Arriale has recorded 13 highly acclaimed CDs as a leader and has toured and/or recorded with jazz icons Benny Golson, Randy Brecker, George Mraz, Tommy Flanagan, Hank Jones, Monty Alexander, Cedar Walton and Kenny Barron. Arriale’s recordings have topped the National jazz radio charts and numerous “Best Of” lists; she has been featured on PBS, NPR, Billboard, Downbeat, JazzTimes and JAZZIZ. Arriale’s “Convergence” was named one of the top CDs of 2011 by JazzTimes Magazine, and “Solo” was named one of the top CDs of 2012 by JAZZIZ Magazine.
Her music has exhilarated audiences on international concert and festival stages over the past 18 years. Arriale’s stunning originals and reimagined covers combine influences including Celtic, Americana, Middle-Eastern, Balkan, and pop/rock inspirations. Her unique interpretations and deconstructions of jazz classics, high-spirited originals and exquisitely intimate ballads have truly created a signature sound.
Lynne Arriale is Associate Professor of Jazz Studies and Director of Small Ensembles at the University of North Florida. She records for Motema Music and is a Yamaha Artist.
"The consummate storyteller, Arriale achieves a special, deep connection with her audience, and the energy flows both ways. Arriale’s emotional authenticity allows the audience to feel and think along with her.“ (Jazz Times).
“There may be no jazz artist working today who brings a broader spectrum of musical ideas to the connection of mind and heart” (Jazz Police).
American Woman
Lynne Arriale Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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 Lynne Arriale's song "American Woman" are a clear message to a woman to stay away from the singer. The guitar riff that opens the song is iconic and immediately recognisable, and the lyrics express the singer's disillusionment with American culture and the Vietnam War. Throughout the song, the singer is calling on the woman to leave them alone, using strong phrases like "Don't come a hangin' around my door" and "Don't want to see your face no more."
The line "I don't need your war machines, I don't need your ghetto scenes" is a clear statement against the violence and devastation of war, and the singer's desire to distance themselves from that chaos. They also reject the glitter and sparkle of fame, stating "Colored lights can hypnotize, sparkle someone else's eyes." The repetition of the phrase "American woman" is a symbol of the broader disillusionment with American culture and its values during the time of the Vietnam War.
Lynne Arriale's interpretation of "American Woman" is unique in that it is an instrumental jazz version, replacing the lyrics with a beautiful piano melody. However, the message of the song is still clear, and the beautiful piano arrangement perfectly matches the sentiment of the lyrics.
Line by Line Meaning
American woman, stay away from me
I don't want to be with you, American woman
American woman, mama let me be
Leave me alone, American woman
Don't come a hangin' around my door
Don't come to my house
I don't want to see your face no more
I don't want to see you anymore
I got more important things to do
I have more important tasks to attend to
Than spend my time growin' old with you
I don't want to be in a relationship with you
Now woman, I said stay away
I already told you to leave me alone, woman
American woman, listen what I say-ay-ay-ay-ay-ay
Listen to what I am saying, American woman
American woman, get away from me
I want you to go away, American woman
Don't come a knockin' around my door
Don't come and knock on my door
Don't want to see your shadow no more
I don't want to see you or any evidence of your presence
Colored lights can hypnotize
Other things can attract you, such as flashy or attractive things
Sparkle someone else's eyes
Attract someone else
Now woman, I said get away
I am telling you to leave me alone, woman
American woman, listen what I say-ay-ay-ay
Pay attention to what I'm telling you, American woman
American woman, said get away
I said, go away, American woman
Don't want to see your face no more
I don't want to see you anymore
I don't need your war machines
I don't want to be with someone who's involved in military conflict
I don't need your ghetto scenes
I don't want to be around urban poverty or danger
Now woman, get away from me
Woman, please leave me alone
American woman, mama let me be
Please, American woman, leave me alone
Go, gotta get away, gotta get away now go, go, go
I need to leave, quickly
I'm gonna leave you woman
I am going to break up with you, woman
Bye-bye bye-bye, bye-bye, bye-bye
Goodbye, goodbye forever
You're no good for me
We are not good together
I'm no good for you
We are not meant for each other
Gonna look you right in the eye
I am going to tell you directly
Tell you what I'm gonna do
I will explain my plan
You know I'm gonna leave
You understand I am leaving
You know I'm gonna go
You understand I am going away
You know I'm gonna leave
You understand I am leaving
You know I'm gonna go-o, woman
You understand I am going away, woman
I'm gonna leave you woman
I am going to leave you, woman
Goodbye American woman
Goodbye, American woman
Goodbye American chick
Goodbye, American girl
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Burton Cummings, Gary Peterson, Michael Kale, Randy Bachman
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind