Krikorian is a singer/songwriter, whose songs have been recorded by Charlie Sexton, Bette Midler, Peter Case, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Vanessa Williams, Bonnie Raitt and others. He is most commonly regarded as a Christian artist, and has released several albums of Christian songs starting with Romeo Unchained (1986); prior to that, he was decidedly a secular artist.
Krikorian and Alan Shapazian (rhythm guitar) formed a band called The Raik's Progress which recorded one single for Liberty Records, released in 1967. In 1973, he appeared as a member of the former Buddy Holly backing band the Crickets on their album "Remnants".
By 1978, Krikorian went solo, adopting the name of Tonio K, possibly a reference to the Thomas Mann novel Tonio Kröger, with Life In The Foodchain.
Krikorian is featured as lead vocalist on the song "Don't Fade Away." from the Crickets & Their Buddies album, released in the summer of 2004.
American Love Affair
Tonio K. Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
He's a self-made man
Owned half of Tennessee
And now he's sold off all his old friends
And bought up the past and paid down on you and me
Yes and New York may be the new world
But she's still a filthy concrete bitch without a soul
But it don't matter 'cause Jacob
Because he's climbed so high
There's nowhere left to go
It's an American love affair
It's an American dream
Somebody said that it's everywhere
Nobody's sure what it means
But if you wake with your mind on fire
Too frightened even to scream
It's just an American love affair
Just an American dream
Sweet Rebecca she's a go-getter
She'll tell you that she loves you for a price
And she should know better
But no one's let her
Take the time to think at all
Much less think twice
And now all the glitter
And all the human litter
That surround her
Seem as normal as the sky
And in the morning
If you buy her diamonds
She will always try to guess
How much but never why
It's an American love affair ...
The song "American Love Affair" by Tonio K. is a critique of the American dream and the price people pay to achieve it. The song is divided into two verses, each describing a person who has bought into the American dream and what it has cost them.
The first verse is about Jacob, a self-made man from Memphis who has sold off his old friends and bought up the past. He has climbed so high that there's nowhere left to go, but he still wants more. New York may be the new world, but it's still a "filthy concrete bitch without a soul" to him. He wants it because he's been taught to want it. The American dream tells him that success means having more, always striving for more, and never being satisfied.
The second verse is about Rebecca, a go-getter who loves for a price. She has bought into the American dream by believing that success equals material objects. The glitter and human litter that surround her seem normal because she has never taken the time to think about what she really wants. The only thing that matters to her is how much her diamond rings cost, not the meaning behind them.
Overall, the song paints a picture of a society that values material wealth over everything else, where people are willing to sacrifice their relationships, happiness, and even their souls to achieve their version of the American dream.
Line by Line Meaning
Jacob comes from Memphis
Jacob comes from a place where people aspire to start from scratch and make it big in the world.
He's a self-made man
Jacob has made a fortune by himself without any financial help from anyone.
Owned half of Tennessee
Jacob was a well-known business mogul who had acquired a substantial amount of property in the state of Tennessee.
And now he's sold off all his old friends
Jacob has betrayed his old friends just to achieve his goals.
And bought up the past and paid down on you and me
Jacob has gotten so wealthy that he can afford to buy expensive things for himself and others.
Yes and New York may be the new world
Although New York is a modern city, it lacks a genuine, caring atmosphere.
But she's still a filthy concrete bitch without a soul
New York is a cold and emotionless place that doesn't show love or empathy.
But it don't matter 'cause Jacob
However, Jacob is still keen on settling in New York.
You know he wants her
Jacob is determined to make New York his new home.
Because he's climbed so high
Jacob has accomplished so much that he doesn't know where else to go.
There's nowhere left to go
Jacob has reached the peak in his journey of success and he cannot progress any further.
It's an American love affair
Jacob's relationship with New York is representative of how Americans idolize and celebrate their success and wealth.
It's an American dream
The lifestyle Jacob has made for himself in New York City is symbolic of the American Dream, where individuals can rise to great heights through hard work and perseverance.
Somebody said that it's everywhere
People claim that the American Dream is available to anyone and everywhere in America.
Nobody's sure what it means
Despite being told that the American Dream is achievable, many people still do not fully understand what this dream entails.
But if you wake with your mind on fire
If you find yourself extremely eager and willing to achieve your goals in life, despite the hardships, setbacks and failures.
Too frightened even to scream
You may feel helpless and disheartened in the face of overwhelming difficulties that you cannot control.
It's just an American love affair
The concept of the American Dream can be seen as an obsession and a fixation of Americans, similar to a passionate love affair they have with their dreams.
Just an American dream
The American Dream is just that: a dream, an abstract idea that represents the possibilities and opportunities that America has to offer.
Sweet Rebecca she's a go-getter
Rebecca is a woman who eagerly pursues goals and takes action to achieve them.
She'll tell you that she loves you for a price
Rebecca will use romantic overtures to manipulate others into paying for her material desires.
And she should know better
Rebecca is aware that her actions are morally and ethically wrong, despite her disregard for the well-being of others.
But no one's let her
No one has taken the time to recognize or help Rebecca change her behavior.
Take the time to think at all
Rebecca often fails to consider the long-term consequences of her actions.
Much less think twice
When making decisions, Rebecca rarely takes into account how her choices may harm others or impact the world around her.
And now all the glitter
Rebecca has grown used to the superficiality of her lifestyle and enjoys the attention and material comforts that come with it.
And all the human litter
Rebecca has become immune to the negative aspects of her environment, including people who are broken or left behind due to her selfishness.
That surround her
Rebecca is constantly surrounded by people who support her lifestyle and encourage her selfish behavior.
Seem as normal as the sky
The lifestyle Rebecca leads is so normalized and accepted that it seems as natural to her as the sky above.
And in the morning
In the morning, after enjoying a luxurious night out with someone she has manipulated,
If you buy her diamonds
If you give her valuable jewelry or money
She will always try to guess
She will immediately try to haggle and figure out just how much it is worth.
How much but never why
Rebecca isn't interested in why people give her things or what their motives are, as long as she gets what she wants.
Contributed by Emma N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.