Songs when the truth, 
Are all dedicated to you, 
In this invisible world I choose to live in, 
And if u believe that, 
That now I understand, 
Why words mean so much to you, 
They'll never be about you. 
Maybe your young without youth, 
Or maybe your old without knowing anything's true, 
I think your young without youth. 

Then you contract the American dream, 
You'll never look up once, 
You've contracted American dreams, 
I'd acquire you to stop and look up. 

Sing a song about myself, 
Keep singing a song about myself, 
Not some invisible world. 

Constantly searching to find something new, 
But what will you find when you think that nothings true, 
Maybe it's that nothing is new, 
So you let me hear songs that were written all about you, 
The good songs weren't written for you, 
They'll never be about you. 

Then you contract the American dream, 
You'll never look up once, 
You've contracted American dreams, 
You'll never look up once, 
Don't look up. 

Sing a song about myself, 
Keep singing a song about myself, 
Not some invisible world.

Sing a song about myself, 
Keep singing a song about myself, 
Not some invisible world.

And I won't tell you what this means, 
'Cos you already know, 
And I won't tell you what this means, 
'Cos you already know. 

So, sing a song about myself, 
Keep singing a song about myself, 
Not some invisible world.

So, sing a song about myself, 
Keep singing a song about myself, 
Not some invisible world.

So, sing a song about myself, 
Keep singing a song about myself, 
Not some invisible world.

You'll find what you find, 
When you find there's nothing.

You'll find what you find, 
When you find there's nothing.



Lyrics submitted by Lorna450, edited by SleepyCatten

American English Lyrics as written by Colin Newton Bob Fairfoull

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

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American English song meanings
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50 Comments

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  • +1
    General Comment

    yeah ok so getting onto what it actually MEANS- my oppinion is that it is about the general state of mind of the american people in that they pay no attention to the rest of the world whilst believing they know all about it. the meaning is also how Britian is quickly becoming similar or in my oppinion america's bitch. the song title "american english" supports this as it means someone who is from both countries which might as well be the same one. "youll never look up once" now that you have "contracted american dreams" this is the main part about english ppl turning into american ppl who dont know about the outside world, then "sing a song about myself" means exactly that- he may as well be talking about himself, as idlewild are english(or british at least). sorry if this offends any americans reading this but i think its the meaning of the song i didnt say it was my personal oppinion.

    joeytheboyon July 07, 2002   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    To me, this song is more about applying meanings of songs to yourself and writing/listening to music, then it is about the merging of britian and america. Because, being a Scottish band, I really dont think Idlewild would refer to Britain as 'England' in their title as Britain and England are very different things. It would be a blatant mistake that no one from the British Isles ever makes.

    However, the title would make more sense if the mearning of the song was to do with writing and more literary things, as 'American English' is actually what the english language used in the USA is called. The way it is spoken in Britain is called 'British English.'

    So perhaps this song is making reference to the way we communicate, rather than the relationship between britain and america. That makes more sense to me than any political meaning. Any one else believe so?

    pasiphaeon October 29, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    arghhh i am obsessed with this damn song! why is it so pretty?!?! hehehehehehe!! I LOVE IT!!!!!!!! :)

    Lorna450on June 12, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I heard this song last night on Mtv2, man this song rules, the video is also quite sweet. But this songis gonna make Idlewild famous, so prepare for this thread to get quite big!

    Ewanon June 12, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I think that although this song is nice it doesn't compare to the stuff on 100 broken windows. I'm sure it'll do well. I've seen the video too, very pretty. And Roddy's certainly a sharp dresser. That outfit is very snappy. It'll be quite ironic if, like Ewan suggested, this song makes Idlewild famous since it is one of their weaker songs and they are capable of a lot more. Especially live.

    JulianCasablancason June 15, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    selfish

    globalon June 15, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    You've got to remeber that it's older than 100 broken windows... Use to be called Weak Spot when they played it live, but now they've changed the name for the single.

    Huzzah anyway, its a beast.

    chimpyon June 17, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    this song is soooo beautiful. i've been a fan since 99 and the new stuff is very different but it's not a bad thing, they're maturing...:) hurrah! i'm getting the album early.

    i can imagine dancing in someone's arms to this. beautiful!

    xxxx

    rahtwinkleon June 21, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    This is a pure class tune from a pure class band. Idlewild rule!

    Crowdmanon July 04, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    This is pure class, Idlewild's 'Yellow' if you will. Been a fan since I See Shapes in 1999, and they just get better.

    alflavoron July 06, 2002   Link

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