American Nights
Runaways The Lyrics

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(M. Anthony/K. Fowley)

Clean rock n roll
Makes the midnight flow tonight now
It's hot tonight
Come on let's have a good time
In the dark of the night
We hunt for fun

Chasing after the moonlight
Hiding from the sun

American nights
You kids are so strange
American nights
You're never gonna change

Our magic is young
Cause we just begun
We light up the sky
Always on the run
We live in the streets
In the alleys of screams
Cause we're the queens of noise
The answer to your dreams

American nights
You kids are so strange
American nights
You're never gonna change

Hey boy you're my good time
Dance close ya feel so fine
Hold tight we're on fire
All night you're my desire

Everybody
Wanna party
Everybody
Wanna party

American nights
You kids are so strange

American nights
You're never gonna change

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to The Runaways' "American Nights" paint a picture of wild, carefree teenagers looking for a good time. The song evokes a sense of excitement and adventure, of living for the moment and embracing the night. The opening lines, "Clean rock n roll, makes the midnight flow tonight now, it's hot tonight, come on let's have a good time" set the tone for the rest of the song.

The chorus repeats the phrase "American nights, you kids are so strange, American nights, you're never gonna change". This line suggests that the singers of the song are rebels, outsiders who do not conform to society's expectations. They reject the status quo and live life on their own terms. The lyrics speak to the irrepressible spirit of youth, of the need to break free from the mundane and explore the world.

The song has an upbeat tempo that reflects its message of living life at full throttle. The emphasis on dancing and partying underscores the urgency of the moment. The chorus echoes the sentiment that the singers are always on the move, always searching for something more. In essence, "American Nights" is an anthem for youthful rebellion and the quest for adventure in a world that is often far too mundane.

Line by Line Meaning

Clean rock n roll
We're playing good music tonight

Makes the midnight flow tonight now
Our music is setting the mood for the night

It's hot tonight
The night is filled with excitement

Come on let's have a good time
Let's enjoy the night to the fullest

In the dark of the night
Under the starry sky

We hunt for fun
We're always looking for a good time

Chasing after the moonlight
We're after the magical moments the night brings

Hiding from the sun
We prefer the night-time over daytime

American nights
The exciting and adventurous lifestyle we lead in America

You kids are so strange
Our unconventional ways might seem strange to some

You're never gonna change
We'll always stay true to ourselves