American woman, I'm gonna mess your mind
American woman, you gonna mess your mind
American woman, I'm gonna mess your mind
American woman, I'm gonna mess your mind

Say A, say M, say E
Say R, say I, C
Say A, N

American woman, I'm gonna mess your mind
American woman, you gonna mess your mind
American woman, I'm gonna mess your mind

American woman, stay away from me
American woman, mama let me be
Don't come a hangin' around my door
I don't want to see your face no more
I got more important things to do
Than spend my time growin' old with you
Now woman, I said stay away
American woman, listen what I say

American woman, get away from me
American woman, mama let me be
Don't come a knockin' around my door
Don't want to see your shadow no more
Colored lights can hypnotize
Sparkle someone else's eyes
Now woman, I said get away
American woman, listen what I say-ay-ay-ay

American woman, said get away
American woman, listen what I say
Don't come a hangin' around my door
Don't want to see your face no more
I don't need your war machines
I don't need your ghetto scenes
Colored lights can hypnotize
Sparkle someone else's eyes
Now woman, get away from me
American woman, mama let me be

Go, gotta get away, gotta get away now go, go, go
I'm gonna leave you woman
Gonna leave you woman
Bye-bye bye-bye, bye-bye, bye-bye
You're no good for me
I'm no good for you
Gonna look you right in the eye
Tell you what I'm gonna do
You know I'm gonna leave
You know I'm gonna go
You know I'm gonna leave
You know I'm gonna go-o, woman
I'm gonna leave you woman
Goodbye American woman


Lyrics submitted by kevin

American Woman Lyrics as written by Gary Peterson Burton Cummings

Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

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American Woman song meanings
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51 Comments

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  • +3
    General Comment

    Actually it's an anti America song. "Flashing lights can't hypnotize, sparkle someone elses eyes" talking about all the bars and casinos in America that people get 'addicted' too.

    "I don't need your war machines" Duh, the US has one of the largest militaries in the world, and is constantly using it. While Canada is totally opposite.

    "I don't need your ghetto scenes" Obviously refering to all the ghettos and slums in the states.

    "Don't come hangin around my door, I don't wanna see your face no more" I guess talking about how everyone thinks America is the best place to live, and talks about going there.

    By the way, I'm American and I love it here ;)

    Muzzyon March 06, 2003   Link
  • +2
    General Comment

    better than lenny kravitz's cover in my opinion.

    figbasheron July 29, 2002   Link
  • +2
    General Comment

    nemt= a brainwashed american idiot HeavyMetalRocker= another brainwashed american idiot

    "someone kills over 2000 of your people? the solution to this, in the american way, is to kill over 40000 of the people who are not even involved in your 'tragedy'" thanks Brenosantos exactly what i wanted to say

    as to this song, i think most of the comments covered up the meaning- the whole anti-america, not wanting a american 'colonization' for canada etc... great song

    nachozon May 02, 2008   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    i read an interview about this song where one of the band members claimed it wasn't about disliking american women, it was more "we prefer canadian women". it was a pretty funny interview and a great song.

    champienneon July 03, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I love this version much better! This is such a great song I have to listen to it as much as possible.

    Lostmyconcentron September 08, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    100000x better then his cover

    Hindenbergon September 17, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Also I beleive the guitarist is Randy Bachman, who later formed Bachman-Turner Overdrive("You Ain't Seen Nothin Yet", "Takin' Care Of business"), another popular Canadian band back in the 70s.

    Muzzyon March 06, 2003   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I like this song very much....it's classic...and should have never been redone, it's great just the way it is....and played LOUD!!

    happylittldittyon March 08, 2003   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Yeh, Muzzy is right about the song. Everyone here in Canada knows what it means, it's one of the biggest rock songs ever in Canada. Its anti-americanism probably has a large factor as to its lack of success in America; even though it was a big hit there too. Bachman and Cummings probably just didn't want Canada to head down the same road as America, which is somewhat did.

    Anyway, gotta love Canada... and yeah, America's now toooo bad either.

    SimpleKindOfBoyon May 10, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Statue of Liberty = American woman

    i think there is some historical context in the satire as i believe this was during Vietnam as US was trying to enlist Canada's Help, please correct me if i'm wrong, as i might be

    Italian Phaethonon May 23, 2004   Link

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