American Boy
Lagrene Birelli & Jaco Pastorius Lyrics
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'Cause I don't believe in them dimmo drags
Don't want to vote for the left wing - don't want to vote for the right
I gotta have both-to make me fly
Just a whitey from Blighty - heading out west
Got my little green card an' my bulletproof vest
Goin' to old tube city - where the buzz is the best
Well I was born (on the line) an' I was raised (on the line)
I was schooled (on the line) an' I was fazed (on the line)
An' I was used (on the line) an' I was dazed (on the line)
Just had to split (off the line) 'cause I was crazed (off the line)
An' I remember all the good times - me 'n Miller enjoyed
Up and down the M1 in some luminous yo-yo toy
But the future has to change - and to change I've got to destroy
Oh look out Lennon here I come - land ahoy-hoy-hoy
All American Alien Boy All American Alien Boy
Don't look down put your feet on the ground don't drown in the big aquarium
Don't walk slow - put on a big show - shove your meat down vegetarians
Don't get slugged, get mugged, get bugged, or they'll sling you in the jug
Shove you under some rug, give you some drug - pull out the plug and then...
And they're telling me this hamburger's cheaper than the other
An' this television's cheaper than the other
And they're selling me hotdogs cheaper than the other
An' these pizzas cheaper than the other
And I don't understand all this - I'm just an All American Alien Boy
An' they're telling me rifles are shot in Connecticut
They're telling me pistols are shot in Westchester
You can get a Saturday Night Special on Flatbush, on the Bowery, or the Bronx
Or on 42nd Street - And I don't understand all this - being an All American Alien Boy
I've got sodium nitrate rotting in my guts
My head's full of ulcers I got lungs full of butts
My heart wants a transplant - it thinks that I'm nuts
My logic won't open - my eyes won't shut
An' I'm beginning to dig all this - being an All American Alien Boy
And your women are always right (alright)
They always know so much more
'Cause the women came from heaven
An' the men came outta some store
An' they don't know who they are and they don't know what they're for
I'm an All American Alien Boy - look out Mary Tyler Moore
All American Alien Boy
Ten Bears, Two Bears, Standing Bear, Plenty Bear,
Old Bear, Brave Bear, Hollow Horn Bear
Silver Knife, Spotted Tail, Yellow Hand, Red Cloud,
Red Fox, Red Horse, Black Kettle,
White Ghost, White Bull, White Thunder, White Hog,
hold on a minute gotta frog in my throat
Cochise, Alchise, Roman Nose, Geronimo - hold on a minute - more to go
Sitting Bull, Tall Bull, Crazy Horse and Short Bull,
Low Dog, Red Dog, Yellow Wolf, Low Wolf
Loco, Victorio, Chato, Little Crow, Dead Eyes, Jak, Taza an' Colorow
My mouth's exploding that's enough of this noise
I guess we're all - All American Alien Boys.
The song "American Boy" by Lagrene Birelli and Jaco Pastorius talks about the journey of a white British man who is leaving his country to make a better life in America. He packs his bags and leaves behind the land of rags, meaning he leaves behind a life of poverty and promises for a brighter future in America. He doesn't believe in the restrictions that are imposed on him by society and therefore, he doesn't want to vote for the left or the right wings; he wants both to make him fly, meaning he wants to make his own choices and soar high.
The singer talks about his disillusionment with his home country, where he was born and raised, and his desire to leave behind the life that he was used to living. He also mentions the various goods that America advertises, such as cheaper hamburgers, televisions, hotdogs, and pizza, which he doesn't quite understand. Furthermore, he talks about the gun culture in America, which he also doesn't understand, and how he feels like an outsider because of it.
The song highlights the struggles of being an alien in a new country and trying to fit in where everything seems strange and foreign. The lyrics are poignant because they express a longing for something other than the norm, a desire to explore and break free from stereotypes and societal confines.
Line by Line Meaning
I packed my bags - in the land of rags
I chose to leave a place of poverty and despair.
'Cause I don't believe in them dimmo drags
I don't have faith in the conventional path to success.
Don't want to vote for the left wing - don't want to vote for the right
I don't identify with either major political party.
I gotta have both-to make me fly
I seek balance and compromise to achieve success.
Just a whitey from Blighty - heading out west
I'm a white person from the UK traveling to the US.
Got my little green card an' my bulletproof vest
I have my immigration papers and protective gear.
Goin' to old tube city - where the buzz is the best
I'm going to a place where the excitement is unmatched.
On down the line (down the line) down the line (down the line)
I'm continuing my journey forward.
Well I was born (on the line) an' I was raised (on the line)
I grew up in a difficult environment.
I was schooled (on the line) an' I was fazed (on the line)
I received an education, but it wasn't easy.
An' I was used (on the line) an' I was dazed (on the line)
I was taken advantage of and confused.
Just had to split (off the line) 'cause I was crazed (off the line)
I had to leave that environment because I was going crazy.
An' I remember all the good times - me 'n Miller enjoyed
I have fond memories of a friend named Miller and the good times we had.
Up and down the M1 in some luminous yo-yo toy
We drove along the M1 motorway in a flashy car.
But the future has to change - and to change I've got to destroy
Change must happen, and I'm willing to take drastic action to achieve it.
Oh look out Lennon here I come - land ahoy-hoy-hoy
I'm excited to make an impact like John Lennon did.
All American Alien Boy All American Alien Boy
I am a foreigner in America, but trying to fit in.
Don't look down put your feet on the ground don't drown in the big aquarium
Stay grounded and don't get lost in the overwhelming US culture.
Don't walk slow - put on a big show - shove your meat down vegetarians
Be confident, entertaining, and assertive, even to those with different beliefs.
Don't get slugged, get mugged, get bugged, or they'll sling you in the jug
Don't become a victim of crime or legal trouble.
Shove you under some rug, give you some drug - pull out the plug and then...
They might hide you or drug you, making you powerless.
And they're telling me this hamburger's cheaper than the other
Marketing tricks are used to convince me to buy cheaper products.
An' this television's cheaper than the other
Companies use the same tactics with televisions.
And they're selling me hotdogs cheaper than the other
Even hotdogs are used to prey on the desire for a bargain.
And these pizzas cheaper than the other
Pizza is also marketed to be sold cheaper.
And I don't understand all this - I'm just an All American Alien Boy
As a foreigner, it's confusing to see all these marketing strategies.
An' they're telling me rifles are shot in Connecticut
News reports reveal tragic events in Connecticut involving guns.
They're telling me pistols are shot in Westchester
More incidents involving guns are reported.
You can get a Saturday Night Special on Flatbush, on the Bowery, or the Bronx
Even in major cities, dangerous weapons are easily accessible.
Or on 42nd Street - And I don't understand all this - being an All American Alien Boy
It's hard to comprehend why the gun culture is so prevalent in the US.
I've got sodium nitrate rotting in my guts
Processed foods are causing health problems for me.
My head's full of ulcers I got lungs full of butts
I am experiencing mental and respiratory issues.
My heart wants a transplant - it thinks that I'm nuts
I feel like my heart is broken and needs a change.
My logic won't open - my eyes won't shut
I feel stuck and unable to make good decisions.
An' I'm beginning to dig all this - being an All American Alien Boy
Despite the difficulties I face, I'm starting to enjoy being a foreigner in America.
And your women are always right (alright)
American women are strong and opinionated.
They always know so much more
They are intelligent and have a wealth of knowledge.
'Cause the women came from heaven
Women are divine and special.
An' the men came outta some store
Men are not as important as women and are mass-produced like products.
An' they don't know who they are and they don't know what they're for
Men are not self-aware and lack purpose.
I'm an All American Alien Boy - look out Mary Tyler Moore
Despite my differences, I'm starting to embrace American culture.
Ten Bears, Two Bears, Standing Bear, Plenty Bear,
These are names of Native American figures.
Old Bear, Brave Bear, Hollow Horn Bear
More Native American figures.
Silver Knife, Spotted Tail, Yellow Hand, Red Cloud,
Even more people of historical significance.
Red Fox, Red Horse, Black Kettle,
Additional Native American names of note.
White Ghost, White Bull, White Thunder, White Hog,
Important Native Americans who are white, hinting at their mixed heritage.
hold on a minute gotta frog in my throat
The singer is having trouble speaking.
Cochise, Alchise, Roman Nose, Geronimo - hold on a minute - more to go
More Native American names are mentioned.
Sitting Bull, Tall Bull, Crazy Horse and Short Bull,
Names of powerful Native American leaders.
Low Dog, Red Dog, Yellow Wolf, Low Wolf
More Native American names with animal themes.
Loco, Victorio, Chato, Little Crow, Dead Eyes, Jak, Taza an' Colorow
Additional Native American names.
My mouth's exploding that's enough of this noise
The singer has had enough of the noise he's making.
I guess we're all - All American Alien Boys.
We are all unique and different, yet Americans.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: IAN HUNTER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind