The American
Nouvelle Vague Lyrics
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I see you wake, shake, fit on those overalls
What do you know about this world anyway
I see a man with an airfield plan
I caught a boy fall out of the sky
What do you know about this world anyway
In collective fame
Ameri-Ameri-Ameri-Ameri-American
Nassau club day
Ameri-Ameri-Ameri-Ameri-American
Across a curved earth
In collective fame
Ameri-Ameri-Ameri-Ameri-American
The eventful work-outs
Nassau club days
Here comes the flag
I'm walking in the black
Every time you touch this place it feels like sin
Every time the handshake starts, the face draws thin
What do you know about this world anyway
Here comes the son, the American son
In here the son shines so bright, eyes blind
What do you know about this world anyway
Ameri-Ameri-Ameri-Ameri-American
In collective fame
Ameri-Ameri-Ameri-Ameri-American
Nassau club day
Ameri-Ameri-Ameri-Ameri-American
Across a curved earth
In collective fame
Ameri-Ameri-Ameri-Ameri-American
The eventful work-outs
Nassau club days
Here comes the flag
Hand-shake
This world
The lyrics of "The American" by Nouvelle Vague explore the complexities of American identity and the country's place in the world in a post-9/11 context. The song begins with a reference to the "shake" and "speed-decade wake" that evoke the fast-paced, consumerist culture of America. The singer observes someone wearing overalls and questions their understanding of the world. The next line vaguely alludes to the military-industrial complex with the mention of a man with an "airfield plan" and a boy falling out of the sky, possibly a reference to the casualties of war. The chorus repeats the phrase "Ameri-Ameri-Ameri-American" as if to emphasize the dominant influence of American culture on the world stage, and the juxtaposition of "collective fame" with "Nassau club day" suggests both the sense of unity and the trend towards exclusivity and elitism that is often associated with American culture. The second verse lyrically echoes the first, with biblical imagery ("Here comes the son, the American son") and a mention of "the black" that could be interpreted as a reference to race relations. The final line "This world" could be read as a comment on the all-encompassing impact of American culture, or as a final questioning of what one truly knows about this complex world.
Overall, "The American" offers a critical and thought-provoking commentary on American identity and its representation, with the repetition of the phrase "What do you know about this world anyway" suggesting an inherent skepticism towards simplistic understandings of the country and its impact on the world.
Line by Line Meaning
Here comes the shake, the speed-decade wake
The new generation is bringing rapid changes to the world
I see you wake, shake, fit on those overalls
I notice you adapting to the changing times
What do you know about this world anyway
You have not experienced enough to understand how the world works
I see a man with an airfield plan
I observe someone with big ambitions taking action to achieve them
I caught a boy fall out of the sky
I witnessed a young person attempting something daring and radical
Ameri-Ameri-Ameri-Ameri-American
In collective fame
Ameri-Ameri-Ameri-Ameri-American
Nassau club day
Ameri-Ameri-Ameri-Ameri-American
Across a curved earth
In collective fame
Ameri-Ameri-Ameri-Ameri-American
The eventful work-outs
Nassau club days
The American way of life is celebrated across the world in various events and activities
Here comes the flag
I'm walking in the black
The power and influence of the American flag looms over all, even in moments of darkness
Every time you touch this place it feels like sin
Your presence here is uncomfortable and feels like a transgression
Every time the handshake starts, the face draws thin
Initial friendliness fades and the true nature of the situation is revealed
Here comes the son, the American son
In here the son shines so bright, eyes blind
The American people are seen as a shining example of success, but there may be negative consequences of this image
What do you know about this world anyway
You have not experienced enough to understand how the world works
Here comes the flag
Hand-shake
This world
The power and influence of the American flag and handshake pervade all aspects of the world
Contributed by Benjamin O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@life_poet
I love this version, my favorite.
@class66
Good version well done. Simple minds can never be beaten though.
@seanflynn9450
Really like this cover. Stripped back and atmospheric. Great cover.
@gtartrek9453
Cool version!
@mariehone7130
For you .
@DavidLazarus
Not bad for a stripped down version of the song.