Wilder was one-half of the Greenwich Village folk group Matthew & Peter in the 1970s. In 1978 he moved to Los Angeles and sang for television commercials and backup for Rickie Lee Jones and Bette Midler.
Wilder's first album, I Don't Speak the Language (1983), reached number 49 on the Billboard chart, fueled by "Break My Stride", which reached number 5 on the singles chart. His second album, Bouncin' Off the Walls (1984), was a commercial failure.
Wilder continued his career as a songwriter and producer. His work includes producing the No Doubt's multi-platinum album Tragic Kingdom (1995). He lent his singing voice to the character of Ling and was nominated for an Academy Award for Original Music Score (along with David Zippel and Jerry Goldsmith) for his work on the Disney film Mulan (1998).
On Broadway, Wilder has once again paired with Zippel to provide the music and lyrics for Princesses, a musical comedy update of Frances Hodgson Burnett's novel A Little Princess. The production opened on Broadway in November 2006.
The Kid's American
Matthew Wilder Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Barrelin' down highway 9
Pickin' up the same crowd
By the Pepsi sign
Baby gun your gas
Paint your lipstick on til it shines like glass
Midnight riders, lovers, rock and roll
Got it in the blood
The kid's American
Underneath the hood
You know the kid's American
Cause he looks so good
The kid's American
Cruisin faster than he should
The kid's American
Out behind the high school
Smokin' that cigarette
Deep into the blue jean
And gonna get deeper yet
On the night cool grass
Somethin's in the wind and it's comin fast
Hold on baby, try to take it slow
Oh no! Yeah! Yeah! Yeah!
Got it in the blood
The kid's American
Underneath the hood
You know the kid's American
Cause he looks so good
The kid's American
Cruisin faster than he should
The kid's American
Look out now!
Drag it out all night
Til' there's nothing left but morning light
Drive it til' your chassis bottoms out
Oh yeah! Yeah! Yeah!
Got it in the blood
The kid's American
Underneath the hood
You know the kid's American
Cause he looks so good
The kid's American
Cruisin faster than he should
The kid's American
Got it in the blood
The kid's American
Underneath the hood
You know the kid's American
Cause he looks so good
The kid's American
Cruisin faster than he should
The kid's American
The song "The Kid's American", performed by Matthew Wilder, is an ode to American youth culture and the stereotypical American teenager. In the lyrics, the singer is portrayed as a rebel who is living life on the edge, cruising down the highway with the top down, smoking cigarettes behind the high school, and chasing after the thrill of rock and roll. The opening lines of the song set the scene, with the singer barreling down highway 9 and picking up a crowd of like-minded individuals by the Pepsi sign.
The chorus of the song emphasizes the central message - the kid's American, and that means something. The singer's rebellious spirit and love of fast cars and rock and roll are seen as quintessentially American, a sign that they have "got it in the blood." Despite warnings to slow down and take it easy, the singer keeps pushing the limits and cruising faster than they should. The song captures the energy and wildness of youth culture, celebrating the power of rebellion and the thrill of living life to the fullest.
Line by Line Meaning
Rockin' with the top down
Driving with the convertible top down
Barrelin' down highway 9
Driving as fast as possible on highway 9
Pickin' up the same crowd
Picking up the same friends
By the Pepsi sign
Meeting at the Pepsi sign
Baby gun your gas
Speed up your car
Paint your lipstick on til it shines like glass
Apply lipstick perfectly
Midnight riders, lovers, rock and roll
People who stay up late, love each other, and listen to rock and roll
Oh, Yeah! Yeah! Yeah!
Expressing excitement
Got it in the blood
It's in the kid's nature
Underneath the hood
The car has great engine power
You know the kid's American
The kid is a true American, loves cars and rock and roll
Cause he looks so good
He has a great appearance
Cruisin faster than he should
Driving faster than appropriate
Out behind the high school
Behind the high school
Smokin' that cigarette
Smoking a cigarette
Deep into the blue jean
Wearing denim jeans
And gonna get deeper yet
Going to have more experiences
On the night cool grass
On the cool grass at night
Somethin's in the wind and it's comin fast
Something is changing and coming quickly
Hold on baby, try to take it slow
Hold on tight and try to slow down
Oh no! Yeah! Yeah! Yeah!
Expressing disappointment and excitement
Look out now!
Be careful
Drag it out all night
Stay up all night
Til' there's nothing left but morning light
Until the morning comes
Drive it til' your chassis bottoms out
Drive until the car is out of gas or breaks down
Got it in the blood
It's in the kid's nature
The kid's American
The kid is a true American, loves cars and rock and roll
Contributed by Mateo N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@michaelmurdola7545
Remember listening to this song in January 1984. Seems like yesterday.
@marleneproctor2744
Michael Murdola Yes it does 👍😊 loved Matthew Wilder Excellent song Brings back great times and fond memories 1984 Music 🎶 was the Best back in the day
@ComputerProductions1
It's 2020 and we are now living in 1984.. but not the year, the novel.
@user-ev2ss9ep8v
R u still alive?
@grotters914
It's time to bring back the '80s, whatever it may cost!
@celestialstarseed111
YEASSSSSSS!
@david-bd8op
i will be the sacrifice
@tylerjwendorf
Cocaine is awesome
@thomasmischker3176
Please, send me a ticket ..... back to the 80s
@michaelorick2065
Yes