Play house, put my favorite record on
Get down, get your crystal method on
You were like tall, tan driving 'round the city
Flirting with the girls like,"You're so pretty"
"Springsteen is the king, don't you think?"
I was like, "Hell yeah, that guy can sing"

Like ooh-ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh-whoa

You make me crazy, you make me wild
Just like a baby, spin me 'round like a child
Your skin so golden brown
Be young, be dope, be proud
Like an American
Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ohh
Like an American
Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ohh

Drive fast, I can almost taste it now
L.A., I don't even have to fake it now
You're like so sick, everybody said it
You're way ahead of the trend, ge-get it
Elvis is the best, hell yes
Honey, put on that party dress

Like ooh-ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh-whoa

You make me crazy, you make me wild
Just like a baby, spin me 'round like a child
Your skin so golden brown
Be young, be dope, be proud
Like an American
Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ohh
Like an American
Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ohh

Everybody wants to go fast but they can't compare
I don't really want the rest, only you can take me there
I don't even know what I'm saying but I'm praying for you

You make me crazy, you make me wild
Just like a baby, spin me 'round like a child
Your skin so golden brown
Be young, be dope, be proud
Like an American
Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ohh
Like an American
Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ohh
Like an American
Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ohh
Like an American
Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ohh
Like an American


Lyrics submitted by Mellow_Harsher, edited by charnn, BadBitch, sydneyk84

American Lyrics as written by Elizabeth Grant Rick Nowels

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics powered by LyricFind

American song meanings
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8 Comments

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  • +6
    General Comment

    I believe this song is as simple as the lyrics are. She sees America and Americans as youthful, naive, and simple. She sees America for what it was in the days of Elvis, Springstein, and Tom Petty. She uses music and references to other artists music to explain what makes HER feel American. I love how honest she is through her music and how she reveals her insecurities without holding back..not so much in this song as in others but you can identify a few instances in this song.

    mdangelo1on April 21, 2013   Link

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