Since 1983, the band has been headlining 500+ crowd shows all over the world. They have played with bands such as OFFSPRING, PENNYWISE, SUBLIME, GREEN DAY, NO DOUBT, THE VANDALS, JFA, FEAR, DICKIES, DI, VOODOO GLOW SKULLS, AQUABATS, and GUTTERMOUTH - just to name a few.
With their patented Surf/Skate Humorcore, the Whitekaps have released three full-length CDs and several singles, they're featured on over a hundred compilations, they've completed three North American tours, and they continue to kick out punk rock hits.
Vocals-Kc Maddox
Guitar-Rich Paul
Bass-Glen Mckenzie
Drum-Dean Briggs
American Dream
White Kaps Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Their education consisted of elementary school
I bust my ass at a job, it don't pay off for me
A little house, wife, kid and a dog
Don't make no sense for me cuz
'what ever happened to what ever happened to
My American dream
90210, 90210
American dream
90210, 90210
Back in el monte they landed, came in a pick up truck
They worked an honest day, didn't need no luck
Everyday the men would work the women would stay at home
Nowadays they both are gone, the kids are all at home alone
[Chorus]
Now that i've passed it off as dream and not reality
Things are much easier, they just don't bother me
In fact i've got to say that things are pretty good
It doesn't matter to me if all these nickels are made of wood
The song "American Dream" by White Kaps speaks about the American Dream which has now become nothing but a faint memory of a past era. The singer reminisces about how his grandparents and parents were able to fulfill their American Dream, but things have drastically changed for him. His parents only received elementary education, but still were able to acquire the American Dream of a little house, wife, kid, and a dog. However, the singer busts his ass at a job, but it doesn't seem to pay off. He questions what happened to the American Dream he used to hear so much about when he was growing up.
The singer then takes us back to the past, where hardworking immigrants in El Monte landed in pick-up trucks and worked an honest day's job to achieve the American Dream. The men would work while the women stayed at home. Nowadays, both parents work, and the children grow up alone. It is evident that the American Dream that was once achievable with hard work and determination is now a fading memory, and the reality of life today is very different.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh my grandparents had it, my parents had it too
The American Dream was a reality for my ancestors and my parents as well
Their education consisted of elementary school
Their education was minimal, but they still managed to live the American Dream
I bust my ass at a job, it don't pay off for me
Despite working hard at a job, I am unable to achieve the same level of success as my elders
A little house, wife, kid and a dog
The typical American Dream lifestyle from the past
Don't make no sense for me cuz
I cannot relate to this lifestyle because it is unattainable nowadays
'what ever happened to what ever happened to
I am wondering what went wrong with the American Dream
My American dream
The lifestyle that my ancestors and parents achieved
90210, 90210
A reference to the TV show that glamorized the American Dream lifestyle
Somebody tell what happened to my
I am asking for an explanation for the demise of the American Dream
Back in el monte they landed, came in a pick up truck
My ancestors arrived in America with very little and worked their way up
They worked an honest day, didn't need no luck
They achieved success through hard work alone
Everyday the men would work the women would stay at home
The traditional gender roles that were often present in the past American Dream lifestyle
Nowadays they both are gone, the kids are all at home alone
The traditional family dynamic has shifted and the current American Dream lifestyle is not as family-oriented
[Chorus]
Repeating the main message of the song
Now that i've passed it off as dream and not reality
I have come to terms with the fact that the American Dream is no longer attainable
Things are much easier, they just don't bother me
I have accepted my current situation and am content with it
In fact i've got to say that things are pretty good
Despite not achieving the traditional American Dream, I am happy with my life
It doesn't matter to me if all these nickels are made of wood
Material possessions are not important to me, as long as I am happy and content
Contributed by Benjamin K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Peter O
I used to hang these dudes back in OC 92
Beastradamus
And I like classic punk rock i.e. Op Ivy, Guttermouth etc
dolpx
it reminds me somehow tony hawk's games !!
George Pryor
Why do people hate this? This is tight as hell lol
TheArtdave1
Punk!
James Sunderland
apparently people are not aware that hopeless records used to put out punk bands. 88 fingers louie, the bollweevils, fifteen, etc. The shit on their roster now is vastly different and terrible to say the least. Do yourself a favor and listen to some real music. It's good and good for you.
Adam Dodson
didnt expect this from hopeless. kind of reminds me of some "old-punk" band you'd hear at some bar along side a highway. Not really my thing...
Dixon Chan
WTF ??? HopelessRecords ??!
KING PIS
dafuq did i just click
austin straub
I don't hate it. Very true to punk roots.