The American War
Simone White Lyrics


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Do you remember the American War
It wasn't that long ago, it was fought on every shore
Are you trying to tell me that you didn't know
I saw you reading the paper at the corner store
(Yes I know, that's a joke)

Did you ever think you lived inside the belly of the beast
Are you giving it something nice to eat
Or are you waiting for your very own special treat
We like to live on easy street

Do you remember the people we bombed
All the homes that were there that are now gone
Well whoever told you that life is fair
People have to die - over there

Did you ever think this was the greatest country in the world
With freedom and democracy and SUV's called "Liberty" for every boy and girl
The oyster chokes on its own pearl
"We know you can't help where you're born
It's not that you're foreign
It's what you stand for
We know it's hard to start reform
The revolution's born
But no one claims it" (winning ticket)

Do you remember the American War
We thought it was fun, but it was a bore
Do you remember the American War
We forgot what we were fighting for




Do you remember the American War
We forgot what we were fighting for...

Overall Meaning

Simone White's song, The American War, is a thought-provoking commentary on American foreign policy and the country's history of war. The opening lyrics ask if the listeners remember the American War, which was fought on every shore and wasn't that long ago. The reference to the American War could be referring to multiple conflicts, including the Vietnam War or the ongoing War on Terror. The song then questions whether the listeners are aware of the extent of the destruction caused by the war and whether they cognize that they reside within the "belly of the beast."


The lyrics then delve deeper into the notion that America is considered to be the greatest country globally, with freedom and democracy as key characteristics. However, this concept is rebuked by the following lyrics, making it very clear that the American War's human cost outweighs freedom and democracy's supposed principles. These concepts are juxtaposed by references to SUVs named "Liberty" for every boy and girl, which questions American's manufacturing priorities that devote time, energy, and resources to making cars but ignore people's well-being globally.


In the song, Simone White also raises some intriguing solutions to resolving the issues arising from America's hubris: starting reforms and revolution. However, these solutions are brushed aside by the winning ticket, which could be interpreted as either politicians or society's collective consciousness. The song's ultimate question is whether we remember the American War and concludes with a crucial point that everyone needs to remember what we are fighting for, highlighting the dangers brought by selective amnesia.


Line by Line Meaning

Do you remember the American War
Asking if the listener remembers the war America fought


It wasn't that long ago, it was fought on every shore
The war was fought not so long ago and extended to various places


Are you trying to tell me that you didn't know
Expressing incredulity at the listener's supposed ignorance of the war


I saw you reading the paper at the corner store (Yes I know, that's a joke)
Making a sarcastic observation about the listener seen reading newspaper while claiming ignorance of the war


Did you ever think you lived inside the belly of the beast
Asking if the listener ever realized they were living in a place that caused destruction and oppression


Are you giving it something nice to eat
Asking if the listener is contributing to the system's oppression


Or are you waiting for your very own special treat
Asking if the listener is waiting to receive benefits from the system


We like to live on easy street
Hinting that the listener is perhaps living comfortably and not willing to change


Do you remember the people we bombed
Asking if the listener remembers the innocent people who were killed due to the war


All the homes that were there that are now gone
Remembering the destroyed homes of the people that were bombed


Well whoever told you that life is fair
Sarcastically saying that whoever told the listener that life is fair is wrong


People have to die - over there
Stating the harsh reality that people in war-torn countries are dying


Did you ever think this was the greatest country in the world
Asking if the listener ever believed that their country was the best


With freedom and democracy and SUV's called "Liberty" for every boy and girl
Describing the superficial aspects of living in a supposedly free country


The oyster chokes on its own pearl
Making a metaphorical observation that a person or a country might fail due to its own wealth or success


"We know you can't help where you're born
Stating that people can't choose where they are born


It's not that you're foreign
Saying that people from different countries are not the actual issue


It's what you stand for
Saying that people's beliefs and actions are what define them, regardless of their origin


We know it's hard to start reform
Acknowledging that it's difficult to bring about change


The revolution's born but no one claims it" (winning ticket)
Stating that the revolution might have started but no one is taking ownership or responsibility


Do you remember the American War
Repeating the question if the listener remembers the war


We thought it was fun, but it was a bore
Reflecting on how people might have found the war exciting at first but later on it became uninteresting


We forgot what we were fighting for
Acknowledging that people might have lost sight of why they were fighting in the war


We forgot what we were fighting for...
Further emphasizing that people forgot the reason why they fought the war




Contributed by Skyler A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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