Just Like America
THE ALFEE Lyrics

The song "Just Like America" by THE ALFEE tells the story of young people who seek freedom and their dreams in a society where conformity prevails. The opening verses describe a dream of looking beyond a fence, hoping to find a song that can lead them to freedom, but realizing that there is nothing there. The imagery of blue jeans, white T-shirts, and black eyes suggests that the youth are trying to emulate the American pop culture they see on TV, which is a symbol of their desire for individuality and escape.

The chorus of the song asks where they are going in the context of the river of time and history, and how much they can resist its flow to pursue their dreams. The phrase "Just Like America" is repeated throughout the song, suggesting that the youth are trying to emulate the American ideals of freedom, individualism, and democracy, but also highlighting the irony of their imitation and their lack of awareness of their own cultural identity. The bridge of the song signals a shift in tone, expressing the disillusionment of the youth who realize that the TV news only reports depressing news and that their imitation of American pop culture has not led them to real change.

The song concludes on a note of hope, with the repeated phrase "Baby, baby, baby, oh my freedom" suggesting that the youth still believe in the power of freedom and their dreams, even if they are not sure how to achieve them. The song presents a critique of post-war Japanese society, which was marked by a struggle between tradition and modernity, conformity and individualism, and the influence of American culture on Japanese identity. The song's message resonates with many young people in Japan and around the world who are trying to find their own voice and meaning in an increasingly globalized and interconnected world.