone else's eyes
If you're trying to impress someone, do it to someone else
Now woman, I said get away
I am telling you to leave me alone, again
American woman, listen what I say-ay-ay-ay
Again, I am emphasizing that you need to listen to what I am saying
American woman, said get away
I am emphasizing again that I want you to stay away from me
Don't come a hangin' around my door
I am reiterating that I do not want you coming over
Don't want to see your face no more
I don't want to be reminded of you
I don't need your war machines
I don't want anything to do with your weapons or military
I don't need your ghetto scenes
I do not want to be around the rough or crime-filled environments you're from
Go, gotta get away, gotta get away now go, go, go
I need to get away from you, immediately
I'm gonna leave you woman
I have made up my mind, I am ending things with you
Bye-bye bye-bye, bye-bye, bye-bye
I am saying goodbye to you, for good
You're no good for me
I am saying you are not suitable for me
I'm no good for you
I am admitting that I am not right for you either
Gonna look you right in the eye
I am going to face you head-on
Tell you what I'm gonna do
I am going to tell you what my plan is
You know I'm gonna leave
I am reaffirming that I am leaving
You know I'm gonna go
I am making it clear that I am leaving you behind
Woman, I'm gonna leave you
Again, I am ending things with you
Goodbye American woman
I am saying goodbye to the American woman I was with
Goodbye American chick
I am addressing her one final time, as my time with her is over
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Burton Cummings, Gary Peterson, Michael Kale, Randy Bachman
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@babettelock2106
2023 and still loving The Guess Who . They ARE classic rock.
@paulinechapman5669
Amen..🇨🇦
@bonniegarrison9741
This kind of music made the 60s&70s worth living.
@scottmurphy650
I feel so blessed to have grown up in the 60's and had this fantastic music to listen to.
@Tropicaya
Living?
The Vietnam war was LIVING?
@texas6065
This Song automatically brings up images of my Deceased husband. This was one of his favorit songs. I miss him dearly after 45 yrs of being married it's hard not to.
@AustinBigWig
I am so very sorry for your loss. You are in my prayers.
@nacygass9465
Me too,mine
@trevorgallagher9930
I'm sorry. I hope you're holding up OK.
@mznubianqueenbri2you730
🫂💗💗💗💗Sip to your husband you're 😢 In my prayers 🙏🏿